CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY

An extra Committee Meeting was held on Wednesday 12 January, 2005 at 6pm. in the Thirkill Room, Clare College..

Present:

Executive Officers: Stephen Cleobury (SC), Simon Fairclough (SF), Liz Harvey (EH), Maggie Heywood (MH.), Sam Hudson (SH), Gordon Lawrence (GL), Claire Pike (CP)

Co-opted members: John Barber (JB), Tim Brown (TB),

Observer: Ian Thompson (Dean of King's)

The Chairman, Tim Brown, introduced the Dean of King's, Ian Thompson, and explained that the purpose of the meeting was to decide what CUMS would do to respond to the tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean. He reported that the Vice-Chancellor is interested in our plans and is ready to support the event either by writing a foreword for the programme, or by attending, if time permits. TB made the point that we are the University Musical Society and it's therefore appropriate that we should be taking a lead in this venture. He also suggested that funds for the immediate relief effort had already been found and that we should try to raise money for a re-building programme, preferably in an area where a member of the University lives. He invited comments and suggestions.

MH asked whether or not it had yet been decided whether we were going to put on a concert, or a `Come & Sing' event. After a wide-ranging discussion it was agreed that a concert, which will include as many CUMS members as possible, would be arranged, in King's College Chapel, on Saturday 19 February, at 8pm., subject to the approval of the Chapel Committee and the College Council.

The programme is likely to be:

Handel Zadok the Priest with Chorus and orchestra (combined CUMS I & II)

Dvorak Cello Concerto (with combined CUMS I & II) solo Richard Birchall

A piece for Wind & Brass by the Zephyr Ensemble

Parry Blest pair of Sirens for chorus & orchestra (combined I & II)

Tim Brown, Stephen Cleobury, assistant conductor(s)

It was agreed that we would try to allow a one metre space around the performers so that we could sell 400 seats in the Inner Chapel at a cheaper price. In the Antechapel it was agreed that we should offer 50-100 top price seats which include a Wine Reception (was the price of £100 agreed?). The rest of the Antechapel would be priced at £20 and £15.

Chorus rehearsals will be fitted in by extending two regular Thursday rehearsals for an extra 45 minutes. CUMS I might be able to include some Dvorak rehearsal on Tuesday evenings and there will be one hour 15minutes available on the day, 12.30-1.45pm. The Handel & Parry will be rehearsed on the day with the chorus and orchestra tutti, and the Zephyr Ensemble will have half an hour in the Chapel at 12noon.

A number of issues were raised, including the following, for which help would be appreciated:

Securing players/singers,

Identifying a cause to support

Organising an enormous publicity drive

Liaising with the V-C's office

Ticket printing and selling

Sponsorship seeking

Organising a Wine Reception and funding it

Invitations to the great and the good (and the identification of such a group)

Asking the performers to flag it up, contribute and swell the publicity effort.

N.B. MH has already discovered that Richard Birchall is delighted to have been asked to play the Dvorak Cello Concerto again, but Tagbo Ilozue will be taking important exams at that time and won't be able to conduct it.

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