NDOA NEWS – SEPTEMBER 2007

Hello, everyone.  I hope you have all spent a good few months during the “summer”.  I now need to update you on a few matters.

You will no doubt be interested to know that Steve Bowey, one of our regular recitalists who also took part in the Organ Day Masterclass on 23 June with Ann Elise Smoot, has recently learned that he has been awarded Associateship of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO).  For gaining the highest marks in both the performance and written sections, he won the Limpus Prize and the Sowerbutts Prize respectively, and was consequently awarded the Samuel Baker Prize.  I know you will all join in congratulating Steve on this excellent result.  His next recital at St Nics’ for the NDOA will be on Thursday December 13^th at 1.10 p.m.   I’m glad to say that the Newbury Weekly News printed a short article I submitted about this award in last week’s issue (Thurs. 27^th September), page 5 of Section 2.  It’s good to keep NDOA in the public eye with such excellent news!

I have recently been sent some information on a recital by Thomas Trotter on the Royal Albert Hall organ. In June 2004 he performed in the inaugural concert following the restoration of the organ, and is now going to perform works by, amongst others, Bach, Whitlock, Ligeti, Durufle, Wagner and Vierne on Wednesday 24 October at 7.45 p.m.  Tickets, priced from £7 to £20, to include a complimentary programme, can be booked at the Royal Albert Hall Box Office on 020 7589 8212,  online at  www.royalalberthall.com., or by writing to the Box Office, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP  An administration fee of £2 per booking is made to all telephone, online and postal bookings, but this does not apply to personal callers at the Box Office itself.  I have been sent only one set of information, so if you require any further details, get in touch with me, please. 

Once again, we shall be holding our Christmas dinner at The Blackbird Inn at Bagnor, this year on Thursday 6^th December, 7.30 p.m. for 8.00 p.m.  The cost for four courses and a glass of house wine or fruit juice will be £21.95 (we usually collect separately on the night for a staff gratuity).  May I request that, if you are free on that date and think you might be interested in coming to the dinner, you get back to me as soon as possible.  I am forwarding a copy of the evening menu  and if you wish to attend please send a £5 deposit per person with any booking you make.  Seating at the Blackbird is a bit limited, so first-come-first-served will be the rule.   I look forward to your response.

Best wishes,

Carolyn Greenwood