Please click on an event below for further information and how to enrol.
‘Categories’ will display events that are specifically participation, performance, or residential.
We appreciate it if players sign up to events in advance to make sure we have enough space and music for everyone, but don’t worry when there isn’t an enrolment form, as they will be made available nearer to the event.
We have an excellent car-sharing scheme in place. If you need a lift to an event, or if you have space in your car and would be happy to share your journey with another Cobwebber, please indicate this on the enrolment form. Not only does this make travelling more enjoyable, it also reduces the cost of fuel and keeps cars off the road!
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Our policies, including all Covid safety information, can be found on our Policies and Forms page.
If you have any queries, please contact our events coordinator, Lorna Edwards: events@cobweborchestra.org.uk
Opera Project with Peter Wood
Saturday 8th February, 11-4pm
Summerhill Pavillion, Winchester Terrace
Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6EH
To enrol, click HERE
Peter says:
The 5th session of the Opera Project will take place on Saturday 8 February from 11am to 4pm at Summerhill Pavillion, Winchester Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6EH
In this chronological journey we have now looked at 42 opera overtures, finishing our last session in 1816 with the Barber of Seville by Rossini. The next batch of overtures I am preparing include:
Rossini – Cinderella, The Thieving Magpie, Semiramide, The Journey to Reims, Count Ory, William Tell
Weber – Der Freischutz, Euryanthe, Oberon
Boieldieu – La Dame Blanche
Bellini – Il Pirata
Auber – Fra Diavolo
We aim to run through as many of these overtures as we can in the available time whilst hearing stories behind them and their composers.
These are fully scored for strings, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, trombones and timps (some with additional percussion). As previously, transposed parts will be available.
Early enrolment is appreciated for these events to ensure we have the necessary transpositions, and to give early warning of any holes that might need to be filled in the orchestra.
I’m looking forward to continuing to explore these overtures with you.
Peter
On Friday 28th Feb 2025, during the half term break, Musinc based at Middlesbrough Town Hall are are holding a community orchestra day for any instrumental players over the age of 8 years old that would like to get involved in playing in a large ensemble. We will be the host orchestra and will welcome working with all ages of the community. It’s going to be a lovely day!
It’s FREE to join in, but as ever, donations are welcome.
Jointly led by Mark Edwards and Ben Hopkinson, the repertoire is Terry Riley’s ‘In C’ which is a contemporary work made up of 53 segments of melody that can be played at the discretion of the players – that way, there are no rules to break! It’s a really fun, accessible piece for all players to enjoy so do come along and share your orchestral experiences with the community of Middlesbrough. There’ll be some other, more familiar repertoire to explore too, dependant on those who sign up.
Enrolment is open now, so please join us by clicking HERE!
All details here: Come and Play: Community Orchestra | Middlesbrough Box Office
About the day
In partnership with our friends at Musinc at Middlesbrough Town Hall, they’re inviting musicians to join us for a day of workshops at Middlesbrough Town Hall, finishing with a sharing performance.
The orchestra will be open to all abilities, including those with SEND and neurodiversities, and all instruments, including non-orchestral.
There will be tutors on hand during the day to support musicians who learn music through alternative methods.
We’ll play family-favourite classical music, including tunes from films, and the day will finish with a sharing performance for friends, family and anyone else who’d like to come along.
Schedule:
9.30am – arrival and registration
10am – welcome, warmups and rehearsals begin
12.15 – lunch break
1pm – afternoon rehearsals
3pm – sharing performance
Join Patrick on the weekend of 8th/ 9th March (date to be confirmed) for a study day looking at the amazing An American in Paris by George Gershwin.
More info to follow.
A Month Of… Dances
Waltz your way into Spring with this postponed event from our January Month of series.
In traditional Viennese style, join Mark to welcome in the Spring (!). With a flurry of polkas, waltzes and marches, kick off your Spring 2025 full of joy, excitement and positivity. Bow ties not required!
Here is what Mark has to say “I’m really looking forward to this year’s Sedbergh Residential and exploring the theme of ‘Tales, Myths and Legends’. The repertoire i’m considering at the moment include: The Water Goblin – Dvorak, Danse Macabre – Saint-Saëns, The Snow Maiden Suite – Rimsky-Korsakov and maybe even Til Eulenspeigel – Strauss (!) We’ll be enjoying the Sedbergh normalities of the Midnight Choir, Concert Party and opportunities for chamber music. It’d be great to have you there! .”
Mark is already working on the repertoire & timetable and we expect there to be a mix of leaders and special guests to ensure we get the most out of his chosen pieces.
Accommodation at Sedbergh is in one of the boarding houses with plenty of single or shared rooms available. You can choose to be a resident with all meals provided or a non-resident with some or no meals.
Sadly, due to increased costs of the School, the price for accommodation has had to increase slightly (2.3%). Prices are £220 (single) or £210 (shared) for 2 nights full board. Meals for non-residents (@ cost price) – lunch £19 (S or S); dinner £25 (F or S).
Music only £81 for all days. £13/£36/ £32 (F or S or S).
Non resident (all meals exc b/fast + music all days) £160
PLEASE SEND DEPOSIT NOW OF £60 – RESIDENTS ONLY.
Bank details – Name: The Cobweb Orchestra; Sort Code: 089299; Account: 65560297; Reference: Sedbergh.
Note if anyone would like to attend but the cost is prohibitive – please contact me or Mark or Cobfriends as we will be able to assist.
Please do get in touch if you have any queries – by email christine.ball1208@live.co.uk or by phone 07905684537.
BOOKING . . . If you would like to be part of the 2025 Sedbergh Residential please complete the booking form HERE or book online HERE by SUNDAY 16th FEBRUARY. The Sedbergh Residential is always a very popular event so please return your booking form early to avoid disappointment.
We welcome Jessica Burroughs (cello section leader of Opera North) to Cobwebs as she joins us to play the Schumann Cello Concerto. There’s more info to follow but for now, put this date in your diaries – its one not to be missed!
Save the date! More info to follow.