Shortened Summary (link to full notes at the end):

Key Decisions & Discussions:

• Program Suggestions: Meg will compile suggestions; Frank will check cost and past performances.
• Role Changes: Frank stepping down as librarian & first trumpet (after 36 years). Search for replacements underway.
• Concert/Rehearsal Dates: Adjustments needed to avoid Easter conflicts; first & last concerts at St. Giles.
• Islington Choral Society Issues: Concerns over professional players being hired without consultation. Negotiations planned.
• Pricing Adjustments: Subscription at £30/£50; door prices increasing from £10 to £12. Online sales may close earlier.
• Bassoon Section: No current principal bassoonist.
• Wagner Tuba Acquisition: Four secured from ENO; rental is £50 each.
• Making Music Subsidy: £250 received from Young Artists Scheme.
• Donation in Memory of Moira: £500 to fund a professional cellist; Joseph Spooner suggested.
• AGM Planning: Set for April 27, including concert schedule, finances, and a potential event for Jonathan’s 40th year.
• Other Business:
  • Piano booked for Bernstein piece; Derek may play.

Next Meeting: March 4 at 19:00.

Shortened Summary (link to full notes at the end):

Heating: Resolved, extended to 6 PM.Woodwind Rehearsal (26th Jan): Possible early start, £50 extra cost, pending approval.Concert Dates 2025-26:

• 6th Dec & 28th Feb – Saint John’s Waterloo
• 9th May – St Giles Cripplegate
• Rehearsal dates TBC.

Islington Choral Society (ICS) Collaboration: £3,500 fee for “The Kingdom”, one rehearsal planned, possible extra.Program Suggestions: 47 received, deadline end of Jan. More diversity needed.Players:

• Bassoon: Jeff Roussel covering next concert, long-term options considered.
• Trombones: Mark Horton to play principal.
• Pianist: Derek to book.
• Wagner Tubas (Bruckner 9): To be sourced, needed 27th Apr & 3rd May.

Finances: Balance £9,021, expected income from Gift Aid (£1,500) & OTR (£6,000).£500 Donation: To fund a cello soloist (Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations).Tickets & Membership:

• Friends: £30 individual, £50 couple.
• Concessions: £10 advance, £12 door.
• ICS members offered concession rates.

Next Meeting: 11th Feb 2025.AGM: Proposed 13th Apr 2025

Shortened Summary (link to full notes at the end):

Attendance: Frank, Adrian, Derek, Nathan, Alexia, Dominic, Meg
Apologies: Dug

Jonathan’s Health

• Jonathan has been unwell but is responding to treatment. Discussed potential succession planning, mentioning Orlando Joplin, Adrian Brown, and Mark Dooley as options. A contingency plan is suggested.

Next Season

• Kijé: Decided not to include a baritone soloist; will explore saxophone option instead.
• Concert Soloist: Alexia has secured a pianist for one future concert.
• Venue: Derek to book a large piano and stands at St John’s Waterloo.
• Harpists: Frank is managing arrangements.

Shortened Summary (link to full notes at the end):

Last Meeting Highlights:

• Next Season’s Dates: Adrian will circulate dates for 2024/25.
• Rehearsal Timings: Adrian to discuss scheduling options with Jonathan.
• Repertoire: A curated list sent to Jonathan for 6-8 program selections.
• Website Updates: Meg to develop a combined form for Gift Aid/Registration and explore member-only features.
• Heating KSA: Discount on the next bill noted.
• JB Booking Violins Update: Clarification on payments and committee approvals; all future payments to be approved.
• 40th Anniversary Planning: Ideas needed to celebrate JB’s anniversary in October; Frank has a repertoire list from 1984.

Current Meeting Items:

• Apologies from Derek.
• Fee Adjustments: Additional fee approved for Christian’s Heldenleben part; Adrian to confirm Menhuin fee of £250 with new Chair.
• Conductor and Leader Fees Review: Discussion on fee increases, with the last adjustment being from £1000 to £1200. Adrian to communicate intentions for review by September 2024.
• Financial Overview: Current balance is £8688; potential to recover £2,000 through Gift Aid.
• Zettle Machine: One machine sufficient for now.
• Bassoon Section: Trial players engaged; interest from others noted.
• Soloists for Upcoming Concerts: Two pianists considered.
• Post-Concert Cleanup: Proposal for alternating cleanup responsibilities among sections.
• String Player Recruitment: Meg to reach out to conservatoires for additional string players.
• Social Media Promotions: Adrian to gain Facebook admin control; Meg to explore Instagram and TikTok.
• Ticket Pricing: Consideration to raise door prices and potentially eliminate cash payments.
• AGM Date: Set for April 21, 2024.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 5, 2024, at 19:30, with a push for Jonathan’s program selection.

Action Items:

• Adrian to circulate 2024/25 dates and confirm Menhuin fee.
• Meg to develop website forms and recruit string players.
• Adrian to review conductor and leader fees with the committee.
• Follow up on social media and ticket pricing strategies.

Shortened Summary (link to full notes at the end):

Agenda:

1. Next Season Schedule:
   • One concert in 2024, followed by three concerts in 2025, due to time pressures around Christmas.
   • Rehearsal and concert dates for 2024/25 proposed, awaiting Jonathan’s confirmation.
   • No date for Havering yet—Derek to follow up with Jonathan.
2. Repertoire:
   • Alexia to gather suggestions from the orchestra to encourage member involvement in programme selection.
3. Website:
   • New website progress: committee feedback needed.
   • Meg to explore payment portals for subs and donations, a members-only login, and diversity initiatives with other amateur orchestras.
4. JB Booking Violins:
   • Jonathan apologized for booking soloists without consulting the committee.
   • Meg to handle fee-related matters and be the designated safeguarding officer.
5. Rehearsal Timings:
   • Decision to permanently shift rehearsal timings to 15:00–18:00 to avoid paying for unused time. This will apply to the upcoming St. Giles Christmas Concert.
6. Bassoons:
   • Trying out a new principal bassoonist for this concert. Further candidates to be tested, with the principal bassoon responsible for filling section roles once selected.
7. Heating at KSA:
   • Ongoing heating issues during rehearsals. A possible discount on the next hire season was offered, though no long-term fix is in place.
8. Principal Violin:
   • Christian’s request for a higher fee due to a challenging part was approved, with an additional £100 to be paid.
9. Financial Update:
   • Havering invoice submitted (£3,000). Gift Aid for last year totaled over £8,000.
   • Nathan to finalize Gift Aid and focus next on Orchestra Tax Relief.
10. AOB:
    • Discussion on Jonathan’s 40th season.
    • Facebook admin rights to be transferred from Jemma to Dug.
    • Website amendments are needed for Adrian’s WPO email.

Next meeting: January 17, 2024, at 19:00.

Shortened Summary (link to full notes at the end):

Agenda:

1. Soloist for Saint-Saëns:
   • A soloist from the Menuhin School has been secured by Jonathan, with details to follow. Meg is coordinating rehearsal dates.
2. Return of Gipps Parts:
   • Missing parts have been returned, no additional costs incurred.
3. Website Redesign:
   • Meg and Frank to fully transfer the website to WordPress due to issues with the current host.
4. String Numbers:
   • Low response to Barbara’s email on player availability, but Rojer Livid will join cellos for the first concert.
   • 11 violas signed up for the season, which is a positive.
5. Bass Players:
   • A shortage of double bass players for the season may require extra budget.
   • Meg will reach out to ex-Guildhall and Trinity Laban students, and Derek will share contact info with Dominic.
6. First Bassoon:
   • Derek has a potential contact for a bassoonist and will pass details to Adrian.
7. Rehearsal Conflicts:
   • Rehearsals are scheduled during half-term weekends, causing complaints. No changes for this season, but the issue will be considered in future planning.
8. Subs for Retired Members:
   • No formal discount for retired members, though a previous 50% discount for students could be applied. Nathan reported healthy finances, so subs remain unchanged.
   • Nathan is working on recovering Gift Aid and requires updated membership and subs data from Alexia.
9. Leader:
   • Christian is unavailable for the first two concerts and has arranged for James Widden to replace him. An increased fee for the violin concerto was agreed upon.
10. Friends of the Orchestra:
    • A newsletter will be sent to both Friends and members, encouraging more people to become Friends. This helps keep subscription costs down.

Other Business (AOB):

• John Kendrick’s Passing: A card will be arranged in memory of John Kendrick, a violinist with the orchestra.
• Programming: The committee discussed inviting string section leaders to provide input on the programming draft.
• Health Notice: A reminder about the recent rise in COVID-19 cases.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for November 7, 2023, at 19:00.

This meeting covered key logistical issues, upcoming concert planning, and discussions about personnel and financial health.