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Newent Orchestral
Society Bill's Musical Notes, May, 2010 Heritage Project Preserving the artefacts of history is one way of keeping in touch with what it was like to live in an age gone by. I was looking recently at some cannon shot unearthed in Newent and on display in its Market Hall heritage centre. Just a pile of old lead balls. But knowing why they existed, what they were used for and what they may have been involved in made the history live and a living history makes its connections with today. We are what we are via what we were... So, if you attend (or are playing in) the Newent Orchestra's Heritage Concert, spare a moment to think about all the connections the music we'll be playing makes with the past. Think about Rutland Boughton composing his symphony at Kilcot (there is a copy of the score in our exhibition); think about his hope for community "socialist" music and the inspiration he took from Celtic lore for his "Immortal Hour" and its subsequent links with Grail and Arthur. Think about Forester, Joe Meek, fighting his corner in the cut-throat pop industry taking to London, like Dick Wittington, aspirations of making it big and with the inspiration to do just that. Think about the formation of our orchestra right at the beginning of the Second World War and how it has been rehearsing and performing continually ever since. Here's a bit of inside information about what has become the Newent Music Heritage Project, inaugurated at the beginning of this year and sponsored by the Newent Orchestra. A short while ago, Ian Boughton from the Boughton Trust visited me and kindly contributed some fascinating material for our exhibitions, including a copy of the original Third Symphony score, correspondence written by Boughton, posters and photos, etc., all giving real insights into the composer's life and creative output. Sandra Meek, Joe's niece, also introduced herself and is generously willing to bring along her own collection of artefacts and memorabilia to the Memorial Hall on 15 May. Forest of Dean District council have made a contribution towards promoting the project with money for brochure printing and we are looking for further financial support for the future. Together with Kathryn Wheeler, Susan Grenfell and Mel Tillard, I've been rehearsing a Boughton string quartet which we will be playing in the Memorial Hall during the day of the 15th, surrounded by the exhibition materials - and Sandra will be there to chat to people about Joe. Another departure for the orchestra is the inclusion in the concert of a short animated film taken from the "Immortal Hour" opera and if this goes well there is no reason why more films on music themes shouldn't follow. I would urge anyone interested to take a look at the exhibition materials for it may be a while before they are all on show again. This is all to do with Newent's musical past, but what of the future? The orchestra - and the choral society - are in sound health and the standard of music playing has been improving over the years during which I have been a member and privileged to be leader. A key to future success will be to keep innovating in terms of concert programs and to encourage, when practical, new members whatever their interest and ability. It is important to acknowledge the past but it is the future that will determine whether the orchestra continues for another 70 years. Music touches us with its connections in so many different ways. It connects us with the past and it connects us with our hopes and aspirations. That connectedness gives a sense of wholeness and belonging, a healthy antidote to the characteristic cynicism and alienation of the modern age. Enjoy it while you can! Bill Anderton, May, 2010 You can receive the Newent
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