West Gallery Music

Subject: RE: West Gallery Music
From: GUEST,melinda
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 03:40 PM

If anyone on this list is going to the New England Folk Festival (www.neffa.org) there's going to be a West Gallery workshop there. They've done it there for several years, and I love it! If I lived there, I'd do it all time.

Subject: RE: West Gallery Music
From: Cats
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 03:30 PM

Harry was as good as ever, if not better, as he couldn't keep his trousers up and had to borrow a belt from his raincoat half way through. He didn't have the snake in the Ophiclide but did have the spider in the serpent.   Mike & Tina came too so after the cream tea we retired back home to watch Harry in his younger days in the Hardy Harvest songs of Praise. Harry had a photo of it in his album and there was me looking out from the West gallery which is where they banished the Counters to as no one would have us anywhere near them! Might not make Praa Sands as I pulled the tendons and muscles in my leg on Saturday on my way to a party, stone cold sober, bottles unopened in my hands! I fell off the kerb... don't ask! No didn't spill a drop or break the bottles.

Subject: RE: West Gallery Music
From: sian, west wales
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 07:28 AM

Well, if you've seen his 'act' then ... you know the bit where he can't get the ophiclide to work? I was, shall we say, in the line of fire when the problem was solved. (I'm assuming that he uses the same bit of 'vaudeville' in each of his presentations.)

I could have been severely traumatized ...

I saw that Songs of Praise! It was brilliant!

sian

Subject: RE: West Gallery Music
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 06:23 AM

Yes Sian, I have heard him do it before but hearing the serpent in the actual chapel where it was bought for and used is a bit special. It worth hearing him. Harry played his ophiclide in the infamous Songs of Praise for Hardy's 200th when I sang the counter part. Geat wekend recording and the only Songs of Praise to have 2 breweries in the credits!

Subject: RE: West Gallery Music
From: sian, west wales
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 04:26 AM

I heard Harry Woodhouse speak at the Institute for Cornish Studies conference in February - riveting! His humour rather takes you unaware, that's for sure. He brought a lot of his old instruments including the serpent, the ophiclide, vamphorn and a lovely rosewood and ivory clarinet. He had also found a few copies of his book on church orchestras of Cornwall which is out of print, so I snapped one up. A great read!

sian

Subject: RE: West Gallery Music
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 11:43 AM

The Christminster Singers are doing the Oxford Festival tomorrow (Friday 11th).

Subject: RE: West Gallery Music
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 10:34 AM

This Sunday at 3.30pm Harry Woodhouse is doing a talk in Rilla Mill Chapel, Cornwall. The chapel once had its own serpent which is now owned and played by Harry. He is bringing it back to the chapel and will play it along with his other instruments [I know he has an ophiclide as well] and talking about the music which would have been played in the chapel at the time [West Gallery]. As tradition behests, this will be followed by a cream tea.

Subject: RE: West Gallery Music
From: GUEST,c.g.
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 08:22 AM

The West Gallery Music Association site has a calendar page with details of events throughout the year, both concerts and workshops.

Subject: West Gallery Music
From: sian, west wales
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 07:22 AM

I did do a search before starting this. I see there are threads on West Gallery Christmas carols, and English Harmony singing, but not one more 'general' about West Gallery. I've just been sent some details on a couple of Spring events so maybe it's time to start a new thread:


West Gallery Workshop
Based on old manuscript
Cornish Church Music
with leader Peter Meanwell
and an opportunity to perform at St Germoe Feast
Praa Sands Community Centre (TR20 9RB)
Saturday 19th April
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
£10.00 per person inc. music
Advance Booking Essential
Bring & Share Lunch
Contact: Linda Collins at qdconsult dot co dot uk

(I don't know what to do about emails, so I've spelt it out, above. How sophisticated are trawlers these days?)

Also:
West Gallery Music Association
has its annual Spring Meeting in Ironbridge over the weekend of 16th-18th May. The organiser is Lin Cawthorne and I have her number if anyone wants it.

sian