NOTES FOR CONDUCTORS
Purpose and style
Everyone who attends SRP enjoys playing, so the repertoire should give all players a good amount of active involvement.
Members and visitors do not enjoy extended sectional rehearsal if it results in long periods of sitting out. We understand that some passages will involve rests, or simpler lines such as sustained semibreves, but the overall emphasis should be on providing plenty of opportunity to play.
Venue
Highgate International Church
272 Archway Road
Highgate
London N6 5AU
The church is almost next to a mini-Sainsbury’s. Please use the Café entrance, not the main entrance up the steps.
Detailed information on travel and parking is available at:
www.srp.org.uk/north-london-branch-venue/
Timings
Please aim to arrive by 2.00 pm to allow time to prepare for a 2.30 pm start. There will be people available to help you get organised.
There is a lectern and a table and/or the piano top available for music copies.
The session runs from 2.30 pm to approximately 5.20 pm, allowing time for clearing up and a 5.30 pm finish.
There is a refreshment break at around 4.00 pm. This should last approximately 15–20 minutes. When announcing the break, it is helpful to state clearly the time you intend to restart.
Making yourself heard
We rehearse in a large room and are well spaced out. Some players have limited hearing, so please:
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Speak clearly and at a measured pace.
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Project your voice.
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Give precise instructions .
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Allow time for players to count to the relevant bar. Music marked with rehearsal letters can be particularly helpful.
It is useful to repeat which parts you are addressing and to specify clearly where you would like players to stop. Playing by ear exercises may not work well for our group.
A small personal microphone with amplifier is available if needed and the group do seem to prefer it.
Publicity
Once a date is agreed, we will include your session in the annual programme on the North London page of the SRP website.
Approximately one month before the session, a committee member will request:
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A short biography
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Brief notes about your programme
You may outline a theme or general approach, but you do not need to itemise specific repertoire or instrumentation at that stage.
The Committee Liaison will circulate a reminder email a week or so in advance. We are happy to include publicity about your forthcoming professional engagements.
Numbers and copies
Attendance is typically between 25 and 30 players, and very rarely below 25.
People really do not like sharing. Please use the following guide when preparing copies:
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8 descant
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16 treble
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16 tenor
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9 bass (if single bass line)
OR
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5 F bass
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4 C bass (including 1 contra)
Players
The general standard is approximately Grade 4 to Grade 6, with some players at a higher level.
Please note:
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You cannot assume treble players will play up the octave, although some may enjoy doing so.
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Bass players are usually happy to play down where required, but greatly appreciate having their own printed parts wherever possible.
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All players are experienced sight readers and can work through several pieces effectively within a session.
Music distribution and logistics
Once seated, it is difficult for players to move due to stands, water, instruments and personal belongings.
You may either:
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Organise music into instrument sets so that each player has all required parts from the start, or
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Ask a few volunteers to distribute parts as each piece is introduced.
A clearly printed score works well.
If you may return to a piece later in the session, please make this explicit so players keep it on their stand.
Please also consider in advance:
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How parts will be distributed
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Whether you would like them returned during or after the session
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Whether they should be collected in order of piece and part.
Programming guidance
We welcome the variety that different conductors bring and are happy to follow your lead. If helpful, the following points may assist:
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Begin with a short warm-up piece to allow for late arrivals.
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Consider a similar shorter piece to conclude the session.
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A more substantial work can be placed before refreshments, but avoid programming something excessively long.
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Pieces should ensure that all players are actively involved for most of the time.
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Depending on length and complexity, you may need five to eight pieces.
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We play a range of styles and periods. The core repertoire tends to include madrigals and other 16th and 17th century music, but we are open to new challenges.
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Be precise about who is playing and from which bar. Repetition of instructions is often helpful.
Management of the session
This is your session and we leave its management to you.
One or two players may ask extended questions or make observations. You may find it helpful to close these down politely to keep the session moving and stop them interrupting your flow.
Fees and expenses
We pay £100 for the session (although we are always delighted if a conductor chooses to waive this).
We reimburse reasonable photocopying up to £20.00 and travel costs at cost.
You are welcome to retain the music after the session.
Further information
If there is anything you would have found helpful to know in advance that is not covered here, please let us know so we can update these notes.
Chairman
Alasdair Nisbet
07767 207 185
Committee Liaison (finance, members, conductors, website and programme)
Katie Stone
020 8829 9847
07762 734 227