IMPORTANT CORRECTION

THE

UZZ
OCTOBER 2013 FIRST ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
Welcome to the October 2013 edition of The Buzz, and happy birthday to us! Yes, already a year has passed since the Registry team (which at Benslow Music must needs double up as the Marketing team thats how pricing is kept reasonable!) got together for one of our regular brainstorming sessions and came up with the idea of a newsletter available to anyone and everyone and distributed mostly electronically. In the best Reithian traditions we wanted to inform and entertain, bringing news, offers, puzzles, recipes, comments, profiles and further cementing a direct connection with those who really keep this unique organisation afloat. Reaction to the new publication was immediately positive and continues to be so. Although its often a struggle to fit in the researching, writing and editing necessary even for such a small publication, we all think its worthwhile and hope you do too. This month sees an important change to our senior staff. We welcome Tim Sharp as our new General Manager; Tim comes to us from a hugely experienced background in the hotel and hospitality industry. Hell be taking care of the hotel side of the operation and intends to be a very visible presence in the dining rooms. Hell also oversee estate and maintenance matters and will be deeply involved in the all-important financial aspects of running the place. For a short period hell be working side by side with his predecessor, Graham Rolaston. Hes a friendly chap, so do say hello if you see him around. More about Tim inside. Last month while paying tribute to two retiring Council members we committed a grave sin of omission by failing to give due recognition to the retiring Minutes secretary, Janet Goddard. Characteristically, Janet said not a word about

Our tutor Barabara Alden has pointed out that our brochure specifies intermediate or advanced standards for her course Release Your Voice (4 6 November, Code 13/286). This is a mistake. The course is suitable for everyone, experienced or not, who wants to enable their voice to work in an efficient and correct way or who is suffering from vocal fatigue. We are offering a discount of 20% (excluding supplements) to all applicants for this course which is now priced at 196 (resident) or 156 (non-resident).

this to us. Her service both to Council and to the Friends of Benslow Music has been exemplary in its efficiency, discretion and good humour, and I wish to say a personal thank-you in public to her as well as expressing the gratitude of all at Benslow Music who have had the pleasure of working alongside her. Another loss to Council earlier in the summer rather than at Annual General Meeting time was Tim Mitchell. Tim, who chaired the Finance and General Purposes Committee, could always be relied upon to clear any muddied waters in a debate and to get to the nub of the matter with no nonsense while enabling everyone to express themselves with equal candidness. He was a great support to the Executive Managers, and again I offer my personal thanks as well as thanks on behalf of the entire staff. Both Tim and Janet will always be welcome visitors. Im sure that readers will want to know how things are going in terms of recruiting. Certainly 2013 has been tougher than was 2012, when we were boosted by our rebranding, but the outlook is good. After what looks to have been a poorer than usual third quarter in terms of student numbers, fourth quarter projections are currently up to last years standards. But we still need to do more, and there are plenty of vacancies on our November courses. Please have a think, too, about our Everyone Matters course led by the magnificent Margaret Archibald in December. What this is in effect is a standard mixed chamber music course (singers are also welcome), the only difference being that the end of term concert, normally internal, takes place at a local care home. Were not aiming at anything other than sharing with residents, who may simply be fragile of body but alert of mind, an hour or sos worth of the fruits of our labours over the preceding few days.

Stephen Pettitt Director of Music

www.benslowmusic.org

places available
We still have places available on the following October and November courses. Chi Kung
(Code 13/281, 18 - 20 Oct)

forthcoming concerts
An enticing series of concerts of music given by world class artists. Programme details are available on our web site. Tickets 12 I Box Office: 01462 459446 VIKTOR OBSUST AND FRIENDS Friday 11 October, 8pm

Preparing for Grade 6 Theory and Beyond

(Code 13/282, 25 - 27 Oct) (Code 13/340, 21 - 24 Oct) (Code 13/284, 29 - 31 Oct)

Piano Duets and Duos Jen Lynchs Cello Orchestra String Quartets with the Allegri: The Beethoven Project II
(Code 13/AL2, 1 - 3 Nov)

Release Your Voice

(Code 13/286, 4 - 6 Nov) - all standards welcome

Adventures in Cello and Piano Repertoire

(Code 13/343, 4 - 7 Nov) (Code 13/285, 5 - 7 Nov)

An evening of Gypsy-style jazz ALLEGRI QUARTET: BEETHOVEN III AND IV Friday 1 November at 8pm and Sunday 3 November at 2pm

A Crash Course in Opera E: info@benslowmusic.org or T: 01462 459446 to book your place

WELCOME TO TIM
Were delighted to welcome as our new General Manager Tim Sharp. Tim comes to us armed with masses of experience in the hotel trade, most recently at Calcot Hotel in Reading, where he was Operations Manager from 1999. After school (in Northamptonshire and Dorset) he studied at Salisbury College of Technology and at South Devon College of Technology. Tim still lives in the West Country, near Stonehenge in Wiltshire, with his partner Hannah and their two young children, James (10) and Zoe (4). For the time being he will be living in during his working week, which will often cover all or part of our weekend courses. Tims hobbies include computers, DIY, cars, photography and music, and he has recently taken up cycling to keep fit. He intends to be a very visible presence and looks forward to getting to know as many of our course participants and tutors as possible. For a short period Tim and his immediate predecessor as General Manager, Graham Rolaston, will be working side by side.

Two more concerts in the Allegris complete Beethoven cycle. Musicologist Robert Hanson gives a preconcert talk at 5pm on Friday 1 November. Admission: 5 (free for full time students) FIDELIO TRIO Monday 11 November, 8pm

Programme includes works by Robert Fokkens, Hans Werner Henze and Schumman. Concerts take place in Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Herts SG4 9RB

MEET OUR NEW CHair philip meaden

Little did I imagine, as I waited in the car park of what was then known as Little Benslow Hills to be interviewed for the post of Chief Executive on a crisp autumn morning in 2000, that thirteen years later Council would elect me as its Chair. The grounds looked particularly beautiful coated in hoar frost, and I fell a little in love with the place straight away, despite my previous intention to remain objective; the rest is history, as the saying goes, and my affection for both the place and the offer has only deepened over time. Beyond Benslow Music Trust, I have been involved in extra-mural music education for adults for over thirty years: as tutor for, and then Director of, the New London Music Society; as Principal of Morley College; through the outreach work of my current institution, Leeds College of Music; and through numerous Board memberships. Creating opportunities for learning, recreation, and fellowship through music is both a privilege and a pleasure, and it is thrilling to have been given the opportunity to play a leading role in the next chapter of our illustrious history. Music has been a lifelong passion and I have remained active as a professional organist and conductor throughout my career, something that is important to informing my organisational work. More importantly, active music-making is a source of constant joy and regeneration, something which our founder, Mary Ibberson, knew well and which inspired her to establish The Rural Music Schools Association, the origin of the Benslow Music that we know and love today. My wife Suzanne is a talented amateur musician and a former Secretary of the Friends of Benslow. Although our main home will still be in Yorkshire, we will soon also have a base near Hitchin and will therefore be able to become more fully involved in Benslow Musics life again. We look forward to meeting you in the coming months. Philip Meaden Chair, Benslow Music Trust

COMMENTS on RECENT COURSES BAROQUE CHAMBER SUMMER MUSIC SCHOOL

I now think of Benslow as musicians Utopia because all day long you play wonderful music with like minded people, tutored by helpful experts, and excellent food.

DAVID CAMPBELLS CLARINET WEEKEND

Always a most enjoyable stay. Helpful, friendly, efficient staff and warm welcoming atmosphere. The course was perfect for my needs. Thank you. How can one express adequate thanks for the tuition by musicians of this calibre. The Saturday evening concert was inspirational and exceptional by any standard.

MARS AND VENUS: MONTEVERDI FOR VOICES AND INSTRUMENTS

I had a great time. Thank you. Excellent room, wonderful food, very friendly atmosphere. One of the best courses I have ever done. Thank you. The course was of a high standard. Well done.

THE ROMANTIC KEYBOARD

A very comfortable, friendly atmosphere prevailed. The tutor Tim Barratt is excellent.

ELEMENTARY STRINGS
Thank you Jen and Janet. I really, really enjoyed the course. Thank you Benslow. The staff have all been so friendly and helpful. Thank you for making my stay wonderful and relaxing. See you in October.

FLUTE DAY
Zoe and Rachael are always such good value and amazing teachers.

RECORDERFEST
The course was really excellent. The tutor had carefully prepared the music to suit the group. Her lively and warm manner allowed everyone to relax and this brought the best out of each player. Lovely music-making.

FAREWELL to janet
As Stephen writes in his editorial, at the last AGM we bade a sad but grateful farewell to Janet Goddard, who has been involved with volunteering at Benslow Music for the past seven years, as a member of the Friends of Benslow Music Committee and, for the past three years or so, as the Minutes Secretary for the Council of Trustees. Janet came to Benslow Music as a direct consequence of her job with the Ministry of Justice, where she works in the field of prison volunteering. She wanted to know for herself what it was like to be a volunteer worker. With the Friends she has been Membership Secretary and Events Organiser, and has organised three successful family garden parties, three quizzes and two profile-raising stalls in Hitchin Market Square. Janet, who has lived in Hitchin for thirteen years and is married with one son who attends Hitchin Boys School, says of her experience: Its been hugely enjoyable and Ive learned a lot about the difficulties of working within an organisation among paid professionals while not being a professional oneself. Its been enjoyable for us too, Janet, and we will miss you very much. Thank you.

new in our shop: MAGNETIC PENCILS!

Matt black pencil with soft 2B lead to minimise marking music pages. The pencil comes with a high quality designer eraser cap. The cap can also be used on the other end of the pencil to protect the tip. Two extra strong mini magnets located on the side of the pencil allow it to be placed on any metal surface including music stands. The pencil retails at 4.95 and comes in a soft black suedette pouch to make it the ideal gift.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH coffee morning success CHOCOLATE PECAN BROWNIE

Ingredients

275g/10oz plain chocolate (70% cocoa solids) 275g/10oz unsalted butter 85g/3oz pecans, broken into pieces 85g/3oz milk chocolate, cut into large chunks 85g/3oz white chocolate, cut into large chunks 175g/6oz plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 4 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 tsp vanilla essence 325g/12oz caster sugar
Method

Thank you to everyone who came to the coffee morning organised by our brilliant staff as part of Macmillan Cancer Supports project The Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 29 September. Thank you also to all organisations and individuals who donated prizes and cakes and to Graham Rolaston for allowing use of premises and staff time. Were delighted to report that the magnificent sum of 600 was raised for this extremely worthy cause. A fun time was had by all who attended and the most popular cake by far was the chocolate pecan brownie.We have included the recipe in this months edition for those who missed out on this melt-in-the-mouth delight.

Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas Mark 3. Line a tin with lightly buttered greaseproof paper. Put the plain chocolate and butter in a large bowl, place over a pan of simmering water and allow to gently melt. Sieve the flour and baking powder into a bowl and set aside. Remove the melted chocolate from the heat and stir in the sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla essence. Fold in the flour, nuts and chocolate. Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared cake tin. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The top should be firm but the inside should feel soft when cooked. Allow to cool in the tin. Remove the brownies from the tin and cut into squares.
Linda Steeples

Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB T: 0044 (0)1462 459446 I E: info@benslowmusic.org I W: www.benslowmusic.org