MINUTES OF THE MINEHEAD & EXMOOR FESTIVAL AGM 2006 SEASON

At Minehead Methodist Church Wed. 10th Jan. 2007 at 8pm

 

(NOTE: These minutes have not yet been confirmed as a true and accurate record.  This will be done at the AGM in 2008)

 

PRESENT: Keith Halstead, Ann Green, Robert Green, David Yates (Chair), Sheena Yates, Keith Jones,  Crispin  Hodges, Pam Almond, Robin Hewison, Kate Rosenau, Ann Hankin, Mark Stuart, Val Stuart, Christine Littlewood, John Littlewood.

 

 

APOLOGIES:  Bronwen Hodges, Jenny Halstead, Jane Jones.

 

1.      MATTERS ARISING:  2 minor typographical errors corrected. (AGM2003 should be AGM2005) and “from” for “from”.

 

2.      CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: (Summary: full copy available)

a. Thanks to all involved in making a successful Festival, particularly Committee, hosts and sponsors.

b. Contrasting audience comments about quantity of Mozart cancel each other out.

c. Highlights for him included Mozart Duo Concertante and in-house Sat. night soloists.

d. The Wed. recital a valuable new tradition and the recent winter concert by eight players a success not least as publicity. Thanks to them.

 

e. We were sorry to hear of Peter Oyston’s death, and grateful for all he had done to set up and print our literature. We improvised alternative in-house arrangements and will probably do the same again this year.

 

3.      TREASURER’S REPORT: (full report  and balance sheet available) accepted (P. Almond/J.Littlewood)

Issues raised in discussion:

a.      Ticket prices: If we are to reflect ARTlife’s preference for more “enterprise” in the choice of more recent works, a huge hike in costs will demand an increase at least of 50p per ticket (adult price from £11 to £11.50). £12 would be less awkward and although a couple’s total for 3 concerts could feel high, there is some evidence that pensioners would not regard £12 as excessive. Decision rests with the committee.

b.      Possibility of all ticket sales through Regal. Lewis Lintern to consider.

               

5.    HOSPITALITY:

a.       Much last-minute fixing of brass meant hectic hours immediately before the festival.

b.      Cancellation of Tuesday lunch the rational solution to the uncertainty problem.

c.      Orchestra mail shots by e-mail in future….

d.      Thanks for duplicating help from Thorne Segar and hope for the same again.

e.      Methodist Church kitchen popular with Toni Thornton and orchestra. Same venue booked for 2007.

f.        More hosts needed. Could we have a dedicated appeal insert in the advance flyers?

Thanks expressed to Ann Green for her efficient work, to Pam Almond for continuing support, to Toni Thornton for sensitive well-targeted catering and the Methodist Church for its hospitality.

 

6.   PUBLICITY:                                                                                                                                                                             

a.    Willing shopkeepers facilitated wide-ranging distribution of posters and leaflets.

b.    Many organs of publicity already informed.

c.    Website in the making: www.mineheadfesitval.com

d.   Yarn Market Hotel to offer a themed music week during this year’s festival.

Thanks expressed to Keith Halstead for his energetic efforts on our behalf and to Jenny.

7.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

a.       All existing committee members were willingly voted in en bloc by unanimous acclaim: David and Sheena Yates, Robert and Ann Green, Crispin Hodges, Keith Halstead and Keith Jones.

 

b.       Geoff Dibble willing to be co-opted.

c.       Appreciative mention of workers not on committee, particularly Ian Melhuish and Pam Almond.

8.  2006 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME (review):

a.         “Safe”; “well-balanced”; “deliberately strong representation of Mozart”

b.         A festival-goer of 42 years’ experience believes the Festival has gone from strength to strength, “much more professional” now.

 

9.  2007 (July 22nd- 28th) FESTIVAL PROGRAMME   (preview of Richard’s first suggestions):

MON/TUES:  Copland Appalachian Spring/ Dvorak Romance/   Strauss Metamorphosen                         

       THURS:   Britten Sea Interludes/   Elgar   Cello Concerto /   Shostakovitch   Symphony No 5             

             SAT:  Borodin In the Steppes of central Asia / either Rodrigo: Concerto de Aranjuez or 

                        Castelnuovo Tedesco Guitar Concerto No. 1 in D major op. 99 /    Stravinsky Fairy’s Kiss 

                        (Divertimento) or (Ballet).      

Discussion:

a.       Ideally there should be a balance in each concert programme: 2 familiar works flanking a lesser known work.

b.       The Mon/Tues could additionally have a familiar string work: Grieg’s Holberg Suite or a Baroque concerto grosso or Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, for example.

c.       These suggestions are still mainstream and not at all avant-garde.

d.       Our audiences, well-understood by Richard, are a mixture of ingénue, sophisticated, reactionary, strung between Classic FM and Radio 3. “Enterprise” in this area could be rightly regarded quite simply as providing live orchestral music of any kind.

e.       Suggestions for attracting young people might include “Peter and the Wolf or The Young Person’s Guide.”  Would youngsters respond to the invitation to attend a rehearsal?

f.     Might it help “sell” relatively strange works (e.g. the Sea Interludes) to have some extended comment by Richard in the advance publicity?

g.       Further enterprise might be shown by inclusion of a very short really recent work (also low on hire charges!)

 

10. AOB

a.      Jonty Hedges (14 yrs old flautist from Queens College) would be willing to be our Young Musician for 

           2007.

b.      Thanks expressed to the Chairman for all he does.

c.      Could 2008 Festival be brought forward to include school term and the opportunity to involve youngsters?