Minehead and Exmoor Festival Society

Chairman’s report to AGM – Wednesday 10^th January 2007

I enjoyed Festival 2006 very much indeed. My most important task at this AGM is to thank all the people involved in making the Festival the success it is. The Committee work tirelessly throughout the year and although each has designated jobs they all contribute in so many other ways – thank goodness for no demarcation disputes.

Richard Dickins I think again came up trumps with the selection of music for the programme. We of course wanted to recognise the Mozart anniversary which we did at each of the concerts. I have had two comments from members of the audiences. One was the programme was not adventurous enough – not enough modern composers etc and the other was the programme was too radical – too much out of the way stuff and not enough well known works. I encouraged both to write their comments down and send them to me – neither did! I won’t go through the programme item by item but just mention highlights for me – the duo from the Belcea quartet were quite magnificent – dancing their way through their Mozart with a very special rapport. It’s also always lovely to ‘use our own’ – the group from the orchestra who were the soloists for Saturday.

The Wednesday afternoon concert has already become an established tradition – long may that continue. And some of the orchestra who came down last week to provide a chamber concert – its very generous of them and I hope it gives some pre publicity for us.

We were so sorry to hear of Peter Oyston’s death early in the year. He had done so much for us in previous years setting up and printing the brochures and programmes. With some creative management we produced these in house and I think we will probably do that again this year.

You will hear more from the Treasurer regarding the finances generally and income & expenditure but I’m sure he will comment on the generosity of our sponsors who support us each year.

The other group worthy of mention are the hosts – without these generous people who open their homes each year to provide hospitality we could not provide Minehead with an orchestra for a week – simple as that.

Enough from me – thank you to the committee who have worked so hard and not caused me too many problems in meetings – the red wine helps.

We now look forward to another successful Festival this year – 21 – 28 July 2007.

David Yates (Chairman)