News

Message from Louise Savage – COSMiC Treasurer

It was heartening that the club was able to restart in September 2021 after the enforced break of 18 months and it was good to see members returning and also welcoming new members. Sadly though for various reasons we also lost a significant number of the membership and the club made a loss for 2021/2022.

At the recent AGM, it was agreed that it would be necessary for a fee increase and the new fee structure for September 2022.

I appreciate that these are not easy times financially for everyone but I believe this fee structure still offers excellent value. If you do have any difficulties with making the whole payment in one go then please contact Louise C so we can discuss payment options.

May I please remind you to pay your fees as early in the term as possible as we do have bills throughout each term to cover staff salaries, rent, accountant and insurance as well as other smaller expenses.

You can pay by:

Cash to Louise C at the desk on Saturday mornings.

Cheque payable to Cosmic at the desk on Saturday mornings

BACS: Centre of Somerset Music Club (COSMIC) Support Group

Account Number: 51100487

Sort Code: 60-21-01

Reference: Name and Membership Number (obtainable from Louise C at the desk).

COSMiC Dates 2021/2022

September: 11th, 18st, 25th

October: 2nd, 9th, 16th

November: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

Christmas Concert:  Dec 4th

January: 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

February: 5th, 12th

March: 5th,12th, 19th, 26th

Easter Concert:  April 2nd  

 April: 30th

May: 7th, 14th, 21st

June: 11th, 18th, 25th

Summer Concert: July 2nd

A message from Jamie

I’m just writing to thank you all for the lovely presents and kind words I received recently from you all. What a kind and thoughtful thing to do; I now officially have a wine cellar!

It was great to see the committee and tutors on Zoom to reflect on the last three decades plus. So many lovely and talented individuals have been through the music club, so many friendships formed- it’s simply amazing.

After such a challenging year, it was heartwarming to catch up with so many people’s news and what a privilege it has been to play and conduct alongside you all over the years. I think I was following you, by the way!

As well as the tremendous playing, it is the laughter we shared that stays in my mind. I think of you all and I see hundreds of smiling faces, how marvellous is that?

I just want to send my kindest regards to everyone, thank you for everything you’ve done for me, for the club and I’ll see you all at a gig sometime soon I’m sure. Possibly with the exception of those who emigrated to Australia!

Keep playing, keep smiling and in the words of the world’s greatest ever philosophers Bill and Ted: “Be most excellent to each other”.

Jamie Xx

Some musical inspiration!

Here are some interesting and enjoyable websites chosen by the tutors and committee to keep you playing and musically stimulated during this extended period when we can’t meet.

Take care everyone and keep playing!

Classical

The Pettucci Music Library has pdfs of virtually all ‘out of copyright’ classical scores. So if you want to play the 2nd Violin Part of a Haydn Symphony, find yourself a recording and the sheet music here:
The composers are listed alphabetically, click on their name and a list of their compositions will appear.
Popular
There are some good play/sing along tracks with sheet music on Youtube, Various versions of the same songs have parts in C, Bb & Eb. Here are some examples:

Just the Two of Us. Alto.                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ICXobu-Wv4

Fly Me To The Moon. Bb.                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QisfvWLXLI

You Make Me Feel Brand New Eb.  You Make Me Feel Brend New Simply Red Alto Sax
Seasonal
If you are looking for musical present ideas for Christmas the Hal Leonard series are extremely well produced.

Series Feature List | Hal Leonard Online

For string players here are some String Orchestra Play Along Gift ideas:

Theory / History

This is a really informative site and certainly not just for children!

Classics For Kids

Want to improve your music theory knowledge? Try:

musictheory.net

The sites listed here are all in the ‘public domain’ and subject to the conditions set by the host sites. We have taken great care in selecting this list but as with all on-line activity we insist that the parents of music club children check that any material is suitable before sharing it with them. Other music retailers and Play-Along type music publishers are available and should be considered when purchasing.  Please report any errors to: infocosmicmusic@gmail.com 

Important Update

Dear Club Members,

Just to let you know that the guidance on choir and band rehearsals remains prohibitive at present and that Crispin School is not taking room bookings until at least October Half-Term.

We have a range of guidance materials and risk assessments regarding group music making and it is clear that the social aspect of what we do, does make the necessary social distancing extremely challenging.

There seems however, to be extremely positive news coming from medical research so we do hope that we can all be making music together again in the near future.

Everyone at COSMiC hopes you are having a great summer, keep playing and keep safe!

Coronavirus

It is with great reluctance that we have decided to cancel all COSMiC sessions for the foreseeable future. We will continue to monitor the situation and will update you here and on Facebook.
Please stay safe and healthy.

Coronavirus – update

In addition to our earlier advice regarding the Coronavirus.

Please do not attend the club if you are feeling unwell.

Older members, please consider Government advice before attending.

We are having a further consultation on Wednesday to decide whether the club continues as normal.  We will let you know via this page and the website.

Thank you.