Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra member Information 24-25

Rehearsal Dates

Autumn Term 2024

21, 28 September
5, 12, 19 October
9, 16, 23, 30* November
7 December

*extended rehearsal until 3.30pm

Autumn Half Term Course

31 Oct & 1 Nov 10am-3pm
2 Nov 10am-1pm

Spring Term 2025

11, 18, 25 January
1, 8 February
1, 8, 15, 22*, 29* March
.

*extended rehearsal until 3.30pm

Spring Half Term Course

20, 21 Feb 10am-3pm
22 Feb 10am-1pm

Summer Term 2025

26 April
3, 10, 17 May
7, 14, 21, 28* June
5* July

*extended rehearsals until 3.30pm

Additional Rehearsal

Sun 6 July. 10am-1.30pm (Tour & Wimbledon Rehearsal)

Unless otherwise specified all rehearsals take place in the drama hall or refectory at Burntwood School. Rehearsals start promptly at 10.45am, so please ensure that you arrive by 10.30am and are in your seat, warmed up and ready to start playing at that time (unless you have another WMA lesson beforehand)

.At the end of rehearsals please help to tidy away chairs, stands and music. Our percussionists will always appreciate anyone willing to lend a hand in moving the instruments back into the store cupboard!

It is extremely important that members are able to attend all rehearsals (including the half term course) and are downloading their music, looking at difficult passages with their teachers and practising before rehearsals. As always, practise parts can be found online here: www.tinyurl.com/wandsworthmusic

Concert Dates

Wed 11 December 2024: Winter Sounds 2, Fairfield Halls, Croydon: Arrival Time 2.30pm, Concert 7pm.

Mon 31 March 2025: Brighter Sounds, Royal Albert Hall: Arrival Time 2pm TBC , Concert 7pm.

Tues 8 July 2025: Wimbledon Tennis Championships subject to final confirmation, 8.30am-1pm

Sat 19 July 2025: WPO Summer Serenade, All Saints Church t. Arrival time c.11am. Concert c. 5pm

20-27 July 2025: Summer Tour to Italy.

Concert Dress

Concert dress for all performances is SMART ALL BLACK – Smart black trousers or knee length skirt or dress/ plain black shirt/ blouse/ black socks or tights/ polished black shoes (no trainers).

WPO letters

Here you can download letters that have been sent this year

WPO Letter September 2024

Expectations

All WPO members are expected to:

  • Give their full commitment and have regular and punctual attendance at all regular rehearsals, courses, workshops and performance.
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time (unless coming from another WMA lesson)
  • Be prepared for rehearsals by:
    • Downloading the relevant music for their instrument(s).
    • Learning parts thoroughly before the rehearsals.
    • Taking music to their lessons to go through with their teacher.
  • Bring a pencil and rubber to rehearsals
  • Follow rehearsal etiquette by turning off mobile phones and paying full attention to the conductor
  • Assist in the setup and pack down of rehearsals (including stacking own chair and stand, cleaning any rubbish away and ensuring all instruments are returned to storage as appropriate)

Absence or illness

If an absence is unavoidable, notification should be given by email to the Ensembles & Events Administrator by emailing info@wandsworthmusic.co.uk at the earliest opportunity. If you are running late or unwell on the day of a rehearsal or performance, please inform John (07966 426345) as soon as possible.

Attendance at rehearsals and concerts is carefully monitored. Poor attendance or failure to attend rehearsals without permission may necessitate musicians not being able to perform at concerts and result in your place in the ensemble being withdrawn or offered to another musician.

the academy code

Quite simply, we aim to inspire our children with a lifelong love and enjoyment of music. We would like all our musicians to support this goal and contribute to a safe and caring learning environment by committing to a few simple principles:

  • Enjoy your music making!
    • Playing a musical instrument and singing are tremendously rewarding experiences and can lead to many wonderful opportunities, memories and friendships.
  • Prepare for your lessons and rehearsals.
    • The very best musicians make performing sound easy- we can all emulate them by being prepared and practising the music! Family support plays a huge part in musical progress and the great thing is you don’t have to be musical to help! Encouragement, little reminders to practice and supporting at concerts make a huge difference!
  • Perform and participate in concerts and events.
    • There are regular opportunities to perform at the Academy and the more advanced ensembles also get to play at events outside of the Academy. In recent years these have included prestigious venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Finals and concert tours to Italy, Germany, Austria and Spain.
  • Persevere and learn the art of patient practice!
    • Remember, mistakes are part of learning. The learning curve for any skill is rarely straight and we all find challenges along the way. When it gets tough persevere, keep a positive focus and move on to the next challenge!
  • Respect
    • Respect your fellow musicians and support each other in your musical journeys.
    • Please take good care of our wonderful home and resources by keeping it clean and tidy, putting litter in bins and helping take care of instruments, music stands and other equipment. Take care of music by making markings only in pencil (good musicians are never without a pencil so they can mark changes in their music!).
    • Please keep phones away when in rehearsals and lessons.

Wandsworth Music aims to be an inclusive and safe environment for everyone. The following will not be tolerated: Bullying, discrimination or harassment; Offensive, illegal items or substances; Accessing and/ or sharing inappropriate content.