Following our previous trips abroad, the University Chamber Choir decided to hit Amsterdam for its fifth annual Easter tour. The first notable improvement upon all our previous trips writes music organiser Graeme Stevenson, was the departure time. We actually left in daylight which made for more of a pleasant change and a good start to what proved to be a successful trip.
Life in a weekend of... The flight was fairly uneventful but I have to say that I could have done without what seemed like a hand brake turn just after hitting the tarmac at Amsterdam airport. On arrival we made our way to our accommodation, a hostel situated in the Jardin area of Amsterdam.
Most of the time in Amsterdam was spent rehearsing, eating or performing but we did have a number of opportunities to take in some of the cultural aspects of the city. Over the four days we went to see, among others, Anne Frank's house, the Van Gogh museum and the Museum of Modern Art. On the Saturday afternoon some of us attended a concert in the Concertgebouw - of course I had no choice in the matter and attended the concert in which a relation, Angela Stevenson, was playing. Two Bach cantatas and a couple of works by Kurt Weill were met with much acclaim, one of our members being so impressed he went and bought a CD of Weill's "Berlin Requiem".
Sunday was the first of our performances when we were to sing at the English Reformed Church at their 10.30 service. It was a lovely church that was packed with around 250 people who gave us a very warm welcome and much positive feedback on our performance. Angela Stevenson had (foolishly) invited the choir round for a buffet that evening so we all descended on her flat at about seven and left (with most of the food) again a few hours later.
Monday started with a long rehearsal in the morning which was followed by a short break for lunch. After performing to 250 people the day before it was a bit disappointing not to have a full house again but the choir sang well and the audience enjoyed the wide selection of music - covering Scots songs, early 17th century madrigals and modern 20th century motets.
Fortunately the flight back was even less eventful than the trip there and we all safely arrived on Scottish soil (without the hand brake turn) on Tuesday evening.
Many thanks to all those who helped - especially those involved in all the fund-raising events and those that provided donations - I look forward to begging you all for your help next year: destination Prague.
Update
We now have three (possibly four) groups that are always looking for new staff members. On Mondays we have the proposed Can't Play Won't Play orchestra which has had a promising response so far but we still need a few more players. The Bach Consort meets on a Tuesday, the University String Ensemble meets on a Wednesday and the renowned Can't Sing, Won't Sing group meets on a Thursday.As well as the final concert in our evening series given by The Ailsa Ensemble on Friday 5th May, we have an extra Saturday afternoon concert on the 13th May at 2.30 p.m. where Andrew Nicholson will be leading a performance of music for voice, horn and piano.
Also a brief reminder that at the end of April is our Come and Sing in the Chaplaincy Centre in aid of the Ninewells Cancer Campaign - open to all who would like to participate.
Another new venture that I hope to put into place on a termly basis is a jazz lunchtime concert series in the Bonar Hall foyer, this idea is still in its infancy but please keep an eye out for information. You can find all up-to-date information on music in and around the University at http://www.dundee.ac.uk/music/ and, in more detail, my termly newsletter Musical Notes however do not hesitate to contact me on 348148 or g.stevenson@dundee.ac.uk
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