The Longwell Green Orchestra is an amateur group based in the Longwell Green Community Centre, Shellards Road, Longwell Green, Bristol.
This community based orchestra plays mainly light classical music for many local groups, senior citizens clubs and charities in the South West. The musicians are of mixed ability, and range in age from teenager to retired.
The Orchestra encourages and supports all its members whether new players or those resuming a lapsed hobby and has at its heart the pleasure and enjoyment of making music.
The Orchestra meets on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in Longwell Green Community Centre. New members are very welcome.
After almost 3 years of leading our orchestra, Paul Hemmings has stepped down as our musical director and conductor. Paul worked tirelessly both from the front as our conductor and behind the scenes as our musical director and I'm sure you will join us in thanking Paul for his significant contribution to our orchestra and wish him all the best for the future.
We are pleased to announce that Paul Sidney has decided to return and taken up the role of conductor and musical director. We welcome him back and look forward to the future of LGO and seeing you all at future concerts.
Rehearsals every Thursday at 7:30pm, Longwell Green Community Centre, Shellards Road, Longwell Green, Bristol, BS30 9DU
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The Orchestra currently has vacancies for the following instruments:
If you are a beginner or starting a different instrument or resuming a lapsed hobby we would love to see you. Age or ability is no barrier. Eventually you would need to be about Grade 4 to cope with playing in an orchestra but a couple of our members have come as beginners and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Membership subscriptions are £12.00 per month for adults, £8.50 per month for students and pensioners and £2.50 per month for school students.
INTERESTED? Contact us!
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The keynote of this orchestra is, of course, enthusiasm for music-making. This long-established Orchestra made its beginnings in a very modest way in 1921. Alfred Lovell, a cellist, together with a few other musicians started to accompany the hymns played at a Men's Bible Class This was well liked by the congregation so they later introduced other pieces of music and, subsequently, a musical service was held once a month where ladies were also invited to attend. This was called Open Sunday and continued until the 1970's.
The musical group became known as a Brotherhood Orchestra, one of many in the Bristol area. The president of the Brotherhood was for many years William Garland. His son, Leslie, played the 'cello in the group for 66 years having been taught by Alf Lovell. In those days many individuals were keen to learn an instrument and join the Brotherhood Orchestra as there were few distractions and no television.
Thursday night has always been rehearsal night and originally this took place in The Hut, a corrugated building situated near where the Post Office now stands. It was an ex army hut brought from Salisbury Plain and was used by the YMCA, as a doctor's surgery, a library, for parties and, of course, a rehearsal room for the Orchestra. It was cold and draughty in Winter and boiling hot in Summer but nothing stopped the keenness of the musicians to make music.
When a Memorial Hall was built to remember those who had died in the war many of the musicians were involved in this venture both practically and with money. This has all been extended and is now a thriving Community Centre where the Orchestra has rehearsed since soon after it was built.
The Orchestra have always been happy to perform wherever and whenever asked and over the years they have entertained at supper clubs; played for the over 60's, the disabled or for the blind; performed at hospitals; played background music for fetes and fairs as well as given many concerts. It has a varied social side and in recent years they have travelled further afield to combine a holiday with performing concerts in France.
The first conductor was William Shirley who was a violin teacher. He was a jolly individual who smoked all the while he both conducted and played the violin. In its long history four other conductors have been very important to the orchestra: each of them a talented musician in his own right and devoting a considerable time and effort to its success. The first of these, Cliff Powlesland, played and taught the violin and he conducted for 50 years with gentle good humour. Robert Lavis, an excellent trumpeter and composer, directed it for 8 years, introducing both new music and new ways which helped to consolidate and improve what had gone before. Colin Exley, having played trombone in the orchestra and with a vast amount of musical experience, conducted for about 5 years with much good humour and encouragement. His novel ideas and methods put new life into the Orchestra and were greeted with enthusiasm by members, even when some of his ideas went awry, e.g. when members were sea sick while playing in rough seas on a paddle steamer! Paul Sidney took the helm early in the 21st century, ably directing the orchestra with gentle encouragement and continued in the tradition of the orchestra where good humour and a relaxed manner ensured the best was achieved from the players.
The Orchestra is now most fortunate to have Paul Hemmings as Musical Director. Paul is a retired teacher of children between the ages of 5 and 18. As well as working in Primary, Comprehensive and Independent Schools, he taught Percussion in County Music Centres in South Gloucestershire and Hampshire. Paul learnt to play Piano from the age of 6 and Percussion from 12. He has played with and conducted a number of Orchestra, Choirs and Brass Bands around the UK and overseas. Paul joined Longwell Green Orchestra as MD in 2018 hoping the orchestra would continue to develop and flourish, providing enjoyment and entertainment for both members and audiences.
In spite of the disbanding of many music groups this one still thrives with a current membership of around 40. Its success is ensured by its members sharing a love of music-making together with the feeling of friendship and informality.
A book was published in 1996 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Orchestra and this book is still obtainable. It contains not only stories and amusing anecdotes of the Orchestra over the years but photos and stories of Longwell Green village too.
If you play a musical instrument, (even if you have not played for some years), you will find a warm welcome in the congenial atmosphere of this orchestra.
The LGO has a long tradition of playing mainly light classical pieces - Overtures, 'Pops', Suites, Intermezzos and single movements from larger works. We also play medleys from shows and films, Christmas music and occasionally jazz scored for orchestra. The list below is not exhaustive but is taken from concerts over the past few years.
Abba Medley | Burt Bacharach Medley |
Karl Jenkins Palladio | Capriol Suite (Peter Warlock) |
Danse Macabre | Music from Evita |
Sailing By | Funeral March of a Marionette |
Glow Worm | Three Dances from Henry XIII |
Carmen Suite | The Nutcracker Suite |
The Lion King | Music from "Frozen" |
Eagles on Tour | Minnie the Moocher |
The Best of Michael Jackson | Bolero - Ravel |
Seven Dances from "Danserye" | Fantasia on "Greensleeves" |
1812 Overture - Tchaikovsky | Concierto de Aranjuez - Rodrigo |
Fantasiestucke - Nielson | William Tell Overture - Rossini |
The Carnival of the Animals | English Folk Songs Suite |
March to the Scaffold | An American in Paris Suite |
The Severn Suite | Danse Macabre |
Oliver! | Schubert's Unfinished Symphony |
Mozart's Clarinet Concerto | Music from Apollo 13 |
Selections from Les Miserables | Finlandia |
Parade of the Tin Soldiers | Rudetski March |
Overture to Nabucco | Mozart's 'Toy Symphony' |
The Typewriter | Disney Magic |
Entry of the Gladiators | Duke Ellington |
The Can-Can | Jurassic Park |
The Empire Strikes Back | Pirates of the Caribbean |
The Snow Maiden | The Pink Panther |
Polovtsian Dances | Moon River |
In Persian Market | Granada |
Grease! (medley) | Leroy Anderson Favourites |
Gabriel's Oboe | Shaker Variants |
Swan Lake - 1st Movement | Hungarian Dances |
Selections from Porgy and Bess | Coriolanus Overture |
Pageant March | Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 |
Summer Days Suite | Cavatina |
Country Gardens | Coppelia Ballet |
Red Poppies | Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest |
The King and I | Chanson de Matin |
Egmont | Slavonic Dance No.8 |
Fairy Dream | Norwegian Dance No. 1 |
Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep | Tribute to Henry Mancini |
Symphony No. 1 - 3rd movement, extract | Nessun Dorma |
The Wallace and Gromit Theme | Thunderbirds |
Hymn to the Fallen | The Radio 4 UK Theme |
Adagio from 'Spartacus' (previously on loan from the Light Music Society) | Tales of the Vienna Woods |
Clog Dance | Flute Dance |
The Nineteen Twenties | Canon and Gigue |
Land of the Mountain and the Flood | West Side Story |
Selection from Harry Potter | New World Symphony |
Concert for Bassoon - Mozart | Pachelbel's canon |
Vltava | Old Wine in New Bottles - Gordon Jacob |
'The Three Bears' - Coates | Abba Medley |
Overture 'Die Fledermaus' | Gymnopedies 1 & 2 |
Czardas - Montii | The Dance of the Tumblers |
Humoreske | Symphonic Reflections - Lloyd-Webber |
Pomp and Circumstance Marches No. 1 & 4 | Medley from 'Titanic' |
Themes from 007 | Viva Verdi! |
Symphony No. 40 first movement Mozart | New World Symphony 2nd Movement |
Sleigh Ride | Christmas Carols |
Phantom of the Opera | Miss Saigon |
March - Washington Post | Acceleration Waltz |
Pizzicato Polka | Tribute to Louis Armstrong |
Overture - Lustspiel | March of the Tin Soldiers |
The Thieving Magpie | Intermezzo from 'Cavalleria Rusticana' |
Selection of Gilbert & Sullivan | In a Persian Market |
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 | Slavonic Dance No. 9 |
Hebrides overture | Beethoven's 5th (final movement) |
Suite - Ballet Egyptien | Albinoni Concerto 7/5 for 2 Oboes |
Selection from 'Cats' | In a Monastery Garden |
Medley from 'Titanic' | The Marriage of Figaro - Overture |
Sophisticated Lady | Eine Kleine Nachtmusik |
The Barber of Seville - Overture | Waltz from the Jazz Suite No. 2 (Shostakovich) |
Sailor's Hornpipe | Don Pasquale - Overture |
Leroy Anderson Favourites | Il Trovatore - 'Anvil Chorus' |
Theme from 'Mission: Impossible' | March - The Liberty Bell |
Fancy Dress Suite - Armstrong Gibbs | 'Satchmo' a tribute to Louis Armstrong |
Rustle of Spring | The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba |
L'Enfant Prodigue - Wormser | Parasol Promenade |
Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves | Slavonic Dance Op. 46 No. 8 |
The Pink Panther Theme | The Teddy Bear's Picnic |
Theme from 'Mission: Impossible' | Redemption - Scott Richards |
Serenade |
Rehearsals every Thursday at 7:30pm in the Ellacombe Room, Longwell Green Community Centre.
Longwell Green Community Centre, Shellards Road, Longwell Green, Bristol, BS30 9DU
Email: contact@longwellgreenorchestra.org.uk
Contact us by phone - voice or SMS (text) - on our dedicated hotline: 07972 844073
To finish, a few jokes on a musical theme...
Definition of Accelerando - the conductor has just turned over two pagesWhat can you do with a
rubber trumpet?
Join a rubber band!
From the LGO book of lame
excuses:
Player: 'I've just returned from Ireland
and my mind is still there!'
(How are things in Glochamara anyway?)
From the LGO book of lame
excuses:
Player: 'I only know the third
trumpet part here not the first trumpet part'
Conductor: 'But all three trumpets are in unison
here!'
What is the difference between a violin and a
viola?
About a fiver
Conductor to percussionist: 'Can't you read
music?'
Percussionist: 'Not enough to hurt my
playing!'
Who was that piccolo I saw you with last
night?
That was no piccolo that was my fife!
What is the difference between a cello and a
coffin?
The coffin has the corpse on the
inside.
From the LGO book of lame
excuses:
Conductor: I think that note should
have been a D.
Bassoon: I know, but my fingers
insisted it was an E!
From the LGO book of
excuses/lame/strings:
Conductor: Bring out that repeated note and keep
it going.
First Violin: If I do that I'll get repetitive
strain injury!
You rarely see a flautist taking a breath because they have a vast supply of air in their heads
How do you get a flute to play loudly?
Stretch it bit, bend it a bit, stick a
mouthpiece in it and pretend it's a trumpet!!
From the LGO book of lame
excuses:
Conductor: 'You came in a beat
late.'
Player: 'Well my foot said it was
the right place!'
One bass player to another during a
break:
'You know that great bit where we
go 'boom, boom, boom?'
Well at the same time there's a bloke up on stage singing 'Toreador,
toreador'
!
Why is a French horn regarded as
divine?
Because man blows into it and God only knows
what comes out!
How do you make sure your oboe wont get
stolen?
Put it in a clarinet case!
What's the difference between a violinist and
a dog?
A dog needs fleas to make it scratch!
Presto - Hurry up the bar closes in 10
minutes
Prestissimo - They're closing now!!!
What's a one-ba?
Half a Tuba
Would that an organ stop did exactly that!
What do call a trumpet player playing in
public?
Suicidal
Who is always last to arrive at a
party?
The viola players - they always come in
late
From the LGO book of lame
excuses:
I've got the wrong glasses on so I
can only see the music not the conductor!
(Note this excuse used the other
way round can also be used to excuse playing bum notes)
What does an oboist do if he swallows his
reed?
Plays muted trumpet!
Air -
- goes out of a clarinettist's mouth and
through his instrument
- goes out of a flautist's mouth and over
his instrument
- with a violinist goes in one ear and
out of the other
A minor second -
Two flutes playing in
unison
The definition of a conductor:
Someone who is able to follow many
people at once
What happens if you play the 'blues'
backwards?
You get out of prison, your dog comes back from
the dead, your wife returns and you get your job back
Why is a bassoon better than an oboe?
Because you get more matchsticks when you
cut it up
What is the best tool to use to tune a
violin?
A pair of wirecutters
Small wonder there is pollution when so much air has to pass through saxophones
The bass player hid one of the
percussionists' sticks during the interval.
When the percussionist returned and found he now only had one
stick, he leapt up and down for joy shouting
"At last! I've been promoted to conductor"
How does a clarinet player handle a difficult
passage?
He stops to change his reed!
Old trombonists never die, they only slide away
A lady returned a parrot to the pet shop
complaining it didn't talk.
The pet shop owner took out a double bass and started to play a
jazz solo, at which the parrot started talking with an extensive
vocabulary and eloquence.
When the lady asked why the bass cured the parrots silence,
the owner replied: 'everybody talks during the bass
solo'
What is the definition of a canon?
Two viola players playing the same
part
From the LGO book of lame
excuses:
Conductor: Go back to bar one.
French horn Player: My part doesn't have bar
numbers!
Perfect pitch:
Just the right consistency of
bitumen to tar and feather a conductor!
What is the purpose of the bell on a bass
clarinet?
To store the ashes in from the rest of the
instrument
How do you get a cello to play loudly?
Mark the music 'pp expressivo'
From the LGO book of lame
excuses:
Conductor: Try to make sure you put in that
rest at the beginning of the bar.
Musician: Well it's all a bit high
for me...
Conductor: Put the rest down an
octave then!
What is the difference between an oboe and an
onion?
Nobody cries when you chop up an oboe!
MUSIC:- A complex organisation of sounds that is set down by the composer, incorrectly interpreted by the conductor who is ignored by the musicians, the result of which is ignored by the audience!!!