The Planets Workshop – An Out Of This World Success at St. Mary’s Church, Chepstow.

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Published on: September 26, 2024

On the 7th September 2024, there was a wonderful workshop celebrating Holst’s ‘The Planet Suite’. The venue was the Norman church of St. Mary’s in Chepstow. The event was organised by Fiona Crawley, Director of the Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra. It was extremely well attended!

Thomas Payne who is based now in London ran the rehearsals and then conducted the concert. Thomas conducted the orchestra for a few years before moving onto the ‘Big Smoke’. It must have been quite an undertaking as nearly every instrument is represented at some point in the piece working with 75 players with eclectic playing skills. Leading the orchestra was Marie Roberts who has played solo pieces with the orchestra in the past.

The Planets Suite is one of the great classics of the orchestral world and has been played by the orchestra on a couple of occasions. The last movement, Neptune, requires a full choir to sing the very mystical ‘out of this world’ melody.  This sound was provided by members of the Gloucester Choral Society and Chepstow Chatelaine.  A great day for all and one to be remembered!

Thomas Payne conducts-credit Forest Review

 

 

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Important Dates

Saturday 7th September 2024. The Planets by Gustav Holst, 10am St, Mary’s Priory Church, Chepstow. NP16 5HA. Orchestral workshop day. Free for observers throughout the day.

Saturday 14th December 2024. Christmas concert, “Northern Lights”. Music by Sibelius and Rautavaara.

Saturday 12th April 2025. Spring Concert – Newnham Church. Music by Skempton, Ravel, Dvorak

Saturday 5th July 2025. Carmen at St, Mary’s Church Chepstow. Soloists from RWCMD and new libretto by Euan Tait.

Saturday  12th July 2025. Summer Concert – Parkend Church.

Saturday 5th December 2025. Christmas and Winter Concert – Coleford Baptist Church.

 

Easy Fundraising

Please help support the RFDO by doing all your on-line shopping via Easy Fundraising. Its an easy way to raise money for the orchestra if you shop online for anything from groceries to holidays and it wont cost you a penny more!

To start shopping and raising money, follow this link and search for “Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra”: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/

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