Dunblane Chamber Orchestra

founded February 2008

Forthcoming Concerts:

'On Wings of Song'

Sunday 27 May 2012 at 7pm
Victoria Hall, Dunblane

Programme to include:

Vaughan Williams: 'Greensleeves', 'The Lark Ascending' (soloist Mark Wilson)
Elgar: Salut d'amour, Chanson de Matin
Mendelssohn: On Wings of Song (soloist Gordon Wilson)

Tickets £9 / £2
available from Smallprint, Dunblane or at the door

Special Offer

A two course pre-concert meal is available at the Village Inn for ticket holders at a cost of £5. Booking is advised, telephone 01786 826999.
Click here to see the menu.

About the Dunblane Chamber Orchestra

The Dunblane Chamber Orchestra was founded by Fiona Shearer and Alistair Warwick in February 2008 and consists of highly-experienced players from around the area (Ashfield, Avonbridge, Balquidder, Braco, Bridge of Allan, Callander, Crieff, Denny, Drymen, Dunblane, Falkirk, Gargunnock, Glasgow, The Hillfoots, Larbert, Lenzie and Stirling).

Since then we have had a number of hugely successful concerts, and we now play under the baton of our new Musical Director, Mark Wilson.

See the Picture Gallery for photos of us in rehearsal.

Conductor

Mark Wilson

Mark became the orchestra's conductor in October 2009, taking over the baton from the orchestra's founder, Alistair Warwick.

Mark comes from a musical family: his violinist grandmother was one of the first women members of the Philharmonia orchestra whilst his mother played violin with the Bournemouth and BBC Scottish orchestras. Mark's father was a fine accordionist who helped foster his son's love for folk and salon music. Mark studied at London University, the RSAMD and the RAM under three distinguished professors: Frances Mason, Miles Baster and Maurice Hasson.

On graduating from the RAM, Mark co- founded the Solaris Quartet with whom he played first violin for eight years. He then accepted an invitation to become the concertmaster of the Orquestra de Câmara do Estado de Mato Grosso in Brazil and went on to give several concerto appearances with the ensemble, as well as featuring on the orchestras DVD releases. Mark toured extensively throughout Brazil and Bolivia during his time with the orchestra, yet perhaps the most rewarding experience (along with learning Portuguese) was the work he put in developing the playing of the many talented young musicians in the orchestra's home city of Cuiabá.

Since Mark’s return to the UK in January 2008, he has been in high demand as a freelance violinist (playing with, amongst others, the Birmingham Royal Ballet orchestra, the RTE Concert Orchestra and the Scottish Ballet orchestra), chamber musician and a soloist.

In recent years Mark has gradually become more involved with conducting. He is as happy directing orchestras from the leaders’ position as he is on the conductors' rostrum. He is also in high demand as a coach for strings sectionals.

Mark’s recent conducting experience includes:

• Lanarkshire Youth Orchestra (Principal Conductor 2008)
• Orquestra de Camara do Estado de Mato Grosso (rehearsal conductor, 2006-2007)
• Orquestra Jovem do Estado de Mato Grosso (coaching)
• London College of Music Chamber Orchestra: (various projects, 2000-2007)

For further information visit http://markwilsonviolin.webs.com.

Next concert

Sunday 27 May: On Wings of Song
Victoria Hall, Dunblane at 7pm

Tickets £9/£2 available from Smallprint, Dunblane or at the door

Past concerts

Photo page

Here you can find pictures of us both in concert and in rehearsal.

• Click on a picture to start a slideshow.

Thanks to Nina Kopparhed for her photos.

In the news

• Stirling Observer – June 2011
  A fine and coherent sense of ensemble and warmth of sound...thanks in no small manner to the excellent leading of Hilary Dalby and the boundless enthusiasm and skilled musicianship of the conductor, Mark Wilson.
• Stirling Observer – 30 September 2009
  Breathtaking performance
• Stirling Observer – 16 September 2009
  Dunblane Chamber Orchestra concert will feature work of Mozart
  The music of Mozart is the focus of Dunblane Chamber Orchestra’s fourth concert.
• University of Stirling External Relations – Events
  A performance by the Dunblane Chamber Orchestra…. The orchestra includes Dr Carron Shankland… [This notice has now been taken down.]
• Stirling Observer – 5 November 2008
  Dunblane orchestra returns
  DUNBLANE Chamber Orchestra is preparing for its second concert after drawing a full house for its first outing…
• Stirling Observer – 26 September 2008
  Orchestra gears up for second concert
  A NEW Dunblane orchestra is already hitting a strong note with music lovers…

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Orchestra committee

At the AGM on 29 May 2011, the following were elected as office-bearers:

• Fiona Shearer (Chair)
• Kate Roubaud (Minutes Secretary)
• Catherine Fletcher (Treasurer)
• Lesley Mair (Librarian)
• Fiona Chalamanda (Press Officer)
• Trudie Ford (Upper Strings representative and Catering Manager)
• Ilse McFarlane (Lower Strings representative and Website Co-ordinator)
• Crawford Gordon (Wind representative)

Other committee members include Carol Watson.

Green room / Members' Area

Some dates for your diary:

Orchestra AGM

This will take place between the rehearsal and the concert on Sunday 27th May.

Rehearsals

Tuesday 8 May 6.30–9.30pm (venue TBC)

Thursday 17 May 6.30–9.30pm (venue TBC)

Sunday 20 May 2–5pm (venue TBC)

Sunday 27 May 2–5pm (Victoria Hall, Dunblane)

5–7pm Bring and share buffet (please bring enough food for yourself and any guests!)

Tea and coffee etc. will be available during the afternoons.

Please bring a music stand to all rehearsals and the concert.

Concert

Sunday 27 May 7pm (Victoria Hall, Dunblane)
Dress code: all black