23/2 hé
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13 Vicarage Gate, Guildford, GU2 5QJ
Dear Choir-Member,
Please find enclosed concert schedule for the forthcoming season, plus the publicity leaflet (please let
me or Nicola Goold know if you would like more of these). I hope that you have had a good summer
and that you are looking forward to another exciting and enjoyable year with the choir.
We finished an excellent season on a high note with the Open Air Concert in Shalford. At the end of
the season, we also said goodbye to Kathy Atkins and welcomed in her place Nicola Goold as the
new General Manager of the Guildford Philharmonic. Jim Miles was appointed to the new post of
Director of Leisure for the Borough. AsI said at the AGM, we are delighted to have them on board,
and ona personal front Jeremy and | are enjoying working with them.
However, they have a difficult task, as the Borough Councillors are putting them under even greater
pressure to make financial savings on the one hand, and on the other to justify the Guildford Phil's
existence by having capacity audiences at all concerts. When Jim and Nicola spoke to us in July, they
talked about this, but because of the situation as it stands, I feel that it is essential that I reinforce it at
the beginning of the new season. As a choir, we must ensure that all of our concerts have capacity
houses. To help us do this, Roger Penny will tell us about new arrangements whereby ail tickets
purchased through him will be at a reduced price.
Our first concert will be an exciting one, requiring much hard work and commitment on our part. It is
Jeremy's first concert in the subscription series, with a programme that he has chosen that he knows
we will enjoy singing. Remember, if every choir member sells 5 tickets, the Civic Hall will be 75%
full. If we don't and the hall is not filled, the future will be less than secure for the choir.
Jeremy spoke to us a few months ago about the possibility of a recording and the need for
sponsorship to ensure that the recording goes ahead. If anyone has personal or business contacts that
might sponsor either a recording or a concert, please let me know. Sponsorship is now an essential
part of the funding-mix, and is a way of allowing us to do more exciting musical activities as well as
reducing the overall cost of concerts and showing our own commitment to the organisation.
I look forward to seeing you at the first rehearsal on 2 September at the start of what I hope will be a
very successful year.
Remember - sell those tickets!
John Trigg
Chairman, Guildford Philharmonic Choir
23 August oe
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