Vivaldi oboe music
Wendy Marks Woodwind
Tel: 01993 883379

Wendy Marks Woodwind Tuition, Freeland, Nr Witney, Oxfordshire

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Freeland Orchestra

“On a lovely sunny evening in July, the Joint Summer Concert by Freeland Orchestra and pupils of Wendy Marks was a gloriously happy, community event. Nearly every seat was taken in the village hall as friends, family, neighbours, residents and visitors enjoyed the cheerful repertoire from the 18 strong orchestra and solo performers. The orchestra made a lovely big sound through dance tunes by Delibes, Strauss, Morand and Karl Jenkins, perfectly punctuated by some excellent percussion playing. The brave soloists all played really well, many of whom had only been learning a short while. All of this was the rewarding result for the enthusiasm and hard work of conductor/teacher and accompanist Wendy Marks. Well done! With free admission and cakes at the interval, I can safely say that a good time was had by all. There is nothing quite as heart warming as watching keen amateurs, young and old, put their practice into performance, so look out for the winter concert at the beginning of December, and feel the warm glow of pride from the grandparents sat next to you!”   Morag Crowther

“I arrived just in time to take one of the few remaining seats in a full house for Freeland Orchestra’s concert. For what is a relatively new venture, it seems that this orchestra has created a good following, because their last concert was equally full. The audience no doubt contained many family and friends, but there were other equally appreciative people there as well. It was particularly encouraging to see a number of young people listening intently, too.

 

The concert featured items from the orchestra and pupils of Wendy Marks, the founder and conductor, and showed off the talents of players from 9 to, oh, perhaps 70 years old! The younger performers all played solos, accompanied by Wendy on keyboard. Confidence was high, with some accomplished performances on flute, oboe and clarinet. There was some very musical playing, showing much promise.

 

I know from teaching experience that adults find it harder, generally, than children to perform solos. They often prefer to play in larger ensembles, like the orchestra. However, there were solo parts coming through very strongly from within the orchestra, showing some good playing and projection. There was a great sense of enthusiasm all round, resulting in a strong sense of ensemble and musicality from the whole orchestra.

Growing numbers of wind players in the orchestra mean Wendy is forming a wind band in January. The success of the orchestra looks set to spill over into another good community group, benefiting players and listeners alike. The New Village Hall Fund is also better off after this concert, thanks to a retiring collection. This was a very enjoyable evening, and villagers should try to catch the next concert.”  Doug Lamb

 

Programme:

Claude Debussy - Ballet (from Petite Suite)

Antonin Dvorak - Slavonic Dance Op 46 No 6

Antonin Dvorak - Slavonic Dance Op 46 No 4

Emmanuel Chabrier – Joyeuse Marche

July 3rd 2009

December 4th 2009

“A packed village hall on Friday 2nd July witnessed the final concert before its demolition and the building of a new hall for 2011.  With her energy and enthusiasm, no one has done more for Freeland music than Wendy Marks, so it was appropriate that in this last concert she conducted music played by two of her 'creations', The West Oxfordshire Winds (WOW) and The Freeland Orchestra.

The first half was a varied combination of pieces for WOW, from Henry Mancini's Pink Panther theme to Bernstein's The Great Escape.  The members, twenty-eight strong and all ages from seven to seventy, also played rousing renditions of four famous Sousa marches and a slinky version of the famous James Bond theme.  Best of all though was a relaxed and swinging version of Tin Roof Blues.

After the interval, the twenty-seven members of Freeland Orchestra took centre stage, starting with Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and two pieces from "Children's Games" by Bizet.  Tom Hadland on the oboe was particularly fine in first the Bach piece and then "Gabriel's Oboe" from the film The Mission, while the orchestra - getting into its stride - combined very well in two demanding Hungarian Dances by Brahms.  Finally, accompanied by ready audience participation, the orchestra ended the concert with The Radetzky March by Strauss.  The famous march, so often heard coming from Vienna, this time came from an Oxfordshire village and very good it sounded.

So a successful and enjoyable concert to mark the end of one era for the hall but the start of a new era for the two orchestras under Wendy Marks.”  Alastair Lack

 

Orchestral Programme:

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach

Two movements from Jeux d'Enfants - Bizet

1. Trompette et Tambour

2. La Toupie - Bizet

Gabriel's Oboe (from The Mission) - Morricone

Hungarian Dances Nos. 1 & 5 - Brahms

Radetzky March - Strauss

CONCERT REVIEWS

Freeland Orchestra - July 2009

July 2nd 2010

“Despite the freezing weather and treacherous roads, resulting in the late arrival of half the brass section, an audience of around 100 people came to Eynsham Village Hall to enjoy a very entertaining evening of light classical, modern show tunes and festive favourites performed by West Oxfordshire Winds and Freeland Orchestra.

 

In the first half the Winds gave us an enjoyable mix of pieces from Mozart to Wallace and Gromit Theme, including performances by several ensembles and some great solos. After the interval the Orchestra played some familiar classical pieces and ended with a popular selection from South Pacific.

 

It was lovely to see such a broad range of instruments and performers and all musicians, and the parents of the younger players, would like to extend their thanks to Orchestra conductor Wendy Marks for this fantastic opportunity to play the instruments they love in the company of like minded people. A retiring collection raised over £100 for the new Freeland Village Hall.”  Keith Skerrett

 

West Oxfordshire Winds’ Programme:

Kalinka - Russian Traditional

Southern Comfort - Gisborne

Wallace and Gromit Theme - J Nott

Snow  White Medley - F Churchill

 

Orchestral Programme:

Occasional Overture - Bach

Ave Maria - Schubert

Minuet and Trio (From the Jupiter Symphony) - Mozart

Perpetuum Mobile - J. Strauss

South Pacific Selection - R. Rogers

December 3rd 2010

REVIEWS from 2008