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When Do We Meet?

We meet on the second and last Wednesday. Start time is soon after 7:30pm but it's OK to be late

We stop for a break about 8:45pm and generally finish by 10:30pm. It is fine if you need to leave earlier

The two meetings are a little different (see below). Some come to both, while some prefer one or the other. That's not a problem

Click the calendar logo above to see our diary

Where Do We Meet?

Meetings are held in the St Boniface Centre, Chandlers Ford close to junctions 4/5 of the M27 and junctions 12/13 of the M3

It is behind St Boniface Church, Hursley Rd, SO53 2FT.  The 'large upper room' is up a flight of stairs (no wheelchair access yet)

Click the photo for an aerial view of parking and entrances. We have a car park next door and are on a bus route and near a railway station
      

Extra Ensemble Evenings

These take place on second Wednesday each month. The emphasis is clearly on ensemble but we keep a little time at the end for a few solos

They appear in the diary in this colour and with this logo:

The logo represents the seating layout and the focus of the evening

In 1999 there was demand for more ensemble time and after a short trial, the meeting was added to our regular calendar. (See history)

The purpose is to have fun playing in a group but to take it to a higher level than is possible at the other meeting. Music is usually published in advance on the ensemble page to allow some practice time

The most important principle of EEEs is that all are welcome. If you can only make the occasional meeting, or if sight-reading is not your forte, then some prior practice will definitely help but it is not mandatory

Tim Rushworth guides the ensemble through the music
(Click photo for a parger image)

Sometimes, we will split into groups so that everyone playing the same guitar part can spend 20 minutes getting to grips with it

We take a short break in the middle of the evening

To help you understand the 'plan' behind the ensemble evenings this article was written. (The article is in our members area and is currently being revised)

At the end of the evening we usually have 20-25 minutes for a few ad hoc solos. These don't have to be treated as a performance and are a chance to air half a piece or to ask for advice about a particular problem

Over time we aim to build a 'set list', or 'repertoire', of a pieces, a few of which we can play 'at the drop of a hat' towards the end of each meeting, mostly for our own pleasure but it is also good to have something ready in case we are asked to perform

We are not really a 'performing society' but once or twice a year the ensemble gets a chance to play a few pieces in concert for a public audience. Proceeds go to charity on these occasions

NB: there is no EEE in December. Instead we have our Christmas Party with festive ensemble, free food and wine and perhaps a guest player to entertain us while we socialise

Performance Nights

These take place on the last Wednesday of each month. Although the focus is on solos (and duos), we generally start with some ensemble

They appear in the diary in this colour and with this logo:

The logo represents the seating plan and the emphasis of the meeting

This meeting is our traditional format dating back to when the society was founded back in 1972 (see history) and it has changed little since

The first half of the meeting is usually reserved for some simple sight-read ensemble. In our previous meeting place we are competing with church bell-ringers until 9pm

After the break anyone can perform if they want to. No pressure. Any standard of player welcome. All we require is to treat it as a 'performance' and to have put in a bit of practice in advance

Vincent Lindsey-Clark plays a new composition to members
(Click photo for a larger image)

We allow up to 3 slots of a max 15 minutes each to be reserved for those who want to ensure they get to play pieces they have worked hard on

If you want to just turn up and play then it's simply a case taking a chance. Similar to an 'open mike night' at a folk club, everyone can play a piece and, if there is time, a second or third etc

Either way, you may (or maybe not?) find this article helpful in preparation for playing. (The article is in our members area and is currently being revised)

There are a few exceptions to this pattern during the year:

• Feb: we are usually young by young players for the first half of the evening
• May: a guest player in the second half - often a final year student from one of the big music colleges
• Aug: something different in the second half such as other types of plucked, fretted instrument, Summer party etc
• Nov: a themed evening, usually our 'Composers Night' where all pieces are by the same writer, and no ensemble

NB: there is no meeting in December as it is Christmas. Also, the church does not hire out the centre during Holy Week (Easter) so if this clashes with the March meeting (every 4/5 years) we bring it forward a week