Camera Clubs and Art Societies might be particularly interested to hear that the presenter of Swindon 105.5’s Art2Art programme will be our guest for the evening. He will talk to us about the show and then mingle with the guests while expanding his contacts in the local Art community.

The other aim of the event is to gain input from people in the area with an interest in Art and Photography. This is the first year that we will be holding an Art Section so we would really appreciate the input and ideas from people in the Art community. We are hoping this will be an open meeting and that we can use the suggestions we receive to mould the competition to the requirements of the artists and photographers themselves.

The Launch will take place on Tuesday 30^th March in the Civic Centre, Station Road, Wootton Bassett and starts at 7pm. However, this will be an informal occasion so the doors will remain open throughout the event.

To book a place at the Art Launch please call Miranda Shirnia on 01666 824410 or email mshirnia@hotmail.com.

The Wootton Bassett Light Operatic Society (WBLOS) is pleased to be contributing to the Art Festival Blog spot. Whether you like to sing yourself and would like to join us or might like to come along to one of our productions we will be happy to pass on information about WBLOS from time to time.

So, back to the Pyjamas or should I say Pajamas (it’s an American show so it’s got a U.S. spelling). The 2010 WBLOS production is the “Pajama Game”. This is an entertaining story in which a new Superintendent of a pajama factory hooks up with the union supervisor.   With songs including “Once a year day” and “I’m not at all in love”, the show grabs you right from the start.

The Pajama Game will be on at the Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall from Wednesday 14th April until Saturday 17th April.  Tickets are available on 01793 840547, priced at £8.50/£6.50.

Full details can be found on the WBLOS website: www.wblos.org.uk

Piano 40 was formed in 1999 – although originally known as the London Piano Quartet until 2002 – with the main objective of extending interest in the neglected medium of 8 hands at 2 pianos. Apart from the works written by Smetana, Moscheles and Moszkowski, Piano 40 has managed to extend the repertoire by having no fewer than 23 composers write original works especially for this unusual grouping. The current members of Piano 40 are Jeremy Brown, Rachel Nadin, Nadia Lasserson and Richard Deering.

To date Piano 40 has given 8 sold-out concerts at London’s South Bank, as well as appearances at the Dulwich Festival, Oxford International Piano Festival, EPTA International Conference in Budapest and at the EPTA London Conference held at Trinity College of Music.

Piano 40’s next London concert is at St. John’s, Smith Square on Wednesday June 9^th 2010. Groups and school parties can be offered special ticketing deals. Contact Richard Deering himself for more information.

Richard Deering
55 Dalmally Road
Croydon
CR0 6LW

Tel: 07944 694892
Richard Deering’s website: http://www.impulse-music.co.uk/deering.htm
Piano 40 website: http://www.impulse-music.co.uk/piano40.htm

The Speech and Drama section has classes in Prepared Prose Reading, Memorised Prose or Verse Speaking.

Prepared Prose Reading

In this class performers select a passage from the set book and practice performing the story to an audience. Set books in the children’s classes include:

• The Badger’s Bath by Nick Butterworth
• A Bear called Paddington by Michael Bond
• Born to Run by Michael Morpurgo
• Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson
• Room with a View by EM Forster

Performers of 17 and over are free to select a passage from any book by Evelyn Waugh.

Memorised Prose

In this section performers are free to select a passage from any book so just chose your favourite!

Verse Speaking

…or you could indulge yourself with some time spent on poetry. Poems have been set for ages 6 to 16 years and include:

• Goldfish by John Walsh
• Spaghetti, Spaghetti by Jack Prelutsky
• Five Eyes by Walter de la Mare
• The Mallard by Phoebe Hesketh
• The Thought Fox by Thomas Hardy

…and for those 17 and over you are invited to perform a poem, extract or sonnet by Sir John Betjeman.

So lots of excuses to pick up a book whether it’s prose or poetry and all you have to say is you are doing your bit for World Book Day!

Download a copy of the Syllabus on our website: www.wbaf.co.uk for full details of all Festival classes and the ISBN numbers for books in both prose and poetry sections.

Co-owner of Dreambase Studios, Alex Hudd, decided to make this great offer because he believes that the Wootton Bassett Arts Festival is helping to make participation in the arts available to a wide audience, which can only be a good thing. After a little thought Dreambase Studios decided that offering the use of their studios to make a professional recording was an ideal way to support the festival and give something really worthwhile to the winners.

Naturally everyone on the Festival Committee is thrilled with this unique sponsorship idea. Most choirs could only dream of getting a professional recording of their work – the sheer cost would be prohibitive, but thanks to Dreambase the winners of our Adult Choirs category will get this as part of their winner’s prize.

Music

The European Youth Summer Music (EYSM) Orchestral and Vocal Course is aimed at students aged between 11 and 21 years and runs between 31^st July and 7^th August. Students taking part range from Grade 4 or intermediate through to beyond diploma level. Options include Jazz, Improvisation, Music Theatre, Chamber Music, World Music, Choir, Ensemble work. You will get the chance to take part in orchestral groups and some will have the opportunity to experience symphony work, you can even have a go at composing! In the afternoon you will be able to take part in a range of sports and in the evenings there are discos and BBQs to enjoy.

The Junior European Youth Summer Music Course is aimed at students aged between 8 and 11 years and runs between the 3^rd and 6^th August.

Drama

Speech and Drama Summer Course is aimed at students aged between 11 and 17 years. There’s no preparation beforehand, just come prepared to pool your talents and work creatively together. At the end of the course you will who what you have learned before an audience of friends, family and the EYSM who will see your performance before their course begins!

FAQ

How much does it cost? Drama – £302.50, Music (EYSM) – £479 (this is the basic cost, see the application form for extras), Music Junior EYSM – £285 (this is the basic cost, see the application form for extras).

Where do the courses take place? Haileybury College, Hertfordshire.

Do we get to show what we have learned? All courses end with a performance open to family and friends.

Further Details

For further details and application forms go to: http://www.federationoffestivals.org.uk/Welcome.html

And the best way to demonstrate your skills is in competition with other Societies. If you would like to test yourselves, you will need a minimum of 3 people in your group to enter, a Proposer, an Opposer and a Chairman.

The Chairman’s job is to introduce the Speakers, Topic for Debate and invite comments from the floor. Following this the Chair will take the vote, close the proceedings and give a vote of thanks.

The choice of subject is yours, so you can tackle whatever excites you most – you just need to keep it within the ten minutes time limit!

The Wootton Bassett Arts Festival is keen to support this local arts event by promoting it to our community as we share the same interests and, very likely, the same audience.

If you would like to join Pulsar Poetry the evening will take place on Thursday 4^th March from 8.00pm at the White Hart at Wroughton. The event will take place in the pub’s function room which is separate from the main bar area. There will be a small charge of £1.00 to cover costs.

To express interest contact David Pike on:

Tel: 01793 875941
Email: pulsar.ed@btopenworld.com
Web: www.pulsarpoetry.com

Many people would like the opportunity to develop and improve their presentation skills in an arena which is testing and yet, at the same time, not the audience which the presentation is ultimately intended for.

In this class performers create a 5 minute presentation which is performed before an audience and a professional adjudicator. The Adjudicator will provide constructive feedback which will ultimately help the performer when faced with having to give the presentation for REAL!

You can use this class to try out your presentation skills or polish an already developing presentation so that you stand out from the crowd when it matters. Plus the very best performer will be declared the winner of the class and awarded a trophy to reflect this which can only add value to your C.V.

A copy of the Syllabus and Entry Forms can all be downloaded from our website but please make sure all entries are received by 23rd April which is the closing date.