Torbay Musical Weekend 2021

 

The Torbay Musical Weekend....held at the Grand Hotel, Torquay, November 19th to 21st 2021

It is very agreeable to spend a winter weekend away from home listening to good music in comfortable surroundings among congenial companions who share your tastes and interests.

For over 50 years people have gathered in Torquay to meet old friends and make new ones, listening to a wide variety of illustrated presentations from a variety of guest speakers from the world of music, such as critics, performers, composers, broadcasters, musicologists and writers.

Top quality hi-fi is used throughout, from ProAc, Audio Synthesis, Crimson, Sony and Marantz, although live music also features. What's more there's an opportunity to add to your collection with CDs, DVDs and books available from our Friends' Shop.

But....what's taking place? Well, among our guests will be a trio from the renowned Primavera Chamber Ensemble, directed by Paul Manley, who will perform for us. A further recital, this time profiling the music of George Gershwin, will be given by Andy Panayi and friends.

Presenters include Jonathan Willcocks, choral director, composer and son of Sir David Willcocks, who will talk about the effects of lockdown on his work with the Guildford Choral Society.

Roderick Dunk will also give a session reminiscing about his life as a former professional Double Bass player and then conductor, composer and arranger. He will share observations from both sides of the fence!

A guide to the career of Vaughan Williams is to be presented by John Francis, Vice Chairman of the RVW Society, and MD of Albion Records........and....we will also hear about one of V-W's unjustly neglected colleagues, Frank Bridge, from Gwyn Parry-Jones, former Director of Music Activities at Reading University. The relationship between Masters and Pupils is discussed by composer and lecturer Geraint Lewis.

Further sessions on Joaquin Rodrigo, as well as a substantive audio-visual presentation, are also included.

The weekend is open to residents, with prices ranging from £327.00 per person for a full weekend (Friday reception through to Monday breakfast) or £255.00 per person, for a partial weekend (Friday reception through to Sunday Tea Time), in each case supplemented by a £60.00 admin charge to cover the administration of the weekend.

However if your circumstances or location are such that you don't wish to commit to hotel accommodation, Day and Session tickets are also available, ranging from £5 to £25, or £60.00 for all sessions.

FURTHER CLARIFICATION, BOOKING FORMS and PAYMENT DETAILS are available from the Friends website: www.fot.org.uk

In addition, our venue, the Grand Hotel, offers many indoor and outdoor attractions including fine cuisine. Good food, good company, good music - who could ask for anything more?