Maggie Cotton, who retired from The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra after 40 years, gave us a lengthy exposition of what life is like in such an orchestra. She was a percussionist which was very unusual for a woman and this led to many difficulties in her early days. However, it would appear that she had a very good relationship with Sir Simon Rattle, the orchestra’s conductor for many years. During her talk she illustrated some of the strange things the percussion section had to perform on to provide the appropriate noises for some of the modern composers – scratching balloons was one very noisy example.

We learned that orchestral players have a shop steward to look after their interests which include limiting time travel without a break, rest periods and hours of work. There were several other secrets exposed, such as the shuffle to indicate approval or disapproval during a performance and the peculiar happenings when a violin string breaks – she thought the audience would not notice any of these as they always concentrate on the conductor. She travelled the world with the Birmingham orchestra and gave us many anecdotes of adventures in places like Japan and Eastern European countries.

The evening was attended by the Chairman of the Council and sponsored by the Princes Theatre.

Audrey Owens
Press Officer

CLACTON & N.E.ESSEX ARTS & LITERARY SOCIETY

                                                                                                                                                                                                           21 October 2008  

A full house of very enthusiastic people greeted Pam Ayres on her fourth visit to the Arts and Literary Society on Monday evening.

She was her usual bouncing, lovable self and gave us all a fantastic evening’s entertainment.   We were regaled by her views on reaching 60 and the fact that she was not a pensioner.   We learned of her 25^th wedding anniversary and the adventures of her two sons, William and James.

It seemed to us that she did not stop to draw breath for the first hour and fifteen minutes of her performance with so many poems and anecdotes about her adventures in New Zealand and Australia, cycling in the Loire Valley and her attempts to learn French.   After the interval the next hour disappeared as we roared with laughter and clapped in delight – who could forget about training Ella the dog.

Pam thanked the sponsors Thompson, Smith and Puxon and the audience concurred and sent Pam Ayres off with the loudest clapping and cheers we have heard for a very long time.

                                                            Audrey Owens

                                                                Press Officer

CLACTON & N.E.ESSEX ARTS & LITERARY SOCIETY

                                                                                                           4 March 2008  

Big band sound broke out at the Arts and Lits opening night of the season when Eleanor Keenan and her all girl Swing Orchestra presented the Broad Band with Sing, Sing, Sing.   This was a most unusual evening with 16 girls swinging trumpets, trombones, saxophones in a fascinating cacophony of jazz, swing and the ever wonderful Glen Miller sound.

Eleanor was the vocalist and sang beautifully with both the orchestra and the delightful pianist.   She introduced her guest artiste Lorraine Craig, a vibrant jazz singer, who rendered several well known jazz hits and also sang duets with Eleanor.   Altogether this was an experience much appreciated by the very large audience.

There were no sponsors for the evening as the first night is dedicated to Sqn. Leader Reg Hartley, a past president of the Society.

                                                            Audrey Owens

                                                                Press Officer

 Eleanor Keenan’s  BROAD BAND!  All girl Swing Orchestra

The Sqn. Ldr. Hartley Evening on 13^th October 2008  

Under the Leadership of Eleanor Keenan, who is one of the most respected Big Band female vocalists in the country, (Syd Lawrence himself hired Eleanor for his Orchestra).

Along with the timeless classics from the golden era of popular song writing from artistes such as Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey, Quincy Jones, and tributes to Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, there will also be some arrangements of modern tunes.

Appealing to all age groups, the show will include a mixture of swing music, dance music and jazz together with fun, laughter, excitement, glamour and comedy to make this an excellent live variety show.

Featuring the very best female musicians of all ages, this unique Orchestra features the traditional line up of Trumpets, Trombones, Saxophones, Rhythm Section with Piano Bass and Drums.  

Eleanor Keenan – Biography

Eleanor has worked with a range of glittering celebrities, including, amongst others, Tom Jones, Charles Aznavour, Gene Pitney, Tina Turner, Lulu, Roger Whittaker, Vince Hill, Mel Torme, Leo Sayer, Matt Munro and Jack Jones. She still sings with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and appears with them on a regular basis.

Eleanor also tours with Tony Jacobs, and with Phil Phillips.  Eleanor, has appeared on stage worldwide and has worked in musicals, film, radio and television.