Minutes of a Committee Meeting of the Waiheke Island Choral Society Inc.

Held in the Palm Beach Hall at 6.15 pm on Tuesday 18^th July 2006.

Present: Jeanne Mellamphy (Chair), Richard Melville, Mark James, Jack Watson, Janis McCartain, Pat Atkin, Marie Watson, Philip Symonds.

Apologies: None, but Andy Spence is on leave of absence overseas.

Minutes of the Previous Committee meeting (11/6/06) were read and confirmed on the motion of Jack, seconded by Pat. Matters arising to be dealt with in General Business.

Correspondence: Inward: Di Stoddard (Librarian) with thanks for the recent performance in the Library, and enclosing a DVD hire voucher. Also a letter from Marion Robertson, explaining that she is not available as pianist for the performances of “Mainly Mozart” (although she is willing to continue as practice pianist for this programme) and also that she is not able to play for “Iolanthe.” The secretary is to reply to this. ­Outward: two letters to Fullers Ferries, the first requesting, the second thanking them for their generous support in supplying return ferry tickets for the A Capella choir on the occasion of their trip to perform in St. Peter’s Onehunga.

Finance: Accounts passed for payment were: Hire of Palm Beach Hall for practices, Taxis to transport A Capella to and from Onehunga, Website account, Advertisement re “Iolanthe” in Gulf News ($19.00), payment to M.Watson for Committee’s meal ($10.00). These were passed for payment. Janis/Philip.

General Business: Richard reported that the performance of Sung Evensong in St. Peter’s Church, Onehunga went very well. It is to be performed again at 5.30 pm on Sunday 23^rd. July 2006 in St. Peter’s Church Oneroa. It was mentioned that the ladies of A Capella looked very smart in black skirts, and white blouses with coloured scarves, the men in black trousers, white shirts and coloured ties. It was suggested that this be adopted as a “uniform” for A Capella, and also, on suitable occasions, the main Choir. Progress on the Mozart Concert is to be discussed later, during the “Iolanthe Evening.”

“Iolanthe:” Brenda Vale’s updated script is now on the website. Mark said he may be able to provide words with the music for “Iolanthe” on the website. There was considerable discussion on suitable dates for the performance dates and venue for “Iolanthe.” Eventually, Jack moved pro forma, seconded by Philip, that “Iolanthe” be performed in the MORRA Hall during the first two weeks in November. This motion was put, and defeated unanimously. Jack then moved, seconded by Pat, that “Iolanthe” be performed at Artworks during the last two weeks in November, with an opening performance in the Omiha Memorial Hall, Rocky Bay, during the second week in November. After further discussion, this motion was put, and carried unanimously.

Subject to any prior bookings, the Rocky Bay performance is to be on the night of Saturday 11^th. November, and the Artworks performances to be the nights of 17, 18, 19, 24, and 25 November, with a matineé performance on 25^th November as well. Orchestra: Brenda Vale and Willi Willman currently in rehearsal for this, together with some other performers. Brenda has agreed to direct the show, together with her husband Robert. Pianist for “Iolanthe:” Richard would like to do this, and has offered his services, which he feels will sit comfortably with his role as Musical Director. “Iolanthe” rehearsals are to start on the evening of Tuesday 8^th August, and there will be afternoon workshops for Mozart on the following Sunday afternoons: 30^th July, 13^th and 27^th August. On the evenings of four Fridays in August, there will be Mozart rehearsals for split groups (tenors/basses and sopranos/altos separately.) “Mainly Mozart” is to be performed on the afternoons of 9^th and 10^th September 2006, in St. Peter’s Church, Oneroa. As an accompaniment, Richard hopes to assemble a small group, or an accompanying pianist.

Next Committee meeting is to be on Tuesday 15^th. August, at 6.00 pm in the Palm Beach Hall. This Committee meeting closed at 7.30 pm.