MINUTES OF THE MINEHEAD & EXMOOR FESTIVAL AGM 2007 SEASON

at Minehead Methodist Church on Wed. 16th Jan. 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

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PRESENT: David Yates, (Chair) Sheena Yates, Crispin Hodges, Keith Jones, Robert and Ann Green, Keith Halstead, Geoff Dibble, Rosemary Gaitskell and Pam Almond

APOLOGIES: Jenny Halstead, Bronwen Hodges and Liz Lewis

MINUTES OF THE 2007 AGM: printed copies circulated to all present. CH proposed and RG seconded that they be accepted as correct. No matters arising.

CHAIRMAN’s REPORT: (summary - full copy available)

a) DY presented Pam Almond with an inscribed oak clock, in recognition and much appreciation of 25 years service to the Festival.

b) The issue of Richard Dickins being thanked on the night of the last concert was raised. DY proposes to thank him at this year’s final concert, after RD has given his own thanks. This would be after the interval and before the final work. CH proposed he is given a bottle of champagne in addition.

c) DY gave thanks to the committee and all volunteers who had made 2007’s Festival so successful, and much appreciation was expressed to him for his Chairmanship

TREASURER’S REPORT: (full report and balance sheets available) accepted (P.Almond and SY)

Issues raised in discussion:

a) CH said that ticket sales via the Regal box office had gone well and would be even better this year with experience.

Ann Hankin will supervise ticket sales for the 2008 season.

b) AG noticed Programme sales were down £20 although ticket sales were up.

c) DY thanked CH on behalf of all the committee for his valuable work as Treasurer

HOSPITALITY:

a) AG reported that although last year’s orchestra was especially large, all had been accommodated and L. Lewis been helpful with finding extra hosts. A letter to current hosts going out in March. CH asked for a sentence to be included in this letter to ask current hosts to try and recruit new ones. KJ will add a sentence to the pre-Festival concert programme along these lines. Toni Thornton was praised for her excellent catering, much appreciated by the orchestra, and she has said that she will cater for the same price in 2008 as 2007.

b) AG was warmly thanked by DY for her efficient work for hospitality with the help of RG, and the Methodist church for being the venue for the meals.

PUBLICITY:

a) Nearly everyone approached to distribute posters and leaflets was more than willing. More help with distribution always welcome.

b) CH asked if the website - www.mineheadfestival.com could be added to all publicity

c) DY will follow up on Graham Sizer’s generous offer to sponsor new banners for this year’s Festival

e) DY expressed grateful thanks to Keith and Jenny Halstead for all their help with publicity

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE

a) The present Officers and Committee were all willing to stand again and were duly elected: David Yates (Chair) Crispin Hodges (Treasurer) Sheena Yates, Robert and Ann Green, Keith Jones, Keith Halstead. Rosemary Gaitskell was elected as Minutes Secretary and Ann Hankin and Geoff Dibble also proposed and seconded to join the Committee.

Appreciation expressed to workers not on the Committee, especially Ian Melhuish and Pam Almond

REVIEW OF 2007 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

a) DY and GD thought it would have been preferable to have the Shostakovitch as the grand finale piece instead of at the Thursday concert, but this may not have been possible because of soloist booking commitments

b) KH pointed out that Block D at Dunster church was almost empty for Dunster concert. It was suggested that either the bad weather on the night or the challenging Strauss Metamorphosen piece in the programme may have put a few people off, but that ticket sales were up overall for the 2007 Festival, and much praise received generally.

c) CH suggested a Comments sheet might be inserted into programmes to gather feedback from the concert goers.

Pre-Festival Concert on Feb 3rd 2008 in the Avenue Methodist Church

Jessica Mogridge and 7 other Festival orchestra players have generously agreed to come and play for free at a fund raising concert on Feb. 3rd. SY has stuffed many envelopes with a flyer about this concert for distribution by the committee. Posters will also be displayed.. CH asked all the Committee to try and attend the concert and bring friends. The players will be given a complimentary meal and drink on Sat. 2nd Feb. at the Queen’s at 8.15pm in appreciation, and some Committee members will host the event. RG will kindly ‘set up’ for rehearsals in the Methodist church. Someone needs to be allocated to sell programmes and take the money at the door on the 3rd, and help with clearing away chairs, etc. after the concert would be appreciated.

KJ was warmly thanked for arranging this concert with Jessica Mogridge.

2008 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

a) DY proposed the Committee agree that all future concerts and meetings begin at 7.30 p.m. instead of 8 pm.

Unanimously carried.

b) PREVIEW OF RICHARD DICKINS’ emailed Programme for 2008 received 16/01/08:

Mon/Tues: Mozart: Cosi Overture

Mozart: Horn Concerto

Tim Salter: - WORLD PREMIERE Sax Concerto

Mendelssohn: 4th Symphony

Thurs: Neilsen: Helios Overture

Strauss: Oboe Concerto

Brahms: 2nd Symphony or Sibelius’ 2ndSymphony (t.b.c.)

Sat: Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien

Sibelius: Violin Concerto

Borodin: 2nd Symphony

c) DY has received a letter from Amy Dickson (solo saxophonist)’s agent re. the Tim Salter piece. The Committee agreed we wish Richard Dickins to continue to negotiate fees for the Festival soloists, and not get into communications with agents.

d) RG pointed out that the Tim Salter concerto would receive a World Premeire at the Dunster concert, and therefore not a world premiere at the Dulverton concert. The Dulverton concert might call it an Exmoor Premiere?!

e) KJ will liase with Laura Hammonds(cellist) and her mother re. the Young Musician’s concert for 2008

KH will sound out a contact at Wells cathedral re. a possible young organist for the future

GD says there is a good girl trumpeter at the WSCC who might be a possibility too

The Festival Praise service was much appreciated and enjoyed and is to be repeated.

A.O.B.

a) Discussion on the proposed buying of a Minehead Concert Piano by interested parties. KJ had been to Roberts in Oxford and tried several. He thought a 7 foot new or re-conditioned Yamaha D would be ideal and would cost ap. £17,000. If the money could be raised, Roberts would look out for a suitable concert instrument.

DY reported that at a recent AGM of Art Life, support was expressed. DY pointed out that the cost of hiring concert pianos by interested parties would soon add up to £17,000. The Piano could be housed at Minehead Methodist church. A committee would have to be formed to administrate bookings, etc.

b) CH proposed that as the Festival Fund stands at over £5,000 at present, the Committee might be willing to contribute £2,000 if the project comes to fruition. The Committee agreed in principle.

c) CH reported Chanin & Thomas might well be willing to sponsor the Dunster and Dulverton concerts for £800 to £1,000

d) RG asked who would succeed Pam Almond to do the Orchestra teas. DY said that would be discussed at the next Committee meeting. AG said Liz Lewis might be willing.

Having let the hordes of grateful Festival goers who had attended the AGM leave first, the meeting closed at 9p.m.