The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2246 - 12th February 2009
First Meeting at the Apex International:
President Tim Simpson welcomed everyone on an historic occasion with the hope that we settle in quickly and that the move will be an enjoyable change for everyone. Tim's grace: We wake we sleep, we eat we drink,/ But seldom do we stop to think,/ Our situation is privileged indeed,/ So think of others before we feed..Secretary's Announcements:
Attendance: 59 members, no visitors and 2 guests, total 61.We are visiting the Rotary Club of Glasgow on Tuesday 3rd March. Those wishing to attend pass their names to VP Sandra Watson by 19th February.
District 1020 Conference, York: John Fordyce (currently on holiday) or
Sandra Watson also requires names by 19th February to reserve a choice
hotel. So far 14 members and partners have registered for what should
be an excellent conference in a wonderful location.
District Quiz: We compete against the Breakfast Club - date to be agreed.
Secretary Colin pleaded for a Gaelic speaker to translate a message received from Fiesole (Italy)!
Fred Lawson has arranged a visit to Parliament House behind St Giles Cathedral on 12th March. Numbers are limited so book a place with Fred immediately. Those attending should meet in the Main Hall at 10:30 am after passing through security. The visit will be over in time for Lunch.
Fiona Brown attended the R C Portobello Burns Supper and Jim Dargie brought greetings from two Calgary Rotary clubs.
Special Concert at St. Mary's Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Organised by the Rotary Club of Edinburgh to celebrate the start of the RIBI Conference in Edinburgh. The concert will be performed by the famous St. Mary's School of Music, including the award winning String Ensemble. Friday, 24th April 2009 at 8 pm. Tickets are available now from John Havard at £8. The Concert is open to all.
Malcolm Shanks has had feedback that ProstateScotland has launched its new website - www.prostatescotland.org.uk. The development of this website was mentioned by Alan McNeill at his talk last year. We contributed the proceeds of a charity raffle to support the website. Members note.
President's Business:
President Tim reminded members that there are some car parking spaces at the rear of the Hotel and suggested that members might car-share to ease pressure on spaces and reduce individual cost.Guest Speaker:
Mrs Susie Stevenson: President Tim welcomed Susie Stevenson to the honoured spot of first Guest Speaker at our new location. Susie worked for Barclays International in Moscow during the Cold War, promoting British Technology. She is now chairman of Cornerstone Bookshop beneath St. John's Church, Princes Street. She is interested in the Suzuki music teaching method and the Venezuelan El Sistema teaching of children in orchestras.The Really Terrible Orchestra:
Susie explained that when her children were at school at St. Georges she had enjoyed music and orchestral work and together with seven other people including Alexander McCall Smith, decided to form an orchestra of their own. None of them were professional musicians but all were keen to enjoy music. When Susie mentioned the idea to a friend the response was "That will be a really terrible orchestra, what are you going to call it?" Susie replied " The Really Terrible Orchestra!"To simplify matters they only play music in four parts and the conductor has to realise that the orchestra can't play. Susie had difficulty with her percussion part which does not have notes but only "Xs". The key to a successful concert is to give the audience two glasses of wine before they start and to encourage audience participation. Sandy McCall Smith in his celebrity frequently talks about the RTO and claims that C# on the bassoon is a design fault! (Our member Jim Nicolson confirmed that it is a most difficult note to play on that instrument). Often the audience ends up singing tunes like the Yellow Submarine.
Over the years the popularity of the RTO Concerts has built increasing audiences. They will fill the Usher Hall - when it is open - have sold out at the Cadogan Hall in London and on 1st April (the date is no coincidence) they will play to a 1500 seater hall in Manhattan.
It is hard work for the audience, it is difficult to listen to an hour of bad music so the RTO organises other entertainment and participation. For example, when they play the 1812 Overture, the audience are asked to blow up paper bags on their seats and bang them in time with the cannons! They also arranged for a real Major General to sing Gilbert & Sullivan's I am the very model of a modern major general. Over time a number of professional musicians have joined to RTO which gives them the opportunity to perform on their third or fourth study instrument.
The guiding principle is "It is right to do your best even if it is not quite right!"
Vote of Thanks:
Fiona Brown: Fiona confessed to have played a very "bad oboe" as a youngster. (Why did she not ask for a better instrument? Ed.) However there was one consolation, she met her husband in the orchestra. Fiona thanked Susie for a most entertaining speech and wished the Really Terrible Orchestra well for the future.