BENSLOW MUSIC NEEDS YOU

We are always looking to extend a

welcome to other amateur musicians who
are not aware of the great courses and
concerts we have on offer.

THE

UZZ

Are you able to support Benslow Music by

distributing posters or course brochures
in your local area?
Please contact Vicky on 01462 459446
or email vicky@benslowmusic.org as she
would be delighted to speak to you.

november 2014
Welcome to the
November issue of
The Buzz.
October has been
another busy month
for us all at Benslow
Music, with many
courses
achieving
full-houses both at
weekends and in midweek slots. Some
particular highlights
were the very well
attended folk courses earlier in the month,
the superbly organised course with Sarah
Francis for piano and wind players, and the 42
string players we had enrolled on the popular
Foundation String Chamber Music course. We
look forward to seeing more full-houses as we
approach the end of the year.
We have also had two concerts this month.
The jazz evening with Digby Fairweather and
Craig Milverton proved to be a huge success
with the local community. This new addition
to our jazz programme has been very well
received and we hope to see Digby and Craig
back before too long. The second concert
was given by the fabulous Fitzwilliam Quartet,
who returned to Benslow with a programme
of Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven - another
outstanding event.
Before the end of the year we have another
five concerts to look forward to and tickets
are available to book now. In November we
have the Coull Quartet with a programme
including Mozart, Tippett and Smetana. And
in December we have four concerts given by
the London Klezmer Quartet, the Bingham
Quartet with Nigel Clayton, the Tedesca
Quartet and the Fidelio Trio. Programme
details are available on our website.

During October we have also had a very

welcome addition to the Peter Morrison Hall.
Local artist Victor Stedman has loaned us a
selection of his paintings which are currently
displayed in the hall. This is the first step in
a new connection with the Hitchin Art Club
who will now be looking after the gallery in
the dining room. Watch this space!
We are very pleased to have recently
welcomed Shadia El Tabch to the Benslow
Music team as Music Administrator following
the departure of Hannah James during
October. Further details are available on page
2 but I would like to take this opportunity to
welcome Shadia to the Benslow Music family.
We are sure she will do well.
The course programme for Jul-Dec 2015
has now been finalised and the brochure is
currently being designed by our marketing
administrator Vicky Carlton. We are hoping
the brochure will be back from the printers
during early December and will be posted
to members before Christmas, and to nonmember during January. Booking will open
to members in the New Year and to nonmembers in early February. We do have the
list of courses and the dates so please get in
touch if you would like to know in advance.
The best form of advertising is word of mouth.
Therefore we urge you to spread the word
about what we do here at Benslow among
your musical colleagues, friends and family.
If youd like us to send you copies of our
brochures to hand out, please let us know.
Thank you in advance and we look forward to
seeing you soon.
Fane Henderson
Head of Music

www.benslowmusic.org

Benslow Apiary Report 2014

course places available

2014 has been the best year yet for the Benslow
Bees.The mild winter of 2013-14 was kind and
four of the colonies were large and strong at
the start of Spring and able to take advantage
of early blossoms. The warm sunny weather
and abundant spring flowers soon had the
remaining eight productive colonies building
up fast. This year our swarm control was good
and only two swarms had to be rescued from
surrounding bushes with possibly only one
additional small swarm escaping to freedom.
The honey harvest has been excellent with
approximately three hundred pounds weight
of summer honey (roughly twice our average
harvest) and probably a similar amount of
Autumn (ivy) honey though this has yet to be
extracted from the comb. Added together this
is about three to four times the average honey
harvest!
We still have plenty of spring and summer
honey which is available to purchase from the
Benslow Music shop. Each jar is 5 and would
make a great stocking filler!

We still have places available on the following

November and December courses.
Twos Company - A Piano Duet Course
(Code 14/352, 3 - 6 November)

Jenny Curtiss Cello Orchestra

(Code 14/351, 3 - 6 November)

Adventures in Cello and Piano Repertoire

(Code 14/354, 10 - 13 November)

Adventures in Viola and Piano Repertoire

(Code 14/355, 10 - 13 November)

Adventures in Violin and Piano Repertoire

(Code 14/356, 10 - 13 November)

Film and Show Music Orchestra

(Code 14/357, 13 - 16 November)

Arranging and Orchestration

(Code 14/288, 14 - 16 November)

Orchestral Brass

(Code 14/289, 17 - 19 November)

Orchestral Flutes

(Code 14/290, 17 - 19 November)

Speed Dating for Strings and Piano

(Code 14/358, 17 - 20 November)

The Magic of Vienna

(Code 14/293, 28 - 30 November)

Winter Saxes

(Code 14/294 - 2 night option, 28 - 30 November)

(Code 14/359 - 3 night option, 28 November - 1 December)

Composing with Toovey

(Code 14/360, 1 - 4 December)

Improve your improvising

(Code 14/361, 1 - 4 December)

Winter Klezmer Band

(Code 14/362, 1 - 4 December)

On most courses we can usually squeeze in a few more
so even if the course youre attracted to isnt on this list
why not ask in any case?

photo Eilisha Carlton

info@benslowmusic.org or
book your place

T:01462 459446 to

shadia joins the registry team

Shadia El Tabch joined the registry team on 20 October, replacing Hannah as
Music Administrator.
Shadia was born near Venice, Italy and completed a BA and MA in Musicology
at the University of Udine, passing both with distinction. She arrived in the
UK in 2013 to study an MA in Music Management at the University of
Sheffield, which she completed in September 2014.
Shadia plays the guitar and her interests include, yoga, wine tasting, reading
and travelling. She has travelled all over Europe, the USA and regularly visits
Lebanon where she has family.
Shadia is already settling in well and is looking forward to meeting everyone
involved with Benslow Music.

BENSLOW CHRISTMAS MENU

STARTERS
home- made smoked salmon pate with
horseradish cream and croutons
or

lightly spiced apple and parsnip soup

or

field mushrooms filled with bacon and stilton

MAINS
traditional roast turkey breast, benslow xmas
stuffing and all the trimmings
or

salmon en croute with creamy mushroom sauce

or

vegetarian nut roast and spicy (mild) tomato sauce

all served with seasonal vegetables and a choice of potatoes

DESSERTS
raspberry and white chocolate torte
or

orange xmas pudding with cointreau cream

or

cheese and biscuit selection with a fig salami

all served with coffee

19.95

Please join us

Celebrate Christmas with friends and colleagues

in a traditional way
Warm welcome, complimentary glass of mulled
wine, log fire, home-cooked locally-sourced food,
chamber music, sole use of dining room if required
(20 guests minimum) and only a five minute walk
from Hitchin train station.
Bookings are invited to arrive for lunches
between 12pm - 2pm and/or dinners from 6pm
till 8pm, Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 December

Telephone 01462 459446

per head

benslow music, benslow lane, hitchin, hertfordshire sg4 9rb

t: 01462 459446 i e: info@benslowmusic.org i w: www.benslowmusic.org

The Benslow Music Christmas Menu

This Christmas we are offering something new our Christmas menu. Bring your friends and colleagues
to Benslow Music this Christmas and enjoy the ambience of the Victorian house set in four acres
of stunning gardens. On arrival, you will be greeted with mulled wine and mince pies in front of our
roaring log fire, followed by a three course meal in our dining room. And to enhance the experience
there will be live chamber music playing throughout. Booking is now open so to reserve your table for
friends, family or work colleagues, please book soon to avoid disappointment. The number to call is
01462 459446 or you can email info@benslowmusic.org for further information. We look forward to
welcoming you with our usual hospitality very soon.

Calling All Musicians

Alongside our Christmas lunches and dinners we are offering the opportunity for musicians to join us
and provide the live music as part of the experience. If you are interested in coming along as a solo
performer or as part of a small chamber group - please get in touch. In return for your services we will
offer you and your group the Benslow Christmas Menu free of charge. We have slots available for both
the lunchtime and evening sessions. If you are interested please email fane@benslowmusic.org and let
us know what you can offer and the sessions you can offer it.We look forward to hearing from you.

Benslow Music Vouchers

As Christmas approaches you may already be thinking about what to get for your friends and family.Why
not consider one of our courses or Benslow Music Gift Vouchers?
If you choose to purchase a course as a present we can provide you with an attractively presented
confirmation and send the information to you and not to the receiver. We will also be able to offer a
transfer to another course should the receiver not be able to attend the course you have chosen for
them. Please remember to specify it is a gift when you call.
You may also wish to consider Benslow Music vouchers. These can be used as payment for any of our
courses, concerts or when purchasing items from our shop. These are attractively designed and are
available in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 denominations.
To purchase any of the above, please give our team a call on 01462 459446.

international recital series

RECENT course comments

An enticing series of concerts of music given

by world class artists. Programme details are
available on our web site.

GRADE 6 THEORY AND BEYOND

Excellent experience, knowledge and help in
a friendly group.
Katharine is an outstanding tutor.

COULL QUARTET
Friday 7 November, 8pm

Programme includes works by Mozart, Tippett

Smetana - Pre concert dining available

and

LONDON KLEZMER QUARTET

Tuesday 2 December, 8pm

Experience a scintillating evening of this infectious Jewish

folk-art form in the hands of some of its most illustrious
performers - Pre concert dining available

BINGHAM QUARTET AND

NIGEL CLAYTON
Friday 5 December, 8pm

Programme includes works by Haydn, Dutilleux

Brahms - Pre concert dining available,

WOODWIND B AND
Stephanie was excellent, easy to follow
conducting and offered a great advice and
help.
Really excellent. I learnt a lot and felt I was
being taught to play music to a high standard
by an encouraging friendly tutor.
Stephanie was very encouraging and
instructive. An excellent tutor.
Excellent. Stephanie is so helpful and clear in
her instructions.
RECORDERFEST
Absolutely fabulous course, two amazing
tutors and a brilliant experience.
The course was hugely enjoyable and a great
success thanks to the skill and dedication of
the tutors.
The tutors worked hard to provide a course
that all participants could enjoy and they
succeeded. It was excellent.
All excellent tutors, right level of technique,
learning and fun.
SINGING FROM SCRATCH
Absolutely fantastic. An Excellent tutor, I
cant say how much I loved and enjoyed this
course.
THE KERRY CAMDEN ADVANCED WIND
ENSEMBLES COURSE
Great fun. Really stimulating! How about
calling it the de Souza Course? Hes brilliant.
Great tutors, Great choice of music.

and

Tickets 12 I Box Office: 01462 459446

free entry to most concerts for under 25s
and carers accompanying a disabled visitor.

Concerts take place in Peter Morrison Hall,

Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Herts

CELTIC FOLKSONG
Excellent. Polite friendly staff, very clean,
great food.
Everything was first class thank you.
JAZZ ENSEMBLES
Excellent ear-based teaching and reality
of working in a jazz band was very valuable.
Honest teaching.
Another fabulous weekend and another
fantastic course - see you again soon.

SG4 9RB

Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB

T: +44 (0)1462 459446 I E: info@benslowmusic.org I W: www.benslowmusic.org