2008

This past year has been a wonderfully eventful one to say the least. The final tour with TRIOZ was, by all accounts, a most enjoyable one for all concerned. The repertoire of Faure, Clarke and Tchaikovsky in particular was of great interest around the country, particularly the Clarke which produced a wide range of responses.

I would like to thank you for writing to me after each tour. It is a very personal way for me to know how you felt about not only to the performances but the programming too. Here are some examples of the feedback I received after One & Only:

You will probably be on your way to the next concert and I hope that it is as well received as the one last Saturday. It was nothing short of brilliant. The combination of three such different and diverse pieces was wonderful. For me, and I am no means an expert simply a music lover, the second movement of the Rebecca Clarke piece was simply stunning. I was spellbound by it and I have not heard a better second movement. Bowral

Thank you for the wonderful concert last night. As usual I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Rebecca Clarke was as remarkable and enjoyable as you said it would be Kathryn. The Tchaikovsky was a fitting finale to a magnificent year of music and I look forward to next year’s season with great anticipation. Canberra

I must thank you for the enjoyment my wife and I have had during the 08 season of concerts. From my point of view, as an ex SSO fiddle player (1976), and Julie's as a pianist, the standard of your ensemble's playing is quite breath-taking and so, so musical and inspiring. The Faure trio I felt was not up to his usual standard of inspiration (deafness perhaps? but then there's LVB isn't there?), while the Rebecca Clarke work was quite exceptional, and far more interesting and original than the Faure. The Tchaikovsky is pure "heart on the sleeve" stuff, and was quite beautifully played, particularly in your part. Your touch on the keys is the best I've ever heard. Julie just holds her breath for you and I just smile! Sydney

Our critical reviews were stunning for this program and I invite you to read them on the website. And speaking of the website, I have added video and music to the site and hope you will enjoy some of the many selections from live concerts in the series over the last two years.

In addition, Selby & Friends has created the ability to purchase both subscription and single tickets directly online from our own website. There will be no additional fees and it is very quick and easy! We already have some satisfied purchasers so do please investigate by using the links below.

Turramurra

The concert last Sunday afternoon in Turramurra Uniting Church was a truly wonderful experience and I have received many requests to return to Turramurra on a Sunday afternoon in 2009. I shall be sending out some material in the next few weeks about this. Watch for our envelope please in the mailbox and if you are not on the mailing list, please do send me your address. I will be posting information on the website as well, so please visit before Christmas.

Christmas present

I realise you may be looking for a Christmas present for someone special in your life and I hope you will consider giving them an S&F concert ticket for 2009. However, until Christmas, I would like to give you a present by giving away a few tickets for 2009, at random. So if you would like to receive a complimentary ticket to a concert in our 2009 season, please drop me an email and I'll pop you in the running to possibly receive this little gift from S&F.

Until next time...

I would like to thank you for supporting the series this year. It has been a terrific year of music-making for all of us at S&F and we are so looking forward to 2009, we can hardly wait! I shall be in touch in a short while and in the meantime wish you the very best.