We’re really sad to say goodbye to our ‘Not all audiences are the same’ pictures. They’ve been a real hit, and we absolutely loved having our audience members involved in our photoshoot and brochure.
Read MoreHere’s the latest instalment in our series of Orchestra / audience member interviews. This time, audience member David and OAE Principal Double Bass Chi-chi Nwanoku.
Read MoreIn our latest video we take you behind the scenes at the photoshoot for the 2012-2013 brochure, and also talk to designer Chris Harrison and photographer Eric Richmond about how the not all audiences are the same idea came about how how the shoot went.
View the season brochure.
Read MoreNext in our series of audience / orchestra interviews is our chat with OAE co-principal keyboardist Steven Devine and audience member Susann.
Read MoreHere’s the latest in our series of audience / Orchestra interviews, this time with one of the more colourful members of our audience, Scott, together with OAE violinist Henrietta.
Read MoreWe’ve had a brief break in our series of audience / orchestra interviews, because we’ve had so much going on elsewhere with the Simon Rattle tour. However we’re catching up now, so here’s an interview with OAE viola player (and Vice Chairman of the Orchestra) Martin Kelly and audience member Ella.
Read MoreThe second of our blog posts featuring an interview with audience and orchestra members featured in our new pictures. This time it’s the turn of audience member Melissa and Double Bass Cecelia Bruggemeyer.
Read MoreSo this is the first in a new series of blog posts springboarding from our brand new pictures which feature members of the OAE audience. In each we’ll profile both audience and orchestra member and also show a wider selection of pictures of each. First up is Greg, who posed with OAE violinist Debbie.
Greg (T) (as we have two Greg’s in the brochure!)
Tell us a bit about you, your work and hobbies.
I work as an Occupational Therapist in a Community setting. My main role is to help increase people’s self reliance in daily activities and to to reduce risk. This can be after an illness or accident or indeed at end of life to ensure safety, dignity and comfort. A large part of what I do is reablement, working with improving self confidence and functional ability as well as adapting the physical “home” environment. It’s a very rewarding job and I’m fortunate to have chosen a career with many areas of exploration and specialism.
I am also in my final year of training to become a Shiatsu Practitioner with the The Shiatsu College, London. A wonderful treatment modality with a rich history that allows people to connect on deep levels. In my spare time I practice Ashtanga and Jivamukti Yoga and am learning to play the Piano Accordion.
How did you hear about the Not all audiences are the same campaign?
I discovered the OAE were looking for fans to be part of the marketing campaign on Facebook. Without much thinking I took a snap on my phone and that was that. In for a penny, In for a pound I thought. I was surprised and delighted to be chosen.
How was the experience of doing the photoshoot?
I had a fantastic time. A sense of being plucked from one life and dropped into another – for a few short hours. Then I was back at work writing reports and arranging appointments. Surreal and terrific fun! Everyone was very friendly. Eric Richmond was the consumate professional and ensured the feeling in the room was light and creative. My ego was well and truly massaged that day.
Tell us about what you were wearing for the shoot.
Not being a natural style icon, I decided to go for something that I wear a lot of the time because it’s what I feel comfortable in. My very favourite jacket and a sturdy/robust pair of Australian “R.M. Williams” boots.
How would you describe the OAE to a friend?
I would say the OAE have an integrity and an “honouring” about what they do. They respect the composers and what has gone before, bringing well known (and not so well known) harmonies into the 21st Century in a way that is accessible, still retaining what is historic but keeping it vital and dynamic.
How would you say the OAE is different to other Orchestras?
The main difference for me is that when I listen to the OAE I always feel like I’m being transported back in time, and that what I am hearing is very precious. It’s definitely a Zen thing.
If you’ve been to an OAE concert recently tell us a little about it.
I attended the Spinal Chords second performance (London premiere) in February. I found the piece very moving and it was an honour to be present. I have worked with people in my […]
Read MoreAnd here it is at last, our full brochure for the 2012-2013 concert season at Southbank Centre.
Read MoreEarlier this year we put a call-out to members of the OAE audience, looking for volunteers with a ‘strong look’ to star in our marketing campaign for the 2012-2013 season of concerts.
Read MoreAnd here’s another sneak preview of our new pictures for you! Another coming this afternoon…
Read MoreLast summer we asked you to help us decide on our Vespers postcard, and now we’re turning to you again to put your thoughts into the pot as we decide on a postcard to promote our performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis this Autumn, for which we’re collaborating with the Philharmonia Chorus. Rob, the designer at Harrison & Co, has come up with a number of designs, which we’ve narrowed down to three. Needless to say, there’s a variety of differing opinions, so as before, we thought we’d ask our audiences what they reckon too.
So, here are three possible cover designs for the postcard. Take a look and vote for your favourite (strictly First Past The Post, no second preferences please), and if you feel so motivated then leave us a comment too. Votes in by Tuesday 10am please!
UPDATE: Thanks all your votes – looks like the red one won by a mile!
Read MoreThrough the history of recorded music the cover artwork on a CD or LP has always been an important part of the finished product, and in the pop world in particular, there are have been some truly legendary and iconic designs – just think of Abbey Road, The Dark Side of the Moon, Sgt. Pepper and Nirvana’s Nevermind. The fact I don’t feel a need to post pictures of these to remind readers is a testament to the way their cover art has entered the popular conciousness.
It has to be said though that classical music hasn’t done so well with its cover art (though do feel free to tell us about any of your favourite covers) and it’s probably easier to find some really bad cover art than anything really distinctive. There are some exceptions of course (two of my favourites being the Virgin Ultraviolet range and Decca’s Argo line, both now out of print, and some more in this blog article) but they are the exception and not the rule.
Read MoreOk, three posts in a day on here is perhaps a little excessive. But we really did have to tell you about the arrival in our office yesterday of our very first OAE Released CD. When I arrived at work in the morning and saw a huge box with my name in it I at first thought it was a very generous birthday present. On closer inspection it turned out to be the first copies of our recording of Monteverdi’s Vespers (Honestly, I wasn’t disappointed). As with any new piece of print I could barely look at it for fear of finding mistakes, but all looks ok.
Later on in the day our designer Chris Harrison, whose company Harrison and Co devised the artwork for the CD, dropped by and took this picture. In due course we’ll be releasing some videos talking to some of the musicians featured in the recording and also to Chris who’ll talk about how the distinctive artwork for the CDs was arrived upon.
The Vesper’s CD is the first on our brand new label, OAE Released, which we’re developing with Signum Classics. We have more recordings planned so keep your eyes, and indeed ears, peeled for them.
Oh, you want to buy a copy? Well you can get one for the knock down price of £15 (It’s a double CD, and that’s even cheaper than Amazon) by ordering direct from us, details are on our website. You can’t order online at the moment, and we know that’s a bit rubbish. A new website is coming soon which will have a shop and we’re working on a temporary solution. Watch this space… UPDATE: Online ordering via Paypal is now availble on the link above.
As an added bonus, the first 100 orders also get a free OAE book. Wooo.
If you’re terribly modern you’ll be able to download it from places like iTunes, Eclassical, Naxos and Amazon in due course.
And if anyone does want to send me large birthday presents the address is on the website. Thanks.
William Norris, Communications Director
Read MoreWell, it’s that time of year again. Ok, not quite *that* time of year exactly as we’re actually doing this years photoshoot much earlier than usual. The 2011-2012 season gets launched to the press in late January so we’re rushing to get everything ready for then. As with last year’s pictures we’re not going to give too much away, but this year’s shoot is about projection and personalities. We’re working with photographer Eric Richmond again, and designers Harrison. Today was the first day of the shoot, and it’s always a bit nerve wracking, seeing if the concept is going to work in reality. I can report that it definitely does. I’ve just got back to the office from the studio and here are a few pics from day one – taken on my phone so not top quality…
William Norris, Communications Director
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