Member blog: Soldiering on

Itching to meet in person again, the Alton Concert Orchestra set about returning to safe rehearsals as soon as Government guidelines allowed, with some surprising results.

Alton Concert Orchestra (ACO) in Hampshire played its last concert on 7 March just before the real implication of Covid was apparent. It then went through a depressing period, stopping all rehearsals, cancelling a visit from its twin orchestra in Provence and realising that the popular outdoor ‘Last Night of the Proms’ in July would not happen.

MD Chris Gardner promptly instigated Zoom rehearsals; players learned new technical skills, and put together a fairly convincing recording of Nimrod. These sessions continued throughout the normal summer break, maintaining camaraderie and underlining player enthusiasm to restart live rehearsals.

"The lockdown was a very busy time for me, with working and homeschooling three children, so a bit of time to enjoy making music and have some 'headspace' has been an absolute saviour"

Making Music provided great support during lockdown. ACO followed its advice in late June to set out its methodology for in-person rehearsals.

“That was the relatively easy bit, especially when our rehearsal venue – a school – indicated we could restart in September,” said ACO chairman Chris Leggett. “But what followed was a fairly tortuous two months, with Making Music providing a voice of sanity throughout the twists and turns of Government.”

“Why were amateur brass and woodwind not allowed to practice? Did different rules apply in a ‘community’ setting in a Covid-secure venue? We focussed on reading the DCMS guidelines at source, trying not to be disheartened by social media confusion and Mr Dowden’s tweets.”

Horn and bassoon players rehearse with MoistureGuard bell covers

ACO's rehearsal protocol complements the measures taken by its venue, which includes pre- and post-rehearsal sanitising for an extra fee. Players are temperature-checked before entry, declare they are Covid-free and their names are entered into an attendance register. They go straight to their places, unpacking instruments there, and wear masks when not facing the front and playing. Rehearsals are 85 minutes without a break.

Word quickly spread that ACO’s strings were resuming on 9 September. The orchestra was approached by players from orchestras still in limbo. Offers were gratefully accepted in the cello section, which had shrunk for both Covid and other reasons.

Separate brass and woodwind sessions recently re-started, using the Moisture Guard instrument covers. “There was relief they did not affect the sound, though we will advise the suppliers that the clip holding the flute covers in place is too loose,” said Chris Leggett (oboe). “The horn version has a slit, so you can insert your fist as normal – a welcome surprise”.

"What followed was a fairly tortuous two months, with Making Music providing a voice of sanity throughout the twists and turns of Government"

Samantha Sharp (double bass) felt comfortable from the outset. “All the safety measures were very clearly explained beforehand and I could see all the work that had gone into the planning, so I felt very confident that it would be safe,” she said. “I was unsure as to how social distancing would affect the sound, but was very pleasantly surprised.

“The lockdown was a very busy time for me, with working and homeschooling three children, so a bit of time to enjoy making music and have some 'headspace' has been an absolute saviour.”

“For strings It's been strange to adapt to playing one to a desk and being detached from the rest of the section,” added Pippa Cuckson (viola). “It has certainly honed my listening skills - and my counting!

"It is hard to describe the excitement of getting 20 musicians back into a hall and playing music. Dividing the orchestra into sections means we make more productive use of shorter rehearsals"

“Players are also experimenting with their wardrobes; with all doors and windows open, the venue gets very chilly!”

Chris Gardner commented: “It is hard to describe the excitement of getting 20 musicians back into a hall and playing music. Dividing the orchestra into sections means we make more productive use of shorter rehearsals. We are rehearsing a less ambitious programme than usual, with plenty of attention to detail and a final ‘everyone together’ session, with a few invited friends, in the larger hall already booked for our December concert.

“In the circumstances we feel that we are doing well!”

• Alton Concert Orchestra is based in the market town of Alton, Hampshire. The group has around 60 keen musicians and puts on three or more concerts a year, including the popular ‘Last Night of the Proms’ in Alton Public Gardens in July. Find out more on their website, or follow on Facebook and Twitter

Has your leisure-time music group resumed in-person activities? If you'd like to write a blog about your experiences, or you have any pictures of socially distanced rehearsals you'd like to share, get in touch