New Committee Members needed to keep Woodend Music Society (WMS) alive!

Can you help shape the future of the organisation?

Are you passionate about live classical music?

Would you like to be involved in bringing renowned performers to the Banchory area?

Do you have any experience of organising concerts or events? If not, would you like to learn how to do it?

Woodend Music Society (WMS) are looking for new members who can take over from the current committee and help shape the future of the organisation.

WMS is a Scottish registered charity based in Banchory. It was set up in 1998 in order to organise classical concerts at the Barn. From 1999 – 2020, it organised 5 or 6 concerts a year spanning a wide range of instrumental groups and soloists. Programmes have been equally varied ranging from baroque and early music to jazz and contemporary music; WMS has itself commissioned six new works over the years. The great majority of concerts have been held at the Barn but in recent years some concerts have been held in Aboyne and elsewhere.

Since Covid, WMS concerts have been reduced and the existing committee has suspended concerts for 2024. The three remaining committee members wish to stand down but would be happy to support and mentor anyone wishing to reconstitute the committee which, in the past, met around 4 times a year.

We are looking for people to join the committee with a variety of skills, experience, interests and backgrounds. Some experience of organising musical events would be an advantage but is not essential as support can be provided. If this sounds like something that you might be interested in and would like to find out more, please email wmsconcerts@outlook.com

Background Information

Once the new committee is appointed, ultimately, they can decide how they wish to work, however the information below outlines how the previous committee has worked, in case it is useful:

The committee generally met around 4 times a year. We have always invited a representative of the Barn to join the meetings to ensure good coordination regarding the availability of the space for each concert.

As a Scottish music club, WMS has regularly received funding of between £1,000 and £3,000 from EMS (Chamber Music Scotland). Information about how and when to apply for funding can be found here: https://www.chambermusicscotla...).

Hence, one task every Spring is to apply for funding support. To do that, you need to propose a programme of 4 – 6 concerts over the following year. This involves choosing musicians or chamber music groups to perform a specific programme (all musicians/groups have particular repertoire which they are happy to perform).

To help reduce costs, we have often participated in musicians’/groups’ tours of Scotland OR collaborated with other local musical societies to fix adjacent dates for 2 or more concerts in the Aberdeen City/Shire area.

The second main task of the Committee is to arrange the logistics for each performance including booking the barn space for performance and, usually, a prior rehearsal, booking performers and confirming travel arrangements (usually organised by the musicians but with WMS reimbursing specified costs), arranging accommodation if required etc.

At the year end, a short report is required for Chamber Music Scotland specifying concerts held and audience numbers.

For more information & to apply

Please email wmsconcerts@outlook.com