History of The SLRO - The 1990s
The End... Or a New Beginning? (continued)
In May 1994, Guy Soulsby (violin) was elected to the post and has patiently fulfilled this role ever since: collecting termly and weekly subs; paying the fees for the City Library's music tickets and the conductors; organising concert expenses; ensuring the Orchestra remains solvent and producing an annual balance sheet. This latter is audited by Margaret Dee (originally an excellent cellist with the SLRO but medical problems forced her successful translation to the timps and percussion section) who has also served as Membership Secretary, a new role initiated in 1996.
Peter Drury (double bass) took over from Norman Payne (violin) as Music Librarian in 1998. Norman's contribution to the Orchestra cannot be overstated as he managed to keep all sections happy and playing by his excellent choice of music, based on his own extensive knowledge of the orchestral repertoire. Norman also provides the programme notes for the annual concert.
Due to pressure of work, Dr. Alastair Finch retired as Hon. Secretary at the AGM in 1994 when Joan Wilson (violin) was elected. Peter and Denise Dobson took over briefly from her at the 1997 AGM but were unable to officiate before they left the Orchestra. Helen Chatterton (bassoon) kindly stepped into the breach at short notice until mid 2001 when family commitments made her attendance impossible. Joan Wilson then agreed to resume the post temporarily.
The first tangible musical cooperation between LIHE and the SLRO was the playing of the Schumann's Concertstuk Op.92 for piano and orchestra which Norman Payne, the Music Librarian was keen to have the Orchestra play. David Walters who lectures in the Music Department was the soloist under Roger Tindley's baton. Playing from a full score, David was flanked on either side by page turners as only one or two bars fitted on to some pages. Quite a feat of reading!