hago newsletter 1st September 2004
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Hampshire Guitar Orchestra » Concerts » Mailing List » 1st September 2004
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This is a web-archive of the Newsletter we emailed to our subscribers in September 2004
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Traditionally, our occasional mailshots begin
"
You are receiving a copy of this short email because you asked to be kept informed of hago - the Havant Area Guitar Orchestra - or because you booked tickets using our website ticket reservation page.
Your email address is not disclosed to others who receive this mail."
But this time we break with tradition to tell you that the Havant Area Guitar Orchestra is no more - as of September 1st, we have become the Hampshire Area Guitar Orchestra.
Why is this?
Well, to paraphrase what it says on our website....
The months between Summer 2003 and Summer 2004 have been hectic and exciting, and have taken us for the first time to venues outside Hampshire - to London for the Guitar Orchestra Competition, to Cambridge
and to the International Guitar Festival in Bath.
Actually, we did escape Hampshire once before to journey to Bognor Regis, but it's hardly a 3-day hike from Havant.
It's become apparent that once we leave Hampshire and head North, not only do people not have the foggiest where Havant is, but they certainly can't pronounce it! If we had a pound for every time someone says ha-VANT, we'd probably be able to afford a stretch limo to take us all to our concerts!
We've even met people who think that havant is an adjective that you apply to an area, like "grassy" or "overgrown". Oh, and don't forget that you can come to www.hago.org.uk and read about Havant Air Guitar Orchestra too - find it in the site index.
As you can see, enough is enough!
That, and the welcome appearance of new players from much further afield, means that we need to be a little more honest about what we are - we really are from the Hampshire Area of the UK, and that's why we've changed our name.
Of course, now people on the Internet will think we're from America's (new) Hampshire, but we'll deal with that as it happens. Just bear in mind that we're the new Hampshire Area Guitar Orchestra, not the New Hampshire Area Guitar Orchestra and we'll be fine.
We have a new website appearance too, at www.hago.org.uk - when you have a moment, have a look.
We're continuing to expand our repertoire and styles, and we're continuing to enjoy immensely all that
we do, but the passage of time always sees us saying goodbye to one or two players. And for that reason, we're always keen to learn of players who are considering joining us. Behind the starched white
of our concert dress there's a real camaraderie, a wicked sense of humour, and a workload
that's
nowhere near as onerous as we've heard being whispered behind our backs! Well, if players are willing to do a round trip of 80 miles to come to our fortnightly rehearsal, there must be something
that makes it worthwhile!
So we do extend a warm invitation to any of this mailing list who want to know more about hago and perhaps consider trying a rehearsal with us to give Musical Director Derek Hasted a ring on 023
9247 9200, or email derek. And don't forget that those who are rusty and yearning to start playing again will find something a little more informal at Derek's
ensemble Workshop - an
ideal proving
ground for those who aren't sure whether hago's regular concerts would suit them.
And to those on this list who want to know when our next concerts are, well, we have to keep you guessing a little longer - we have a total of nine possible events pencilled in for the future, but not a single one has ink on it yet!
We start rehearsing again at the end of the month, and we have more new material that we'll be getting ready to perform soon. So we'll perhaps see you then.
All the best from the new hago!