What's On

Programme Highlights

IDRS 2009 promises to be a fun-packed, exciting event full of energy, celebrating double reed performance, original music and pedagogy. For the latest updates, go to our Latest News page, or become a member of our Facebook group!

By the end of February, we hope to have a provisional schedule for you to view online, including a special performers area for participants to check rehearsal times with their accompanist. Until then, here are a few key highlights of the conference:

New commissions - 13 world premieres planned already, with 38 additional world premieres proposed by prospective participants. Commissioned composers include: Thea Musgrave, Paul Patterson, Judith Weir, Judith Bingham, John Woolrich and Ana Sokolvic.
Participating ensembles - to include The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), Orchestra of the Swan, New Mozart Orchestra, Queen's Park Sinfonia, Coull Quartet and La Serenissima (baroque orchestra).
Other soloists and notable performances - to include a welcome recital by the British Double Reed Society, a lunchtime recital given by Thomas Trotter (Organist to the City of Birmingham, and in residence at Birmingham's Town Hall), a mini-Mozart series presented by Gordon Hunt, a concerto recital for low strings and bassoon given by Stephane Levesque and recitals featuring live electronics with Christopher Redgate and Lorelei Dowling. Many further notable performances still to be announced!
Junior Programme featuring a major collaborative project involving 300 young performers at Birmingham's Town Hall.
Receptions & Social Events - Plenty of opportunity to socialise and network at events held at Birmingham Musuem and Art Gallery, Radisson SAS Hotel, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Symphony Hall, Copthorne Hotel and Brindleyplace, as well as the possibility of a post-conference trip to view Bill Waterhouse's exceptional collection of historical bassoons.
Exhibition - including a special Late-Night opening event on Friday 24 July. A host of instrument manufacturers, publishers, music shops and more!

Much more is to come - Keep an eye on the website for further updates!

Participate

Already itching to get your instrument out and take part? If you'd like to perform or give an academic presentation, the deadline has now unfortunately passed, although it is possible to perform in the en masse performance of Handel's The Music for the Royal Fireworks at the Summer Sunset Party, taking place in Birmingham's Botanical Gardens on Thursday 24 July at 7.30pm The massed ensemble event will conclude the party with a solo concertante group accompanied by a massed ensemble against a backdrop of fireworks! There is no need to register you interest to perform in the massed ensemble, however you will need a ticket for the Botanical Garden's Party, available on from our online registration form
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Opportunities for Young Performers

Young performers can apply to participate in a masterclass or compete in either the IDRS Gillet-Fox International Oboe Competition or the IDRS Young Bassoon Competition. You can find the appropriate forms and information in our Participate/Exhibit section

Social Events

Please note, these events are not included in the registration fee, but can be booked at the same time as you register for IDRS 2009 via our online registration form.

IDRS Summer Sunset Party - Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Thursday 23 July, 7.00–11.00pm, Tickets: £40 per person

Join us in the beautiful surroundings of Birmingham's Botanical Gardens for our Summer Sunset Party and enjoy the wonderful Victorian glasshouses and tropical plant-life. A drinks reception will be provided, along with a finger buffet. Musical entertainment during the evening includes a jazz quintet featuring artists Jean-Luc Fillon (oboe) and Michael Rabinowitz (bassoon), and a performance from the exuberant, show-stopping Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, led by Joe Broughton. The evening’s entertainment concludes with a spectacular fireworks display.
Stages placed throughout the gardens will be available for delegates to perform quirky and fun party-pieces/arrangements. We will accept proposals to perform at the Sunset Party via the call for proposals form. Please indicate that you wish to play at the Botanical Gardens Sunset Party.
CBSO Double Reed Concert - Symphony Hall
Friday 24 July, 7.30pm, Tickets: £20
The CBSO is acclaimed as one of the world's great orchestras. Hear them in their home venue, Birmingham's magnificent Symphony Hall led by their newly appointed chief conductor, Andris Nelsons.
Post-conference trip to Bill Waterhouse's library and historical instrument collection
Sunday 26 July, time TBC, Cost: £TBC
We are hoping to run a post-conference trip to Whitehall, Gloucestershire, to view Bill Waterhouse's historical bassoon collection along with a recital of works to be performed on the instruments. However, in order to acertain the costs of the trip it would be useful for us to know how many participants would be interested in this special opportunity. To register your interest (do not worry, there is no commitment to attend at this stage), please fill out the relevant section on the IDRS 2009 Registration form and we will get back to you once we can confirm costs.

Conference Schedule

Still in development, our Master Schedule provides a quick way to see everything planned at the Conference, including performances, masterclasses, presentations, trade stall times and more. Check back every few weeks to see how things are progressing and what's been confirmed.

Items displayed in black are confirmed. Please be aware that items displayed in red italic are not yet confirmed and may move around in the schedule until much nearer the time, so we recommend you don't use this information to make firm travel arrangements without making an enquiry with us first.

Tuesday 21 July

3.00-4.15pm: British Double Reed Society Welcome Recital Adrian Boult Hall.
6.00pm: Opening Reception: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
7.30pm: Opening Gala Concert, Orchestra of the Swan, conducted by David Curtis, Town Hall

Wednesday 22 July

9.00-5.00pm: Exhibits, Copthorne Hotel
9.00-10.30am: Oboe Masterclass with Sarah Francis, Recital Hall
9.00-10.30am: Bassoon Masterclass with Roger Bernstingl, Lecture Room 1
10.00-4.00pm: IDRS 2009 Junior Programme featuring
More information about IDRS Junior Programme to follow shortly
1.00-2.00pm: IDRS General Meeting, Adrian Boult Hall
2.00-3.30pm: Chamber Concert featuring Coull Quartet, Adrian Boult Hall
4.00-5.00pm: Junior Recital, Town Hall
7.30pm: Evening Recital Concert, Town Hall

Thursday 23 July

9.00-5.00pm: Exhibits, Copthorne Hotel
10.00-12.30pm: IDRS Young Artist Bassoon Competition, Recital Hall
11.00-12.30pm: Oboe Masterclass with Gordon Hunt, Recital Hall
1.30-3.00pm: Lunchtime Concert, Queen's Park Sinfonia, conducted by Richard Laing, Adrian Boult Hall
5.00-6.00pm: Bassoon Concert with Queen's Park Sinfonia, conducted by Richard Laing, Adrian Boult Hall
7.00-11.00pm: Summer Sunset Party, Birmingham Botanical Gardens featuring
Tickets for this event can be purchased via our online registration form.

Friday 24 July

9.00-3.30pm: Exhibits, Copthorne Hotel note earlier closing time
9.00am-12.30pm: Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox Oboe Competition , Adrian Boult Hall
4.00-5.15pm: RedArchDuo Oboe & live electronics recital: Christopher Redgate - oboes, piano, foot pedal & Paul Archbold - laptop computer, Recital Hall
5.30-7.30pm: Late-night Exhibition event, Copthorne Hotel
5.30-7.00pm: IDRS does Birmingham Jazz, with Jean-Luc Fillon (oboe) & Michael Rabinowitz (bassoon), Symphony Hall Foyer
7.30pm: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andris Nelsons, Symphony Hall
Tickets for this event can be purchased via our online registration form.

Saturday 25 July

9.00-1.00pm: Exhibits, Copthorne Hotel
7.30pm: Grand Finale Concert, New Mozart Orchestra , conducted by Clive Fairbairn, Town Hall
10pm-late: Closing Reception, venue TBC