2nd Violins
Les Measures - Principal
Jean Parker
I started playing the violin when I was 9 years old and like many other people played in youth orchestras. After leaving school I didn't play again for a number of years until I moved 'up north'. An advert appeared in the Adult Education section of the local newspaper appealing for string players who hadn't played for a number of years or who had recently started to learn a stringed instrument to form a string group. I was very hesitant about going along but I plucked up courage and was very surprised and encouraged when I found I could remember where to put my fingers! After a few weeks I think the sound began to improve as well!
Sadly, this group folded after a year or so but I was determined to carry on playing and came across the Paddock Orchestra. This orchestra encompasses a wide variety of musicians - some like myself who enjoy meeting and playing together regularly, those who also play with other groups or orchestras and those who are looking for an orchestra where they can develop their playing.
For one orchestra to cater for a range of capabilities is testimony to its friendly atmosphere and willingness of members to help each other. Long may it continue!
Anne Beaumont
Following in my Dad's footsteps, I started to learn to play the violin on a half size instrument when I was about 9 years old. I had lessons from Mrs A. W. Kaye and was fortunate to play in the Huddersfield Youth Orchestra until the age of 18. My work then took over and the violin went in the attic.
After many years of not playing at all, I decided to join Calderdale Adult Education class on a course for beginners in violin playing. I thoroughly enjoyed myself so decided to look round for an orchestra to join and found Paddock. I look forward to Tuesday evenings, the rehearsals are relaxed and fun and I have made many new friends.
Helen Barby
I started playing the violin age 9, much to the annoyance of my Dad, who had to suffer me practising standing behind him in the living room while he was trying to watch 'Match of the Day' or something similar. I was the only person on our estate to play a classical instrument and the only member of the school orchestra to be picked up after practice on a BSA Bantam as opposed to a Volvo estate (to add to my humiliation he wouldn't buy me a new helmet so at the age of 14 I was still wearing a white leather one with faded Bay City Rollers stickers stuck to it!). I played in the school orchestra, practising in Scunthorpe on alternate Saturdays.
When I was 16 the orchestra travelled to Salzburg and as well as several open-air concerts, we played a concert at the Salzburg Music School. What a fantastic experience. Soon after I left school, apart from occasional scratches, I stopped playing.
A couple of years ago I went to the Holmfirth Orchestra with Paula - only to find that the facility for miming was somewhat lacking - as I was the only second violin. Needless to say, I only went back twice. Paula was insistent that I came with her to Paddock - she said it was very friendly and relaxed - that there were lots of violins and the facilities for miming were first rate - apparently noone would mind, or even notice if I wasn't playing the hard bits. So after 26 years I finally plucked up the courage to start playing again and I absolutely love it. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and I am about to take my Grade 3 in pretending to play the hard bits convincingly in the style of Les Dawson. I find Gin helps with this ;-)
Alison Beach
I think I started learning piano aged 6 and violin aged 8. My piano playing was and still is useless. My hands are two left feet. I had my first violin lessons at primary school, Birkby Infants and Juniors, Huddersfield. Miss Muriel Kaye was my fiddle teacher for most of my school days. She had a beautiful sounding violin which I coveted. Within a very short time of starting lessons, I was walking around the house playing the then popular folk song 'English Country Garden' by ear in D major. My parents had a prodigy! I had two primary school violin-playing friends, who still remain amongst my closest friends. Janice now plays with the Huddersfield Phil. If only I had practised!
My fiddle playing was my greatest childhood achievment and love. I played through Huddersfield Youth Orchestras (still have the badge somewhere!) and with the Greenhead High School Orchestra, finally leading the school orchestra and the school quartet. An over generous music teacher even awarded me the school music prize. I am delighted to find the standards we set for Greenhead have been maintained. Janice's eldest girl has been leading the Greenhead orchestra this year. I'm a very proud 'auntie'.
I also had the great pleasure of playing in the Yorkshire Youth Orchestra until I left school. My most treasured memories are of playing in Scarborough Pavilion, using Max Jaffa's changing room, and being conducted by Muir Matheson, conductor of many orchestras but also of film scores. It is still a thrill to see his name on film credits. Black and white film credits. Oh well.
After leaving school I had few opportunities to play. I played a bit in a local orchestra while at college in Bolton, briefly at Keele University, not at all for many years, then more recently with a social club group in Leeds. I've known about Paddock for years, but was tied up with parent-caring. Then the parent-caring came to an end but I gained a shoulder problem and couldn't play anyhow. Eventually I got fed up of not playing, and finally spent a small fortune on physio, then Alexander lessons, (Tom McConville, folk fiddler) before starting to play again.
I took my fiddle to Whitby Folk Festival 3 years ago, played with the festival orchestra there, and thought if I can do this, I can do Paddock. Then last year I got myself a new fiddle, with the most sexy folkie sound I could wish for, made by Denis Crowther of Halifax, thanks to an introduction by his and my good friend, Bill Holdsworth. And to finish the story I'm also playing with a folk group in Batley, thanks to Fred Giles, and loving it. So, a childhood violinist becomes a 50 year old aspiring folk fiddler - but Paddock is still good for the practice. And I'm still at my best in D major. Three cheers for Paddock Orchestra!