WELCOME TO THE PETERSFIELD AREA SCHOOLS' STRING ORCHESTRA WEBSITE
What is PASSO?
PASSO Documentary link
Please
click on the link above for the 10 minute PASSO documentary; a film
made of this year's orchestra by students at Winchester University.
See photos from our recent performances in the photo gallery, just click on the link at the foot of this page.
Have you read about us in The Petersfield Herald?
Have you read about us in The Petersfield Post?
Have you read about us in The Meon Valley News?
PASSO was created over 30 years ago by Alison
Little, a local violin teacher who was inspired to form a children's
orchestra for strings. With ongoing financial support from Hampshire
County Council through the Hampshire Music Service, together with
contributions from the public and local businesses, her dream
materialised and continues to flourish to this day.
PASSO is part of a network of over 70 ensembles run by Hampshire
Music Service, and gives a unique opportunity to young string players in the
Petersfield, Alton, Liphook, Liss, Clanfield, Cowplain and Meon Valley area of
East Hampshire, from both state and private sector schools, enabling them to play
together and explore ensemble playing to a high level of excellence.
Public concerts.
The orchestra rehearses weekly, gives several public
concerts a year and plays in competitive and non – competitive festivals throughout
the district. PLAYDAYS and musical outings are organised periodically. There is
further coaching opportunity and smaller ensemble playing in the PASSO Chamber
Strings. PASSO owns several instruments for loan including a viola and double bass.
Rehearsals
These take place at the Petersfield School,
Cranford Road,
Petersfield, on every Wednesday of term. Players are asked to arrive at 4.15
and the rehearsal runs from 4.30 to 5.30 and includes a break for drinks and
biscuits.
Range
There is a wide range of standards and ages throughout all
sections of PASSO: music is selected to cater for this and sometimes
commissioned music is tailored to the orchestra’s specific needs. Many players
will start in year 5 or 6 and spend a number of years with the orchestra, often
staying until year 11, thus the group takes on a team spirit and character of
its own each year.
Auditions
These
are held at the start of the Autumn Term. If players are interested in joining
it is best to book an audition in the Summer Term. A Grade 2 standard, or
above, is expected.
Fees
From September 2013, Hampshire Music Service will be charging £60 per
year for membership of PASSO, which may be paid in termly instalments.
This is as a result of recent budgetary cuts to the service. The Friends of PASSO, a group of interested parents of current
members, request a voluntary
contribution of £30 per year to help to pay for hire of transport to
festivals, hire of venues for performances, refreshments during
rehearsals etc. This contribution request is reviewed annually at the
beginning of every school year.
Cups and trophies
At
the end of each year several cups and trophies are awarded to reward
exceptional service to the orchestra these include the Rachel Drake Prize and the
Alison Little Cup.
If you are interested in joining or finding out more please
contact:
Peter
Thompson (Orchestral Director) 01730 267341
or Bridget Hughes (Staff Conductor) on 01730 894006
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