As we enter into the last week of the funding campaign, it's incredible that we have hit 74% of our target. We are so very close to the finish line now.

We have raised an incredible £11,060 from 105 Supporters meaning we are now 74% funded.

This major wind project for 2025 is happening in three weeks and will feature works by Krommer, Strauss, Chaminade, Lambert & Woolfenden.

We also feature the virtuosity of Anna Stokes who is recording the Concertino by Chaminade.

So please help us to the finish line and support this project featuring the woodwind section from an orchestra which has recently won Orchestra of the Year.

We are now very close to the end of the funding campaign, and I’m pleased to share that we are now 55% funded - £8,274.22 from 86 backers.

The contract has now been signed by the orchestra, so everything is in place.  On 15th and 16th March the sessions start at 09:00 in the morning with an even earlier get-in time to the wonderful Rudolfinum on the banks of the Vlava!

I will be meeting with the soloist next week to discuss the fine details of the wonderful Concertino by Chaminade. It will give us a chance to really understand what we both want from the music and try to communicate this all in the 1 hour and 10 minutes we have on the piece. A schedule like that gives all the impetus needed to prepare!

Where the last week go? I know I often say that, but this week seems like it has gone around very quickly indeed. The scores have been proofed and parts sent to the orchestra. We are finalising the recording schedule, orchestral seating plan and microphone map so that the sessions can go as smoothly as possible.

The funding campaign has been running in the background and I’m thrilled to say we have now raised a total of £7,439.22 from 60 backers meaning we are now 50% funded. A massive thank you to everyone for making this all happen.

So we are now getting tantalisingly close to this amazing project to bring some really colourful and interesting repertoire to life.

If you are considering supporting the project and have not done so yet, your contribution will be very welcome – there is an excellent range of ‘perks for pledges’.

Listen to the above podcast for the latest information an discussion with Bill Connor (Chair of BASBWE) and myself. Alternatively you can follow this link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5j6A43XZOCsW5iwkRfudhx?si=429f8ad2ab2240c1

Week 3 of the funding campaign has been a little slower, but we are now almost close to one third funded: £4,625.00 raised by 34 Supporters which brings us to 31% Funded.

We are grateful for the support of Wyvern Church Organs and Middle Tennessee Woodwind OrchestraLogan Barrett as Corporate Supporters along with our major supporter, the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles.

Behind the scenes there is much going on including score preparation and creating a schedule for the recording sessions. One of the UK’s leading clarinettists and educationalists, Paul Harris has supported the project and had these kind words:

“The sound world of the Woodwind Orchestra - a concept that has been around for a lot longer than many think – is a truly magnificent one.  The colours are many, immensely varied and highly communicative. And the repertoire is extensive and very engaging. Shea Lolin’s championing and mastery of the medium has been central in keeping this fascinating segment of the canon alive and well.” Paul Harris, Clarinettist and Educationalist paulharristeaching.co.uk

We are now 1/4 of the way through the Czech Philharmonic Woodwind Orchestra Funding Campaign and I'm delighted to announce that we are now 26% funded. We welcome Wyvern Church Organs and Middle Tennessee Woodwind OrchestraLogan Barrett as Corporate Supporters along with British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles. Please - if you can support this important wind recording, you help would be gratefully received and faithfully applied.

Thanks to you all, the backers of this funding campaign. We launched on New Years Day and already have the amazing support from 17 people, totalling £2,860 which is 19% of our total in just 7 days!

We are also very proud that BASBWE have become a major supporter of the campaign.

The campaign will run for 8 weeks and if we carry on with the rate of support, we will reach our target. We also have some other funding announcements to make which we will update you on week by week when they happen.

The recording will take place on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March 2025. We have two sessions booked for those days in the splendid Dvořák Hall which is situated on the bank of the river Vltava. If you haven’t already seen it, you can take a virtual tour of this magnificent and historic hall.

So we are off to a great start thanks to your generous help. Please do spread the word amongst family, friends and colleagues. We are also offering commercial print and digital media advertising so if you know a company, business or organisation that would like to support us in return for public recognition, we’d love to hear from you.

If you have any questions or ideas about the project, do get in touch!

Shea