Rehearsal and Concert Dates 2010 - 2011:

1. Dates have been confirmed with the college except the date for the June 2011 concert, the venue for which will be decided following the June concert this year to be held at St Paul's Church Marton.

2. Concert dates are as follows: 21 November 2010, 13 March and 19 or 26 June 2011. In addition there will be a concert with children at Norbreck Hydro on 13 December 2010.

Children's Carol Concert:

1. In order to avoid the cost of hiring the hotel, BSO have been asked to provide some musical entertainment on Thursday 23 December 2010. This cannot be affirmed until commitment by a sufficient number of players has been established. Such commitment will be sought. Sylvia

2. Several suggestions were made as to the logistics of having rehearsals with so many people being involved. Further discussions will take place at the next meeting.

Programmes for Next Season's Concerts:

The programmes for the three main concerts are now in place except for the full range of soloists. Negotiations are in place for a student from Chethams to play a piano concerto.

Russell

Raffle for the Blackpool Football Club Shirt and Ball:

1. It was decided that all proceeds will be divided equally between BSO and Blackpool Rangers Junior FC since this latter is expected to sell a high proportion of the tickets.

2. A hundred books of five tickets each will be printed. Norman

3. Tickets will be distributed to the Junior FC and two books will be given to each orchestra member. Sue

4. The draw will take place at the summer concert on 27.06.10

5. A check will be made to ensure that both the shirt and the ball will be signed by the Blackpool team. Brian

Complimentary Tickets and Invitations to Dignitaries.

1. The suggestion that free or reduced price concert tickets be given to BSO members, even though complications could arise, was thought to be worthy of further consideration and therefore will be posted on the forum. Russell

2. It was decided that at least once each season the Mayor of Blackpool be invited to attend a BSO concert.

3. Other dignitaries and worthy persons may also be invited.

Associate Members:

1. It was thought that a list of players, who, though not paid up members, join the orchestra from time to time, should be established and, with their consent, this list would appear on the website, thereby showing their support for the orchestra and BSO's appreciation of their contribution. Sylvia/Russell

2. The suggestion that players' names appear on the programme was rejected owing both to lack of space and to uncertainty as to who exactly would be playing.

Venue for Summer 2010 Concert - progress report:

1. This will be at St Paul's Church, Honister Avenue, Marton on 27 June. Rehearsal 2.00pm Concert 7.30.

2. The contact at the church would like posters a month before the concert and also tickets which she is willing to sell. Anne

Website - use of Members Page and Forum:

1. It appears impossible to have on the Members Forum a 'hit' counter separate from that of the whole website.

2. A discussion then followed on how the links of BSO's website could be increased to the advantage both of the orchestra and of members' personal websites. It was agreed that such links be developed. Peter

3. A blog will be created to establish interface with the Forum. Peter

The meeting ended at 9.30pm. The next meeting will be 18 May at the home of Anne and Norman, Fiddlesticks, Greenhalgh.