Dear MPYO Members,

Welcome to a new season, to new repertoire and to the new members; indeed welcome to a new beginning on this continuing journey with one of the most exciting orchestras in the region - off we go again! Congratulations also on getting through the extensive rounds of auditions that started last July.

We finished 2008 with a wonderful tour of East Malaysia which included five well executed concerts, Kuching being the highlight of the orchestra’s short history thus far and many congratulations to all those that took part. It is with fond memories that we say farewell to those founding members that have moved on to, I hope, even greater achievements, whether in music or another vital career path.

With regard the March camp we have a variety of repertoire to rehearse, the details of which can be found on the website. Please make note of the movements from the Kodaly and Beethoven as we are not, on this occasion, performing these two works complete.

The music will be arriving in the post over the next few weeks, in the meantime avail yourself of a (legal) recording of ALL the music and get to know it ‘backwards’ before March.

This is essential.

Our concert will take place on Saturday 21st March. This concert will be free to all immediate family and friends as well as the usual select group of VIPs! Some of the repertoire will be performed again in the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in June and hopefully, in the case of Beethoven and Kodaly; in their entirety.

So until the March camp, take care and I look forward to meeting with you then.