Weekend ceramics workshop amended

Participants who signed up for Mrs. Hamlyn's workshop at Bermuda Clayworks Ltd. tomorrow should note that the morning session has been cancelled, but the afternoon session will take place from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., and include afternoon tea. To book, or for further information, please e-mail Sundee Faulkner at clayworks@ibl.bm, or call the pottery at 234-5116.

Architecture workshop

Bermudian architect and Bermuda National Gallery trustee John Gardner is conducting a hands-on workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow at the BNG for anyone aged 14 -18 who is interested in learning more about architecture. For further information, and to register, e-mail education@bng.bm or telephone 295-9428. The cost is $10.

Bermuda Philharmonic launches fall concert season

The Bermuda Philharmonic Society (BPS) launches its 2008-9 season with an orchestral concert, 'Pops in the Fall', at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts on Sunday, October 19 at 7 p.m.

Approximately 60 musicians will be conducted by Lorant Oswald, with Charles Knights as concertmaster.

The programme will feature familiar music designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of Bermuda residents. It will include excerpts from 'An American in Paris', the theme from 'Star Trek', and selections by Brahms, Bernstein and Strauss, among others.

Multi-talented Mr. Oswald is a conductor as well as a keyboard, trombone and trumpet player and a teacher. He trained at universities in Hungary and Germany, where he studied choral and orchestral conducting. He has been in charge of the Etobicoke School of the Arts Band programme in Canada, where he conducted various jazz ensembles, concert bands and symphony orchestras. He was also the arranger-accompanist for the music theatre division of the National Music Camp, and served as musical director for various professional and community theatre performances in Europe and Canada. Mr. Oswald is currently teaching music in Bermuda, and has performed with several groups, including the orchestra of the musical 'Dreamgirls', the Bermuda Music Festival performane of the O'Jays, and with the Wall Street Band.

Tickets for Sunday's concert (adults $20, children/seniors $10) are available at boxoffice.bm, from members of the Philharmonic Society, and at the door.

Meanwhile, in order to keep pace with Bermuda's changing music scene, the BPS has recently adjusted its modus operandi.

One change are the 'umbrella concerts' whereby small ensembles can perform under the aegis of the Society. The first of these live and televised presentation of the Brahms' Piano Quintet by musicians from the Bermuda School of Music. The Society is actively seeking similar performances to bring to both live and television audiences in future.

Another 'first' was last month's informal concert in Par-La-Ville Park, where professionals and students joined forces to present a varied music programme for the public.

In December, the Society plans to present 'The Messiah from Scratch', which will be an opportunity for the general public to join in the performance of the most popular choruses from 'The Messiah'.

Vintage Travel Posters sold at Masterworks

For those with a yen for images of yesteryear's Bermuda, the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art is selling reproduction vintage posters featuring a variety of subject matter — from Winslow Homer, to travel posters from the 1930s to the 1950s. Perfect as gifts, or reminders of home for 'Mujans overseas, they can be purchased for $20 from the main reception desk between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.