Timothy Durham solos in Edinburgh Gallery

Bermudian artist Timothy Durham unveils his talents this evening with the opening of his first solo exhibition, 'Private — Classic — Timeless', in the Edinburgh Gallery of the Bermuda Society of Arts. Mr. Durham studied basic design under the direction of professional artists Diana Amos and Amy Evans before completing his education abroad, where he obtained his degree in interior design.

He has also won numerous awards as a nursing orderly at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Now, after a long absence from creating art, and inspired by foreign and exotic destinations in India and Africa, he has once again picked up his paint brush to create the bold and strikingly beautiful images which viewers will enjoy between now and October 10, when the exhibition closes. The special BSoA members preview is from 2 to 4 p.m. today.

Extended openings at BSoA tonight

It is rare that opening nights of new exhibitions at the Bermuda Society of Arts do not coincide with shows taking place in City Hall Theatre, in which case the upper level gallery must be closed before curtain time downstairs due to the noise factor.

Since this is not the case on Friday evening, when two new exhibitions are launched at the BSoA, the Society is going to keep its doors open from 5.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., in part to gauge what sort of response the new hours will meet with, since they will allow people to visit before or after dinner, whichever is more convenient.

Since City Hall Theatre is in almost constant use, the experiment is a test in terms of the Society's projected solution to the long-standing problem of limited evening use of its galleries and the knock-on effect of lost revenue.

Free Bermuda Philharmonic Society orchestral concert

After a two-year hiatus, the Bermuda Philharmonic Society Orchestra is back, and will be holding a free outdoor concert at Barr's Bay Park on September 29.

Entitled 'Pops in the Park', the programme is designed to be universally appealing, and will include such popular pieces as the overture to 'West Side Story', the 'Blue Danube Waltz', Leroy Anderson's 'The Typewriter', 'Pirates of the Caribbean' by Klaus Badelt, and a selection from Lloyd-Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera'.

In the absence of a permanent conductor, musicians Kent Hayward and Conrad Roach are sharing the baton for the concert.

Mr. Hayward, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and a Master's degree in horn performance, is head of music at Warwick Academy. He is a member of BrassWorks, and has played in the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Daylesford Symphonia, and the Bermuda Regiment Band, including its participation in the Edinburgh Tattoo. In addition, the French horn player has also been a member of pit orchestras playing for various local musicals.

Mr. Roach is the brass instructor and senior orchestra director at Saltus Grammar School. A classically-trained trumpeter, he regularly appears as lead trumpet in many local orchestras, including Marjorie Pettit heritage concert, the Bermuda School of Music Chamber Orchestra, the Tom Ray Band, and backing local and foreign artists for the Bermuda Music Festival, conventions and other events.

As keyboardist and musical director, Mr. Roach has worked with various vocal groups and choirs in the Island's churches, and also applies his talents at his home church, Restoration Ministries each weekend. He considers it a privilege to be asked to conduct the Philharmonic Orchestra in its first concert of the 2007-8 season.

The concert will begin at 7.30 p.m., and drinks will be available for sale, but no food, so bring the family and a picnic basket, and enjoy an evening of fine music in a waterside setting under the stars.

Bermuda Philharmonic Society Board

Mrs. Jane Lee is now the president of the Bermuda Philharmonic Society. Serving with her on the board are treasurer Claire Osborne, membership secretary Ester Barroso, and members at large Karen O'Brien, Jennifer Sheridan, Rick Hawke, Shari Poe, Kent Hayward and Conrad Roach.

Collectively, they represent a combination of professional musicians and members of the business community whose varied experience is contributing to the effective rebuilding of the Society.