Peter Kurer is a retired dental surgeon, brought up in a family where music in the home was an almost everyday event. His father was a keen viola player and chamber music, usually with a professional first violinist. His mother was a very competent pianist and was frequently involved with the chamber music.
Whilst studying dentistry he played for five years in the College Orchestra of Newcatle University and in a quartet.
Peter has been a committee member of the Manchester Chamber Concert Society for over thirty years, taking over as chairman for ten years when the membership was down to 103 members.
He formed his own research and Development Company, developing an original approach to the restoration of the root filled tooth. This topic kept him out of the country, for approximately a quarter of the year, for over twenty five years. He gave regular lectures on this subject in Japan for twenty three years and will soon have completed thirty six years of visits to the United States.
Why should I join the Committee?
It will enable you to give something back to the Orchestra by contributing your thoughts on how it should develop in the months and years ahead.
Will it take up a lot of time?
Not at all. The Committee meet formally only three or four times a year (though, as you may have noticed, there are occasional informal meetings during the tea-break at rehearsals!)
What positions on the Committee are available?
The Committee has a Chairman; a Treasurer; a Secretary; a Librarian; and a number of other members to represent the various sections of the Orchestra.
Are the three or four meetings very formal?
No - quite the reverse. They’re usually punctuated by lots of laughter and exchanges of gossip, though musical matters are often discussed too!
What sort of issues are raised?
The most important meeting of the year, usually around January or February, is the one in which the Committee discusses the programmes for the following season’s concerts. As you know, the views of players are always taken into account, but as a Committee member you will be in a position to contribute your own thoughts on works that you particularly enjoy playing.
What other matters does the Committee discuss?
They are very varied. They can include playing standards, and how they can be improved; how to attract new players; how to improve our concert promotion; the Orchestra’s finances; the music library and the rising costs of music hire; and many other similar issues to do with the running of the Alderley Edge Orchestra.
Sounds interesting! So how to I get onto the Committee?
Committee members are appointed at the Orchestra’s Annual General Meeting, now held early in September each year. You will need to find someone willing to nominate and second you, and then - subject to a show of hands at the AGM - you’re in. Good luck!
