Dear music lover,

Our March concert, given by the Academia Wind Quintet of Prague (AWQP) gave me a new insight into the meaning of "ensemble". Even more so than on their previous visit, 4 years ago, they showed how 5 different instruments, each with very distinctive sounds, can act as one. None was dominant, none subservient and all contributed to a lovely evening. As one of the audience said to me, "These guys could play in a darkened room". Their repertoire started with Mozart, added some Czech music, featured an arrangement of the Nutcracker Suite and concluded with their version of the Skye Boat Song!

On a more personal note, last week, Niall (Ramsay) popped round to my house and told me that he would be stepping down as Chairman of ICMS as soon as convenient for us. Although I was disappointed, I was not entirely surprised: Niall, the senior partner in a large law firm, is the only one of our Committee who is not retired. He has assured us of his continuing interest in our programmes and I am sure we will be seeing him often at our concerts.

Niall was the prime mover behind ICMS. Over a decade ago, a group of us met in his house to discuss an idea that he had been working on for some time. Ultimately, ICMS emerged. I shall miss Niall's wisdom and guidance, his commitment to chamber music and his (and Alison's - his wife's) hospitality at countless committee meetings. I suspect that the audience will miss his basso profundo introductions to our concerts. But his good company, his goodwill and his commitment remain.

Our next concert is an "extra": a recital to be given by Anna Kavalerova, the Russian winner of the Moray Piano Competition 2006. Anna is a student at the Royal Northern Academy of Music in Manchester, which has produced so many fine performers and this concert may be the first step in her career as a soloist. As the competition only took place in November, this concert has had to be "squeezed in" but nevertheless, it should be fascinating to hear a performer at this stage. I hope to see you there on Wednesday, March 28th.

Paul