The Journal, under William Hedley’s inspired leadership, continues to act as the focal point for our work. Articles such as that by Eric Seddon on VW and Religion in June 2006 are important additions to Vaughan Williams’s scholarship.

Tad Kasa is also to be congratulated on introducing further improvements to our website – members who have not viewed this site in past times should not hesitate to log on!

New recordings of VW’s music stimulated by the Society, such as Willow Wood on Naxos and On Christmas Night on Chandos, are winning new admirers.

It is, however, on the planning front that the year has seen most activity. The 50th anniversary of Vaughan Williams’s death in 2008 represents an opportunity to raise the profile of the composer – an opportunity we are determined to grasp. Trustees have taken responsibility for contacting orchestras, chamber groups, opera companies, choral societies and festivals to remind concert organisers of this impending anniversary. Responses have been very encouraging. We know of two cycles of the symphonies being performed in 2008 alone. We have been very involved in fund raising for performances of Pilgrim’s Progress in London. Around £500,000 is needed for Albion Opera to succeed with the project – a very challenging target that might yet elude us.

We have seen more success with our project to record rare VW songs. At the time of writing, 60 members have kindly sent donations to this project. We are actively working on recording the Songs from the Operas and have every hope that the CD will be out in 2007. Research continues on the early orchestral works. The conductor, Jon Mitchell, is very enthusiastic about these early works, especially the Bucolic Suite and the Fantasia for Piano and Orchestra. We have reached the stage where the parts need to be produced to enable a recording to take place. This is another project we hope to complete for 2008.

There are plans for two full-length films on Vaughan Williams to be made for 2008 – this would be incredible!

Sometimes all our behind the scenes planning leads nowhere. This can be frustrating for the Trustees – and we ask our members’ patience as we try to implement our hopes and dreams.

Once again, my warm thanks to Trustees, Regional Chairmen and all our members for their support to the continuing success of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society.

Stephen Connock MBE
2nd September 2006