Welcome to the Blog and News of Alternative Rock Band OPOSIUM

In a slightly different role, Oposium frontman Richard McLester was asked to perform at the recent Civic Awards at Poole Lighthouse for the Mayor of Poole. Richard played background music throughout the meal and then performed the famous Liebestraeume No. 3 in front of the 500 guests. Sam Hanson (Mr Brain) also accompanied soprano soloist Sophie Ackroyd who performed 3 classical pieces.



As a result, IssTV interviewed Richard and broadcast the interview from their online television channel. Watch the interview >> here!



In other news, Oposium can announce that a new EP is in the making! We'll be bringing all the latest updates before the month is out ... !

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team.

Labels: civic awards poole, isstv, isstv interview, mayor of poole, new EP, tv interview

Oposium frontman Richard McLester was involved on Thursday night playing in front of an audience which included Robert Syms, MP for Poole as well as the Mayor, Sheriff and Town Crier of Poole.



Returning to St John's, Parkstone for the first time since Oposium played there in June, Richard's role this time was somewhat different. St John's holds an annual community carol concert with various performers invited to play.

Accompanying first soprano Shirley Worth who sang 'O Holy Night' and then singing alongside her daughter Lily Worth 'When Christmas Comes To Town'.



Richard will be next performing for the dignitries of Poole at the Civic Awards Ceremony at Poole Lighthouse in January.

Labels: community carol concert, mayor of poole, mp for poole, o holy night, robert syms, sheriff of poole

This coming Saturday Oposium duo Richard McLester and Sam Hanson are involved in performing on a more classical stage raising money in aid of the Mayor of Poole's Charities. Mayor of Poole Charles Meachin approached Richard last year to organise a concert which will be taking place at Skinner Street URC church on Saturday 11th July 2009.

Tickets are £10 and include refreshments and a glass of wine. Doors at 7pm.



Headlining the concert is violin supremo Malcolm Evans whose beautiful playing captured the audience when he performed at the Routes To Roots charity concert headlined by Oposium last year.

Extremely talented flautist Becca Ellis will be demonstrating her skills as well as sopranos Charlotte Woods and Hanne Ely. All the musicians will be accompanied by Sam Hanson on piano.

Richard couldn't resist the opportunity to perform on the Oposium Piano (and we know what that means!) and will also be compere for the evening.

For tickets, please call 01202 633200


In other news, Oposium would like to thank the Lloyd's for their amazing welcome at the weekend and for providing accomodation. To see where Oposium stayed, please visit www.orchardviewcottage.co.uk. Thank you!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Labels: charity fundraiser, classical, compere, malcolm evans, mayor of poole, orchard view holiday cottage

In partnership with Quaker Homeless Action, Routes To Roots have launched the Befriending Teams Pilot Project in Poole. The project was officially opened on Sunday 1st February at St Peter's Church, Parkstone with a number of VIPs present including the Mayor of Poole Councillor Joyce Lavender and the Sheriff of Poole Councillor Charles Meachin.



The Befriending Scheme is about organising volunteers together to play an important role in helping the people most in need in our community. With volunteers grouped together in teams of 2 or 3, they can literally befriend those people who both charities are helping and provide a support group for that person. The pilot scheme will run over the next 18-24 months in Poole and is seen as a real step forwards in terms of reaching out into the community.

Oposium frontman Richard McLester provided some background entertainment, before the official speeches, performing on piano alongside Jamie from JLR on guitar (whose story was featured on BBC Dorset in November 2008).

"It's a fantastic thing for the two charities to do..." said Richard "...as both charities can pool their expertise and come together to make a difference in our community. Certainly an initiative like this is exciting because of all the different people it will involve."



For more information on the charities, visit www.routestoroots.org and www.qha.org.uk.



Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Labels: befriending teams pilot project, community, homeless, mayor of poole, quaker homeless action, routes to roots

Photos taken from our Poole Lighthouse concert last Friday are up. Oposium performed roughly a 2 hour set of jazz with swing versions of tracks from Life Under The Sun. Performing to over 400 VIPs including Robert Syms MP and the Mayor of Poole Councillor Mrs Joyce Lavender.



The full photogallery can be found here at http://www.flickr.com/photos/31075590@N06/sets/72157612757741668/



Oposium would like to extend their thanks to the Mayor of Poole, and the Mayor's Secretary Jo Clements for inviting us to perform. Thank you for a very warm welcome.

Richard, Sam, Scott and David
OPOSIUM

Labels: civic awards ceremony, mayor of poole, mrs joyce lavender, poole, poole arts centre, poole lighthouse

Oposium have been invited to play Poole Lighthouse (Poole Arts Centre)'s Wessex Hall next Friday January 16th 2009 for the Mayor of Poole's Civic Awards Ceremony. The band will be playing jazz/swing versions of tracks from Life Under The Sun to the 1500 seat capacity venue.

"Poole Lighthouse is a fantastic venue to play as it's certainly the biggest venue in Poole..." explains Richard "...I had the luxury of playing solo at Poole Arts Centre two years ago so it's great to be able to go back with the whole band and perform."



Out of all of Oposium, only Scott hasn't yet played on the Poole Lighthouse stage. Sam performed the first movement of Rachmaninov's 2nd piano concerto 4 years ago and Dave appeared last year with DYO and a 24 piece jazz band. The Poole Lighthouse stage also boasts a full length concert Steinway grand piano.


^Above, Richard plays Poole Lighthouse, Wessex Hall January 2007.

The concert at Poole Lighthouse comes as Oposium continue with their mini-tour of the largest venues in Poole, having now played at St Mary's Longfleet and PURC in the last two months. February will then see the band perform at Centre Point church in Kinson, Bournemouth.

Oposium Admin

Labels: civic awards, mayor of poole, poole arts centre, poole lighthouse, steinway grand piano, wessex hall