Thanks to all for your wonderful entries. It was a lot of fun. So inventive were you that we had to create new categories for haiku, sonnets and international.
AND THE WINNERS ARE … (envelope please, drum roll)
LIMERICK
JOHN FLETCHER, our redoubtable principal bassoon, for his take on Bonnie and Clyde. Some like it hot!
HAIKU
SADA FAN; yes, we counted the syllables.
SONNET
OPHOCLEIDE LOVER. What a hidden talent lies there; you are now a published poet. It brought tears to our eyes.
INTERNATIONAL
From Washington, USA, PETER GRIES. What a pity you can’t be at our concerts this weekend Peter, but thanks for joining us on line.
John Fletcher’s guests can collect their tickets at the door.
And in case any of our audience or readers are inspired, we’ll leave the page open for more entries.
What will we think up for our Murakami’s Music concert in June next year!
Please join our email list if you would like to keep in touch with our concerts, competitions and special events.
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To celebrate our performance with the unique Ophicleide, we are offering you a chance to win 2 tickets to our Fervour concert (8th or 9th September).
All you have to do is write a limerick featuring the instrument “Ophicleide”.
To get you started, our president Bruce Lane has written an example
So how does one play Ophicleide?
Ignore those who seek to deride
Put your fingers on keys, and elbows on knees
That’s how one should play Ophicleide
Post your entry as a comment below or email to manager@strathfieldsymphony.org.au by 5pm, 5th September, 2012. LATE ENTRIES MAY BE CONSIDERED!!
More resources to help you out:
Limerick structure and tips on getting started
Terms and conditions:
- Entries must be posted as comments to this page, or emailed to manager@strathfieldsymphony.org.au
- Entries close 5pm, 5th September.
- Winning entry will be chosen by our Ophocleide soloist, Nick Byrne. Decision is final and no discussion will be entered into
- Winning entry will be eligible for a double pass to either concert in the Fervour concert season (7pm Saturday 8th September, or 2.30pm Sunday 9th September).
- Winner can collect prize at the box office on the day.
Strathfield Symphony Orchestra 
There was a young man named McBride
who wanted to play the ophicleide
“O mother,” he pleaded
“My talent is needed”
“So don’t let my wish be denied.”
@JAttneave
“There once was a Greek called Ophicleide,
Who blew on a serpent sliding by;
He thought it a bugle,
But it bit like a poodle
And left him to play but a sigh!”
Young Bonnie’s date proffered an Ophicleide.
Though warmed by this move philanthropic, cried
Young Bonnie: “We’re gangsters!
That thing would cause angst as
We rob banks. But thanks for the offer, Clyde …”
Limericks are tough
Nothing rhymes with Ophicleide
Try haiku instead
Haiku will be accepted as an entry. Get writing!
A Sonnet
Shall I compare thee to an ophicleide?
Thou art more lovely and a lot less brassy;
Yet like that noble instrument of yore
Thine attributes are feminine and classy.
Thy golden curves that glow with amber sheen,
Thy lissome form that in my arms is laid,
Thy valves that tremble lithely at my touch,
Do put that worthy tuba in the shade.
And in the night doth come that precious time
When softly I can press my lips to yours;
Enveloped in rhapsodic tones and sighs,
Vibrations of our pulsing embouchures.
And when, as must, I come some day to death
I’ll choose with thee to share my final breath.
There was a young muso from Strathclyde
who cycled & played an ophicleide.
When he ran out of puff
he said’ That’s enough-
I’ll give up riding my velocipeide.’
All the way from Peter Gries, Ellenburg, Washington USA
Here’s a riddle for those who’re allied
With music and knowledge supplied
What’s played as a brass
But not found en masse
But still is performed nationwide?
Created and initially applied
In Romantic music’s high tide
It piqued one A. Sax
And provided the tracks,
His inspirational guide
Tho’ composers have let its use slide
The one who wrote “Here comes the bride”
Found that it’s sound
Was fittingly wound
And chose not to cast it aside
And Mendelssohn took it in stride
In Midsummer made it abide
While in Opera’s sphere
T’was one Meyerbeer
Who used it well e’re he died
By now the name should be eyed
Unless you brain is quite fried
Have you solved the riddle?
It’s not the bass fiddle
But the mellifluous bass Ophicliede