#MfEMonday – 4th December 2023

www.music-for-everyone.org | 0115 9589312

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 27th November 2023

27th November 2023 Music for Everyone

Last week, the Daytime Voices had their end of term concerts in Hucknall, Southwell, West Bridgford, Wollaton and Sherwood. Well done to all for a fantastic term and performance!

The end of term concerts for Southwell and Wollaton groups were the last with their conductor Angela Kay, who will be handing over the reins to a new conductor next February. Wollaton performed a special rendition of ‘Thank you for the Music’ as a surprise for Angela, see the video here: Wollaton DTV thank you to Angela.mp4

Just a reminder that this coming Saturday our chamber choir, the Nottingham Chamber Singers are giving a special Advent/Christmas concert entitled Sparkling Baroque – a programme packed full of seasonal goodies with complimentary festive refreshments during the interval. The church is easy to find, situated on the right hand side of the Mansfield Road heading out of Nottingham towards Sherwood. There is plenty of on-street parking close by and we have arranged that we have the use of the well lit car park, which is situated just past the church.

Conducted by Angela Kay with soloist Rachel Parkes – a concert full of musical sparkle!

Further details can be found on the attached flyer or from our website https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/ncs-sparkling-baroque-concert/

Who else is excited for the FINAL of the Great British Bake Off tomorrow night? To get in the mood, we’ve been listening to the original soundtrack of all the familiar tunes you hearing during the show, composed by Tom Howe. With unique names, from ‘Bakewell Counting’ (usually heard in the last-minute-dash to finish their bake!) to ‘Happy Pizza’ (the pizzicato motif that means something funny is about to happen…) these violin, cello and percussion compositions have become instantly recognisable and familiar to Bake Off fans.

Hear all the original tracks here and choose your favourite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhcn3LaVFZM

Remember, if you’re shopping online for the festive season, use EasyFundraising and support MfE! It’s so easy to do and raises money for MfE without it costing you anything extra. Follow these simple steps here to sign up and visit your favourite websites through the link: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/musicforeveryone Every time you buy, a donation is made to support Music for Everyone.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

27/11/2023

www.music-for-everyone.org | 0115 9589312

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/reflective-classical-music-remembrance-day/

#MfEMonday – 13th November 2023

13th November 2023 Music for Everyone

Hello Everyone,

Bandwise and Stringwise were off to a great start this weekend, working on an exciting programme to perform in a Big Youth Experience Concert next weekend at the Albert Hall.

If you’re looking for an uplifting festive concert our chamber choir, the Nottingham Chamber Singers, are performing a joyful selection of Sparkling Baroque music on Saturday 2^nd December at St John’s Church, Carrington. Angela Kay is conducting the concert and here she is to tell you a bit more about it! https://youtu.be/AZo4466aMsQ

To book tickets call the office on 0115 958 9312 or follow this link: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/ncs-sparkling-baroque-booking/

Looking ahead to next year, places are booking up for our next Blow the Dust off your Instrument event (20^th Jan) and the ‘Gloria’ Singing Weekend and Concert (27th-28th Jan and 3rd Feb).

There’s time to book if you haven’t already!

Here are a selection of reflective classical works to mark this weekend’s Remembrance Day:

Did you know that 60 years after their first hit, The Beatles topped the singles chart this weekend, with all four Beatles featured on the song Now and Then. To find out more click here: The Beatles top singles chart 60 years after their first hit – BBC News

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

13/11/2023

www.music-for-everyone.org | 0115 9589312

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 6th November 2023

6th November 20236th November 2023 Music for Everyone

Greetings MfE members!

We hope you’ve all kept safe and dry in the recent storms, and that everyone in our regularly rehearsing groups is looking forward to coming back together after the half-term break.

We’ll be excited to hear the fruits of this term’s labours in a couple of weeks at plenty of informal daytime concerts, and hoping that many of you are signing up for our Christmas is Coming! extravaganza.

You can sign-up here or by ringing the office.

This weekend and next, it’s the turn of brilliant young instrumentalists from beginner to advanced, as they will be busy rehearsing for their Big Youth Music Experience, which will be culminating in a grand showcase on Sunday 19th November.

To sign-up for Bandwise click here, and Stringwise click here.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Houghton, who will be leading MfE’s two Daytime Orchestras in Loughborough and Nottingham from November.

Phil is a freelance conductor, violist and violinist, and received his initial musical training in Leicestershire. After graduating from Trinity College of Music, London, he has had a varied career of playing, teaching and conducting in many styles and genres. He currently conducts LSU Classical in Loughborough, and the Bedworth Symphony Orchestra, and regularly works with other orchestras including The Stratford upon Avon Symphony Orchestra and The Charnwood Orchestra. He was also previously the conductor of the Leicestershire Schools Concert Orchestra.

Phil had his first conducting lessons as a teenager with Robert Mandell, in return for managing the library of his Melachrino Strings Orchestra! He has also had tuition from Peter Stark, who is Professor of Conducting at The Royal College of Music. Phil lives in South Leicestershire with his wife Rebecca and their 3 children.

You’ve likely seen a lot of fireworks around this weekend. If you’d like to add some musical fireworks to this sunny Monday, follow this link for a firework and bonfire themed playlist: Classical music inspired by fire – Classic FM.

It even features the brilliant Chariots of Fire which Bandwise and Stringwise will be performing in their concert on the 19^th of November!

If you’re free on Saturday 18^th November – Charnwood Voices have a fantastic concert lined up for you. With professional soloists performing, it promises to be an inspiring event. See flyer below for more details, and they hope to see you there.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

06/11/2023

www.music-for-everyone.org | 0115 9589312

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 30th October 2023

30th October 202330th October 2023 Music for Everyone

Farewell from MfE Director – Moving on to new management roles in the arts

I would like to inform you that I will be moving on from Music for Everyone in the New Year.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the charity, working with such dedicated staff, musicians, volunteers and trustees. I have been blown away with the artistic quality and commitment. I hope I have been able to add a valuable contribution since my appointment last May, and official start in September 2022. I feel we have made a lot of progress in the strategic direction, building partnerships, attracting funding, enjoying a successful season to celebrate the 40^th anniversary.

I have secured a new management position at Arts Council England part time, and I have commenced a Development Director role at Kinetika part time. I look forward to progressing my silk painting practice, with international plans as an artist for 2024 and beyond.

My last day at MfE is 22^nd December. I will be working 2 days a week until then.

I wish you all the best for the coming season and into the future. I hope to see you at one of the weekly sessions or festive concerts very soon. Thank you once again for welcoming me into this musical family.

Kind regards

Donna

Christmas Vocals for school years 1 – 8 is open for booking! Bring your young singers along for a festive workshop afternoon on Saturday 16^th December at NTU Clifton with songs from Roald Dahl’s musical rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk, and sing under twinkling lights with hits from Disney and Take That.

Book online and find out more information here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/vocals-christmas-is-coming/

It’s Halloween tomorrow, so… We’ve come up with our favourite Halloween themed music in an extra-special MfE Halloween playlist! There’s a great variety in here, so you’re bound to find something you enjoy! https://www.music-for-everyone.org/news/mfe-halloween-playlist/

Calling flute players! WINDBLOWERS are offering a Pearl Experience Day on Tuesday 7th November here in Nottingham with Liz Walker as Guest Artist and the Pearl resident technician, Rene Tempel, both on site.

More details are available on Windblowers Facebook page, or by contacting Windblowers through the website – www.windblowers.com

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

30/10/2023

www.music-for-everyone.org | 0115 9589312

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

MfE’s spooOOooky Halloween playlist

30th October 2023 Music for Everyone

“When witches go riding
And black cats are seen,
The moon laughs and whispers
‘Tis near Halloween”
Author Unknown

It’s (finally) getting to the colder weather we usually associate with October and as the month draws to a close, we’re getting in the spooky Halloween mood in the office. Have a listen to our choices (from Backstreet Boys to Saint-Saens) for a spine-tingling, sugar-coma-inducing ‘Hallow’s Eve’…

ALEX: What an absolute banger to start us off. This has a hidden bit of Bach Toccata and Fugue in the opening…

You make me feel like it’s Halloween by Muse starts with an organ and heavy rock beat, team that with a spooky Halloween themed music video and you’ve got a winner!

ANNE: As a teenager in the 90s it has got to be Backstreet Boys’ Everybody for me. It’s Scooby-doo meets Thriller, and impossible to listen to without wanting to bust out some spooky moves.

In the video, the boy band’s tour bus breaks down near a spooky mansion where they are forced to spend a harrowing night. Variously transforming the boys into Dracula, The Wolfman, Phantom of the Opera, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and The Mummy, they chase around the house in Scooby-doo like escapades, finally converging in the ball room for the iconic dance scene. In the morning, they are relieved to discover it was all just a dream – or was it??!!

DONNA: As Diwali, the festival of light, approaches, Donna has chosen a spooky piece of indian classical music, called The Himalayas.

The eerie sounds of the sitar depict the cold, snowy and mysterious Himalayas.

KIRSTIE: Two notes. That’s all John Williams needed to create one of the most iconic and well-known film scores ever. When director Steven Spielberg was presented with this theme for his film, he thought John Williams was having a laugh.

You don’t have to have watched Jaws to know what’s coming when you hear that low semi-tone ostinato as it repeats and gets faster and faster until… well, let’s leave the suspense hanging there, just makes it more intimidating!

LAURA: Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.

Every year Laura tries to watch a Halloween based film but that’s quite tricky when you find all Horror films far too scary. A regular choice is the original Ghostbusters for its goofy comedy, spooky theme and of course it’s fantastic theme song!

RACHEL: Not a fan of ghosts and ghouls, Rachel has gone for this beautiful piece Allerseelen by Richard Strauss for All Soul’s Day as a commemorative piece for all departed souls.

The lyrics are set from a poem of the same name by Austrian poet Hermann von Gilm.

SU: ‘Danse Macabre‘ This ghoulish piece was originally written for voice and piano, but the composer then re-wrote it for violin and full orchestra, giving us the piece we recognise today.

In this video, you can see the legend behind the poem brought to life in cartoon form of Death appearing at midnight on Halloween and calling forth the skeletons to dance to his fiddle until dawn when they must return to their graves until next year.

EXTRA: How to make a nursery rhyme creepy… include it in a scary film called Nightmare on Elm Street. Based on the rhyme ‘1, 2, Buckle my shoe’, this music is the theme for main character Freddy Krueger, a murderer who invades teenagers dreams in the film. The nightmarish sounds of synthesizers under the chant builds up the intense feeling for the full horror film effect.

If you want to keep awake at night, this is what you should be listening to!

“One, Two, Freddy’s coming for you…“

#MfEMonday – 23rd October 2023

23rd October 2023 Music for Everyone

Booking is now open for our next choral workshop and concert in Jan/Feb next year!

On 27 and 28 January, our new Artistic Director, Alex Robinson, will guide you through a glorious programme with a spellbinding few days diving into the music of Poulenc, Rutter and more with a professional symphony orchestra! These phenomenally exciting settings of the Gloria are sure to give you Goosebumps!

For more information see the attached flyer or click here to book your place.

We are offering a free taster session for our Youth Bands on Thursday 9th November.

Both groups rehearse at Beeston Methodist Church on Thursday evenings. Our Nottingham Youth Band (5:30 – 7pm) is for players of grade 2 – 5, while the East Midlands Youth Band (6:30 – 8pm) is for players of grade 5+.

For more information about the groups, click here.

Please do join us for the start of our Christmas concert rehearsals – and don’t forget to let your friends know about it!

The stormy weather this weekend has inspired us to put together a stormy play list for you. Enjoy!

Into the Storm by Robert W Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrPDguuxw7o

The Storm from Four Sea Interludes by Benjamin Britten Britten – “Storm Interlude” from “Peter Grimes” (London Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Davis) – YouTube

Cloudburst by Eric Whitacre Cloudburst – Eric Whitacre – YouTube

Storm from The Sea, The Sea by Frank Bridge Frank Bridge, The Sea, The Sea: No. 4 Storm – YouTube

On Saturday 28 October, the Nottingham Chamber Orchestra will be performing a delightful selection of music from Mozart, Parry, Delibes and Saint-Seans at St Mary’s Church in Clifton Village.

Click here to find out what AI might make of Gustavo Dudamel conducting Beethoven 5.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

23/10/2023

www.music-for-everyone.org | 0115 9589312

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 16th October 2023

16th October 2023 Music for Everyone

With the colder weather and the darker nights drawing in this Autumn, why not turn your attention to the “winter warmers” we have in store for you at MfE? We can all look forward to a festive concert to brighten our spirits.

FESTIVE CONCERTS…

On Sunday 2^nd December the Nottingham Chamber Singers and Classical Players will bring you SPARKLING BAROQUE! A concert of joyful and uplifting music for Advent and Christmas, from the ‘Baroque’ period (1600-1750) – with seasonal motets and festive extracts from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Handel’s Messiah. Conducted by Angela Kay.

Tickets: Full £14, Concessions £13, Child/Student £5.

Available online: www.bit.ly/SpBaroque or from the MfE Office.

Season’s Greetings! Join us on Sunday 10^th December from 3.30pm at Kingswood Methodist Church, Wollaton for a varied programme, where MfE’s youth groups present their end of term concert, featuring the Nottingham and East Midlands Youth Bands, Nottingham Strictly Strings and the East Midlands Youth String Orchestra. Conducted by Claire Franklin, Tamaki Higashi and Mike Shaw.

Tickets: Full £9, Concessions £8, Child/Student £5.

Available online: Season’s Greetings Concert (music-for-everyone.org) or from the MfE Office.

For a traditional afternoon Christmas concert for all ages, perhaps Christmas is Coming! is the concert for you, on Sunday 17^th December from 3.30pm at the Albert Hall in Nottingham. With well known carols and seasonal songs performed by the Children’s Vocals choir and Nottingham Community Voices, there is something for everyone. Even a special appearance from Father Christmas.

Tickets: Full £15, £12, £10. Concession £14, £11, £9. Child/Student £5.

Available online: Music For Everyone (savoysystems.co.uk) or from the MfE Office.

On Saturday our World Drumming group performed to a packed audience at the Middle Street Resource centre as part of the Oxjam festival. Don’t worry if you missed them, they will be performing again at Beeston’s Light Night on 04 November. More information to follow.

Don’t forget to book for “Blow the Dust off your Instrument” Orchestral Playing Day on Saturday 20^th January 2024 at the Albert Hall, Nottingham from 10.00am to 5.30pm. Tickets are selling fast!

Sign-Up online here: Music For Everyone (savoysystems.co.uk) or contact the MfE Office on 01159589312.

A Bradford Primary school wants the world to know how they have improved school results by adding…no…not extra maths lessons…but extra music lessons!

Read the full article in the Guardian here: Improve school results with extra music sessions – The Guardian article

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

16/10/2023

www.music-for-everyone.org | 0115 9589312

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

Bluey soundtrack: what pieces of classical music are used in the TV show? – Classic FM

#MfEMonday – 2nd October 2023

2nd October 2023 Music for Everyone

Good Morning All! October has arrived, and with it a few milestones of the season… sure, there’s Bake-Off and Strictly on our screens, and a host of Nottingham Forest and Notts County games to keep an eye on, but here at Music for Everyone, it’s time for our big choral ‘come and sing’ workshop day at NTU Clifton Campus, this Saturday 7^th October!

Last year we had a lovely day with Brian Kay, long-time friend of MfE and, I don’t think he would mind us saying, veteran of the choral music scene. This year we have the wonderful Sam Evans coming to work with us for a day. Sam is much in demand on the UK and International Choral Scene, conducting and singing with many of the top choirs in the country and Europe, including the BBC Singers, Monteverdi Choir and Swedish Radio Choir to name a few.

As well as being a talented chorus-master and Baritone, singing on many of the most prestigious stages around the globe, Sam is a passionate advocate for healthy and happy singing, and getting the most enjoyment out of what we do when we come together to sing and make music. This lies at the heart of what we at MfE believe, so we know that as well as working on some glorious traditional repertoire (choruses from Mendelssohn’s Elijah and CPE Bach’s Magnificat), we will all have a thoroughly lovely day meeting and learning from Sam. Sam and the singers will be accompanied on the day by our fabulous pianist Angela Foan.

If you haven’t signed up – hurry and do so, it’s going to be fab!

Bake Off fever has hit the office again this week, with the hot topic of debate being the ‘missing raspberry’ from the title sequence of the show – where do you stand?

Here are some pieces of music inspired to get you baking!

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W1F4YVmV8Y

‘Cakes and Ale’ from the Suite on English Folk Tunes (Britten): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEAbV2-RJMY

Sweeney Todd (Worst Pies in London): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVI6pGfHB2c

Do you have a small person in your life who is obsessed with the hit TV programme Bluey? We would like to think that the secret to its success is the liberal use of classical music! Click here to hear what pieces of classical music have been used in the show.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

02/10/2023

www.music-for-everyone.org | 0115 9589312

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMondays are Music for Everyone’s weekly emails designed to keep you up to date with MfE events & to circulate interesting finds, special features, and musical musings for your Mondays! We are aiming to send out something new each week.

#MfEMonday – 25th September 2023

25th September 2023 Music for Everyone

The gothic splendour of the Cathedral Church of St Barnabas was the setting for the Nottingham Chamber Singers’ performance of Durufle’s Requiem last Saturday. Under the expert baton of Rachel Parkes, the Nottingham Chamber Singers, accompanied by the Nottingham Classical Players and organist Peter Seipmann, performed a sumptuous programme of French Romantic music by Franck, Durufle, Elgar, Boulanger and Faure. Joined by renowned mezzo-soprano, Emily Hodkinson, the concert closed with a luscious and deeply moving account of Durufle’s masterful Requiem.

Join us for the next Nottingham Chamber Singers’ concert ‘Sparkling Baroque’ on Saturday 02 December at St John’s Church, Carrington. For more information, click here.

On Monday 18 September, we held a special event to thank our Supporters and Donors for their contribution to the success of Music for Everyone. After a chance to mingle over a glass of wine, the audience was treated to performances from Artistic Director, Alex Robinson on viola and harpsichord – not at the same time! – and a beautiful selection of songs from Rachel Parkes, soprano, accompanied by Alex on harpsichord. Chairman John Hess then put Alex under the spotlight with a question and answer session, where Alex revealed that when he isn’t playing badminton and listening to Nordic Jazz, he secretly enjoys a bit of Euro-pop!

Anyone else watch open mouthed as the Fijian rugby team made history in a win against Australia last week? Is singing the key to their success? It would seem that they are a harmonious team on and off the pitch and often use singing as part of their preparations.

Click here to hear how the team unwinds before a big game!

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

25/09/2023

www.music-for-everyone.org | 0115 9589312

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF