Author: Music for Everyone

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

Youth music workshops now booking:

#MfEMonday – 22nd September 2025

22nd September 202522nd September 2025 Music for Everyone

September saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Music for Everyone with Rachel Parkes taking on the role of Artistic Director.

Many of you will already know Rachel who joined the MfE team just over 5 years ago. You may have seen her conducting one of our many groups, performing as soprano soloist, playing her French horn in various ensembles or serving refreshments at the summer school! We are delighted to have Rachel at the helm and excited about how she will shape the future of Music for Everyone.

Rachel Says: ‘I’m so thrilled to be carrying on the good work of Music for Everyone as Artistic Director, and I look forward to seeing you all at various groups, events and concerts over the coming months.’

Last Monday we celebrated our ‘Supporters’ and volunteers at a special evening at the University of Nottingham. MfE chairman Dave Hatherly interviewed our new Artistic Director, Rachel Parkes, about her musical journey, including insights into her experience as a founder member of Voces8.

During the evening Angela Kay paid tribute to ex-MfE chair and Bookwise founder and chair, Andrew James to whom Music for Everyone owes so much.

We were joined by mezzo-soprano Emily Hodkinson who gave a stunning performance accompanied by Angela Foan on piano. Emily is an alumni of our Youth Voices choir and is now enjoying a successful career as an opera singer – last year she made her Glyndebourne solo debut!

The event was our way of saying a heartfelt “thank you” to all who have dedicated their time and energy to supporting MfE over the past year. For information about how to become a Supporter please click here.

Our Youth groups have now had their first rehearsals back and sounding great already!

If you know any young musicians who might like to come and join a group send them the link to find out more: Youth Music Groups & Courses | Music for Everyone

Bandwise and Stringwise events – 8th/9th and 16^th November

Vocals Christmas singing event – 13^th and 14^th December

Bake Off fever has returned to the MfE office, with the hot topic of debate being the ‘missing raspberry’ from the title sequence of the show – where do you stand? The original theme to The Great British Bake Off, music composed by Tom Howe, feels delightfully familiar from the moment you hear it. It goes like this: https://youtu.be/VSVMcM9uA24?feature=shared

Here are some more 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 play the Trombone, Viola, Cello or Double Bass? If so, the Boots Orchestra would love to hear from you! This friendly orchestra has been rehearsing and performing in Nottingham, since the 1950’s (initially started for Boots employees, but now open to all amateur musicians). Rehearsals take place every Tuesday (term time only) at the Boots complex in Beeston and they host 3 concerts a year for charity. You can come along for 3 rehearsals to see how you get on before committing to join and subs are very reasonable.

Find out more at https://bootsorchestra.co.uk/

Charnwood Orchestra ‘Chamber Miracles’ concert:

Saturday 27th September, Holy Trinity Church, LE12 8HP

https://www.charnwoodorchestra.org.uk/_images/2025-26/SEPT%202526%20JPEG%20FLYER.jpg

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

22/09/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 8th September 2025

8th September 2025 Music for Everyone

Well done to all the recorder players who came along to our playing day on Saturday. Over 40 people received expert tuition from László Rózsa and Nigel Martin. So much was achieved in the day!

Booking open for BANDWISE & STRINGWISE!

These workshop days for young wind, brass, percussion and string players are a great way to build confidence and play alongside other young musicians from across the region. All players come together for the Big Youth Music Experience concert on Sunday 16 November at Nottingham’s Albert Hall. Booking details below – please share with any young musicians you know!

Bandwise: Saturday 8 November, concert Sunday 16 November

https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/byme-bandwise/

Stringwise: Sunday 9 November, concert Sunday 16 November

https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/byme-stringwise/

We are also taking bookings for our Christmas Vocals course for children ages 5-14, you can find out more information here

Our Youth Groups start back w/c 15^th September – new members welcome, just get in touch with anna@music-for-everyone.org to arrange a free taster session.

And now some very sad news,

Andrew James MBE, chair of MfE 2006–2017, died on Saturday 30th August. He passed away peacefully at home. His wife Valerie and their children were with him.

Andrew was a remarkable man, an architect by profession, an active Quaker and social entrepreneur, selfless in his charitable work. He will be greatly missed by so many people but most of all by his family and close friends.

MfE owes Andrew a great deal and will always regard him with gratitude. He was a member of the Nottingham Festival Chorus and a supporter of all MfE events. Beyond that, however, as chair, he took crucial steps to secure the long-term success of MfE as a dynamic music education charity. He oversaw the updating of the Nottingham Choral Trust’s image through its re-branding as Music for Everyone. He negotiated and introduced a robust new constitution and legal status (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). It was Andrew who came up with the idea of Bookwise, a chain of second hand bookshops, run by volunteers, to provide a sustainable independent income stream for MfE. Bookwise continues to provide just the financial underpinning for MfE that Andrew first dreamed about.

An MfE Event coming soon – Voices of Venice concert (5pm-6.30pm) St Nic’s Church, Maid Marian Way, NG1 6AE

Enjoy an evening of glorious music by Monteverdi and Vivaldi with the Nottingham Chamber Singers and Nottingham Festival Chorus.

Click here to book tickets or call the office on 0115 9589312

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

08/09/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

Summer School Round-Up – So Far…

6th August 2025 Music for Everyone

What a fantastic few days we have had at Music for Everyone’s Summer School!

With new and returning faces (including Fizzy the choir dog!), we’ve enjoyed rehearsals, sectionals and of course tea and biscuit breaks.

We’ve made some fantastic musical memories over the few days, here are a few moments we’ve captured throughout the days so far:

Monday

Tuesday

We are now having a much-needed break before what we are sure will be a fabulous concert featuring all of our groups.

Thank you to all our amazing players, singers, helpers, guest artists and staff for making a fantastic few days.

Keep an eye out on our social media pages for more photos and videos over the next few days.

We hope to see you again soon at one of our many groups, events or concerts (which you can see in our latest brochure here).

The MfE Team

#MfEMonday – 28th July 2025

28th July 202528th July 2025 Music for Everyone

We would like to say a huge thank you to Cliff McArdle who steps down as leader of Open Voices Beeston, Sherwood and Mansfield. Cliff left on a real high after an emotional send-off from Beeston Open Voices and a wonderful performance of My Fair Lady with Sherwood Open Voices. Cliff has been an integral part of these groups since the very start, and his enthusiasm, expertise and musicianship will be greatly missed.

The new brochure is here! Check out all the exciting events and concerts we have planned for you!

Click the image above or follow the link to see a digital copy of the brochure: Brochure: Sep25 – Feb26 : simplebooklet.com

With last night’s epic Euros win for the Lionesses, we reflect on the importance of music in sport. Music fuels emotion, focus, and unity on and off the field. Whether it’s a pre-match anthem in the locker room, a chant echoing from the stands, or a victory song played at full volume, music elevates the atmosphere and helps athletes focus. For fans, it creates a shared language of support and celebration, turning individual moments into collective memories.

Music has played a big part in the Lionesses’ story. In the Summer of 2022, the Lionesses made history by winning the UEFA Women’s Euro Championship for the first time. Their journey captivated the nation. Music became a unifying force, echoing the pride and passion of a historic moment. From the euphoric chants of “Sweet Caroline” reverberating through Wembley Stadium to the players’ own celebratory playlists, music amplified every victory, every goal, and every tear of joy. It became the soundtrack of a movement, binding fans together in a shared sense of triumph.

As we look ahead to future tournaments, one thing’s certain: when the Lionesses roar, the soundtrack will be loud, proud, and unforgettable!

Check out the London Philharmonic’s version of Sweet Caroline!

Sweet Caroline

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

28/07/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

The BBC Proms 2025 – Everything you need to know about the world’s greatest classical music festival

#MfEMonday – 21st July 2025

21st July 2025 Music for Everyone

Congratulations to our amazing Kirstie on the arrival of Toby who was born on Monday! We are sending them all our best wishes and can’t wait to meet the newest member of the MfE family.

Coming up on Friday 25th July, Open Voices Sherwood are performing a musical version of My Fair Lady at St Martin’s Church, Trevose Gardens, Sherwood NG5 3FU. Tea and cakes will be served at 11:00am and the performance begins at 11:20am. Free entry with a retiring collection to the Open Voices Fund.

Booking is now open for Voices of Venice, the next Nottingham Festival Chorus singing event on Saturday 4^th October at St Nic’s Church in Nottingham city centre. Focusing on the music of two of Venice’s greatest exports – Monteverdi and Vivaldi.

Follow the link for more details and online booking or call 0115 958 9312.

The BBC Proms got underway last week, running from Friday 18 July to Saturday 13 September 2025, the season features 86 Proms, with 72 at the Royal Albert Hall and 14 at venues across the UK!

The Proms was founded in 1895 by impresario Robert Newman, who decided to plug a hole in the culturally fallow summer months by experimenting with a revolutionary kind of concert format, in which the seats in the stalls – traditionally the priciest – would be removed and a promenade created in their place. Standing tickets to watch music from the promenade, Newman declared, would be the cheapest, meaning those who paid the least would be closest to the orchestra.

In the Gallery area up high you can sit on the floor, or lie down, as plenty of people do. You’re welcome to lie down in the Arena too, but there usually isn’t enough space!

Follow the link to find out more about the Prom season this summer:

An upcoming concert that you may be interested in, including some familiar MfE faces, Anne Jackson and Gill Henshaw.

Friday Lunchtime Concert: Nottingham Chamber Wind Ensemble at Southwell Minster, July 25, 2025 1:30pm – 2:15pm: https://www.southwellminster.org/events/event/friday-lunchtime-concert-nottingham-chamber-wind-ensemble-3/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

21/07/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://youtu.be/-4MBbnQXyZ4?si=OXXs1XdKFpE3PwXi

#MfEMonday – 7th July 2025

7th July 20257th July 2025 Music for Everyone

Our youth groups gave a fabulous Summer Showcase concert on Saturday. Well done to all the performers and special mention to Lyra (viola) and Layan (violin) from the East Midlands Youth String Orchestra for their wonderful solo performances. A big thank you to all the adult helpers who supported the players during the term. If you know any young string, wind or brass players who might be interested in joining please spread the word or share this link: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/whats-on/youth-music/

Last week our Daytime Voices groups held their end of term sharing concerts with the famous cake sales raising over £900 for our Open Voices groups!! Thanks to everyone who came and supported.

The Nottingham Daytime Orchestra gave a brilliant performance last Thursday including some challenging Schumann and a Pirates of Penzance medley. Loughborough Daytime Orchestra will be showcasing their work tomorrow so please come along if you can: 11am, Emmanuel Church, Loughborough LE11 3NW.

We look forward to seeing you all in September for lots more music-making. Booking for the autumn term opens very soon!

Summer School, 4th-6th August, Trent College

We are looking for alto sax players who would like to take part so please spread the word! The sax ensemble will be exploring pieces including Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite and Van Morrison’s Moondance under the expert guidance of Keiron Anderson.

Click here for full details and how to book: Course: Summer School 2025

Pimms and strawberries at the ready!! Wimbledon fever has gripped the nation so here are some musical links to SW19.

The iconic theme tune to ‘Wimbledon’ was composed by Roy Mansfield, written in 1970s – it was called ‘Light and Tuneful’ and not composed as a sports theme but written for a sound library available to TV companies. It just happened to be chosen by the BBC for the intro to the Wimbledon coverage. Another of his compositions ended up being chosen as the theme to ‘Grandstand”

Follow the link for an interview with Roy about his music: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j88lxx

Throwback to Lockdown craziness with this rendition of the Wimbledon theme tune from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. It was recorded remotely during lockdown in June 2020:

Finally…Leading British violist Graham Oppenheimer demonstrates the ultimate viola joke by turning his instrument into a tennis racket, complete with expanding foam and ultra tough glaze. Those of a nervous disposition should look away now!

https://youtu.be/fmxP3qlWDuU?si=af8ezw-EwGUpWN2n

Nottingham Chamber Music festival takes place this week from 10th-13th July with some exciting events in store.

On Friday 11th July, the Villiers Quartet will be performing at St Mary’s Church, The Lace Market at 7.30pm

https://nottchamberfest.com/events/villiers-quartet-haydn-fung-schubert/

There is the chance for string players to join in a play along of Schubert’s Rosamunde quartet in the afternoon!

https://nottchamberfest.com/events/vq-discovery-schubert-rosamunde-play-along/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

07/07/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

Best Classical Music For Winter: Top 10 Pieces

#MfEMonday – 30th June 2025

30th June 2025 Music for Everyone

Daytime Voices Sherwood bid an emotional farewell to their conductor Greg Treloar at their end of term concert on Thursday. Greg is leaving Nottingham to take up a new teaching position at St Thomas’ in Battersea. We are really grateful for everything he has done to keep the Sherwood Daytime Voices thriving, and we wish him all the best for the future. We are delighted to announce that Owen Jones who currently leads the Wollaton group, will be taking over at the helm.

Our choral workshop at St Martin’s Sherwood on Saturday drew singers from across the region for a day of inspiring music-making. Led by renowned choral conductor Neil Ferris, our singers explored well-loved choral classics and delved into newly written partner works by contemporary composers. Neil’s warm, cheerful approach, expert technical guidance and deep musical insight left everyone energised and musically enriched, despite the heat! The workshop concluded with an informal performance, showcasing the remarkable progress made in just a few hours together.

Upcoming Events:

A Summer Celebration – Saturday 05 July, St Luke’s Church, West Bridgford, 3:30pm

Music for Everyone’s Strictly Strings, Youth String Orchestra & Youth Bands present a concert to celebrate summer!

Tickets are available online here, by calling the office on 0115 958 9312 or on the door.

Recorder Day – Saturday 06 September, NTU Clifton

We are thrilled to be joined by 2 recorder maestros, Laszlo Rozsa and Nigel Martin, for this workshop day! Book your place here or by calling the office on 015 958 9312

With temperatures continuing to rise, here is a lovely wintery playlist to help you keep cool!

Monday Night Live! Monday 30 June, 7-9pm, Sherwood Methodist Church.

A fun-packed evening of entertainment for all tastes. Music, even dance from performers who all meet to practise at Sherwood Methodist Church. Up to 10 acts including The Belters, Sherwood Chorus and The Rise Choirs.

Free entry with refreshments and cake (including Greg’s famous chocolate squares – if you know, you know!) available during the interval. All funds raised in aid of the church.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

30/06/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

15 best pieces of classical music for summertime – Classic FM

#MfEMonday – 23rd June 2025

23rd June 2025 Music for Everyone

Happy Birthday to Nottingham Chamber Singers!

Temperatures soared and so did the melodies on Saturday night as the choir celebrated their 40^th anniversary with a special concert at Beeston Parish Church. Angela Kay and Rachel Parkes guided us masterfully through a sumptuous programme of works chosen for their personal connection to the choir.This included a world premiere of The Nightingale composed specially for the choir and strings by Nottinghamshire born composer Libby Croad and we were delighted that she was able to join us for the performance. Flute soloist, Annette Negus captivated the audience with Syrinx by Debussy for solo flute and joined the choir and strings for the dreamy Pastoral ‘Lie Strewn the White Flocks’ by Arthur Bliss. The celebrations concluded with a special rendition of Happy Birthday followed by very welcome refreshments of cake and fizz!

Here are some photo highlights…

Last few spaces available for the singing workshop with Neil Ferris next Saturday 28th June!

Click here to book online or call the office on 0115 958 9312

After the recent heatwave, keep cool and ring in the sun-drenched months ahead with these chilled classical melodies, courtesy of Vivaldi, Albéniz, Gershwin and more.

Two upcoming concerts you may be interested in:

Monday Night Live – 30th June, Sherwood Methodist Church, 7pm. A concert celebrating musical and artistic diversity as part of Sherwood Arts Week. Free admission.

Nottingham Chamber Wind Ensemble Concert: next Saturday 28th June, 7:30pm at St Mary’s Church, Bleasby (see attached flyer)

SoundLincs are seeking a Marketing Consultant to join the Future of the Past team.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

23/06/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 9th June 2025

9th June 2025 Music for Everyone

Much fun was had at our Family Festival day in Beeston on Saturday – and we even managed some sunshine between the showers! Thanks to everyone who came along to take part.

The cake and tombola stalls did a roaring trade and we were entertained by a host of musical groups including Open Voices, Nottingham Chamber Singers, SAM Big Band and Wollaton Daytime Voices. Huge thanks to all the groups for performing, Milla’s African drumming workshops and Rachel and Owen for the singing workshops.

We also want to say a massive thank you to our wonderful Kirstie for all her hard work co-ordinating the whole event and wish her all the best for her maternity leave!

Calling all recorder players! Our Recorder Workshop Day on Saturday 6^th September is now open for booking.

The workshop will be led by principal recorder player of the renowned Dunedin Consort, László Rózsa, who will also be giving a short performance and take a Q & A session. László will tutor the advance repertoire sessions in the afternoon, and we are thrilled that Nigel Martin will join us in the afternoon to conduct the main ensemble. The music chosen reflects a broad sweep of styles from the heyday of the Renaissance to the present day.

For more details click here or call 0115 958 9312.

There is also still time to book for the following upcoming events:

Blow the Dust – 14th June

NCS 40th Birthday Celebration Concert – 21st June

Singing Workshop with Neil Ferris – 28th June

A Summer Celebration, Youth Concert – 5th July

Summer School – 4th – 6th August

We are very excited that MfE has got a mention in a new book by cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason! The Power of Music: How Music Connects Us All. Sheku talks about how MfE singing weekends provided him and his siblings with an introduction to harmony and music-making with others:

“We began exploring music through the Music for Everyone charity in Nottingham which ran courses for children’s choir singing. Our mum was very keen that we should sing in choirs, and vocal courses spanned two or three intensive weekends of group tuition with other Nottingham children, culminating in a big concert at Nottingham’s Albert Hall. This allowed us to learn harmony and music-making with others before we began learning instruments, at least string instruments.

We were all very young – I must have been three or four years old – and we were all excited to be taking part in this adventure. We were given a cassette tape to play in our battered seven-seater”…

Definitely one to add to the reading list!

Do you know anyone looking for a full size or ¾ size violin? If so please ask them to get in touch with Su via email su@music-for-everyone.org or call 0115 958 9312.
Bookwise Nottingham has new summer opening hours for June July and August:
Monday to Thursday – 11am – 4pm
Friday and Saturday – 11am – 4.30pm
Come and take a look at the amazing range of books and sheet music!

They would particularly welcome donations of good quality paperback fiction, science fiction and advanced instrumental sheet music.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

09/06/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF