Author: Music for Everyone

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 – 24th July 2023

24th July 2023 Music for Everyone

Hello everyone,

I would just like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who so generously donated to my 40th Anniversary Gift collection – over £2,250, what a wonderful amount. I can’t wait to look round for garden furniture to grace my patio! Thank you also for all the lovely messages so many of you wrote in the ‘guest book’, such wonderful and touching comments and memories.

Without you all – singing, playing and being involved in so many ways – I would never have been able to develop MfE into the charity it is today – my deepest thanks to all of you.

Have a good summer,

With love and best wishes
Angela

This weekend has seen the release of 2 long-awaited very different, films, and whether you are a Barbie fan, or an Oppenheimer fan (or perhaps both or neither!) both feature some iconic music…

The ‘Barbie’ film’s opening scene features Richard Strauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra, a very dramatic beginning to introduce an 11.5-inch doll! You might also recognise the tune from the ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szdziw4tI9o

Throughout the ‘Oppenheimer’ soundtrack, the sound of strings can be heard often, which was a request from the film director Christopher Nolan, who wanted the violin in particular to feature to fit with the high emotions of pain, grief and drama.

Listen out for these features if you’re going to see one!

We’re feeling a little chilly in the office today (where has the sun gone?!) so have been listening to some summer themed music to warm us up and remind us it’s only July! https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/mood/summer/best-classical-music-for-summertime/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

24/07/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 17th July 2023

17th July 2023 Music for Everyone

Thank you for all your contributions to the Founder’s Artistic Development Fund and a gift for Angela Kay. The amounts raised were presented to Angela at Belton House this yesterday ahead of the Nottingham Chamber Singer’s performance.

We are happy to announce that the total amount raised so far for the Founder’s Fund is an incredible £11,591.25!

If you would like to donate, all the information can be found on this page: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/founders-fund/

Music for Everyone members and friends also collected £2,257.26 as a gift for Angela, thanking her for all her hard work over the years.

The presentation also included a guest book, signed by performers and audience members of the 40^th Celebration concerts earlier in July.

Sadly, due to the rain an outdoor concert wasn’t to be.

The singers still had a chance to enjoy the courtyard during the presentation before escaping the wet weather and preparing for their performances.

The concerts themselves took place in The Saloon – a grand room on the ground floor of the house where music has been performed since 1688!

Last week we also had two fantastic concerts from our Daytime Orchestras. Thank you as always to Josh for a wonderful concert!

Did you catch the first night of the proms? The programme included Sibelius’ Finlandia, which will also be included in our upcoming summer school programme too!

There’s still time to sign up by following the link below or calling the office: Course: Summer School 2023 (music-for-everyone.org)

We also have places for a special saxophone ensemble workshop on Monday 7th August at our Summer School.

Please follow the link for more details and booking info: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/saxophone-ensemble-workshop/

Google’s new game turns you into a cello-playing AI bird and it’s highly addictive. Have a go: www.classicfm.com/music-news/google-cello-ai-bird-game/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

17/07/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

See: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/belton-house

#MfEMonday – 10th July 2023

10th July 202310th July 2023 Music for Everyone

You might have thought the 40th celebration weekend ended the season, but no! The next MfE event is this coming Sunday, 16 July 2023, in the stunningly beautiful setting of Belton House, just north of Grantham, with two performances by the Nottingham Chamber Singers: 1.30pm and 3.00pm.

Each 45 minute programme will be light and varied – from madrigals to the Beatles! The location of the two performances is weather dependant, but both indoor and outdoor options have been arranged.

So why not have a day out and enjoy Belton’s wonderful and extensive gardens and grounds? Take a picnic or buy lunch there, have a go in the adventure playground (a favourite with children), spot the location of various scenes from the BBC’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and enjoy the music!

Fine weather locations:

1.30pm in the Courtyard where you’ll find shops and the Stables Cafe – grab lunch, a drink or an ice cream and enjoy the singing.

3.00pm on the REAR steps of the house itself, overlooking the beautiful garden. You’ll find a few deckchairs there and grass to sit on, or you might even get lucky and claim one of the hidden benches – look in the low hedging!

Wet weather locations: at either 1.30pm and or 3.00pm

The Saloon – a grand room on the ground floor of the house. Enter via the front door. While we hope it will be a sunny day, it would be quite something for choir and audience to gather in the room where music has been performed since 1688!

Belton belongs to the National Trust. Parking and entry is free to members showing their cards. Otherwise, tickets can be bought in advance or in the entry kiosk.

Belton House | Lincolnshire

National Trust’s Belton House, Lincolnshire, is a country estate with formal Italian and Dutch gardens, and historic deer park.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

See you there!

There are still places left on our Summer School this August (7th – 9th at Trent College) and we also have a special saxophone ensemble workshop on Monday 7th August with Naomi Sullivan for any sax players who would like to take part.

Please follow the link for more details and booking info: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/saxophone-ensemble-workshop/

Saxophone Ensemble Workshop

With Naomi Sullivan

www.music-for-everyone.org

Come along and support the Daytime Orchestras in their free concerts this week!
- Loughborough: Tuesday 11^th July – 11.30am
- All Saints Church, Steeple Row, Loughborough LE11 1UX

- Nottingham: Thursday 13th July – 11.30am
- St Martin’s Church, Trevose Gardens, Sherwood NG5 3FU

If you’ve been getting into Wimbledon fever, check out these 10 links between tennis and classical music!

https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/tennis-and-classical-music/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

10/07/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 4th July 2023

5th July 2023 Music for Everyone

Everyone at Music for Everyone is still on a high from this weekend’s magnificent 40th anniversary celebrations!

Nearly 1000 people descended on the Albert Hall to celebrate 40 years of music making, recounting many highs from the last four decades and looking forward to the next four.

On Saturday, we celebrated our youth programme, with hundreds of young people taking part in an impressive concert.

Earlier in the day, celebrated folk violinist and MfE alumnus Sam Sweeney led a workshop with our youth string players, the fruits of which raised the roof in the afternoon concert.

Also featured were our Youth Bands, Vocals choir, Strictly Strings training orchestra, and a wonderful line up of ‘big kids’ — alumni youth participants who returned as adult players to share in the day.

On Sunday, members of our Daytime Voices choirs, the Nottingham Chamber Singers, Nottingham and Loughborough Daytime Orchestras, Nottingham Concert Orchestra, Big Band and Flute Choir, were amassed to give a triumphant concert featuring excerpts from favoured programmes from the last 40 years.

This included works by Brahms, Handel, Freddie Mercury and, excitingly, the world premiere of a new fanfare by composer Libby Croad.

Sunday’s concert was rounded off with a performance of the Hallelujah Chorus, conducted by our incoming artistic director Alex Robinson.

We proceeded to finish this fantastic weekend with celebratory tea and cake, after a special moment on stage with Angela Kay.

Thank you and well done to everyone who participated and made the weekend so extremely special!

Did you see our Exhibition this weekend? Showcasing Music for Everyone’s history over the past four decades, it was great to see so many wonderful memories.
Thank you to Minder and everyone who helped make such a special display.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

04/07/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSz6vkyQ-6Q&list=PLQAO4RYdubNoXXOvRnTeoiZsBIimxhTaY&index=2

#MfEMonday – 26th June 2023

26th June 2023 Music for Everyone

Good morning!

Unless you’ve been up in space for the last 6 months, you’ll know that this week is a very big week for Music for Everyone with our celebration weekend now just 5 days away!

As a warmup to the weekend, all of this week you can catch our brilliant Daytime Voices Groups in action at their informal end of term concerts. This is a great chance to bring along family, friends or people who might be looking for a choir to join in September…

The dates, times and locations are as follows (tea and cake for 30mins, followed by short concert FREE, with donations for cakes). Please do come and support your local group:

Monday:

Hucknall DTV – 11.15 at the John Godber Centre Ogle Street

& Southwell DTV – 3pm at Southwell Methodist Church

Tuesday:

West Bridgford DTV – 3pm at West Bridgford Baptist Church

Wednesday:

Wollaton DTV – 3.15pm at St Leonard’s Community Centre, Wollaton

Thursday:

Sherwood DTV – 3pm at Sherwood Methodist Church

We can’t wait to see you on Saturday for ‘Spotlight on Youth’ where we will be showcasing the talent of our youth groups, along with our alumni and special star guest and folk fiddle player Sam Sweeney – book your tickets here to be part of this fun afternoon and to support the next generation of MfE.

Then on Sunday our adult choirs and orchestras will be coming together with over 300 performers to celebrate in style. We have a brand new 40^th anniversary fanfare commissioned specially by MfE to Nottinghamshire composer Libby Croad, along with well-known favourites by Brahms, Orff, Rutter, Elgar, Rodgers and Hammerstein and even…Queen! The Sunday Jazz and flute groups will be warming us up before the concert and tickets are available here. It promises to be a fantastic weekend and will be a chance for us to formally thank Angela Kay for a spectacular 40 years, whilst welcoming Alex Robinson, who has recently been appointed as Music for Everyone’s Artistic Director, starting from 1^st September. Alex is an experienced conductor and harpsichordist, and you can read more about him here https://alexrobinsonconductor.co.uk/biography

As the countdown to our Celebration Weekend continues MfE Founder, Angela Kay and MfE Chair, John Hess have been hitting the airways!.

When Angela went along to watch the Women’s Ashes match at Trent Bridge on Friday she didn’t expect to receive an invite to appear as the guest on the BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Test Match Special afternoon ‘tea break’ spot. But word had got out to the TMS team that Angela was in the crowd, that she was a keen cricket fan and that the 40^th Anniversary of the charity she founded in 1983 was coming up. They wanted to know more and so an interview was arranged with their top presenter, Alison Mitchell which proved to be both informative and entertaining. It really is worth a listen, just click here.

John Hess was also invited to go along to Notts TV to be interviewed in their Friday evening ‘Great Local’ spot. Click here to go straight to the programme. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qNDKQcTazk&list=PLQAO4RYdubNoXXOvRnTeoiZsBIimxhTaY&index=1

So if you haven’t bought your tickets yet do come along and be part of the action!

Next week a bumper edition of MfEMondays will be appearing in your email box a little later than usual. This is to give everyone time to prepare a special Bumper Edition with lots of pictures and reports on our Celebration weekend.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

26/06/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 19th June 2023

19th June 2023 Music for Everyone

What a lovely day of music making we had on Saturday at the June ‘Blow the Dust off your Instrument’ day! 120 players took cover from the heat in Nottingham’s Albert Hall for a fabulous day of Elgar, Leroy Anderson and Queen!

12 DAYS TO GO!

The countdown has begun to the big BIRTHDAY WEEKEND! We’re so excited to welcome so many singers and players (over 400 performers!) to the 2 days to help us celebrate.

As well as the 2 concerts (Spotlight on Youth on Saturday 1^st July and A Musical Celebration on Sunday 2^nd July) here is what else will be on offer…

Video messages from Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Brian Kay, John Rutter and more!
MfE’s new world drumming ensemble will be playing in the Osborne Suite before the concert on 1^st July and Sunday Afternoon Big Band and Flute Choir will be playing in the Osborne Suite before the concert on 2^nd July.
There will be an exhibition taking you back through the decades, including photos, letters and the famous MfE pencil!

We’d love to see as many as possible in the audience, so do encourage family and friends to come along to watch and support on both days, details below.

Saturday 1^st July, 3.30pm ‘Spotlight on Youth’

Ticket prices: £10 for adults, £5 for children/students

Link to book tickets: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/a-musical-celebration-spotlight-on-youth/

We are beyond excited to be welcoming one of Britain’s finest folk-fiddle players of the moment, and MfE youth alumnus Sam Sweeney to headline this concert.

Sam will be performing one of his own numbers from his recent album ‘Escape this’ as well as joining the combined strings and voices of MfE’s youth ensembles for a special arrangement and world premiere of a local Nottinghamshire folk-song about… watercress!!!

The event will also feature music from our talented bands, strings and singers and there will be something for everyone to inspire the next generation of Nottingham born and bred music-makers.

Sunday 2^nd July, 3.30pm ‘A Musical Celebration’

Ticket prices: £15 for adults, £7.50 for children/students, includes souvenir programme and birthday cake!

Link to book tickets: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/a-musical-celebration-concert/

Bringing together over 300 performers from Daytime Voices, Orchestras, the Nottingham Festival Chorus, Chamber Singers and Concert Orchestra and opening with a brand new fanfare commission by Libby Croad ‘Hail, Bright Cecilia!’ the concert also includes ‘O Fortuna’ from Orff’s Carmina Burana, ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from Handel’s Messiah and more!

Other things that are turning 40 this year!

Microsoft Word (the very first version 1.0) was launched in 1983!
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi was released
‘Red Red Wine’ by UB40: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXt56MB-3vc

The Sunday Afternoon Big Band, Flute Choir and members of the youth bands enjoyed a jazz workshop with celebrated jazz musician Tony Kofi yesterday – learning new techniques and getting to grips with improv! Well done all who took part!

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

19/06/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 12th June 2023

12th June 2023 Music for Everyone

Yesterday, singers young and ‘less young’ gathered at The Grange, Radcliffe for our Family Sing day.

On a hot, sunny day, the singers were able to cool off with songs from Kool and the Gang (see what we did there?!) and dip their toes in the water with Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid.

They were transported to the Caribbean with a special performance from our new Steel Pan group supported by Music Leader Nicola Coker and her band Pure Steel, and were even able to have a go themselves!

It’s not too late to book for Blow the Dust this coming Sunday. We are particularly keen to hear from violas, bassoons and brass. Music can be emailed to you in advance, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to take part in this fun and relaxed playing day. To book, click here.

Here’s our latest brochure with details of everything happening from April – August. Click on the picture below to read through the brochure.

Please also share this link far and wide!

You know by now how much we love a playlist in the MfE office, so now that the Summer has finally arrived, here are 15 pieces of summery classical music to enjoy in the garden with a G&T.

Fun Fact: The oldest instrument is 50,000 years old. The earliest indications of humans wearing underwear date from 20,000 years ago. So, for approximately 40,000 we had music but no pants!

Read the full story here.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

12/06/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 5th June 2023

5th June 2023 Music for Everyone

We hope you have been enjoying the sunshine recently! It is a busy time for us all at MfE, as we gear up for an exciting summer of concerts, courses and workshops.

Don’t forget to book for the FAMILY SING, which is happening this Sunday 11 June from 2.00pm to 5.00pm at The Grange in Radcliffe on Trent. The whole family is invited to take part. It promises to be an uplifting experience, open to all keen singers aged 5+ (children must be accompanied by an adult). You will be singing favourites like ‘Celebration’ by Kool and the Gang and ‘Under the Sea’ from the Little Mermaid.

Special guests Pure Steel and our new Steel Pan ensemble will also be performing on the day. There will be an opportunity to ‘have a go’ at playing steel pan.

Full details and booking link here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/family-sing-workshop/

NEW PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR – We are pleased to announce the appointment of Minder Kaur Athwal as our new Project Co-ordinator, supporting the 40^th Anniversary season. Minder is helping the team to deliver the 1^st and 2^nd July celebration events, as well as collating the exhibition for the Albert Hall. We would like to thank Arts Council England for enabling this appointment and we welcome Minder on board.

BLOW THE DUST OFF YOUR INSTRUMENT is on Saturday 17 June – places are still available and we particularly welcome applications from bassoon, viola and brass players. Items include Edward Elgar’s rousing Imperial March Op.32 and Queen’s iconic rock anthem We are the Champions. Find out full details and book online here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/blow-the-dust-off-your-instrument-3/ or contact the office on 0115 9589312.

TONY KOFI will be leading a special workshop with the Sunday Afternoon Music group, for those who wish to attend. Tony is a jazz multi-instrumentalist born of Ghanaian parents, player of Alto, Baritone, Soprano, Tenor saxophones and flute. This closed workshop has been made possible through Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants.

SUMMER SCHOOL – Monday 7^th to Wednesday 9^th August at Trent College, Long Eaton. Three days of shared music making with workshops for intermediate and advanced musicians aged 16+.

A MUSICAL CELEBRATION – 40^th Anniversary Weekend 1 – 2 July 2023. Come and be part of Music for Everyone’s 40^th birthday celebrations. Youth groups and invited alumni will perform on 1^st July at 3.30pm. The combined Daytime Voices, Daytime Orchestras, Festival Chorus and Concert Orchestra will perform on Sunday 2^nd July at 3.30pm at the Albert Hall

Book tickets for the concert now!

1^st July: Spotlight on Youth https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/a-musical-celebration-spotlight-on-youth/

2^nd July: Musical Celebration https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/a-musical-celebration-concert/

Have a go at this fun quiz! https://www.classicfm.com/lifestyle/quizzes/answer-only-music-notes/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

05/06/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

What are you waiting for?? Click here to book.

#MfEMonday – 22nd May 2023

22nd May 2023 Music for Everyone

Thanks to the Nottingham Chamber Singers for an exquisite concert on Saturday evening.

They were joined by strings from the Nottingham Classical Players in a programme of great contrast and beauty under the baton of Angela Kay. There were moments of great intensity, inventiveness, contemplation, and lyricism. Congratulations to all involved!

We are getting excited about the Family Sing afternoon on 11^th June (2-5pm) – a brilliant opportunity for families to enjoy making music together! Taking place at The Grange in Radcliffe-on-Trent this event is for children age 5+ with their mums, dads, grandparents, carers, aunts and uncles and friends too. No preparation is needed, just bring along your best singing voices!

Places are still available for all instruments on our Blow the Dust off you Instrument Day at the Albert Hall on 17 June. We particularly welcome applications from bassoon, brass and viola players.

For more information, click here.

To enrol for Blow the Dust, click here.

Do you know a young person looking for their own cornet?

We have a lovely instrument that has been donated and we would love to find a home for it.

Please get in touch if you can help.

Email: admin@music-for-everyone.org or call 0115 958 9312.

Djanogly Community Orchestra is looking for a trombone player to join them for their next concert on 15 July, ideally also available to attend rehearsals on Monday evenings. If you are interested, please contact: membership@djanoglycommunityorchestra.co.uk
Can you answer these GCSE Music questions?! Find out if you would pass first time…https://www.classicfm.com/lifestyle/quizzes/gcse-music-questions-pass-exam/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

22/05/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF