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 motivational moments for your Mondays! We are aiming to send out something new each week.

#MfEMonday – 10th October 2022

10th October 2022 Music for Everyone

The Music for Everyone family would like to thank Robin Reece-Crawford for his contributions to the organisation over many years, as he has decided to leave his current role as Senior Adult Co-ordinator. Robin’s first involvement was as part of the first choral event (Verdi Requiem) in July 1983. He enjoyed singing in the East of England Chamber Choir for years and became a member of the core staff team over eight years ago. Robin has worked in various capacities within the charity and will be missed. Although he is stepping away from his current role he is looking forward to continuing to sing at festival choir events. Well done for organising a hugely successful event on Saturday with Brian Kay, which was a sell-out. We wish you all the best in your next chapter Robin!

Jen Adams has been volunteering with Music for Everyone for fifteen years. She has supported the organisation as choral librarian, she has catalogued all our music, doing a wonderful job. Jen has been singing with us for many years and will continue to sing. We look forward to seeing her at future events and would like to say a big thank you!

Both Robin and Jen were thanked formally at a presentation on Saturday at the NUT Clifton Campus in the middle of the Brian Kay event. We wish you the very best for your future endeavours.

What a fabulous way to spend a Saturday. Singers enjoyed a stimulating day of choral music with former King Singer, Brian Kay including works by Chilcott, Dyson and Vaughan Williams.

Instruments looking for a new home – do you know anyone who might like this clarinet or cello? For further details please contact su@music-for-everyone.org

Today is ‘World Mental Health Day’ so we thought it would be a good opportunity to shine a spotlight on the many ways that music can benefit our mental health and wellbeing. It has been found to reduce stress, manage pain, help us to sleep better, improve our motivation, enhance our mood and help reduce symptoms of depression.

According to the charity Mind, researchers found that music releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical in your brain. It also found that this feel-good chemical goes up 9% when listening to music you enjoy. Powerful stuff.

Music-making exercises the brain as well as the body, but singing is particularly beneficial. Here are some of the reasons that singing in a group is particularly good for our wellbeing:

Increases confidence and promotes creativity
Builds community and a sense of belonging
Combats anxiety and is a natural antidepressant
Strengthens immunity and cuts down on illness
Produces endorphins and makes you feel energised
Reduces stress and helps you sleep better
Teaches posture, improves breathing and gives your body a workout
Boosts circulation an can help you live longer
Improves morale and fosters a sense of achievement

No wonder then that social singing is now being prescribed by doctors! We totally approve so let’s get everyone singing!!

The insanely talented singer/songwriter Jacob Collier got his audience singing in 3 part harmony at a recent gig and the effect is spine-tingling: https://youtu.be/3KsF309XpJo

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

10/10/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/classical-music-for-exercise-workout/

#MfEMonday – 3rd October 2022

3rd October 2022 Music for Everyone

We are really looking forward to welcoming Brian Kay back to conduct our Nottingham Festival Chorus workshop this Saturday. There are only a few spaces left for this marvellous opportunity to explore Bob Chilcott’s Dances of Time, George Dyson’s Three Songs of Praise and Vaughan Williams’ Linden Lea.

For more details click here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/autumn-singing-workshop-day/

Has this weekend’s marathon coverage inspired you to get active? If, like me, you’re a lifelong gym-avoider, perhaps these tunes chosen by ClassicFM will be the motivation you need to get moving!

And if high-octane cardio is not your thing, how about a bit of Erik Satie while you practice your downward dog, or some gentle stretches to one of Chopin’s Nocturnes?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NDyhOCetQg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p29JUpsOSTE

Research has shown that ‘Gonna Fly Now’ – the theme from Rocky – has proven to be a popular choice when exercising and helps motivate runners! Our young Bandwise and Stringwise players will be performing a special arrangement of this tune in the next Big Youth Music Experience concert in November! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioE_O7Lm0I4

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

03/10/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 12th September 2022

12th September 2022 Music for Everyone

A message from John Hess, Chair of MfE Trustees:

MfE Founder, Angela Kay, the trustees and staff of “Music for Everyone” would like to extend our sincere condolences to the King and Queen Consort and the entire Royal Family, for their personal loss. We are deeply saddened at the news of The Queen’s death, and we join the nation in mourning Her Majesty’s passing and also in celebrating her remarkable life of service and duty.

After wide consultation and in line with official guidance, we intend to go ahead with our singing and music group activities next week and throughout the national mourning period.

However, there will be a minute’s silence of reflection at the start of each session, and MfE groups and activities on the day of The Queen’s funeral will be cancelled. The MfE office will also be closed.

On behalf of the MfE family, we offer the Royal Family our heartfelt condolences and share with them our grief at their loss.

As John has already mentioned, all regular groups will be starting rehearsals again this week, except for Loughborough Daytime Orchestra as All Saints Church is open to the public for quiet reflection this week.

The youth members met yesterday for an Activity Day to welcome everyone back to the new term, here are some pictures of our day, with rehearsals followed by a tram journey and Adventure Golf at Highfields Park!

Your friends at MfE.

12/09/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

Music for Everyone | Independent educational charity with over thirty years’ experience in devising and running innovative music participation events across Nottingham and the East Midlands. (music-for-everyone.org)

MfE welcomes new Director

7th September 2022 Music for Everyone

PRESS RELEASE

Nottingham-based “Music for Everyone” (MfE) is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Director, Donna Fox.

MfE is one of largest and most dynamic music charities in the Midlands, with thousands of children and adults taking part in its concerts and workshops each year.

Donna starts her new role next month (September) after MfE founder Angela Kay MBE decided to step down as Artistic Director and concentrate on conducting and artistic programming. We are very pleased that Angela will continue as Creative Advisor.

Donna and Angela will work together to bring about a successful concert series to mark MfE’s 40th anniversary season, which begins in Nottingham next month, September.

Donna Fox is no stranger to senior management in the arts and cultural sector in Nottingham and across the East Midlands. Her former roles include Chief Executive of City Arts Nottingham, Head of Arts and Events for Derby City Council, Arts Manager for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Manager of York Arts Academy and more recently Chief Executive of EMCCAN. Donna has a vast range of experience spanning music, dance, carnival and outdoor arts. She has successfully led teams of staff and many volunteers, artists and creative producers to deliver a range of community projects.

Said Angela Kay, “I know Donna will bring passion, energy and vision to her new role as Director of Music for Everyone. I am very much looking forward to working with her in the further development of MfE’s mission – to create high quality, exciting music making opportunities for everyone”.

Donna added: ” I am really looking forward to working with Music for Everyone. I already feel part of the family and I haven’t fully started yet! I realise this may be a big change for MfE, but I know I can bring my past experience and strategic overview to support and develop the organisation moving forward. I want to build on the incredible achievements of Angela Kay MBE … some big shoes to fill, I must say! I hope to support MfE to take a leap into the next chapter so that we can continue to offer life-changing opportunities to everyone who engages with music”.

The chair of MfE Trustees, John Hess said:” Music for Everyone and Angela Kay have played a hugely significant role in the musical and creative life of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. As we approach MfE’s special 40th anniversary season, the trustees are delighted that Donna is joining us to build on Angela’s achievements in bringing the joy of music making to thousands of people locally.”

For more details: contact Su Evans, MfE’s General Manager on 0115 958 9312 or Donna Fox on 07900 083839

#MfEMonday – 5th September 2022

5th September 2022 Music for Everyone

Last Saturday over 30 recorder players took part in a wonderful playing day at Wollaton Hall. The day culminated in an informal outdoor performance in the courtyard – a real treat for visitors and players alike.

We are really looking forward to seeing you all back at the regular rehearsing groups that start back again next week. We are particularly excited to welcome new singers to our first Hucknall Daytime Voices rehearsal on Monday 12 September at the John Godber Centre. All dates, venues, timings and fees can all be found on our website here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/whats-on/adult-music/

Many people associate the recorder with memories of playing London’s Burning in a primary school classroom, but there is so much more to the humble recorder than meets the eye:

We are all familiar with the standard soprano, descant, treble, tenor and bass recorders, but did you know that the recorder family is even bigger: ranging from the Garklein recorder at only 16 cm long, to the Subcontrabass recorder at around 3 meters! The largest fully functioning recorder ever made was as tall as a giraffe! At 16 feet (5 metres), it has holes about 3.3 inches (8.5 centimetres) wide and is so large that despite being fully functional, it would be almost impossible to play correctly!
A recorder orchestra is a sight to behold due to the number of instruments needed. If you were going to put together a strict recorder orchestra, you would need at least 60 individual musicians and each of them would have to carry and play at least 9 different recorders, all different sizes, interchangeably. That’s at least 540 individual instruments!
Soldiers in the RAF who were held prisoner by the Germans during WW2 were given recorders to play to ease their time in prisoner of war camps.
Recorders ‘rock’! Paul McCartney integrated the recorder’s sound into a few of his solo works, but more notably, into the Beatles’ “Fool On The Hill”. Besides that, the recorder also features in the music of David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, and Lou Reed. Though plenty of rock stars used the instrument, not all of them were proud of it. Allegedly, Jimi Hendrix was so embarrassed to have played a recorder on “If 6 Was 9” that he asked for it to be listed as a flute on the album credits!

Free to a good home!
– 1 sheet music cabinet, 5 drawers. 75cm high 47cm wide.
– 1 piano stool. Adjustable, black padded seat.

Contact Liz Price at liz@air-receivers.co.uk or phone 07970789677

The CBSO Youth Orchestra is reopening auditions for our 22-3 Season in order to recruit more violins, violas, cellos, basses, horns, bassoons, percussion/timpani, and piano/celeste players. Register your interest to apply here:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9jqdVJI8zEG0hWyfYmdxp2Hs2Jep8tlBtMQZJDgdM15UQ0NIU083OEdWWkVIQURYT1ZHVTZNVlFPRS4u

The course dates are below and further information about the Youth Orchestra can be found on our website https://cbso.co.uk/take-part/young-people/youth-orchestra

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

05/09/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 15th August 2022

15th August 2022 Music for Everyone

We had a great 3 days of music making at Summer School last week. You can find out what we got up and see pictures of the sessions and amazing guests we had on our blog page, there is a post for each day of Summer School: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/about-us/blog/

Announcing 2022/23 dates!

Details of courses, workshops and concerts are now available on our website for the 40^th Anniversary season. Information for regular groups (Daytime groups, etc) will follow soon including advance booking.

Website homepage with upcoming events in the Autumn: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/
Adult workshops & courses for 22/23: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/forms/
Youth workshops & courses for 22/23: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/workshops-and-courses/
Concerts in 22/23: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/whats-on/concerts/

The rain has finally arrived, bringing some much needed freshness to the air after the most recent heatwave. We decided to look at music inspired by rain, hoping a rain-dance would open the heavens sooner than expected!

Chopin’s Prelude Op.28 (‘Raindrop’) with it’s repetitive pulse through the texture is thought to sound like raindrops. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVau-JRGirg

An appropriately named piece The Welcome Arrival of Rain by Judith Weir, inspired by verse from the Hindu text ‘Bhagavata Purana’ – catching the sense of sudden rain and the renewal and growth that follows. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU4PBYjDtkw

And something a little different to finish, here is a choir making the sounds of a rain storm using their hands and feet, impressive! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29qaN0M0o0s

We’ve all heard music that has been described as ‘out of this world’… well here is something that was produced from out of this world! NASA have released a soundscape of the Butterfly Nebula, created from data taken from images – sounding strangely dreamlike! https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/videos/nasa-sound-butterfly-nebula/

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

15/08/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF