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 – 16th September 2024

16th September 2024 Music for Everyone

Last Monday, MfE supporters and volunteers gathered at the Djanogly Recital Hall, University of Nottingham for a wonderful evening of entertainment. 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.

The evening featured a captivating recital of works by Kreisler, performed by Tamaki Higashi, conductor of our East Midlands Youth String Orchestra (EMYSO), alongside a delightful performance by a quartet of our talented young string players. MfE volunteer Karen Neil delivered an inspiring talk on the profound benefits of the arts, particularly music, on mental health and well-being. Drawing on her experience with national research in this area, Karen spoke passionately about the positive impact she has witnessed through her involvement in Music for Everyone’s youth programme. Additionally, Mary Stokes, in conversation with John Hess, reflected on her experience as a volunteer and how much it has meant to her to be part of the organisation.

Our Supporters’ Scheme generates vital funds that ensure MfE’s continued success. Supporters not only help to secure MfE’s future but also enjoy a range of exclusive benefits throughout the year. If you are interested in becoming a supporter or exploring volunteering opportunities, please visit the “Support Us” page on our website to learn more.

Thank you once again to all who attended and continue to support MfE – we couldn’t do it without you!

MfE Roll of Honour

At the Supporters’ Event, we were pleased to announce the new MfE Roll of Honour, created to recognise individuals who have made exceptional contributions to our organisation. To learn more and see the full list of honourees, please visit the Roll of Honour page on our website.

Nottingham Chamber Singers – Loyalty Discount Ticket Scheme

Many of you might know that our chamber choir, the Nottingham Chamber Singers, are celebrating their 40th Anniversary this coming season. To say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported them over many years, they are running a special Loyalty Discount Ticket scheme. To find out how you can purchase these special tickets please click here

Last Saturday, over 40 recorder players gathered at Nottingham Trent University for our Recorder Consort Day lead by expert tutor, Chris McDouall. Attendees enjoyed the chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new people with shared interests, and enjoy the opportunity to play beautiful and fun music together. The engaging full sessions with Chris, paired with the advanced small-group ensembles, provided both challenge and enjoyment. The day concluded with a delightful informal ‘sharing’ concert – the perfect finale to a memorable event!

With the success of the recorder day, this makes us think of viral video by musician Miguel Lawrence, whose videos feature him playing incredibly impressive recorder covers of classical favourites in his car. See the videos here.

Attached are details of a remembrance concert by the Cranmer Company of Singers and Chamber Orchestra at Bottesford Parish Church on 09 November. The concert is raising funds for the Royal British Legion and will feature soprano soloist and MfE music leader, Sarah Trevers

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

16/09/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 9th September 2024

9th September 2024 Music for Everyone

Nottingham’s Concert Hall and Albert Hall both hosted BBC Proms over the weekend, with a programme entitled ‘Music of Sherwood Forest’ at the Concert Hall and a showcase by recent winners of the BBC Young Composer competition at the Albert Hall. In the build up to the event, Alex was invited to talk about what this means for Nottingham on BBC Radio Nottingham last week. Listen to his interview on YouTube here: Alex on BBC Radio Nottingham – 05/09/2024 (youtube.com)

As we begin the Autumn term, we are looking forward to the first youth event in November! BANDWISE and STRINGWISE workshop days will take place at South Nottinghamshire Academy in Radcliffe on Trent on 9^th & 10^th November respectively, followed by a joint concert at Nottingham’s Albert Hall on Sunday 17^th November.

Booking is open to all young instrumentalists now:

Bandwise: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/byme-bandwise-nov24/

Stringwise: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/byme-stringwise-nov24/

With the proms in full swing across Nottingham this weekend, here are a few of the more ‘unusual’ moments throughout the proms history:

In 1912, Arnold Schoenberg premiered a new composition called Five Orchestral Pieces at a Prom at the Queen’s Hall. Unfortunately, even with a forewarning that this would be ‘difficult listening’, it was not to everyone’s taste and was met largely with laughter and hissing!
At the Last Night of the Proms in 1995, ‘Panic’ ensued with a bizarre piece of music that included a rogue saxophonist wandering around the hall ‘bellowing like a bull’. This was all intentional, although not appreciated by the audience, in a Proms commission by Sir Harrison Birtwistle. He “thought it was fun”, but the audience were expecting the traditional crowd-pleasers to round off the Proms series and it ultimately led to a flood of complaints.
In a move from the norm, an orchestra in 2015 played an entire symphony from memory while standing up! There were no music stands, no sheet music and no seats.

Many of you might know that our chamber choir, the Nottingham Chamber Singers are celebrating their 40^th Anniversary this coming season. To say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported them over many years they are running a special Loyalty Discount Ticket scheme. To find out more please click here: https://nottinghamchambersingers.org/contact/

Ilkeston Brass are currently looking for a new MD and advertising positions for new cornet players to join. See the attached sheet for more details

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

09/09/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 2nd September 2024

2nd September 2024 Music for Everyone

We are excited to welcome you back to our regular groups in the coming weeks! Here are the start dates for all groups:

Wednesday, 4 September: Nottingham Chamber Singers
Thursday, 12 September: Nottingham Youth Band
Sunday, 15 September: Flute Choir and Big Band
Week of 16 September: Daytime Voices, Lunchtime Voices, and Open Voices
Week of 23 September: Daytime Orchestras
Sunday, 29 September: East Midlands Youth String Orchestra, East Midlands Youth Band and Strictly Strings

For more information on dates, venues, and prices, click here. To register online, please click here.

Note: Music for Everyone offers a subsidised scheme for all groups and courses. This scheme is available to anyone who needs it and is considered on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our office at admin@music-for-everyone.org or call 0115 958 9312.

King Charles has appointed composer Errollyn Wallen as the new ‘Master of the King’s Music.’ Born in Belize, Wallen moved to the UK at the age of two. She is a celebrated composer, pianist, and singer-songwriter who studied music and composition at Goldsmiths, King’s College London, and King’s College Cambridge. Her work includes 22 operas and a range of compositions including orchestral, vocal and chamber music. Errolyn joins an illustrious list of musicians to hold the position of Master of the King’s Music dating back over 400 years to the Baroque period and the court of Charles I. During this era, similar positions were held by renowned musicians across Europe, including Lully and Rameau in the French court, and Handel, who was appointed ‘Composer of Musick to the Chapel Royal’ in 1713.

The Nottingham Festival Chorus will perform works by these composers at their concert, In the King’s Company, on Sunday 06 October! It is still possible to join the NFC for the workshop and concert.

Please click here for more details. Tickets for the concert are also available here.

Who knows, perhaps in 400 years, the Nottingham Festival Chorus will be performing a historical concert of Errollyn Wallen’s music!

Charnwood Voices are looking for new members! Why not join them for their first rehearsal on 4 September at Belton Village Hall and experience what they have to offer? See the attached flyer for more details.
Lyrical SoNGbirds are looking for a new Musical Director. If you or someone you know is interested, please see the attached flyer for more details.
Contemporary Music for All (CoMA): Registration is now open for the CoMA weekend in Yorkshire on 26-27 October. Don’t miss this inspiring and lively event in the heart of historic York. With activities ranging from an Open to All Orchestra to workshops on contemporary voice and open score composition, there’s something for everyone. Click here for all the details. To learn more about CoMA music, ensembles, and events, visit www.coma.org.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

02/09/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 19th August 2024

19th August 202419th August 2024 Music for Everyone

Preparations are well underway for the new season at MfE! We’ve told you all about the upcoming courses and workshops for the Autumn term, here is a bit more information about the beginning of our concert series in October.

The NOTTINGHAM FESTIVAL CHORUS are performing an afternoon concert on Sunday 6^th October at St John’s Beeston Parish Church.

In the King’s Company features scrumptious choruses from Handel’s Acis and Galatea and Rameau’s Castor et Pollux. You’ll get a thorough dose of royal pomp and majesty with more music from Lully and Purcell, tickets are online now! https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/in-the-kings-company/

NOTTINGHAM CHAMBER SINGERS launch their 40^th anniversary season on Saturday 12^th October at St John’s Church, Carrington with a programme titled Come, Comfort of the World: Songs of Hope and Consolation.

A concert bringing the vitality and expressive detailing of a chamber choir performance to the presentation of works of hope and consolation, with Bach’s intimate Komm, Jesu, Komm and Reger’s beautiful motet The Hermit and Brahms’ well-loved Requiem, an evening not to be missed! Tickets online here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/ncs-concert/

NCS have an exciting programme of events planned for this coming season to celebrate their 40^th anniversary, see brochure for full details.

ATTENTION HISTORY BUFFS!!!

We’re pleased to attach details of a research project event at Worksop Priory later this month, entitled ‘Medieval Worship and the Cult of St Cuthbert at Worksop: A Discovery Day and Night Liturgy’.

Highlights include:

An early morning, candlelit Matins service for St Cuthbert, as it might have been known at Worksop some 700 years ago
A rare performance of what is arguably the oldest surviving English music: a set of chants in honour of St Cuthbert, composed around 930 AD for King Athelstan
Family activities inspired by the local illuminated manuscript treasure, the Tickhill Psalter, once used in connection with Worksop’s daily offices and now held in New York
History talks on medieval Office liturgy, the cult of St Cuthbert, and the historical value of attempting an enactment of this sort

Events run over the weekend of 31 August and 1 September 2024. All are most welcome to attend at any point. We are particularly keen to encourage participation in Sunday’s dawn liturgy and its rehearsal, which is open to all, regardless of experience.

The full schedule is as follows:

Saturday 31 August

10am Tea and Coffee (Church)

10.30am– Family activities (Church)

11am History talks (Gatehouse*) *no step-free access

The Office in Medieval Parish Churches – Paul Barnwell (University of Oxford)
Cuthbert, Durham, Worksop – Charlie Rozier (University of East Anglia)

12.30pm Lunch (Church)

1.30pm Introduction to act of worship (Church)

Cuthbert and the Night: Bringing a Forgotten History to Life – Henry Parkes (University of Nottingham)

2pm–5pm Open rehearsal of night liturgy (Church)

Sunday 1 September

5am Night Liturgy for the Translation of St Cuthbert

followed by a parish breakfast

A limited amount of free parking is available in front of the church, and there is public car park very close by on Priorswell Road.

Send your questions to worksop.discovery.day@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

American musician Clejan shares his string-based adventures as The Trap Violinist on social media. During a recent performance by the side of a lake, he was met with a new, unexpected audience: an octet of music-loving turtles. See the video here: Violinist summons turtles from water with his virtuosic playing – Classic FM

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

19/08/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

Recorder Workshop Day – 14^{th September}

#MfEMonday – 12th August 2024

12th August 2024 Music for Everyone

We are all recovering from a marathon of music-making at our Summer School last week!

There was a great buzz of excitement at Trent College as we welcomed back Hilary Campbell to lead the singers, Keiron Anderson the wind band and our Artistic Director Alex Robinson to direct the orchestra and strings. Our guest artists included the talented folk-jazz fusion duo, Katie Foster and Ben Sayah who also delivered a workshop on improvisation with the string players (pushing quite a few of us out of our comfort zone!) and Heron Brass, a London-based quintet who entertained with a superb recital.

On the final day we were treated to a relaxing programme of piano classics by the wonderful Richard Cox, our Summer School accompanist.

As well as all the fantastic music-making, breaktimes were an excellent time to catch up with fellow musicians, drink bottomless tea and coffee and browse the Bookwise stall of second-hand books and sheet music which raised an epic £587 of sales over the three days!

Thank you so much to all the staff, conductors tutors and volunteers who made it happen – you are all AWESOME.

The biggest THANK YOU and WELL DONE to all the singers and instrumentalists who took part and worked so hard over the 3 days, your performances were incredible. Hope to see you at the next one!

If you can’t wait that long for your musical fix then take a look at our season brochure for opportunities coming up next season…Click here

Booking now open for the following:

Singing Workshop and Concert – 5^{th & 6th October}

Nottingham Chamber Singers Concert – 12^th October

Youth Music courses – Bandwise / Stringwise – 9th/10^th November & 17^th November

Have you been swept up in the sporting fever of the Olympics? If you’re suffering from OWS (Olympic Withdrawal Syndrome) then at least there isn’t long to wait until the Paralympics on 28th August!

Music has always played a huge role in the Olympics – take a look at the top musical moments that brought occasion and spectacle to the world’s biggest sporting stage:

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/top-classical-music-olympic-games/

Nottingham City Council is currently undertaking a public consultation around changes to the library service including closure of 4 libraries (Aspley, Basford, Bilborough, Radford-Lenton) and reduction of hours elsewhere plus cuts to other areas of spend.

If you would like to have a say in the future of the City library service please complete the survey via the following link: https://www.nottinghamcitylibraries.co.uk/shape-the-vision/

Please note this is relating to City libraries not County (Inspire)

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

12/08/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

MfE Summer School 2024 Day 3 – GO!

7th August 2024 Music for Everyone

The finish line was in sight as we entered the third and final day of the Paris-Olympic themed Summer School… Coffee was consumed (any guesses for how many cups of tea and coffee were made over the 3 days…?) and rehearsals began to put the finishing touches to the pieces chosen to perform in the Showcase concert.

The orchestra had a change of venue to the Obolensky building, where the instrumental concert and buffet would take place later on.

Participants were invited to have their lunch in the Chapel, as Summer School accompanist and wonderful pianist Richard Cox played a relaxing programme of piano classics that brought a calm moment in an otherwise busy, busy day.

The concert began in the Chapel for the first half to hear the singers perform a wide range of repertoire from Lili Boulanger to Marvin Gaye. Then it was over to the Obolensky, with a special performance by the double basses as people entered, to hear the orchestra, wind band, saxophone ensemble and string orchestra, finishing with a grand finale of full choir and orchestra for Zadok the Priest.

THANK YOUS
The biggest THANK YOU and WELL DONE to all the singers and instrumentalists who took part and worked so hard over the 3 days, your performances were incredible and it’s so wonderful for us to see the ones that return year after year and also the many new faces that appear! To the artistic team, Alex, Hilary, Keiron, Rachel and Richard (currently all sharing a bottle of wine with 5 straws…) thank you for all you do to lead and encourage the music-making; the tutors in each section that support the players – you’re amazing.

To the youth volunteers for helping and joining in in so many ways THANK YOU and of course, ‘Anne’s Dad’ (aka Geoff) for making sure the tea and coffee urns were always full! The MfE team who did a fantastic job throughout the 3 days, a special mention to Anne for all she does in organising, planning and running Summer School!

And that’s Summer School for another year! See you all very soon for more music-making!

MfE Summer School 2024 Day 2 – get set…

6th August 2024 Music for Everyone

Forget bronze, silver and gold, today was all about the brass at day 2 of Summer School 2024!

As has become tradition, the choir started their day outside with Hilary for some warm ups ahead of another full day of singing, exploring their wide repertoire from Zadok the Priest to Ain’t no mountain high enough…

Meanwhile, the wind band and string orchestra were hard at work with Alex and Keiron, from Firebird to Paris Sketches.

Breaktimes were also an excellent time to catch up with fellow musicians, drink bottomless tea and coffee and browse the Bookwise stall of second-hand books and sheet music. We have also been joined on all 3 days by the MfE gift shop and Windblowers!

The guest artists for today were Heron Brass, a London-based quintet, treating us to another wonderful lunchtime recital in the Chapel before working with the brass players in a special workshop.

Which leads us to here, the end of Day 2 – ready to leap/climb/dive in to the 3rd and final day tomorrow…

Here’s our day 2 round-up, see if you can spot the special appearance by Alex and Rachel…

MfE Summer School 2024 Day 1 – On your marks…

5th August 2024 Music for Everyone

Fortunately for us, there was no rain and no upside down flag at the Opening Ceremony for MfE’s Olympic themed 2024 Summer School today. We have once again returned to the picturesque setting of Trent College in Long Eaton, beginning with the traditional tea, coffee and pastries with a welcome from Chair of Trustees John and Summer School coordinator Robin.

Then it was off to rehearsals, we’re delighted to welcome back Hilary Campbell to lead the choir and Keiron Anderson to direct the wind band and saxophone ensemble, with Artistic Director Alex Robinson taking the orchestra and strings.

The first guest artists of Summer School 2024 are folk-jazz fusion duo Katie Foster (violin) and Ben Sayah (guitar) who wowed us with their lunchtime recital, including improvisation, folk and bluegrass (with a bit of audience participation too of course!)

A workshop with Katie and Ben in the afternoon encouraged the string players to get creative with improvisation, amazing how inspired you can be looking at some dots and squiggles on a page!

Elsewhere the saxes have been working hard in their ensemble and in the wind band and the choir have been working in sectionals with Hilary and Rachel.

A wonderful first day all round which seemed to fly by, just remember, it’s a marathon, not the 100m hurdles…

#MfEMonday – 29th July 2024

29th July 2024 Music for Everyone

Summer School: Excitement is building at MfE as we approach our Summer School beginning on 5th August with music loosely based around the Paris Olympics!

Light the torch in the symphony orchestra with extracts from Stravinsky’s Firebird, explore the city streets in Ellerby’s Paris sketches for wind band and discover Hymne au soleil by Lili Boulanger with the chamber choir. The strings will leap into the athletic world of Vivaldi’s Overture to L’Olimpiade and the saxophones will take on a ‘jazzy’ challenge.

Unfortunately, the brass group Quartet Menine have had to cancel. However, we are delighted to announce that the brass quintet ‘Heron Brass’ will be attending to give a recital and brass workshop.

Formed while studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Heron Brass have gained recognition as recent finalists in the Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble competition. They enjoy exploring new or lesser-performed works for brass and choral arrangements, without forgetting some of the established classics of the repertoire. We can’t wait to see them in action!

There are still places for brass, bassoon, viola, tenors and basses. If you are interested in joining us, please click here.

Bring your friends along to the Showcase Concert for a musical treat on Wednesday 7th August at 5.20pm, Trent College, Long Eaton. Tickets are £5 and include drinks and nibbles! Available here.

Have you been watching the Olympics this weekend? The Opening Ceremony took place in Paris on Friday evening, showcasing a variety of music.

For all the information on music from the ceremony, click here.

Bookwise in Nottingham has been having quite a makeover recently with new shutters, easier ramp access and a paint refresh! We are just waiting for the new signage on the shop front to finish the look. Watch this space…

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

29/07/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF