Daytime Voices

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10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

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#MfEMonday – 16th December 2024

16th December 2024 Music for Everyone

It was “All Aboard” the Polar Express and other festive favourites in yesterdays annual MfE Christmas is Coming concert! With over 200 performers and a full house in the audience, it was a joyous occasion – a huge WELL DONE to our youth Vocals choir, the Nottingham Community Voices and Nottingham Chamber Singers for all their hard work.

Congratulations to the Nottingham Daytime Orchestra for their end of term concert last Thursday, a great way to finish a busy term!

MfE do Carol singing at the Test Match Pub in West Bridgford on Wednesday 18th December from 6pm – come and join us! All welcome, carol books are provided.

The office will be closed from Monday 23^rd December – Thursday 2^nd January, reopening on Friday 3^rd Jan. Bookwise is still open (normal opening times) apart from bank holiday days. For details of MfE events and groups in 2025, check the website: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/

In a letter from Buckingham Palace, King Charles has conveyed “his warmest good wishes” to Music for Everyone and his “sincere thanks” for our invitation to His Majesty to attend our “In the King’s Company” concert in October. The King says he is most grateful for thinking of him, but was unable to accept our offer to attend due to the volume of requests he receives.

In the letter to our chair of trustees John Hess, the King says he was “most interested to learn a bit about Music for Everyone and our work in Nottingham.”

Devised by our artistic director Alex Robinson, “In the King’s Company” was a celebration of the baroque music and song from the royal courts of England and France.

King Charles also says he hopes the occasion was “enjoyable for all involved”, and thanks us for our “thoughtful “letter and “truly generous “invitation.

As this is our final MfEMonday of 2024, we’d like to take this opportunity to look back on a year of music-making and wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year – here’s to an even more musical 2025!

One of our members, David, has been getting creative to raise funds for Open Voices. He has turned one of his paintings into a Christmas card which has been purchased by singers at Beeston, Wollaton, and West Bridgford Daytime Voices and raised £150. Thank you so much David!

An uplifting video sent in by one of our members, OrchLab take on a Space Adventure with a project inspired by The Planets by Gustav Holst: https://orchlab.org/orchlab-film-2024-a-space-adventure/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

16/12/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 25th November 2024

25th November 2024 Music for Everyone

A huge WELL DONE to all the Daytime Voices groups for their end of term concerts and cake stalls last week! Enjoy a well-deserved break this week and we’re looking forward to seeing all those singing in the Christmas concert for pre-rehearsals from next week – there’s still time to join us for the Christmas is Coming concert on 15^th December: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/christmas-is-coming-daytime-voices/

The Daytime Orchestras invite you to join them for their end of term concerts next week. These concerts are free to attend and will be showcasing the hard work each orchestra has done throughout the Autumn term:

Loughborough Daytime Orchestra concert

Tuesday 3^rd December, 11.15am – 12pm at Emmanuel Church, Forest Road LE11 3NW

Nottingham Daytime Orchestra concert

Thursday 12^th December, 11.15am – 12pm at St Martin’s Church, Trevose Gardens NG5 3FU

The 22^nd November (Friday just gone) marks the day of the patron saint of music and musicians, St Cecilia. Musical compositions are dedicated to her and a feast held in her honour on 22^nd November each year, so who is she? A martyr, she became the patroness of music and musicians, it being written that, as the musicians played at her wedding, Cecilia “sang in her heart to the Lord”.

Here are a few of the pieces dedicated to the saint of all music!

Purcell Hail! Bright Cecilia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AGUGdLj3Vo

You may remember we commissioned a special piece of the same name for MfE’s 40^th anniversary celebration!

Britten Hymn to St Cecilia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBFr5xCIwvw

It is no surprise that Britten wrote a piece for St Cecilia, having himself been born on her feast day 22^nd November, belated Happy Birthday to Britten!

Are you super organised and already started your Christmas shopping? (Don’t worry, we haven’t either) A reminder if you’re shopping online this year, please use EasyFundraising and support MfE to raise extra funds – at no cost to you! There are thousands of retailers out there that donate to charity every time you shop, all you need to do is shop through EasyFundraising! It’s easy to do, all the details are here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/musicforeveryone
Vacancy: Musical Director of Wind Orchestra. Freelance position. Loughborough.
Charnwood Symphonic Wind Orchestra is a 35-piece wind orchestra based in Loughborough. We rehearse on Sunday evenings in term time and perform at 5-7concerts per year. The position of Musical Director will be vacant from Spring 2025. We are seeking an MD to bring out the best of the band in a friendly, informal atmosphere. This will be a freelance paid position. For more information about the band please see www.charnwoodconcertbands.co.uk. Please write with an expression of interest and details of your relevant experience to Christine.Cassell@gmail.com Closing date 17th January 2025.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

25/11/2024

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 – 23rd September 2024

23rd September 2024 Music for Everyone

On Saturday, shoppers in Arnold and Sherwood were serenaded by our very own Nottingham Chamber Singers! The chamber choir are celebrating their 40th anniversary this season and have organised a series of ‘pop-up concerts’ to raise the profile of the choir and the music making opportunities that MfE offers.

Their first concert will include the well-loved Brahms Requiem on Saturday 12th October, 7.30pm at St John’s Church in Carrington – Click the link for more information and to book tickets: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/ncs-concert/

Don’t forget, you can sign up to the NCS Loyalty Discount Ticket scheme: Click here

It was wonderful to welcome back our Daytime Voices and Open Voices singers last week. This week sees the return of our Daytime Orchestras so please spread the word if you know anyone who might be interested. Tuesdays in Loughborough and Thursdays in Sherwood, Nottingham from 10am-12noon: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/whats-on/adult-music/daytime-orchestra/

We are very pleased to announce that our Open Voices groups received over £1000 in funding from regulars attending the Warthog live music events in Lowdham and Gunthorpe. Click here to read more: https://westbridgfordwire.com/music-for-everyone-receives-vital-cash-boost/

Lots you will already know that there are lots of baking fanatics in the MfE team so we are very excited that the new series of the Bake Off starts this week!

A big shout out to Greg White, one of our Sherwood Daytime Voices members, who has started a tradition of bringing along his chocolate squares to the first rehearsal of each term. These have proved very popular in the refreshment break 🙂 Word has spread and the group numbers are rising!

All our Daytime Voices groups have some brilliant bakers within their ranks who put on an impressive bake sale at the end of each term to raise funds for our Open Voices programme.

Last year they raised a whopping £2035 over the year!! Thank you so much to all the bakers and everyone who contributed.

Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra present Tosca by Puccini one of the world’s most loved operas. Conducted by Mark Heron in the Albert Hall, Nottingham on Sunday 13th October at 3.00pm. Tickets £20 and £16 for adults, Students and Children £5 for any seat, are available from ticketsource.co.uk/npo Tel: 0333 666 3366 and on the door. Seating is unreserved. Refreshments are available.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

23/09/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#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 – 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 – 15th July 2024

15th July 202415th July 2024 Music for Everyone

Our talented young musicians offered a splendid end to the season with their The Sound of Summer concert at the Grange Hall in Radcliffe. Not only was the audience treated to top-notch musical entertainment, but there were outdoor activities for the children and refreshments for the audience. A huge ‘thank you’ and ‘well done’ to all who took part – children, helpers and conductors! We bid a fond farewell to Mike Shaw, conductor of Nottingham Strictly Strings, and wish him all the best for the future.

Booking for the Autumn Term for Daytime Voices, Daytime Orchestra, Sunday Afternoon Flutes and Big Band is now open. To book, please follow this link Music For Everyone (savoysystems.co.uk) We look forward to seeing you next term!

Well, what an exciting weekend of sport that was! But what would sport be without music? Imagine a football match without the anthems, chants and the occasional trumpet bursts of The Great Escape theme tune.

The first few notes alone of ‘Light and Tuneful’ the Wimbledon theme tune, is enough to put you in mind of strawberries and cream! Music provides athletes with motivation and focus making it a powerful tool during training sessions and competitions. The beats and melodies can help regulate breathing and pace, contributing to better performance and endurance. In the arena, music unites spectators, creating an exhilarating atmosphere that amplifies the excitement of the event. From energizing pre-game anthems to celebratory victory songs, the fusion of music and sport demonstrates how sound can inspire physical prowess and create a sense of community and shared enthusiasm among athletes and fans alike.

And while we’re on the subject, who spotted Djokovic’s musical celebration? Apparently, it is for his six-year-old daughter, who is currently learning the violin. Perhaps she can help him work on his technique?!!

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

15/07/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 24th June 2024

24th June 202424th June 2024 Music for Everyone

Summer has finally arrived, just as the end of term approaches!

This week, all the Daytime Voices choirs will host an informal performance to finish their summer term, with refreshments and cake sales. Concerts take place in the last hour of the usual rehearsal time, if you’d like to pop along to listen and have a cup of tea and piece of cake with Daytime Voices, see where the groups rehearse here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/whats-on/adult-music/daytime-voices/ Plus, all cake sale donations go towards supporting Open Voices!

Looking ahead, online booking for the Recorder Workshop Day is now open to kickstart the 2024/25 season!

On Saturday 14th September, join Chris McDouall for an informal day of recorder ensemble playing, with an optional advanced repertoire session in the afternoon for those that wish to. The workshop day, taking place at NTU Clifton, will finish with an informal performance to family and friends. Find out more and book online here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/recorder-workshop-day/

We were thrilled to read that John Rutter has received a knighthood in The King’s Birthday Honours List 2024, in recognition of a career that stretches back 60 years! Here are a couple of our favourite Sir John Rutter compositions MfE have performed recently.

Gloria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaYkpoOC3S4 (NFC in February 2024)

The Sprig of Thyme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQe9tn_DyzU (NCS in June 2024)

Book donations wanted! Bookwise Nottingham (10 Goose Gate) are keen for donations of paperback fiction books. If you’re having a clear out, small donations (couple of bags worth max.) can be dropped off at the shop, Monday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm. Or if you have a larger donation, please contact first on info@bookwiseshops.co.uk to arrange drop off or collection.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

24/07/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/classical-music-inspired-by-birdsong/

#MfEMonday – 10th June 2024

10th June 202410th June 2024 Music for Everyone

What a fun-packed musical weekend!

On Saturday evening the Nottingham Chamber Singers and Angela Kay brought a floral bouquet of music to St Mary’s Church in Bunny with their entertaining programme of evocative part songs, colourful folk-songs and foot tapping swing numbers. Accompanied by the wonderful Angela Foan and joined by violinists Isobel Bounford, Sarah Trevers and flautist Dave Hatherly it was perfect for a sunny summer’s evening.

There was a great buzz in Beeston on Sunday at our first Family Festival. Lots of you got involved with so much going on including drumming workshops, lullaby bank, Open Voices and Family Sing sessions. The sun made an appearance and the beautiful garden at Middle Street Resource Centre was filled with a great variety of stalls and performances from folk bands to ‘a cappella’ group the Ooh La La’s. A special thanks to our Youth Bands, Daytime Voices and the many volunteers who made the day such a success. For those of you who missed it, here are a few photos to give you a flavour!

Following on from so much birdsong in the concert on Saturday and in the garden at our Family Festival yesterday it got us thinking about music inspired by our feathered friends.

We bet you can think of lots of suggestions but follow the link below if you’re stuck for ideas!

What is your favourite birdsong? Perhaps a blackbird, song thrush, nightingale even?! If you’re a fan of Springwatch you might have seen the presenters get very excited the moment a nightjar interrupted the live broadcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0j0xyrj

Or maybe you prefer this lockdown version of blackbird from our very own Rachel Parkes: https://youtu.be/FQpcXqzic6I?si=ScDAPRwC-aU8j04Z

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

10/06/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 15th April 2024

8th April 202415th April 2024 Music for Everyone

The summer term is almost upon us!

For adult singers & players: all Daytime Voices, including Lunchtime Voices, Sunday Afternoon Flutes and Big Band and Daytime Orchestras start back from next Monday 22^nd April. For further detail on specific groups and how to sign up in advance visit our website here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/whats-on/adult-music/ or you can pay at the first rehearsal for the term.

For youth players: the Nottingham Youth Band, for grade 2 – 4, have an open rehearsal for new players on Thursday 25^th April, 5.30pm – 7pm at Beeston Methodist Church. If you know a young musician who might like to try a group, encourage them to come along for free on the 25^th to try it out.

Other youth groups start back from Sunday 12^th May.

A date for your diary… Sunday 9^th June is MfE’s Family Festival Day – a musical extravaganza for everyone! There are workshops (advance sign up essential) in world drumming and intergenerational singing, open sessions with Open Voices and the Lullaby Bank, plus music in the garden and cake, punch and games stalls. Bring everyone down to Middle Street Resource Centre in Beeston from 1pm to join in the musical fun: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/family-festival/

A quick Monday Musing today… quite literally! Did you know the current official world record for the fastest performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee is 46.19 seconds? It’s over before you know it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naiDpqGFgV8#:~:text=Official%20World%20Record%20Flight%20Of%20The%20Bumblebee%2046.19%20seconds%20%2D%20YouTube

The Flight of the Bumblebee can be played on pretty much any instrument, but we’re most impressed with the multi-tasking involved in playing it on the organ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHZvMAJUN5g&t=1s

GOOD LUCK to all our young musicians approaching exam season, to get you in the revision mood, here’s a list of ‘scientifically proven’ (Disclaimer: not sure how scientific it actually is) pieces to help by Classic FM: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/classical-studying-music-for-brain-power/ and remember that a rehearsal break in revision is very good for you!

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

15/04/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF