Nottingham Community Music

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 3rd March 2025

3rd March 2025 Music for Everyone

The new MfE brochure has landed!

Chock-full of exciting music-making opportunities and wonderful concerts to attend from March to August. Click this link to view, and look out for it at your next rehearsal.

Upcoming Events:

From West End to Broadway concert – 15 March, John Godber Centre, Hucknall.

Come and enjoy an enchanting cabaret performance featuring songs from Wicked, Les Misérables and Fiddler on the Roof, with guest appearances from acclaimed baritone, Simon Theobald, and our joyful Open Voices choir. Unwind with a drink from the bar as you soak in the magic of a live performance. Tickets cost just £8 and can be purchased online here or by calling the office on 0115 958 9312.

Singing workshop with Neil Ferris – 28 June, St Martin’s Church, Sherwood.

Places are still available for this workshop. Please note, the workshop will take place at St Martin’s Church, Sherwood and not Nottingham Trent University. Click here to book or call us at 0115 958 9312.

Did you know that more than 1,000 musicians have recorded a silent album to protest plans to let AI use their music. The album titled Is This What We Want? has 12 tracks of ‘almost silence’ from over 1000 artists including Hans Zimmer and John Rutter. Follow this link to the full article to find out more: More than 1,000 musicians record ‘silent album’ to protest plans to let AI use… – Classic FM

Three upcoming community events which may interest you:

Brass through the ages Concert – 7^th March, 7.30pm, University Hall NTU – showcasing the historical development of brass instruments and classical music from Renaissance to the contempory of today! Tickets now available and can be purchased here: Brass Through The Ages Tickets. See attached flyer for further details.
Carlton Male Voice Choir Concert – 8^th March, 7pm The Boat and Horses, 137 Trent Road, Beeston NG9 1LP – A concert supporting Forces in the Community – a local chariable organisation dedicated to help the ex-military community. Tickets are available here for £5 plus booking fee. See attached flyer for further details.
Let’s Make a Soundtrack Youth Event – 22^nd-23^rd March – an incredible opportunity for musicians of any age and ability to join players from the BBC Concert Orchestra and create a brand-new soundtrack to a BBC video clip. Follow this link for further details: Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

03/03/2025

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#MfEMonday – 24th February 2025

24th February 2025 Music for Everyone

We are delighted to let you know that Summer School 2025 is now open for booking!

4^th– 6^th August 2025 – Trent College, Long Eaton

We are delighted to announce the return of Hilary Campbell conducting the choir, Kieron Anderson conducting Saxophones and Wind Band and Alex Robinson conducting the Orchestra and String Ensemble.

Introducing our guest artists this year as: Tailleferre Ensemble, Leo Melvin and Sonoro.

Biographies for each artist and conductor can be seen on our website.

Click the link to find out more and book your place: Course: Summer School 2025

Looking to the next few weeks, We are fast approaching the end of February and looking forward to some brighter days and a musical March!

Here’s what we have coming up…

Saturday 15th March – ‘From West End to Broadway’ at the John Godber Centre, Hucknall

Come and sing some hits from shows including Wicked, Les Misérables and Fiddler on the Roof!

https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/workshop-day-ncm-from-west-end-to-broadway/

Or to watch the performance book tickets here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/from-west-end-to-broadway/

Saturday 29^th March – Easter Images concert

The Nottingham Chamber Singers warmly invite you to the village church of St Peter’s, Ruddington to experience glorious music by Bach, Handel, Rachmaninov and Poulenc.

To book online visit: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/ncs-easter/ or call the MfE office on 0115 958 9312.

We are delighted to have been awarded a National Lottery Project Grant by Arts Council England which will fund a new commission from composer Libby Croad. Many of you will remember Libby from our 40th Anniversary celebrations in 2023 when she wrote a piece to celebrate MfE’s big birthday! This time she will be creating a work for the Nottingham Chamber Singers accompanied by a string orchestra which will be premiered at their anniversary concert in June. Below is an extract from an interview in the ‘Strad’ magazine where Libby talks about her journey to becoming a Composer.

You’ve enjoyed a career as a violinist – what made you decide to pursue composition as well?

I’ve always loved composing ever since I was a little girl, and it’s always been part of my life in the background. Composing feeds my soul! I did second study composition at the Royal Academy of Music where I developed my love of choral writing, guided by one of my teachers Gareth Wilson, who commissioned me to write a piece for his choir Christ Church Chelsea, while I was still at college. Once leaving college I followed the path of being a violinist, which I also love, however I just started to feel like a huge part of me wasn’t being fulfilled. So I started to write again!

In 2016 I wrote my first Christmas carol Silent Night, which was premiered by The New London Singers at St Martin in the Fields. It’s since been published by Multitude of Voyces in a Christmas Anthology of sacred music by female composers and has been performed all over the world, including Washington D.C. by the award winning Lux choir, and the BBC Singers on BBC Radio 3. I followed that up with writing a string orchestra movement for the chamber orchestra I was playing with at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Sinfonia, and it developed into my Suite for String Orchestra which has become popular today. Since then, my composition has grown year on year and I’m very lucky that so many people seem to be enjoying performing my works.

Tell us about your stylistic influences – your violin and string knowledge is evident in your writing – are there particular elements you like to include in your compositions?

I’ve been told that my music sounds very English! I think this stems from my love of composers such as Vaughan Williams and Elgar. I love using modes in my writing and there’s often a folk feel to my music. As a violinist I love writing close emotional string harmonies, and a good melody! Obviously with my knowledge of the instrument I know what’s physically possible which definitely helps. I do enjoy mixing up pizzicato and more lyrical lines, often in a fugue-like way.

Click here for the full interview.

We are really excited to be working with Libby once again! There will be the chance to see her working on the piece with the Nottingham Chamber Singers in May. More details to follow soon.

The MAJOR OAK CHORUS is looking for a new MUSICAL DIRECTOR. They are a group of about 30 singers based in Nottingham, and practise on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 to 10.00 at the Carlton Junior Academy NG4 1QS.

Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend a practise session and even direct the Chorus before applying for the position!

If you are up for the challenge, please contact the Secretary, Jonathan Ankers, e-mail secretary@majoroakchorus.com

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

24/02/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 20th January 2025

20th January 2025 Music for Everyone

Our Nottingham Festival Chorus singers have been working hard preparing for their concert at the Albert Hall on 01 February. We are really looking forward to hearing them and our four exceptional soloists in this wonderful performance of Bach’s C Minor Mass. Please come along and support your friends and fellow musicians. Tickets can be purchased here, or by calling the office on 0115 958 9312.

Bandwise and Stringwise are open for booking! Music packs will be going out next week, so don’t miss out, book today!

The MfE Musicals workshop and concert is also open for booking. Enjoy the glitz and glam of the theatre with our special guest compere and baritone soloist Simon Theobald, conducted by MfE’s Assistant Artistic Director, Rachel Parkes, and accompanied by Angela Foan.

Did you know that Mozart’s C Minor Mass (as featured in our upcoming NFC Concert The Singing Bride), was left unfinished? But why? Was it due to a falling out with the Archbishop of Salzburg, did he lose interest after the death of his son Raimund Leopold, or was it simply a practical decision to put paid work first? Jane Jones explores this question in an article entitled Mozart’s Marriage Mass – or how to make peace with your parents.

Applications for the Danny Morris Memorial Trust Fund are now open. The object of the Trust Fund is to facilitate, further and promote the study of the French Horn and its literature by providing assistance for horn players towards the cost of purchasing instruments, music, music related technology or for tuition fees. Singers and players of other instruments may also apply, but French Horn players will be given preference. More information attached.

If your diary isn’t already full, here are a few events taking place in the next few weeks:

Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra – Fire and Ice, Saturday 25 January.

Aled Jones presents the NPOs Family Prom in the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, where there will be a battle between the two elemental forces – Fire and Ice. Fiery music to warm you up includes Fawkes the Phoenix from Harry Potter, the Infernal Dance from Stravinsky’s The Firebird , and the theme from Chariots of Fire. Along the way there’s a musical trip on the Polar Express and a sleigh ride courtesy of Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kije, plus the Skaters’ Waltz and Let it Go from Frozen. Tickets are available from the Royal Centre Box Office, trch.co.uk 0115 989 5555, or through members of the orchestra.

Rotary Young Musicians Concert – Saturday 25^th January 2025, The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton

This concert, which is being organised by the Long Eaton and Belper & Duffield Rotary Clubs, aims to give young people an opportunity to perform in a professional environment to a paying audience. Any youngster who can play an instrument, sing, is in a band or a duo/trio/group etc is welcome to apply to take part. Application form attached. There is some flexibility on the date of submissions. For more information please initially contact Dave on dave.ashley782@hotmail.co.uk or on 07738 552178.

Sinfonia Viva – Durufle Requiem, Saturday 08 February

The choirs of Southwell Minster, Coventry Cathedral, Derby Cathedral and Leicester Cathedral are teaming up for the first time alongside Sinfonia Viva to perform the Requiem by French composer Maurice Duruflé. This imposing setting of the Latin mass has a timeless quality built on its incorporation of Gregorian chant. From now until January 31, Sinfonia Viva are offering local choir members a £3 discount (excluding concession tickets) for this performance. Enter the code DURUFLE3 at checkout to claim your discount.

Tickets can be booked directly from Sinfonia Viva at www.ticketsource.co.uk/sinfoniaviva or by calling 0333 666 3366.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

20/01/2025

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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 – 9th December 2024

9th December 2024 Music for Everyone

What a busy week that was!!

Our Loughborough Daytime Orchestra gave a wonderful performance at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough last Tuesday. We hope they had a great time in the pub afterwards and are looking forward to seeing what exciting music they will be sharing with us at the next concert! The Nottingham Daytime Orchestra have their performance this Thursday 12 December at St Martin’s Church Sherwood, 11am for 11:15 start. Please come along and support these wonderful musicians. Parking alert: gas works are in progress on Trevose Gardens, on-street parking may be limited.

Congratulations to the Lunchtime Voices Choir for their fantastic singing in the Victoria Centre on Thursday 5 December! It was definitely a highlight for many Christmas shoppers who gathered to listen. We would like to thank everyone who came along to support, including some of our wonderful Open Voices members, who joined in to make the event even more memorable. Thanks to your combined efforts, we raised an impressive £70.

Our next carol singing event will be on Wednesday 18 December at the Test Match pub in West Bridgford. Join us from 6pm for some carolling outside with children from Abbey Road school. Afterwards, warm up with a mulled wine while the carolling continues indoors with members of the various MfE choirs and our Open Voices singers.

On Saturday, our talented young musicians kicked off the festive season with their ‘Countdown to Christmas’ concert at Kingswood Methodist Church in Wollaton. The concert showcased the incredible skill and energy of our youth ensembles, and was the perfect way to close another year of great music-making from them.

The Christmas cheer continued on Sunday with the ‘Stories of Christmas’ concert at St Mary’s Church in Hucknall. The Nottingham Chamber Singers presented an entertaining and varied programme of Christmas songs, stories and carols, expertly compered by Robin Reece-Crawford, guiding the audience through the evening with wit and warmth.

With so much incredible music-making taking place it is impossible not to reflect on the power of music and how it brings people together. Whether it’s a rehearsal, concert, carol singing or simply playing on your own, music connects us in ways words alone cannot. We are really proud of the musical communities we create and support. With the new year fast approaching, let’s keep the momentum going and continue to use our collective voices, instruments, and passion to make the world a little brighter, one note at a time. Keep playing, keep learning, and keep sharing the joy of music with those around you!

A huge congratulations to our Assistant Artistic Director, Rachel Parkes, for her outstanding work as Chorus Master for the Nottingham University Choir, who performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Concert Hall last Wednesday. The choir delivered a stunning rendition of Eric Whitacre’s Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine before joining forces with the Nottingham Trent University choir for an epic performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. If you missed this unforgettable concert, you can catch it on BBC Radio 3 on Tuesday, 10 December, at 7:30pm.
The Villiers Quartet have an event this Wednesday. See attached flyer for details.
We recently secured a grant of £2,000 from Broxtowe Community Fund to support Beeston Open Voices. Below is a photo of the grant cheque being received.

A date for your 2025 diaries:
The Cranmer Singers are organising a “Fun and Sing” on Saturday 1st March. All comers welcome.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

09/12/2024

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

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/musicals/best-movie-adaptions-ranked/

#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 – 18th November 2024

18th November 2024 Music for Everyone

What a fantastic concert yesterday at our Big Youth Music Experience! Well done to everyone who took part, there was some fabulous playing. We were joined by special guest, MP Lilian Greenwood who was very impressed. Here are some photos if you missed it!

Yesterday morning Nottingham Chamber Singers and Hucknall Daytime Voices were spreading some festive cheer at the Hucknall Community Christmas Fayre.

It’s not long now until the ‘Stories of Christmas’ afternoon concert in Hucknall on Sunday 8^th December with songs, stories and carols for all to enjoy. Click here for tickets

As it’s getting colder this week, you might be considering staying warm and cosy inside! Always a good excuse to enjoy a movie!!

There has been excitement building about the new film adaptation of ‘Wicked’ the musical which is out this Friday so here are some suggestions for other favourite musicals which have made it onto the big screen:

If it’s got you in the mood for singing some of the hits then our next Musicals singing workshop takes place on Saturday 15^th March and is now open for booking! Click here for more details.

Just a reminder that we are looking for a part time administrator for Tuesday and Thursday mornings! If you know anyone who might be interested please send them this link: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/about-us/vacancies/

Closing date is Friday 29^th November at 12 noon.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

18/11/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 11th November 2024

11th November 2024 Music for Everyone

A great time was had at Bandwise and Stringwise this weekend where we were joined by over 120 talented young, enthusiastic instrumentalists. They sounded great and we can’t wait for their concert at the Albert Hall on Sunday!

Spaces are filling up quickly for our Christmas is Coming rehearsals and concert. Be sure to book your spot for the rehearsals happening during the weeks of December 2nd and December 9th. Simply click here to book, or call the office at 0115 958 9312.

After last week’s feature on soothing music for pets, we thought we would continue the pet theme with a smorgasbord of pet-related silliness!

Composing can be a lonely process, with hours spent in solitude waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s no wonder that many great composers turned to pets for companionship.

Ravel was obsessed with cats, allowing them to walk all over his manuscripts and even speaking to them in ‘cat language’. Ravel’s friend Vaughan Williams was equally fond of cats, owning a cat named Mrs Tim, and allowing his friend and fellow composer Gerald Finzi to be on cat-sitting duty when he was away on tour.

Mozart chose a starling as his less conventional pet companion! When his pet starling died, he planned an elaborate ceremony which included veiled mourners and hymns. Mozart himself recited a poem he wrote, which began, ‘A little fool lies here, whom I held dear, a starling in the prime of his brief time.’

Elgar adored dogs and after the death of his wife Alice, who hated dogs, he was finally able to have dogs of his own. His dogs were almost always at his side, and when they couldn’t be, Elgar would often keep in contact with them. He even wished them good night via a live radio broadcast when he was forced to be apart from them whilst celebrating his 70th birthday!

Click here to see Irish Setter, Elmo, singing a virtuosic solo, or here for a doggy duet with Pavarotti!

MfE is hiring! We are looking for a part time administrator to join the office team on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

See the full details on our website here: Vacancies | Music for Everyone Please spread the word about this fantastic opportunity!

On 23^rd November, join Grantham Choral Society for a concert journeying from traditional and folk music to Jazz.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

11/11/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 28th October 2024

4th November 2024 Music for Everyone

Hello!

We are looking forward to welcoming back all our regular groups this week after a short break 🙂

There is lots to look forward to in the coming weeks including Christmas Concerts a-plenty!

7^th December, Youth groups @ Kingswood Methodist Church, Wollaton – Countdown to Christmas

8^th December, Nottingham Chamber Singers @ St Mary’s Church, Hucknall – Stories of Christmas

15^th December, Nottingham Community Voices @ Albert Hall, Nottingham – Christmas is Coming!

To join in the music making please visit our website or call our friendly office team for more details on 0115 958 9312.

You can sign up for the next Nottingham Festival Chorus course and concert here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/nfc-singing-course-concert/

Classical music has proved time and time again to be the perfect for calming anxious pets. With Bonfire Night tomorrow, classic FM have dedicated shows focused on calming music for pets, hosted by Dan Walker at 5pm on Tuesday 5 November.

Here you can also find recommendations of calming pieces to soothe nervous pets Calm music for pets: 10 soothing classical pieces – Classic FM

Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra is performing “A Winter Celebration” in church at 3:30 pm on Saturday 30 November 2024. The orchestra will present a programme for all ages, which includes the music of Prince Igor, Take the A Train, Home Alone and Frozen, amongst many other favourites. There will also be few festive favourites sneaking in ahead of Advent Sunday! Admission prices are pay what you wish: Ticket A £15.00, Ticket B £10.00, Ticket C £5.00 – choose which ticket you want. Seating is unreserved. More information, including how to get tickets is available here: https://nsw.org.uk/nswo_concerts/a-winter-celebration/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

04/11/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF