Nottingham Festival Chorus

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 – 13th May 2024

13th May 2024 Music for Everyone

Gift Stall – Call out for volunteers!!

After over 30 years of service Janice Weston-Smith is stepping down from the running of the MfE Gift Stall at the end of this season.

We are looking for a team of volunteers to help with the Gift Stall at MfE events, setting the stall up and down, manning it throughout the day and selling merchandise. The big events we would expect the gift stall to be at are the youth courses/concerts Bandwise, Stringwise & Vocals, NFC/Blow the Dust weekends and Summer School event. Participants in these events would still be able to volunteer to help with the gift stall as this would not interfere with music-making sessions.

If you are interested in finding out more please contact Su via email su@music-for-everyone.org or call 0115 958 9312.

Nottingham Festival Chorus – singers wanted!

There are still places available for Haydn’s Harmonie Mass workshop and concert with Alex, Rachel and the Nottingham Festival Chorus on 5^th & 6^th July. The workshop on Friday 5^th July will take place in the evening at NTU Clifton, followed by a workshop and concert on Saturday 6^th July at the beautiful Beeston Parish Church, located in the centre of Beeston, a short distance from The Square. There are excellent facilities nearby and local trams and bus routes serve Beeston Bus Station, which is a short walk from the church.

Find out more about this stunning course and book here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/nfc-singing-course-concert-july-2024/

Mansfield Open Voices is 1 year old! They had a party to celebrate last week, attended by Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams, MfE trustees Janet and John and of course the Mansfield Open Voices team – Cliff, Andy and learners from Portland College. Happy Birthday OV!

We were thrilled to get a first look at a position statement on Arts and Health, written by a MfE volunteer and youth group parent for the Institute of Health Promotion and Education.

As part of the statement, IHPE state “Arts subjects urgently need to be given a higher priority in education. In the UK additional resources are needed to provide equal opportunities for arts provision, particularly musical instrument playing in schools, to contribute to the prevention of widening inequalities.” And “Arts provisions should form an integral component of social prescribing, as part of a balanced approach to the social and medical models of health and be adequately resourced to increase availability and access across all areas of society, including marginalised groups.” To read the full statement, see here: https://ihpe.org.uk/resources/position-papers/

It was the Eurovision grand final on Saturday, with Switzerland taking the crown for their 3^rd win with a gravity defying performance on a large spinning disk (only in Eurovision!)
EUROVISION FACT: Did you know up until 1998, each act was supported by a live orchestra and every country brought its own conductor? Dutch conductor Dolf van der Linde conducted for a record number of 7 countries; Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland before the rules changed and acts could perform with a pre-recorded backing track.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

13/05/2024

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

#MfEMonday – 29th January 2024

29th January 2024 Music for Everyone

We are busy putting packs together for our next vocals singing weekend – ‘Vocals at the Movies‘! On Saturday 9^th March, our young singers will gather at Nottingham Trent University for a day of rehearsals and fun activities. On Sunday the 10^th they take to the stage at the Albert Hall to entertain the audience with well-known songs from classic shows and films including Trolls, Annie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. To sign up for this course, click here.

Our Nottingham Festival Chorus Singers were in excellent voice at Nottingham Trent University this weekend, and we can’t wait to hear them alongside the Nottingham Concert Orchestra at the Albert Hall this coming Saturday. To ensure your ticket for this not-to-be-missed concert, online booking has now reopened, click here. Alternatively, contact the office on 0115 958 9312.

2024 is well underway and all of our regular groups are back to rehearsals. Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to get these groups up and running? For the Daytime Voices groups alone we prepare 430 packs with 6 pieces of music. A massive thank you to our volunteers for coming into the office to help prepare and stuff music folders!

That’s 2,580 individual pieces of music that are chosen, sourced, printed, numbered, stamped and put into folders, not to mention 180 pieces of music for our Lunchtime Voices singers, 880 for our Daytime Orchestra players, and 270 for our youth bands and string ensembles!

And let’s not forget the 1,120 pieces of music that our Blow the Dusters got through last weekend and the 750 vocal scores our Nottingham Festival Chorus singers will use on Saturday. That’s a whopping 5,780 pieces of music this year and it’s still only January! Right, I’m off for a lie down!

As you know, at MfE we are great believers in the power of music to make you feel good and enhance wellbeing. Here are 10 pieces of classical music that will, according to Classic FM, 100% change your life. Enjoy! 10 pieces of classical music that will 100% change your life – Classic FM

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

29/01/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

E: kirstie@music-for-everyone.org

Searching for the Glorias of Nottinghamshire

23rd January 2024 Music for Everyone

The search is on for the Glorias of Nottinghamshire to step forward. The Nottingham-based Music for Everyone (MfE) is offering every Gloria a FREE ticket for their next big concert at the city’s Albert Hall, on Saturday 3^rd February.

MfE’s Festival Chorus will be singing not one, but two of the most memorable pieces of music ever written that rejoice in the title of “Gloria!”

So, you’re thinking; where does the name Gloria come from…. you’ve probably heard of Gloria Vanderbilt, US heiress, and Gloria Estefan, singer. But where does the name come from? ‘GLORIA’ – meaning “glory” originates from the Portuguese and Spanish titles of the Virgin Mary.

So, to celebrate this wonderful name, the Nottingham Festival Chorus are inviting all the Glorias in Nottinghamshire to their next concert for FREE! as they perform choral Glorias by Poulenc, Rutter and more, all accompanied by a full symphony orchestra and conducted by MfE’s Artistic Director Alex Robinson. Join for this special occasion as this fantastic concert, featuring over 200 performers and French soprano soloist Clara Orif, in a programme that includes the delicate sounds of Claude Debussy to the fanfares by British composer Dame Judith Weir.

Anyone called Gloria can contact the box office on 0115 9589312 to book a ticket*, completely FREE, bring your ID on the day and experience the thrill of a concert that celebrates your name!

The Nottingham Festival Chorus is MfE’s flag-ship choir, a large-scale four-part chorus performing major classical, and twentieth century works. There are three intensive and highly enjoyable events per year for singers of all abilities. from a one-day workshop to a full weekend course and concert.

For more information on the full range of singing and orchestral courses for youth and adults and how to join in please see the MfE website: www.music-for-everyone.org. Tickets for the Glorias concert are available online and telephone at the MfE office on 0115 958 9312.

Notes: *one ticket per person. Additional tickets half price.

……..ENDS…….

For further information and requests for photographs and interviews:

John Hess – Chair E: john@johnhess.co.uk

Kirstie Hind – Marketing Officer 0115 958 9312

Music for Everyone is an educational charity committed to making a difference to people’s lives through the creativity and enjoyment of music. It supports people to discover and develop their musical interests, abilities and aspirations at all levels. Music for Everyone is an open, welcoming and collaborative organisation. It builds a sense of community and belonging through the high-quality musical experiences provided for participants, audiences and our staff. MfE aspires to enhance the inclusivity of its programme by building partnerships with likeminded organisations so we can reach more people.

Music for Everyone has:

Board of Trustees, chaired by John Hess.
A small, dedicated staff team.
Over 400 subscribing members who regularly take part in core parts of our programme.
200 friends who support the organisation within their communities and through financial assistance.
18 performing groups, both choral and instrumental, involving over 1000 participants.
Many volunteers who do a huge range of work for the organisation from running vital parts of the programme to assisting at events.
A Patrons scheme supported by local businesses and private individuals, with major sponsorships-in-kind from Nottingham Trent University.
Music for Everyone is a key partner in Nottinghamshire Music Hub – Inspire

Brief History

Music for Everyone was originally formed as the Nottingham Choral Trust in 1983 by Angela Kay MBE (Founder/Artistic Advisor). The organisation celebrated its 40^th Birthday in July 2023.

The founding aim was to promote weekend choral courses and concerts for singers from all walks of life in the Nottingham area. Committed from the beginning to an imaginative and adventurous approach to choral music, the work of the Trust has developed rapidly since then. We present a varied programme of high-quality concerts per season and work throughout the year in developing education programmes with schools and health and well-being initiatives in Nottingham and surrounding areas.

#MfEMonday – 22nd January 2024

22nd January 2024 Music for Everyone

Congratulations to everyone who attended our Blow the Dust off your Instrument workshop yesterday. It was wonderful to see such a large ensemble and you certainly didn’t have any dust left on your instruments by the end of the day!! There was a lovely supportive atmosphere during the final performance and we were treated to music by Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Pharrell Williams and many more. A particular highlight was hearing the famous ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ performed by 9 oboists! Here are some photos if you missed it and a link to the wind band with an arrangement of ‘Happy’ by Pharell Williams: https://youtu.be/wQLsHELAYWo

Date for your diary – our next Blow the Dust course is Saturday 15^th June.

You’ve heard of Gloria Vanderbilt, US heiress, and Gloria Estefan, singer. But where does the name come from? ‘GLORIA’ – meaning “glory” originates from the Portuguese and Spanish titles of the Virgin Mary and became one of the top 20 most popular female names in the early 20th century.

To celebrate this wonderful name, the Nottingham Festival Chorus are inviting all the Glorias in Nottinghamshire to their next concert for FREE! as they perform choral Glorias by Poulenc, Rutter and more, all accompanied by a full symphony orchestra! Join for this special occasion as this fantastic concert, featuring over 200 performers and French soprano soloist Clara Orif, takes you on a journey from the delicate sounds of Debussy to the fanfares by Dame Judith Weir.

So spread the word – anyone called Gloria can contact the box office to book a ticket, completely FREE! Call 0115 958 9312.

Gloria! Concert

Do you know of a company or business who might like to advertise in a Music for Everyone concert programme or perhaps sponsor one of our groups? If you do we would love to hear from you! For further information please contact Su Evans: su@music-for-everyone.org

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

22/01/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 15th January 2024

15th January 2024 Music for Everyone

Greetings MfE followers!

This week sees Music for Everyone back into full swing with all of our regular rehearsing groups starting up again with brand new repertoire to sink your teeth into. If you haven’t been along to Daytime Voices in a while or have been meaning to get a long-neglected instrument out of the cupboard, January is the perfect time to dust it off and get playing and singing!

Our groups are warm, friendly and fun, so what are you waiting for?! Bring a friend and come along.

For more information on our current groups click here: Adult Music Groups & Courses | Music for Everyone (music-for-everyone.org

We also have a host of exciting concerts and events coming up including Blow the Dust and the Nottingham Festival Chorus Glorias! course and concert. Both events are a chance to work with Alex Robinson, MfE’s new Artistic Director, who brings a fresh approach and new enthusiasm and skill to Music for Everyone’s Artistic team, it’s going to be great working with him.

There are still spaces to join up, and we urge you to get involved if you’ve been apprehensive or putting it off. Last week, Rachel worked with the singers for the Gloria’s concert in sectionals, and we had the beginnings of some extremely exciting sounds. Participants are loving the programme and pieces, so if you’ve never sung these pieces before, it’s an opportunity not to be missed. It may seem challenging, but we know it’s going to be barnstorming.

Click here to sign-up for the gloria course and concert: NFC Singing Weekend Course & Concert (music-for-everyone.org)

However, if we can’t persuade you to sing, we hope we can encourage you to sell tickets. If every member of MfE sold 2 tickets for our concerts, it would ensure an incredible audience for our performers who work so hard, and help towards safeguarding the future of MfE and the arts. We know times are tough, a ticket may be the price of 4 coffees, 2 glasses of wine, or a pizza…. but the benefits of immersing yourself in live music for two and a half hours can far outlast those short-term treats. Maybe take a friend who hasn’t heard much classical music, or a teenager who you think could do with a bit more culture. The music we will be performing is youthful and colourful, with shining brass, noisy percussion and sumptuous strings. It’s going to be incredible.

Book now and don’t miss out! – Tickets available here: Gloria! Concert (music-for-everyone.org)

Last week members of our Open Voices Sherwood group went to the Panto to see Cinderella! The choir members and their carers had front row seats and absolutely loved the performance. One member was even given a red rose by one of the ugly sisters! Here are some photos that capture the fantastic day they had at the Nottingham Playhouse.

Want to test your knowledge of French composers? Rachel and Alex are here to provide obscure facts and questions about Poulenc, Debussy and Rameau which all featured in our upcoming concert ‘Gloria!’ on Saturday 3rd February, Albert Hall, Nottingham – not to be missed! Watch the video here:

· As Daytime Voices are starting this week, we have been thinking what films they would be! Which films do you like the look of?

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

15/01/2024

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/reflective-classical-music-remembrance-day/

#MfEMonday – 13th November 2023

13th November 2023 Music for Everyone

Hello Everyone,

Bandwise and Stringwise were off to a great start this weekend, working on an exciting programme to perform in a Big Youth Experience Concert next weekend at the Albert Hall.

If you’re looking for an uplifting festive concert our chamber choir, the Nottingham Chamber Singers, are performing a joyful selection of Sparkling Baroque music on Saturday 2^nd December at St John’s Church, Carrington. Angela Kay is conducting the concert and here she is to tell you a bit more about it! https://youtu.be/AZo4466aMsQ

To book tickets call the office on 0115 958 9312 or follow this link: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/ncs-sparkling-baroque-booking/

Looking ahead to next year, places are booking up for our next Blow the Dust off your Instrument event (20^th Jan) and the ‘Gloria’ Singing Weekend and Concert (27th-28th Jan and 3rd Feb).

There’s time to book if you haven’t already!

Here are a selection of reflective classical works to mark this weekend’s Remembrance Day:

Did you know that 60 years after their first hit, The Beatles topped the singles chart this weekend, with all four Beatles featured on the song Now and Then. To find out more click here: The Beatles top singles chart 60 years after their first hit – BBC News

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

13/11/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 23rd October 2023

23rd October 2023 Music for Everyone

Booking is now open for our next choral workshop and concert in Jan/Feb next year!

On 27 and 28 January, our new Artistic Director, Alex Robinson, will guide you through a glorious programme with a spellbinding few days diving into the music of Poulenc, Rutter and more with a professional symphony orchestra! These phenomenally exciting settings of the Gloria are sure to give you Goosebumps!

For more information see the attached flyer or click here to book your place.

We are offering a free taster session for our Youth Bands on Thursday 9th November.

Both groups rehearse at Beeston Methodist Church on Thursday evenings. Our Nottingham Youth Band (5:30 – 7pm) is for players of grade 2 – 5, while the East Midlands Youth Band (6:30 – 8pm) is for players of grade 5+.

For more information about the groups, click here.

Please do join us for the start of our Christmas concert rehearsals – and don’t forget to let your friends know about it!

The stormy weather this weekend has inspired us to put together a stormy play list for you. Enjoy!

Into the Storm by Robert W Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrPDguuxw7o

The Storm from Four Sea Interludes by Benjamin Britten Britten – “Storm Interlude” from “Peter Grimes” (London Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Davis) – YouTube

Cloudburst by Eric Whitacre Cloudburst – Eric Whitacre – YouTube

Storm from The Sea, The Sea by Frank Bridge Frank Bridge, The Sea, The Sea: No. 4 Storm – YouTube

On Saturday 28 October, the Nottingham Chamber Orchestra will be performing a delightful selection of music from Mozart, Parry, Delibes and Saint-Seans at St Mary’s Church in Clifton Village.

Click here to find out what AI might make of Gustavo Dudamel conducting Beethoven 5.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

23/10/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

Bluey soundtrack: what pieces of classical music are used in the TV show? – Classic FM

#MfEMonday – 2nd October 2023

2nd October 2023 Music for Everyone

Good Morning All! October has arrived, and with it a few milestones of the season… sure, there’s Bake-Off and Strictly on our screens, and a host of Nottingham Forest and Notts County games to keep an eye on, but here at Music for Everyone, it’s time for our big choral ‘come and sing’ workshop day at NTU Clifton Campus, this Saturday 7^th October!

Last year we had a lovely day with Brian Kay, long-time friend of MfE and, I don’t think he would mind us saying, veteran of the choral music scene. This year we have the wonderful Sam Evans coming to work with us for a day. Sam is much in demand on the UK and International Choral Scene, conducting and singing with many of the top choirs in the country and Europe, including the BBC Singers, Monteverdi Choir and Swedish Radio Choir to name a few.

As well as being a talented chorus-master and Baritone, singing on many of the most prestigious stages around the globe, Sam is a passionate advocate for healthy and happy singing, and getting the most enjoyment out of what we do when we come together to sing and make music. This lies at the heart of what we at MfE believe, so we know that as well as working on some glorious traditional repertoire (choruses from Mendelssohn’s Elijah and CPE Bach’s Magnificat), we will all have a thoroughly lovely day meeting and learning from Sam. Sam and the singers will be accompanied on the day by our fabulous pianist Angela Foan.

If you haven’t signed up – hurry and do so, it’s going to be fab!

Bake Off fever has hit the office again this week, with the hot topic of debate being the ‘missing raspberry’ from the title sequence of the show – where do you stand?

Here are some pieces of music inspired to get you baking!

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W1F4YVmV8Y

‘Cakes and Ale’ from the Suite on English Folk Tunes (Britten): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEAbV2-RJMY

Sweeney Todd (Worst Pies in London): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVI6pGfHB2c

Do you have a small person in your life who is obsessed with the hit TV programme Bluey? We would like to think that the secret to its success is the liberal use of classical music! Click here to hear what pieces of classical music have been used in the show.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE.

02/10/2023

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF