Nottingham Festival Chorus

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://www.music-for-everyone.org/

#MfEMondays are Music for Everyone’s weekly emails designed to keep you up to date with MfE events & to circulate interesting finds, special features, and motivational moments for your Mondays! We are aiming to send out something new each week.

#MfEMonday – 11th April 2022

11th April 202211th April 2022 Music for Everyone

The MfE groups are taking a well-deserved break for Easter after a busy Spring term.

While the groups are off, the artistic and office team are busy prepping for a wonderful summer term full of music – all the details can be found on our website, below is a quick overview of what is coming up!

Musicals course and concert – 23/24 April
Vocals course and concert – 14/15 & 21 May
Blow the Dust playing day – 11 June
NFC Jubilee workshop and concert – 25/26 June
Summer School – 8/9/10 August

We’re sure you are all familiar with the traditional Easter Egg (painted/decorated/chocolate/etc!) but we’ve found out some interesting facts about the ‘other’ type of easter egg… the ones that double as secret or hidden messages in music.

One of the first composers to do this was J.S. Bach and he hid one Easter Egg so well, it wasn’t discovered for 250 years in his Mass in B
Minor!

He would often sign his name into his music B A C H as an ‘easter egg’ (in German notation, the letter H is used for B natural, and B is used for B flat). Whether these were always intentional will never be known, but it seems to most experts that he would add them to the beginning or end of a piece as a ‘signing off’.

Do you know of any others that he hid his name in?

Bach: Mass in B Minor – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FLbiDrn8IE

And for Easter, here is Bach’s St John Passion, composed in 1724 for the Good Friday Vespers service in the same year – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMf9XDQBAaI&t=4s

Happy Easter from the MfE Team!

Quiz time! Can you work out the John Williams film from these emojis? Some are easier than others… https://www.classicfm.com/lifestyle/quizzes/john-williams-film-score-emojis/

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

11/04/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 7th February 2022

7th February 2022 Music for Everyone

MfE Music Making is Back!

CHORAL AND OPERA CLASSICS

On Saturday 5th February over 140 singers and 34 instrumentalists came together to give a splendid concert showcasing the excellence of both choir and orchestra.

Soloists Rachel Parkes, Ellie Martin Choir and orchestra in a concert and Matthew Jordan joined the Nottingham Festival Chorus and Nottingham Concert Orchestra, conducted by Angela Kay, in performing extracts from Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Fauré’s Requiem, and the much loved Flower Duet (more popularly known as the British Airways’ theme!) from Delibes’ Lakmé.

Below are a few photos from the afternoon rehearsal and concert – Festival Chorus and Concert Orchestra sounding fantastic!

Yesterday marked 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne, making her the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

During her reign she has been a committed supporter of the arts and Britain’s musical life. Her own interest in music began at an early age when she was tutored by Sir William Henry Harris, resident organist of the Chapel of St George’s at Windsor Castle, and regularly joined the senior choristers for madrigal practice. At 11 years old, Princess Elizabeth learned to play the piano, and continues to play for her own enjoyment.

In 2005, The Queen inaugurated The Queen’s Music Medal – an award for individuals who have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation, and in 2014 she authorised the first female Master of the Queen’s Music, composer Judith Weir.

The Queen regularly attends concerts, champions musicians in the New Year Honours List and supports a number of military bands and orchestras.

Symbolic of this devotion to music, The Queen holds two honorary degrees in Music, a Bachelor of Music from the University of London, and a Doctor of Music from the University of Wales.

Click here to see Soprano Alexandra Stevenson sing two of The Queen’s favourite hymns in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee.

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

07/02/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 31st January 2022

31st January 2022 Music for Everyone

MfE’s next Family Sing is taking place on Saturday 26 March at Kingswood Methodist Church in Wollaton. This intergenerational singing afternoon is open to all, from aged 5 upwards – children must be accompanied by at least one adult!

We’ll be singing some fun warm ups to get us going then Alison and Rachel will be leading in great songs such as When I Grow Up from ‘Matilda’ and Bare Necessities from the ‘Jungle Book’. All details and how to sign up are on our website: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/family-sing-workshop/

Final reminder for anyone who would like to see the Nottingham Festival Chorus free concert on Saturday 5th February at the Albert Hall. The concert will start at 4:30 featuring music by Mendelssohn, Handel, Haydn and Faure. If you would like to attend, please request your concert passes by following this link https://www.music-for-everyone.org/nfc-concert-passes/

Inspiration for music can come from anywhere. On this beautiful sunny (and very blustery!) day, here are some pieces that have been inspired by beautiful walks and countryside and hopefully take you on a journey through caves, over hills and far away! (without getting blown away today)

Starting with The Hebrides by Felix Mendelssohn, Fingal’s Cave sets the scene for unusual echoes within: https://youtu.be/zcogD-hHEYs

Over the Malvern hills to depictions of the English countryside with Elgar’s Enigma Variations, one of which even gives a musical rendition of a bulldog falling into a river… do you know which one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLNLvcBmoqo

Have you heard of the new online word game sensation Wordle? You may have seen there is also a musical (specifically choral) version called Byrdle! Warning: highly addictive. https://rbrignall.github.io/byrdle/

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

31/01/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 24th January 2022

24th January 2022 Music for Everyone

This week saw all of our regularly rehearsing groups spring back into action! Four Daytime Voices choirs, two Daytime Orchestras, three Open Voices groups, one Flute Choir, one Swing Band, one Lunchtime Voices choir, one Chamber Choir, two Youth String groups and three Youth Wind bands! That’s approximately 500 people in one week. And all of them delighted to be back making music together.

Perhaps you weren’t aware of the wide variety of groups that MFE run on a regular basis. Do have a look at our website www.music-for-everyone.org to see information about all these groups and the upcoming youth and adult events.

In last week’s MFE Mondays we mentioned the Nottingham Festival Chorus workshop on Saturday 5th February. At the end of the workshop there will be free concert starting at 4:30 featuring music by Mendelssohn, Handel, Haydn and Faure. If you would like to attend, please order your pass by following this link https://www.music-for-everyone.org/nfc-concert-passes/

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions and often fail to continue them beyond the end of January! However, some people choose to make a musical New Year’s resolution. Here are a few examples –

“My goal in 2022 is to dedicate myself to practicing regularly for my weekly keyboard class so I can expand my musical horizons!” Project Manager

“My 2022 New Year’s resolution is to sing better even if it’s only the car or the shower.” Designer

“My music resolution is to play my trumpet regularly again. It’s just sitting in the case right now collecting dust. Thus year I’m going to get it back out and play more often!” Office administrator

“I don’t play any instruments, but I’m an avid music listener. My goal is to find a new artist to listen to every month this year.” Web developer

What will your musical resolution be this year? Do let us know.

Why not start the year off by testing your musical knowledge? This online quiz is great fun but might have you scratching your head on some of the questions – http://classicaltest.net/ Congratulations if you manage 100%!

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

24/01/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 17th January 2022

17th January 2022 Music for Everyone

Good News! We have decided to go ahead with the Festival Chorus singing course and concert – Choral and Opera Classics.

It will now take place over just one day, Saturday February 5th at the Albert Hall in Nottingham. The programme will include extracts from Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Fauré’s Requiem and Haydn’s Creation. Full details can be found on our website and we still have places available. If you would like to come along and have a good sing of this super music then please visit: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/nfc-course-weekend/ or telephone 0115 9589312 for more information.

At MfE, we have developed a special partnership with the brain injury charity ‘Headway’. As part of our warm-ups at Headway (and often in our weekly community singing groups), we work hard to bring the two sides of our brains together by performing well-known ‘Brain Gym’ exercises. Singing stimulates multiple areas of the brain at the same time. This may enable people with an impairment in one part of the brain to communicate using other areas of their brain. Singing can also prolong the sounds in each word, which may make it easier to pronounce them.

If you want to sharpen up your focus and oxygenate your blood; singing, breathing and brain gym are great ways to do this. Have a go at some of the 15 exercises featured here, and see if they improve your day!! https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/simple-brain-gym-exercises-and-its-benefits/

PS. We also know that if you play a musical instrument or enjoy reading or listening to music, then you are stimulating that same part of your brain, so you don’t have to be a singer to enjoy this!

PPS. Thanks to those of you who have emailed in to enquire about volunteering within our singing sessions, Rachel will be in touch shortly as she was unwell last week.

Classic FM have launched a new series for their 30^th year anniversary called Inner Harmony, focussing on well-being and the power of classical music – hosted by Dr Alex George, the UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador. Take a listen on Sundays from 9pm!

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

17/01/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMondays – 25th October 2021

25th October 2021 Music for Everyone

MfE are thrilled to be working in partnership with Inspire Nottinghamshire Music Hub on a new project as we expand the Health & Well-being programmes. (Click to find out more about other projects!)

The Lullaby Bank is for babies aged 0 – 9 months with an emphasis on post-natal well-being and bonding for mothers. There are currently 2 sessions running each week at Beeston Library (Tues am) and West Bridgford Library (Thurs am), singing lullabies from around the world. It is free to attend, but booking is essential as places are limited. The 10-week course will be running after Christmas too – booking will be open soon – if you know a mum with a new baby, invite them along! https://www.music-for-everyone.org/health-well-being/the-lullaby-bank/

Also, ONLINE BOOKING IS NOW OPEN for the adult singing and playing courses in January 2022!

Blow the Dust – 8^th January, orchestral workshop day for adult instrumentalists. Find out more and book online here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/blow-the-dust-off-your-instrument-3/

Nottingham Festival Chorus: Opera course weekend and concert – 29^th/30^th Jan & 5^th Feb, conducted by Angela Kay and featuring soloists Ellie Martin and Rachel Parkes: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/nfc-course-weekend/

With October being Black History Month, we take a look at one of the leading composers around the turn of the twentieth century – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

His best known work, a trilogy of cantatas known as The Song of Hiawatha, is based on poems of the same name by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which relate to the adventures of a Native American hero called Hiawatha and his love Minnehaha. Coleridge-Taylor made the connection between Native Americans and African Americans by modelling the main theme of the Hiawatha Overture on the spiritual song ‘Nobody knows the Trouble I’ve seen’ – see if you can hear it here: https://youtu.be/pkqaSqwHlsw

His legacy would be The Song of Hiawatha as one of the most performed choral works until the 2^nd World War – rivalled only by Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.

Following his sudden death in 1912, a memorial concert was held for Coleridge-Taylor with proceeds going to his young family. After it was discovered just how little he had profited from the success of his works, many were appalled and the outrage led to the establishment of the Performing Rights Society.

Here’s a great half term activity you can try – make your own paper flute! All you need is a piece of card/paper, tape, scissors and a ruler. We made one in the office and can confirm it works! Let us know how you get on. Click this link and follow the instructions! How to make a paper flute
Here’s our MfE paper flute, for inspiration!

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

25/10/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMondays – 18th October 2021

18th October 2021 Music for Everyone

Saturday saw 150 people gathering at Nottingham’s Albert Hall for our Autumn Singing Workshop and Concert. This was the first event for the Nottingham Festival Chorus since January 2020 which was originally planned to take place in June. However, despite the postponement, it was a fantastic occasion, the chorus in fine voice with rousing renditions of Vaughan William’s Let All the World in Every Corner Sing and Holst’s Psalm 148 accompanied by Henry Parkes on the organ along with the strings of the Nottingham Classical Players. Other music included three anthems by John Rutter and excerpts from Henry Purcell’s Ode to Queen Mary with Sarah Trevers, Rachel Parkes, Angela Kay and Greg Treloar singing the solo arias.

The concert programme also contained two organ solos, Elgar’s Chanson du Matin played by the strings and two items by the Nottingham Chamber Singers. All in all, a great day!

Here are some moments our photographer managed to capture.

As the daily temperatures begin to fall and the autumn colours appear on the trees, we thought you might like some music inspired by the change of season to listen to –

Autumn Music – Jennifer Higdon – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA8zWzGuDjg

Autumn (from Die Jahreszeiten) – Joseph Haydn – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHYBac1B6_g

Autumn (from The Seasons) – Aexander Glazunov – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg6dZScORQk

Autumn Leaves – Joseph Kosma – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9-6lnnUeT4

Performing music is often a very serious business but the duo of violinist Alexsey Igudesman and pianist Hyung-ki Joo prove that classical musicians often have a sense of humour too…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKZITB_r8t0

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

18/10/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – Keeping in Touch

14th June 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone,

Today was meant to be the day we would all hear that Step 4, the final unlocking was going to take place, as scheduled, on Monday 21^st June. But as we now all know – that isn’t going to take place.

So where does that leave us as far as everything we have planned for the remainder of this season?

At the moment, this is how things stand:

Tuesday 14^th June – Daytime Voices rehearsal at the Albert Hall. This has been cancelled.
Saturday 19^th June 1.30 – 5.30pm – Youth Windband Workshop afternoon at the Albert Hall. Still going ahead and places available. Visit here to sign up https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/youth-wind-band-workshop
Sunday 20^th June 1.30 – 5.30pm – Youth String Workshop afternoon at the Albert Hall. Still going ahead and places available. Visit here to sign up https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/youth-string-workshop
Sunday 27^th June 10am – 5pm – Adult Singing Workshop at the Albert Hall. ‘Let all the world in every corner Sing!’ We are awaiting guidance from Making Music, the national organisation which represents amateur music making societies, to see if this can still go ahead. More information to follow very soon.
Saturday 10^th July 10am – 5.30pm – Adult Playing Workshop at the Albert Hall. ‘Blow the dust off your Instrument’. Still going ahead and places available. Visit here to sign up https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/blow-the-dust-off-your-instrument-3
Saturday 17^th July 1.30 – 4.30pm – Family Sing Workshop afternoon at the Albert Hall. We are awaiting guidance from Making Music to see if this can still go ahead. More information to follow very soon.
Monday 9^th – Wednesday 11^th August – MfE Summer School at Trent College. We are keeping our fingers crossed that all restriction will have been lifted by August – so – still going ahead and places available. Visit here to sign up https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/summer-school-2021

We hope things will be clearer by next week – in the meantime, we try and stay optimistic and positive!

Have a good week.

With all best wishes

Angela

Watch this video for a giggle… string players getting competitive! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKezUd_xw20

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

14/06/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMondays – Keeping in Touch

26th April 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone

Last week saw our regularly rehearsing youth instrumental groups coming together and once again, making music!

Lots of happy faces and joyous sounds – these pictures give you a bit of an idea as to what went on!

(Nottingham Youth Band, West Bridgford and Beeston, followed by East Midlands Youth String Orchestra and Nottingham Strictly Strings)

And many of our adult singers had an enjoyable on-line rehearsal with ‘yours truly’ last Saturday morning. We were looking at the music we will be ‘bringing to life’ in Nottingham’s Albert Hall on Sunday June 27^th (Vaughan Williams, Purcell, Rutter and Holst) and with over 150 singers already signed up for this workshop day, it should be really special. We can accommodate up to 200 singers so if you haven’t signed up yet and would like to come along then just click here for more details https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/summer-singing-workshop-day

Have a good week

With all best wishes

Angela

In honour of a MfE birthday over the weekend, we thought we’d share not one, but SIX different versions of the Happy Birthday tune, in the style of Beethoven, Mozart and more! Have a listen and see which is your favourite at the YouTube link here. https://youtu.be/OaZveHbxAYs

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

26/04/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF