ADULT MUSIC

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 motivational moments for your Mondays! We are aiming to send out something new each week.

#MfEMonday – 21st February 2022

21st February 2022 Music for Everyone

The MfE Summer School is now open for booking!

This year we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Vaughan Williams by exploring his musical connection with English composers such as Walton, Britten and Purcell.

Guest artists will include trumpeter Anthony Thompson from Sinfonia Viva, violist Carmen Flores of the acclaimed Villiers Quartet and inspirational baritone Simon Theobald. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

For full details or to book a place follow this link: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/summer-school-2022/

For fans of Beethoven…

Bookwise has collected a large donation of books and CD’s on Beethoven. The donor very sadly is terminally ill and he has given his lifelong collection to the shop to benefit the Music for Everyone charity. It is a wonderful and generous donation. The books, which are in excellent condition, have now been collated and typed up (all 163 of them!) and are ready and available for purchasing at discounted prices.

If you are interested in looking at the list and subsequently buying any, please contact Jane McDermott, the Voluntary Music Manager at Bookwise, Nottingham:

Email jachmcd@gmail.com or telephone 07976 354 747.

The books will be sold on a “first come, first served” basis.

The CD collection covers the whole of Beethoven’s music with multiple recordings by different conductors. There is a Deutsche Grammophon Complete Set of 87 CD’s in Volumes 1-19 with Volume 20 being Historic Recordings. It was made to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Deutsche Grammophon in 1998. Included is a 304 page book on the Complete Edition. The huge collection is in the process of being collated and typed up and will be available in the very near future. However if anybody wishes to contact Jane about any requests, please do so.

Finally, please feel free to inform anybody that you know who may be interested in these Beethoven books and CD’s as it is a great opportunity to raise valuable funds for MfE and to value our generous donor’s lifelong passion and collection.

Thank you!

Over the past two weeks the Winter Olympics have been taking place in and around Beijing and Team GB leave with two medals – gold in the women’s curling and silver in the men’s event. In homage to this fortnight of skiing, skating, curling and boarding here are pieces that conjure up thoughts of winter sports!

Ravel’s Bolero – back in 1984 Nottingham legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean glided graciously to Gold in Sarajevo with a knockout routine to Ravel’s Bolero, memorably receiving sixes across the board!

https://youtu.be/t2zbbN4OL98

Fonteyn’s Pop Looks Bach – chosen by the BBC as their Ski Sunday theme tune, this catchy number for strings and timps instantly evokes images of perfect powder and snowy slopes!

https://youtu.be/jOEO_fgG3-I

Richard Strauss’s An Alpine Symphony – a dramatic and atmospheric depiction of the majestic mountains. If you don’t have time to listen to the whole 50 minute tone-poem here is a snippet from the spine-tingling climax:

https://youtu.be/xK7z2NhUrsQ

MFE have some instruments for sale! Do you know anyone who might be interested in these beautiful electro-acoustic guitars? https://www.music-for-everyone.org/instruments-for-sale/#
If so, please help spread the word or get in touch for further details!

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

21/02/2022

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

#MfEMonday – 10th January 2022

10th January 2022 Music for Everyone

Happy New Year!

As many of you know, Angela Kay, the founder and driver of MfE for almost forty years, has decided to step down from the position of Artistic Director as from September of this year although she intends to continue with some conducting.

The trustees are now looking to recruit a Director who has both music experience, vision and strategic & managerial capacity/potential. The job advert is going out now and the trustees hope to reach a wide, national audience and we’d like your help! Have you any contacts anywhere in the UK who may be interested themselves, or have further contacts worth letting know about this post?

We would be very grateful if you would forward the advert to anyone who may be able to help get the word out. Details can be found at our website: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/about-us/vacancies

What a way to start the New Year with our Blow the Dust off your Instrument event on Saturday! Over 120 instrumentalists came along to the Nottingham Albert Hall to enjoy playing pieces including The Big Country, Moon River and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No.4. Well done to all involved!

We are very pleased to announce that our Nottingham Lunchtime Voices group is starting up again on Thursdays, 12.30pm from 20th January. It will take place at a new City Centre venue – the Drama Studio at the NTU Music Centre. For full details please visit: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/whats-on/adult-music/workers-lunchtime-choir/

Volunteer Callout! We’re looking for a volunteer to help support our Headway singing for health sessions in Nottingham on Friday mornings between 10-11.30am from January to March. Someone with a gentle and good-humoured personality who is enthusiastic with joining in warm-ups/ brain gym/ rounds and well-known songs. Anyone interested should contact Rachel Parkes for more details: rachel@music-for-everyone.org

After the excesses of the festive season many of us will have made the usual New Year Resolutions to be healthier and get into shape. Here are some motivational work-out videos to give you some inspiration… if nothing else they will give you a good laugh which still counts as exercise!!

Workout for Classical Music Lovers: https://youtu.be/qtuVsOONKH4

Jazzercise for some great 80s leotards: https://youtu.be/LD1xSc7oRRk

Step Aerobics with Victoria Wood: https://youtu.be/ObOkhXGu7oY

Here are 10 reasons why singing is good for you… not that we need telling! https://www.operanorth.co.uk/news/10-reasons-singing-is-good-for-you/

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

10/01/2022

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://movementforgood.com/12days/

#MfEMonday – 20th December 2021

20th December 2021 Music for Everyone

Five Days to Christmas!

It’s nearly Christmas! And what a wonderful season of music making we have enjoyed at MfE! Another big thank you and well done to everyone who has participated in all the many groups, courses, events and concerts this term. We can’t wait to kick off 2022 with Blow the Dust on 8th January (still time to sign up – see our website!) and then welcome old and new faces to our regular groups.

LAST CHANCE to vote for us! If you haven’t already, please follow the link below and complete the short survey (takes less than 2 mins) to nominate Music for Everyone. For 12 days between 6 and 21 December, the Movement for Good are donating £1,000 to ten different nominated charities.

Our charity number is 1153412. Please select ‘Community’ from the drop down menu of charity types.

Did you know that the popular Christmas song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” has an unusual history?

Although probably based on a medieval French folksong, the famous words were first published in English in 1780. But it was English composer Frederic Austin who wrote the tune down for the first time in 1908. Unlike most folksongs and carols, this tune has irregular meters – meaning some bars are in four, some in three, some in two… very unusual!

Austin also claimed copyright for the melody of the ‘Five Gold Rings’, whilst admitting that the rest of the tune was an existing folk melody. This has led to many composers and publishers creating their own tune for that line, to avoid copyright infringement.

All kinds of interesting previous lyrics are available on the song’s Wikipedia page – so why not tantalise your Christmas guests with some nuggets of music history this yuletide?

*Piano in need of a new home* The piano is a 1934 Hopkinson upright in good working order. Please contact Cath Sutherland to discuss or arrange to see the piano: cathsuth533@hotmail.com or 07766294745.
This is the last #MfEMonday of 2021… wishing you a very Happy Christmas and Happy New Year, from everyone at MfE… hope to see many of you at Blow the Dust on 8^th Jan!

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

20/12/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 13th December 2021

13th December 2021 Music for Everyone

Congratulations to all who took part in yesterday’s Christmas is Coming concert at the Albert Hall! Everyone had a great time – even Father Christmas was impressed!

*BOOKWISE* Our bookshop in Nottingham (10 Goose Gate, Hockley) is open through December for all your book-buying-last-minute-present-shopping needs, including SUNDAYS! For December only, the shop will be open on Sundays from 11am – 3pm in addition to the usual opening hours (Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm)

Did you know that today is Saint Lucy’s Day? Also called the Feast of Saint Lucy, it commemorates Lucia of Syracuse who according to legend brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs, wearing a candle lit wreath on her head (do not try this at home) to light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible.

Her feast day, which coincided with the shortest day of the year prior to calendar reforms, is widely celebrated as a festival of light. Falling within the Advent season, Saint Lucy’s Day is viewed as a precursor of Christmastide, pointing to the arrival of the Light of Christ in the calendar on Christmas Day.

Here are some truly awful Christmas jokes to get you in the mood for those Christmas crackers! Enjoy….

What is the Three Wise Men’s favourite Christmas Carol?
Oh Camel, ye Faithful.

What is a snowman’s favourite song?
Freeze a jolly good fellow.

Why did the choir have to cancel their carol concert?
They caught Tinselitis.

What’s the best present a musician could ever receive?
A broken drum. You can’t beat it.

What do Baroque musicians do if they don’t like their Christmas presents?
Hand them Bach.

Why are sopranos so good at Christmas shopping?
They always manage to get descant prices.

What is a duck’s favourite Christmas Carol?
In the Beak Midwinter

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

13/12/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 8th November 2021

8th November 2021 Music for Everyone

The Big Youth Music Experience playing workshops took place this weekend at Bluecoat Academy, Wollaton. Over 100 young woodwind, brass, percussion and string players met over the 2 days, with wind bands on Saturday and strings on Sunday, for a rehearsal day to prepare for the concert next Sunday, which we’re all looking forward to!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend, more to come next week from the concert!

Here in the office, we’re busy sorting out music for the next Blow the Dust course to be held at the Albert Hall on Saturday 08 January. It looks like James Moross’s Big Country is going to be an ‘earworm’ for the next few months! If you’re thinking about signing up but haven’t quite decided, have a listen to this and see if we can’t tempt you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVGehYZ-tYU

Schubert Sushi? Sounds strange, but someone has been making the greatest composers out of rice balls! See if you can tell who they are here: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/classical-composers-as-rice-balls/

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

08/11/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF