Concerts

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10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://youtu.be/-4MBbnQXyZ4?si=OXXs1XdKFpE3PwXi

#MfEMonday – 7th July 2025

7th July 20257th July 2025 Music for Everyone

Our youth groups gave a fabulous Summer Showcase concert on Saturday. Well done to all the performers and special mention to Lyra (viola) and Layan (violin) from the East Midlands Youth String Orchestra for their wonderful solo performances. A big thank you to all the adult helpers who supported the players during the term. If you know any young string, wind or brass players who might be interested in joining please spread the word or share this link: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/whats-on/youth-music/

Last week our Daytime Voices groups held their end of term sharing concerts with the famous cake sales raising over £900 for our Open Voices groups!! Thanks to everyone who came and supported.

The Nottingham Daytime Orchestra gave a brilliant performance last Thursday including some challenging Schumann and a Pirates of Penzance medley. Loughborough Daytime Orchestra will be showcasing their work tomorrow so please come along if you can: 11am, Emmanuel Church, Loughborough LE11 3NW.

We look forward to seeing you all in September for lots more music-making. Booking for the autumn term opens very soon!

Summer School, 4th-6th August, Trent College

We are looking for alto sax players who would like to take part so please spread the word! The sax ensemble will be exploring pieces including Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite and Van Morrison’s Moondance under the expert guidance of Keiron Anderson.

Click here for full details and how to book: Course: Summer School 2025

Pimms and strawberries at the ready!! Wimbledon fever has gripped the nation so here are some musical links to SW19.

The iconic theme tune to ‘Wimbledon’ was composed by Roy Mansfield, written in 1970s – it was called ‘Light and Tuneful’ and not composed as a sports theme but written for a sound library available to TV companies. It just happened to be chosen by the BBC for the intro to the Wimbledon coverage. Another of his compositions ended up being chosen as the theme to ‘Grandstand”

Follow the link for an interview with Roy about his music: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j88lxx

Throwback to Lockdown craziness with this rendition of the Wimbledon theme tune from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. It was recorded remotely during lockdown in June 2020:

Finally…Leading British violist Graham Oppenheimer demonstrates the ultimate viola joke by turning his instrument into a tennis racket, complete with expanding foam and ultra tough glaze. Those of a nervous disposition should look away now!

https://youtu.be/fmxP3qlWDuU?si=af8ezw-EwGUpWN2n

Nottingham Chamber Music festival takes place this week from 10th-13th July with some exciting events in store.

On Friday 11th July, the Villiers Quartet will be performing at St Mary’s Church, The Lace Market at 7.30pm

https://nottchamberfest.com/events/villiers-quartet-haydn-fung-schubert/

There is the chance for string players to join in a play along of Schubert’s Rosamunde quartet in the afternoon!

https://nottchamberfest.com/events/vq-discovery-schubert-rosamunde-play-along/

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

07/07/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

Best Classical Music For Winter: Top 10 Pieces

#MfEMonday – 30th June 2025

30th June 2025 Music for Everyone

Daytime Voices Sherwood bid an emotional farewell to their conductor Greg Treloar at their end of term concert on Thursday. Greg is leaving Nottingham to take up a new teaching position at St Thomas’ in Battersea. We are really grateful for everything he has done to keep the Sherwood Daytime Voices thriving, and we wish him all the best for the future. We are delighted to announce that Owen Jones who currently leads the Wollaton group, will be taking over at the helm.

Our choral workshop at St Martin’s Sherwood on Saturday drew singers from across the region for a day of inspiring music-making. Led by renowned choral conductor Neil Ferris, our singers explored well-loved choral classics and delved into newly written partner works by contemporary composers. Neil’s warm, cheerful approach, expert technical guidance and deep musical insight left everyone energised and musically enriched, despite the heat! The workshop concluded with an informal performance, showcasing the remarkable progress made in just a few hours together.

Upcoming Events:

A Summer Celebration – Saturday 05 July, St Luke’s Church, West Bridgford, 3:30pm

Music for Everyone’s Strictly Strings, Youth String Orchestra & Youth Bands present a concert to celebrate summer!

Tickets are available online here, by calling the office on 0115 958 9312 or on the door.

Recorder Day – Saturday 06 September, NTU Clifton

We are thrilled to be joined by 2 recorder maestros, Laszlo Rozsa and Nigel Martin, for this workshop day! Book your place here or by calling the office on 015 958 9312

With temperatures continuing to rise, here is a lovely wintery playlist to help you keep cool!

Monday Night Live! Monday 30 June, 7-9pm, Sherwood Methodist Church.

A fun-packed evening of entertainment for all tastes. Music, even dance from performers who all meet to practise at Sherwood Methodist Church. Up to 10 acts including The Belters, Sherwood Chorus and The Rise Choirs.

Free entry with refreshments and cake (including Greg’s famous chocolate squares – if you know, you know!) available during the interval. All funds raised in aid of the church.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

30/06/2025

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10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

15 best pieces of classical music for summertime – Classic FM

#MfEMonday – 23rd June 2025

23rd June 2025 Music for Everyone

Happy Birthday to Nottingham Chamber Singers!

Temperatures soared and so did the melodies on Saturday night as the choir celebrated their 40^th anniversary with a special concert at Beeston Parish Church. Angela Kay and Rachel Parkes guided us masterfully through a sumptuous programme of works chosen for their personal connection to the choir.This included a world premiere of The Nightingale composed specially for the choir and strings by Nottinghamshire born composer Libby Croad and we were delighted that she was able to join us for the performance. Flute soloist, Annette Negus captivated the audience with Syrinx by Debussy for solo flute and joined the choir and strings for the dreamy Pastoral ‘Lie Strewn the White Flocks’ by Arthur Bliss. The celebrations concluded with a special rendition of Happy Birthday followed by very welcome refreshments of cake and fizz!

Here are some photo highlights…

Last few spaces available for the singing workshop with Neil Ferris next Saturday 28th June!

Click here to book online or call the office on 0115 958 9312

After the recent heatwave, keep cool and ring in the sun-drenched months ahead with these chilled classical melodies, courtesy of Vivaldi, Albéniz, Gershwin and more.

Two upcoming concerts you may be interested in:

Monday Night Live – 30th June, Sherwood Methodist Church, 7pm. A concert celebrating musical and artistic diversity as part of Sherwood Arts Week. Free admission.

Nottingham Chamber Wind Ensemble Concert: next Saturday 28th June, 7:30pm at St Mary’s Church, Bleasby (see attached flyer)

SoundLincs are seeking a Marketing Consultant to join the Future of the Past team.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

23/06/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 9th June 2025

9th June 2025 Music for Everyone

Much fun was had at our Family Festival day in Beeston on Saturday – and we even managed some sunshine between the showers! Thanks to everyone who came along to take part.

The cake and tombola stalls did a roaring trade and we were entertained by a host of musical groups including Open Voices, Nottingham Chamber Singers, SAM Big Band and Wollaton Daytime Voices. Huge thanks to all the groups for performing, Milla’s African drumming workshops and Rachel and Owen for the singing workshops.

We also want to say a massive thank you to our wonderful Kirstie for all her hard work co-ordinating the whole event and wish her all the best for her maternity leave!

Calling all recorder players! Our Recorder Workshop Day on Saturday 6^th September is now open for booking.

The workshop will be led by principal recorder player of the renowned Dunedin Consort, László Rózsa, who will also be giving a short performance and take a Q & A session. László will tutor the advance repertoire sessions in the afternoon, and we are thrilled that Nigel Martin will join us in the afternoon to conduct the main ensemble. The music chosen reflects a broad sweep of styles from the heyday of the Renaissance to the present day.

For more details click here or call 0115 958 9312.

There is also still time to book for the following upcoming events:

Blow the Dust – 14th June

NCS 40th Birthday Celebration Concert – 21st June

Singing Workshop with Neil Ferris – 28th June

A Summer Celebration, Youth Concert – 5th July

Summer School – 4th – 6th August

We are very excited that MfE has got a mention in a new book by cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason! The Power of Music: How Music Connects Us All. Sheku talks about how MfE singing weekends provided him and his siblings with an introduction to harmony and music-making with others:

“We began exploring music through the Music for Everyone charity in Nottingham which ran courses for children’s choir singing. Our mum was very keen that we should sing in choirs, and vocal courses spanned two or three intensive weekends of group tuition with other Nottingham children, culminating in a big concert at Nottingham’s Albert Hall. This allowed us to learn harmony and music-making with others before we began learning instruments, at least string instruments.

We were all very young – I must have been three or four years old – and we were all excited to be taking part in this adventure. We were given a cassette tape to play in our battered seven-seater”…

Definitely one to add to the reading list!

Do you know anyone looking for a full size or ¾ size violin? If so please ask them to get in touch with Su via email su@music-for-everyone.org or call 0115 958 9312.
Bookwise Nottingham has new summer opening hours for June July and August:
Monday to Thursday – 11am – 4pm
Friday and Saturday – 11am – 4.30pm
Come and take a look at the amazing range of books and sheet music!

They would particularly welcome donations of good quality paperback fiction, science fiction and advanced instrumental sheet music.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

09/06/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://youtu.be/vsut8hlCrcg?si=w8IAUk7OlGuukK8p

#MfEMonday – 12th May 2025

12th May 2025 Music for Everyone

On Sunday, the Nottingham Chamber Singers gathered at Nottingham University for a special ‘Meet the Composer’ workshop with composer Libby Croad. They were joined by fellow singers from Music for Everyone, talented string players, and young musicians from the East Midlands Youth String Orchestra. Libby, who has been commissioned to compose a brand-new work ‘The Nightingale’ for NCS’s 40th Anniversary Concert this June, shared fascinating insights into her creative process. From the first spark of an idea to the shaping of musical phrases, attendees were given a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the journey of a composition in the making.

There was plenty of opportunity for discussion too — singers and players were invited to ask questions, offer feedback, and even influence the work itself. It was a unique opportunity to be part of a very special historic moment for the NCS

Don’t miss the chance to hear the final piece come to life at the anniversary concert on 21st June. Tickets are available online here or by calling the office on 0115 958 9312.

On Saturday 28th June, we have the Singing workshop day ‘Choral Inspirations’ with BBC Symphony Chorus Director Neil Ferris. Sign up to take part here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/neilferris/

We are excited to welcome Neil Ferris to our next singing workshop day at St Martin’s Church in Sherwood. Neil recently spoke with Rachel over Zoom about all things choral music, here’s a snippet introducing himself to you!

Keep an eye out for the full interview coming soon!

—————————————

As our singing workshop in June is all about ‘inspiration’ we’ve discovered some quotes about music from composers – some inspiring and some downright strange for musing on a Monday!

Leonard Bernstein – “To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.”

Benjamin Britten – “The old idea of a composer suddenly having a terrific idea and sitting up all night to write it is nonsense. Night time is for sleeping.”

Richard Wagner – “Imagination creates reality.”

Do you shop online? If you do, you can support MfE further at no extra cost to you through Easy Fundraising! It is free to set up an account, choose your charity to support (Music for Everyone!) and visit your online shops through their website to generate donations straight from the brands you shop with. Information is anonymous so we can’t tell where you’ve been shopping for peace of mind! Find out how and set it up today here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/musicforeveryone

Music For Everyone Fundraising | Easyfundraising

Raise free funds for Music For Everyone today by shopping online via Easyfundraising. Click now to shop at no extra cost and raise free donations.

www.easyfundraising.org.uk

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There is a free drum workshop taking place on Thursday 15th May at NTU.

Details can be found here: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/events/events/2025/4/slow-hands,-fast-ears-drumkit-worshop?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ1qcBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFycjlRZ3lvVGM5em5FRnpSAR7s55DOVB0UjwpSc1s-Mx_M9p1ZUxIZtsaOvG0wUa5fo4I9kMX2Zryo5xuuIg_aem_LcT-9mdI7hAyZi1EzDDkfQ
Free SING! Workshops for Y5-8 from the National Youth Choir. These will be on 18th May, 13th September and 18th October in Newark and Mansfield. Each workshop day is led by a friendly team of vocal leaders from National Youth Choir. Young singers in school years 5-8 will learn exciting new songs, make new friends and develop their musical skills. Sign up now to join them at their next free event https://www.nationalyouthchoir.org.uk/sing-nottinghamshire

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

12/05/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

The best classical music for studying and helping you focus

#MfEMonday – 24th March 2025

24th March 2025 Music for Everyone

The Big Give:

We asked, and wow did you deliver! Thanks to your incredible generosity, we smashed our target of £2,500 within the first 24 hours! The Daytime Voices cake sales alone raised over £1000 and still counting! With match funding from the Big Give, our total now stands at £5,809 and we still have 24 hours to go! All of the money raised will go towards supporting our wonderful Open Voices groups. Donations can still be made here.

If you were thinking of donating, but didn’t get round to it, you could always donate to our Supporters’ Scheme and become part of our musical family! Supporter perks include :

Have your name listed in our concert programmes (optional)

Be invited to special annual concert event for Supporters
Receive a termly e-newsletter about our latest charitable adult and youth initiatives

Click here for more information or to join.

Upcoming concerts:

Nottingham Chamber Singers, Easter Images – Saturday 29 March, St Peters Ruddington, 7:30pm

MfE’s Nottingham Chamber Singers and Players warmly invite you to join them this coming Saturday, 29 March, at 7.30pm in St Peter’s Church, Ruddington, for their special ‘Easter Images’ concert.

Conducted by Angela Kay and Rachel Parkes, the programme showcases outstanding choral and instrumental pieces associated with the story of Easter. It includes excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s St John and St Matthew Passions and Rachmaninov’s Vespers, with exquisite interludes by Brahms and Purcell. Poems and Gospel readings link with the music to tell a reflective and joyful story.

St Peter’s church is warm and comfortable and refreshments will be served by the choir. Tickets (£13 full, £12 conc., £5 child/student) are available online by clicking here and on the door. We would love to see you there.

MfE Youth Groups, The Spirit of Spring – Saturday 5th April, Sherwood Methodist Church, 3pm
Music for Everyone’s Strictly Strings, Youth String Orchestra, and Youth Bands bring you a joyful springtime concert bursting with youthful energy and talent. Tickets available here or on the door.

Got a young person cramming for exams? If so, help them hit peak focus with 15 of the best pieces of classical music to aid mental focus and concentration!

Helpers needed for Vocals! Our next singing workshop and concert for young children (school years 1 – 8) is coming up soon on 26^th & 27^th April and we would love for some enthusiastic adults to join the support team!

General duties would be helping with registration and supervision throughout the day, joining in the magical singing with Rachel Parkes, Sara King and Helen Maddison and manning the all-important tuck shop! If you are interested, please email kirstie@music-for-everyone.org

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

24/03/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMonday – 10th March 2025

10th March 2025 Music for Everyone

This weekend has seen over 130 young instrumentalists attend the twice-annual Bandwise and Stringwise workshop days at South Nottinghamshire Academy. Lots of music-making and fun was had, we can’t wait to hear all the groups in their concert at the Albert Hall next Sunday!

Places are now full for the From West End to Broadway workshop day this coming Saturday 15^th March, but why not come and support the choir in their early evening concert!

Tickets available to buy in advance here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/from-west-end-to-broadway/ or buy on the door, subject to availability.

The bar will be open from 4.30pm to grab a drink before the concert at 5pm.

It was International Women’s Day on Saturday 8^th March, so we’d like to take a moment to recognise all the incredible women in music, from composers, performers and conductors taking over the world, to the strong women of MfE!

One woman who has recently gained attention is the first full-time female musician in the New York Philharmonic, Orin O’Brien. A double bass player, she was hired under the baton of Leonard Bernstein and a documentary telling her story won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film at the recent 2025 Awards. ‘The Only Girl in the Orchestra’ is available to watch on Netflix and you can read more of her story here: https://www.classicfm.com/artists/new-york-philharmonic/orin-obrien-first-woman-orchestra-interview/

The Nottingham University and Chamber Choirs invite MfE members to their next concert on Saturday 22^nd March 7.30pm in the Great Hall, Trent Building. Featuring Will Todd’s Mass in Blue with singer Lorna James and guest jazz trio Sharp Little Bones. The programme is a gorgeous mix of French, jazz-inspired and Lenten music. Both choirs are conducted by MfE’s wonderful Rachel Parkes – come and support the next choral generation! Tickets and more information can be found here: https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/event/university-choir-chamber-choir-2/
Teak 1970s piano is available, in great condition – pictures below. If you, or anyone you know, community groups or individuals, are interested, please email us and we will put you in touch with the owner.
PIANO STOOL WITH MUSIC COMPARTMENT. If you need a stool to go with the piano, we also have one of those on offer too! Contact the office for more details.

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

10/03/2025

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 – 10th February 2025

10th February 2025 Music for Everyone

We’re having a quieter February at MfE so here’s a reminder of what’s coming up in March – it’s going to be a busy one!

Bandwise & Stringwise is still open for bookings. If you know a young musician, please encourage them to sign up to receive their music pack! Workshops take place over the weekend 8^th & 9^th March, followed by a joint concert on Sunday 16^th March at Nottingham’s Albert Hall!

To sign up for Bandwise, click here: BYME – Bandwise 2025

To sign up for Stringwise, click here: BYME – Stringwise 2025

From West End to Broadway – Musicals workshop day on Saturday 15^th March.

At the John Godber Centre in Hucknall, the day is lead by Rachel Parkes with guest compere Simon Theobald. With songs from Wicked, Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof.

Easter Images – a concert by the Nottingham Chamber Singers on Saturday 29^th March, 7.30pm.

St Peter’s Church, Ruddington.

A rich sequence of outstanding choral and instrumental pieces, linked by readings will take you on a reflective yet joyful Easter journey.

Book tickets here: NCS concert: Easter Images

We have recently started to create some short videos about the many wonderful music opportunities we have at Music for Everyone, here’s our first 2 videos (created and edited by Nathan Duffy) featuring West Bridgford Daytime Voices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snN1lXlHzCI and West Bridgford Open Voices: https://youtu.be/M3e_t5IgGXU

Please share far and wide, more videos coming soon!

Hearing Words in a sea of noise

Student Akshaya Jeyasri from NTU is recruiting individuals aged above 18 years, who learn/practice MUSIC: singing (with less than 2 years of formal music training) for a research study as part of her PhD, which investigates how people understand speech in noisy situations and if practising a skill for 2 hrs a week benefit this.

Why is this study important?

Hearing in noisy situations is a skill which is found impaired in people even with normal hearing and it also declines with age. Engaging ourselves in learning a skill can help us manage with the decline. This study will help us to find out the factors which affects the normal processing and see how the short course could benefit this.

What does the study involve?

You will attend 2 lab visits at NTU City Campus

Visit 1 (~3 hours) Could be split between 2 sessions if required. Each visit involves completing several tasks, including one that measures your brain activity.

Visit 2 (~3 hours): after 8 weeks/sessions of your course. In which you will complete similar tasks as the first visit.

Interested or have questions? Follow this link https://forms.office.com/e/xm1RXzsmic to participate and gain a chance to win £50 prize voucher.

Please reach out for more information. Email: akshaya.kannan2023@my.ntu.ac.uk

Have a great week!

Your friends at MfE

10/02/2025

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF