#MfEMondays

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 – on a Tuesday!

3rd August 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone,

First of all, I’m sorry this ‘Keeping in Touch’ email is arriving in your mailbox a day late – my fault – just slipped my mind to press the button to get it sent out to you all!

Last week saw the annual MfE staff and office helpers SUMMER PICNIC. This tradition was started almost 15yrs ago and goes ahead no matter what the weather (I particularly remember a very soggy occasion in West Bridgford Park!) and Wollaton Park has been the venue for the past few years. The number of people coming along has gradually been augmented by the arrival of various children and grandchildren!

The picnic is usually rounded off by a game of football, rounders or cricket and here are a few photos of this year’s cricket match. Our general manager, Su is helping her little girl, Lucy to bat and some of my grandsons are in the field!

So with the picnic last week and the MfE Summer School next week I feel that Summer has well and truly arrived!

Enjoy the sun.

With all best wishes

Angela

If you, like us, have been watching the Olympics in Japan at the moment, you’ll know how exciting it’s been! But did you know there were many different genres of music included in the opening ceremony? From hymns to video game music, here’s a look at all the music for Tokyo 2020. https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/tokyo-2020-opening-ceremony-music/

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

02/08/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMondays – Keeping in Touch

19th July 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone,

Whilst many of you were wilting in the heat on Saturday afternoon some of us were enjoying a mixture of songs at our ‘socially distanced’ Family Singing afternoon in the cool of the Albert Hall!

Led by Rachel Parkes, Greg Treloar and accompanist Sally Watson, everyone experienced a variety of music including a lullaby from Africa, ‘Consider Yourself’ from the musical Oliver and that great foot tapping and hand clapping song ’Happy’!

But, try as we might, we could not escape Covid – Alison Bennett, our third leader had been ‘pinged’ earlier in the week as had our youth administrator, Kirstie Hind – both are fine and being ‘released’ back into the community later this week!

Here are a few photos.

Have a good week and enjoy the sunshine!

Angela

We know that music performances usually take place in grand and beautiful spaces, but here are some instances where it’s the other way round! These buildings have been inspired by musical instruments to create stunning architecture, some more subtle than others! https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/stunning-buildings-inspired-by-classical-music/?fbclid=IwAR2aM85A379UIAX8SHXAUaXovpaEi6AYTUTsdVgFK8pN1804mRZaQPn1OJU

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

19/07/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMondays – Keeping in Touch

12th July 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone,

Last week I was able to show you some pictures of our youth groups making music together (in the rain!).

And last Saturday, over 100 of our Blow the Dust adult instrumentalists had a wonderful day at the Albert Hall renewing friendships and making new ones.

I think that everyone felt the emotion of the ‘play-through’ concert at the end of the afternoon and a few tears were shed. Music for Everyone doing what it does the best – bringing people together from the community to make music TOGETHER!

Here are a few photographs of the day – proof that ‘socially distanced’ instrumentalists can still have a great time and they sounded good too!!!

So we’ve had a youth event and we’ve had an adult event and this coming Saturday 17th July we are combining generations for a Family Singing afternoon. And the good news is, you don’t have to bring a family along to join in, come as an individual – you’ll be very welcome. Visit our website for more details https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/family-sing-workshop

Perhaps see you this coming Saturday.

With all best wishes

Angela

Check out this beautiful arrangement of Ravel’s Bolero… played on just 1 cello! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUeysGoPFTk

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

12/07/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/summer-school-2021

#MfEMondays – Keeping in Touch

5th July 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone,

We continue to be making LIVE music!

Yesterday our youth band, Nottingham Youth Band and two youth string orchestras, East Midlands Youth String Orchestra and Strictly Strings gave a concert to family and friends in the garden of Middle Street Resource Centre. Sitting on blankets, garden chairs, under gazebos and trees an enjoyable time was had by all, despite a short ‘rain stops play’ time out!

A really big ‘thank you’ from us all to everyone who braved the weather to come and listen, to the conductors of the groups and of course, to all the young talented players who entertained everyone so well.

Here are a few photos.

Adults – we haven’t forgotten about you!

This coming Saturday we are holding our Blow the Dust off your Instrument workshop. We are full in all sections BUT if you are a viola player, a trumpeter or a descant recorder player we still have room for YOU! Full details about the workshop can be found on our website. https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/blow-the-dust-off-your-instrument-3

I always very much enjoy conducting Blow the Dust so I am particularly looking forward to this weekend – our adult instrumentalists making music together once again – terrific!

And in August we are holding our Annual Summer School. I’m sure many of you will remember our Virtual Summer School last year – our ‘In Person’ Summer school is even better! Full details can be found here – do come along and have a good sing or play.

And finally – Bookwise

Jane McDermott has asked me to let you know that we have 3 large bags of Church Music looking for a good home. Attached are details.

With all best wishes

Angela

Taking DIY to a whole new level, French band Zic Zazou play the Wedding March on homemade instruments! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlbfwIuR5uQ

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

05/07/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMondays – Keeping in Touch

21st June 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone,

Something positive – at last!

We have just had a wonderful weekend of LIVE music making!

Over 120 of our youth instrumentalists came along to Nottingham’s Albert Hall (wind band players on Saturday and string players on Sunday) and played a kaleidoscopic array of entertaining music. From Bizet’s Toreador March to Queen Greatest Hits, a Rameau Overture to Summer Stomp!! From 4year olds to late teens – they all had a great time.

A big THANKYOU to the conductors, helpers and MfE staff for making it such a great Covid secure musical success.

Here are a few pictures to give you a flavour of the event.

With all best wishes

Angela

How to prank a conductor in an orchestra and get away with it with a blast of the Imperial March in the middle of Prokofiev! https://www.classicfm.com/composers/prokofiev/imperial-march-orchestra-prank/

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

21/06/2021

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

#MfEMonday – Keeping in Touch

7th June 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone,

Hope you are all well and enjoying the sunshine!

I’m afraid there is nothing much to report this week, we just wait for the next announcement from the government scheduled for 14^th June – I don’t think they are going to have a change of heart on singing indoors until then!

But MfE is still busy and we have youth instrumental events happening at the Albert Hall over the weekend of 19/20 June. Visit our website to find out more!

WIND BAND – https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/youth-wind-band-workshop

STRINGS – https://www.music-for-everyone.org/event/youth-string-workshop/

Best wishes

Angela

PS. I received an email from Making Music, the national body which represents amateur music making in the UK. It is an update as to where things are on the ‘6 singers only’ campaign. It’s quite long but interesting – I think we might be getting somewhere. If possible, please do respond by writing to your MP – the Making Music article gives you guidance as to what to say! I’ve emailed mine 3 times now – no reply, but I’m not letting her off the hook! https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/england-step-3-guidance-choirs?utm_source=Solus&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=iNotesMay2021

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

07/06/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMondays – Keeping in Touch

31st May 202128th May 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone

Well I’m afraid that despite our best efforts, the government have still not seen sense about the ‘6 singers only’ guidance!

Many thanks to all of you who have written to your MPs and also signed the petition asking the government to re-think their guidance. If you haven’t signed it yet it’s not too late, just click here. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/586559

But we don’t let a bit of guidance put us off! On Wednesday, not defeated by the weather, the MfE Chamber Choir, the East of England Singers, managed to have a rehearsal (observing all Covid protocols) at St Leonard’s Community Hall – split initially into groups of 6 and then, once the rain had stopped, outside in the garden. Click on the attachment to have a glimpse of what it looked and sounded like (if you listen very carefully you can hear a blackbird joining in!).EOES Rehearsal 26521

So we continue to wait and hope – and we keep cheerful!

Have a good Bank Holiday Monday – at least the weather has bucked up!

Best wishes

Angela

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

31/05/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF

#MfEMondays – Keeping in Touch

24th May 2021 Music for Everyone

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello everyone,

Well what a week of frustration and disappointment!

There we all were, along with thousands of other singers throughout the country, looking forward so much to joining together and having a SING!!

But – as I’m sure you are now all aware – the government made a screeching u-turn round about 5pm last Tuesday regarding choir rehearsals and singing was proclaimed DANGEROUS!! Professional choirs are able to sing together but only 6 amateur singers are allowed to sing under one roof!!

This meant that one of our choir rehearsals on Wednesday evening could not go ahead as planned and our Family Singing Afternoon at the Albert Hall, which was going to be a wonderful event with almost 100 singers from across the generations enjoying themselves together, was scuppered and has had to be rescheduled for later in the year (17^th July). And it looks as though our Daytime Voices rehearsal scheduled for Wednesday of this week will have to be cancelled. We’ll be in touch with singers round about lunchtime tomorrow to let you know what’s happening.

So we’ve hit the media to express our feelings!

Our chairman, John Hess gave an excellent interview on East Midlands Today. https://youtu.be/PZ2ljbf25sM

Robin Reece-Crawford returned to Radio Nottingham on Sunday morning to chat once again to Francis Finn https://youtu.be/SuuhmykKVww

And the Evening Post ran an article about the whole situation. On line on Thursday https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/charity-singing-group-disappointed-latest-5439430 and in the newspaper on Saturday.

So what can you do?

Write to your MP – John wrote to his and she raised it with the Prime Minister at the meeting of the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs.
Sign this on-line petition – very easy to do and it will make a difference. Let’s see if we can make Nottingham and the surrounding areas bright red on the petition map. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/586559
Make representation to anyone you know in high places.
Hope that the government sees sense!!

We’ll keep you up-dated with any developments.

Keep cheerful!

Angela

PS The subject was raised on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme this morning – perhaps waves are being created.

MUSICAL FLASH MOB PART 4. The Royal College of Music Philharmonic surprised visitors of the Science Museum with highlights from Holst’s Planets Suite. Proof that music and science can go together! Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrcXt-f-M6c
This is the last video in our month of flash mobs. Vote for your favourite video from May here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/favourite-flash-mob/

Have a good week!

Your friends at MfE.

24/05/2021

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

10 Goose Gate | Hockley | NG1 1FF