YOUTH MUSIC

Rain for the band, sunshine for the strings?

Music for Everyone

DSCF0157 (1)

The Nottingham Youth Band of MfE were looking forward to entertaining the crowd last Saturday in Beeston. Sadly rain stopped play of any kind. Another time guys. Thanks for turning out on such a grey day.

emyso0716THIS weekend, however, there is hope of sunshine. Why not hop over to Sudbury Hall on Sunday and hear MfE’s wonderful East Midlands Youth String Orchestra, directed by Richard Howarth? They will be entertaining visitors to this National Trust property in 2 or 3 slots between 2.30pm and 5pm. Their programme includes works by Handel, Tchaikovsky, Ellerby, Vaughan Williams, Meyer and Biber. The last composer’s work, Battalia 9, brought great amusement and enjoyment to the audience at the Summer Celebration a couple of weeks ago. Never mind comb and paper, listen to cello and 80gsm A4 plain!

 

Shout out to youth string players – EMYSO is auditioning!

Music for Everyone
2016-03smile

EMYSO performing in Nottingham’s Albert Hall, 2016

Are you a string player, Yr 7 upwards, already have Associated Board Grade 5 or above? Would you like expert guidance in developing your ensemble and orchestral playing? Then come and audition for the East Midlands Youth String Orchestra and be part of this friendly and amazing group. Conducted by distinguished violinist and conductor, Richard Howarth, the orchestra performs a variety of music from the great string orchestra repertoire. Rehearsals are usually once a month on a Sunday afternoon.

Taking a bow after a great performance

Taking a bow after a great performance

EMYSO perform both in their own right and sometimes playing within one of Music for Everyone’s professional orchestral groups. This offers experience of a larger repertoire of both orchestral and accompanied choral works – a unique opportunity for young orchestral players.

Click here for details of the auditions on Saturday 16 July.

 

 

We’re recruiting – Principal Youth Music Animateur

Music for Everyone

Last weekend Music for Everyone celebrated two wonderful musical events.

DSC02171 copyThe first was over 100 Vocals! children singing their hearts out throughout their space themed concert in Nottingham’s Albert Hall, to the delight of the audience. The second, later in the day, was Sheku Kanneh-Mason winning BBC Young Musician of the Year, 2016. Sheku, aged about 6, along with other members of his family, played his cello in Music for Everyone’s Stringwise! Many congratulations, Sheku!

Music for Everyone wishes to recruit an energetic and enthusiastic Principal Youth Music Animateur. Details here. Although part-time, there is another part-time vacancy in the city’s music scene, and the two jobs could be combined.

Busy weekend for MfE, and a free concert!

Music for Everyone

Travelling to Bluecoat Academy for rehearsals today are two groups of musicians who illustrate the breadth and diversity of Music for Everyone’s commitment to music-making for all.

DSC01669In one building, there will be an intensive workshop for advanced string players. During the day, under the baton of Richard Howarth, a distinguished violinist and conductor, the orchestra will focus on Tchaikovsky’s hauntingly beautiful Serenade for Strings and other pieces. They will give a FREE concert in St Peter’s Church Ruddington, 4pm tomorrow, Sunday 8 May. Last year’s concert was wonderful, so this one is not to be missed.
bluerktIn another building, nearly 100 primary school children will be blasting off into space themed songs. Their Reach for the Stars concert will be a week tomorrow, Sunday 15 May at 3.30pm in the Albert Hall, complete with the experimental antics of Mad Science! Will there be stinks and bangs and smoke and goodness knows what?!

The children have been learning their words and listening to the songs at home (just as our adult singers do) and will be rehearsing with Alison Bennett (Vocals! conductor), Ray McLeod (Youth Animateur and vocal coach) Phil Smith (MfE’s new Youth Programme Co-ordinator, conductor of Sherwood Daytime Voices), Jane McDouall (conductor of Girls Voice and West Bridgford Daytime Voices). Not forgetting, of course, MfE’s admin staff and all the wonderful volunteers who give of their time to look after the children and make the weekend and concert run smoothly. Here’s a HUGE MfE THANK YOU to the volunteers.

Do you know Tim Peake, or someone who might know him?

Music for Everyone

Imagine Major Tim Peake sending a message or song from space to MfE’s Vocals children. Wouldn’t it be amazing? tim-peake_3528246bWe need your help to make it happen.

On the principle of 3 – 6 degrees of separation between one person and another on (and off, in Tim’s case) the planet, you could well be able to contact him more directly than MfE tweeting him over and over (poor man). He probably gets many requests and might not know about the awesome work of Music for Everyone, and how singing and science are coming together for the youngsters in the next 10 days.
dreamstime_l_27523004background removed copy1smallIf you know someone who might know someone who might know someone else who might know Tim Peake, could you set a chain of contacts going to see whether we can reach him? There will probably be a Mars Bar or a Milky Way, and definitely our undying admiration and gratitude, for anyone who achieves our dream.

The children start rehearsing Reach for the Stars this weekend, and the concert of exciting space themed music is the following Sunday, 15 May, 3.30pm at the Albert Hall. It will also feature the amazing Mad Science, so do come along for a stunning, starlit, inter-galactic concert of music and entertainment. Tickets available here. Advance booking recommended.

Concert – tomorrow!

Music for Everyone

There will be a wonderful concert in Beeston Parish Church tomorrow, Saturday 16 January, 7.30pm. Four Music for Everyone groups join together to perform a programme of classical music spanning more than 300 years. The most recent composition, Flame, by Ben Parry, was written in 2012 and inspired by the concept of the Olympic torch. Tickets will be available on the door. Come by tram, bus or car, but arrive early for the best seats as the New Year concert is popular. Participating are Nottingham Youth Voices, the East Midland Youth String Orchestra, East of England Singers and the New Classical Players. Composers include Handel, Mozart, Brahms, Bizet, Pergolesi, Holst and Parry. Hope to see you there.

 

Congratulations, Angela Kay

Music for Everyone

awardYesterday, BBC East Midlands Today filmed some of both the rehearsal and concert of Music for Everyone’s Christmas is Coming. During the concert, founder and Artistic Director Angela Kay was presented with the Lady Hilary Groves Prize for her outstanding contribution to music in the community. Peter Lawson, Chair of Making Music, read a wonderful citation of Angela’s achievements. She was warmly applauded by musicians and audience alike for creating opportunities and enjoyment for so many people, and of all ages. Many congratulations, Angela.

We have managed to get the video of Angela on East Midlands Today, see if you can spot yourselves!

 

 

Here we come a wassailing…

Music for Everyone

ClassicsForChristmas

This weekend, there are three Christmassy Music for Everyone events.

Tomorrow morning, SATURDAY 5th December, traditional Carol Singing in the Market Square, 10.30am to 12 noon. The weather is set fair and mild (at the time of writing), so do come along to sing or listen.

Tomorrow evening, SATURDAY 5th December, 7.30pm, at St Giles’ Church, Church Drive, West Bridgford, NG2 6AY, Classics for Christmas. The East of England Singers will perform Bach’s sparkling Magnificat with Christmas interpolations, three beautiful Mendelssohn motets for this time of year, Bassano’s rousing Hodie Christus Natus Est, and Vaughan Williams’ gorgeous and familiar Fantasia on Christmas Carols. The New Classical Players will accompany them, and also play Torelli’s wonderful Christmas Concerto. Mulled wine or juice and mince pies will be served during the interval. Tickets available on the door. £11 (Full), £10 (Conc.), £5.50 (Child/Student), includes refreshments.  

WinterConcertAnd then on SUNDAY 6th December, why not spend part of the afternoon listening to a delightful programme of music for sumptuous strings and vivacious voices performed by the East Midland Youth String Orchestra and Nottingham Youth Voices? The concert will include J S Bach’s Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland and John Stanley’s Concerto Grosso in G major. 3.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Bunny, NG11 6QW.  Tickets for A Winter Concert will be available on the door. Full £9, Concessions £8, Child/Student £4.50

Angela Kay – a very worthy recipient

Music for Everyone

The 2015 Lady Hilary Groves Prize for outstanding contribution to music in the community is awarded to Music for Everyone’s founder and artistic director, Angela Kay MBE.

Many congratulations, Angela, we (singers and instrumentalist, staff and supporters) are delighted that your commitment to inclusive music making in Nottinghamshire since 1983 has been recognised once again. Thank you for enriching the lives of so many people with great music making and infectious enthusiasm.

Follow the link to read all about it: Making Music: Lady Hilary Groves Prize 2015

Angela being applauded by the audience, orchestra and choir after conducting Bach’s Mass in B minor, June 2015