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Big Youth Music Experience

The Big Youth Music Experience is for all young instrumentalists, with a weekend split into a wind band workshop day and a string orchestra workshop day, followed by a joint concert the following Sunday at the Albert Hall, Nottingham! 

For Wind Band – Saturday 6th November and Sunday 14th November 2021

Come and experience wind band playing at the Big Youth Music Experience for young woodwind, brass and percussion players. Two windbands for players of all abilities (grade 2 – 8+) conducted by MfE’s Instrumental Animateur Josh Goodman and youth band director Claire Franklin.

Music booklets and rehearsal track links will be sent out approximately 5-6 weeks before the course, to give you a chance to get to grips with the music.

For Strings – Sunday 7th November and Sunday 14th November 2021

Come and experience string playing for young violinists, violists, cellists and bassists. Three string orchestras for players of all abilities (beginners to grade 8+). The beginners orchestra is for players of grade 0 – 1 standard and will be lead by string conductor Helen Maddison. The Junior orchestra for players grade 2 – 4 standard, conducted by MfE’s Instrumental Animateur Josh Goodman, will enjoy a range of music that will introduce young instrumentalists to playing in an ensemble. The Senior orchestra, for players grade 5+ standard, will be directed by Richard Howarth, conductor of MfE’s East Midlands Youth String Orchestra.

Music booklets and rehearsal track links will be sent out approximately 5-6 weeks before the course, to give you a chance to get to grips with the music.

(NB All covid regulations in place at the time will be adhered to)

Provisional Timetable – Workshops 6th & 7th November
Bluecoat Academy, Wollaton NG8 1EA

10am – 10.30am             Arrive and Registration – Senior Groups

10.30am – 12.30pm        Morning Rehearsals, including breaks (Seniors only)

12.30pm – 1.30pm          Lunch Break

1pm – 1.30pm                Arrival and Registration – Junior & Beginner Groups

1.30pm – 5.30pm            Afternoon Rehearsals, including breaks (All groups)

Concert 14th November – All groups
Albert Hall, Nottingham NG1 5AA

11am – 11.30am             Arrive and Registration – Senior Groups

11.30am – 1pm               Rehearsals (Senior groups)

1pm – 1.30pm                Arrive and Registration – Junior & Beginner Groups

1.30pm – 3pm                Rehearsals

3.30pm – 5.30pm           Concert performance to family and friends

How to Book

The prices for the course are:

  • Senior Band and Senior Strings – £15
  • Junior Band and Junior/Beginner Strings – £10

Online – pay through PayPal or by card: Just click here and fill in your details Big Youth Music Experience Payment can be made via PayPal or debit/credit card.

By post – pay by cheque: Please download and complete this pdf form and post it, together with your enrolment cheque (made payable to Music for Everyone) to Music for Everyone, 10 Goose Gate, Hockley, Nottingham NG1 1FF

For any further information, email admin@music-for-everyone.org or telephone 0115 9589312

Glorious Italian Baroque

7.30pm, St John’s Church, Beeston

Monteverdi Beatus Vir

Vivaldi String Sinfonia

Unaccompanied Italian Motets – Monteverdi Cantate Domino, Anerio Christus factus est, Viadana Exsultate justi

Handel Dixit Dominus

 

Tickets are no longer available to book online but will be available on the door.

 

COVID Advice Sep – Dec 2021
We want everyone to feel safe at our concert. We would therefore recommend the following:
• If you have any COVID symptoms, please do not attend the event
• If practical, take a lateral flow test prior to attending
• Please wear a face covering whilst moving around the venue
NB There will be maximum ventilation in the venue and during the interval, audience members will be able to go outside to have a breath of fresh air.

Dates for your diary – Autumn 2021

MfE music activities will be returning from September 2021. Please see below dates and more information about courses and groups. Further information will be sent out to members very soon!

 

Adult Music – Workshops and Concerts (Scroll down for Youth Music!)

  • Nottingham Festival Chorus Workshop Day – Saturday 16th October, Albert Hall, Nottingham
  • Nottingham Community Music Choir Christmas Concert – Sunday 12th December, Albert Hall, Nottingham
  • Blow the Dust off your Instrument Workshop Day – Saturday 8th January, Albert Hall, Nottingham
  • Nottingham Festival Chorus Course and Concert – Saturday 29/30 January, Nottingham Trent University
    Concert – Saturday 5 February, Albert Hall, Nottingham
  • Nottingham Community Music Choir Course and Concert – Saturday 23 April, Nottingham Trent University
    Concert – Sunday 24 April, Albert Hall, Nottingham

Adult Music – Regularly Rehearsing Groups

Daytime Voices (rehearsals recommence week beginning 13th September)
Southwell – Monday, 2pm – 4pm, Southwell Methodist Church, Westgate
West Bridgford – Tuesday, 2pm – 4pm, West Bridgford Baptist Church, Melton Road
Wollaton – Wednesday, 2.15pm – 4.15pm, St Leonards Community Centre, Bramcote Lane
Sherwood – Thursday, 2pm – 4pm, Sherwood Methodist Church, Devon Drive
Lunchtime Voices – postponed until January 2022

Daytime Orchestra (rehearsals recommence week beginning 13th September)
Loughborough – Tuesday, 10am – 12pm, All Saints Church, Steeple Row
Nottingham – Thursday, 10.30am – 12.30pm, St Martins Church, Sherwood

Sunday Afternoon Music (rehearsals recommence in September, dates to be announced)
Flute Choir, Swing Band
Sunday, 2.30pm – 5pm, Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Chamber Singers (formerly East of England Singers)
(rehearsals recommence Wednesday 8 September)
St Luke’s Church, West Bridgford – 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Youth Music – Workshops and Concerts

  • The Big Youth Music Experience 2021 Course & Concert – 6/7 November, Venue TBC
    Sunday 14 November, Albert Hall, Nottingham
  • Christmas Vocals Course & Concert – Saturday 11th December, Nottingham Trent University
    Sunday 12th December, Albert Hall, Nottingham
  • The Big Youth Music Experience #2 Course & Concert – 26/27 February, Venue TBC
    Sunday 6 March, Albert Hall, Nottingham
  • MfE Family Sing Workshop Day – 12th or 13th March, Nottingham Trent University
  • May Vocals Course & Concert – 14/15 May, Nottingham Trent University
    Sunday 22 May, Albert Hall, Nottingham

Youth Music – Regularly Rehearsing Groups

Nottingham Youth Band
West Bridgford – Start date 7th September (weekly)
Tuesday, 5.30pm – 7pm, Rushcliffe School
Beeston – Start date 9th September (weekly)
Thursday, 5pm – 6.30pm, Beeston Methodist Church

Nottingham Strictly Strings
Start date 12th September (every 3-4 weeks)
Sunday, 2pm – 4pm, Middle Street Resource Centre, Beeston

East Midlands Youth String Orchestra
Start date 12th September (every 3-4 weeks)
Sunday, 2pm – 5pm, Middle Street Resource Centre, Beeston

Free Come & Try sessions for all groups – week of 13th September

Summer School 2021

…a Grand European Tour

Music for Everyone’s 2021 Summer School is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in quality music-making in a stimulating, friendly environment.

This year we are delighted that the Summer School will be hosted once again by Trent College. Their outstanding facilities, excellent bus and tram links and on-site parking make it the perfect location for an inspiring musical experience. And for those travelling a distance, the nearby town of Long Eaton has a selection of overnight accommodation and two hotels can be found at Junction 25 of the M1, just 2 miles away from Trent College.

This year we embark upon a Grand European Tour of choral and instrumental music, singing and playing works from many countries and centuries. Enjoy the expertise of our tour guides, including nationally and internationally recognised tutors and recitalists.

Repertoire for the orchestra will include Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No 5 and to remind us all of the annual New Year’s Day concert from Vienna, Johann Strauss’ Thunder and Lightening Polka. For instrumentalists and singers, Gabriel Faure’s haunting Cantique de Jean Racine, and to celebrate Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary, a special arrangement of Ode to Joy. 

The windband, string orchestra, and choir will explore especially selected repertoire, including – for windband, Holst’s First Suite in Eb for Military Band, plus the opportunity to work with guest recitalist Chris Swann. For strings an arrangement of Mozart’s Sinfonietta K381, and for choir, we travel to Italy with excerpts from Pergolesi’s sunny Magnificat and the atmospheric O Lux beata Trinitas by contemporary Slovenian composer Andrej Makor. Add to all this workshops and recitals given by top professionals and you have three days of superb music-making.

The Summer School Experience

Playing or singing, develop your music-making through a series of workshops and rehearsals led by our expert and friendly tutors and guest conductors. With them you will explore a range of repertoire, both challenging and fun. Copies of the music will be sent to you about four weeks in advance.

All workshops and rehearsals start at 10am with registration on Monday between 9.30 – 10am. Recitals from our guest artists on each day will last for around an hour. The Summer School Showcase Concert will take place early Wednesday evening. A detailed timetable and repertoire list will be sent out with the music packs.

Gain unique insights into performance through our special programme of workshops and recitals given by professional singers and instrumentalists of national and international standing.

 

Be part of the social buzz. Extended breaks give you time to chat to tutors, browse the stands and enjoy the school grounds. There will be a welcome ‘coffee and pastries’ on the first day and a ‘farewell buffet’ after the Wednesday evening Summer School Showcase Concert – lots of opportunity to meet new people in a relaxed social setting.

The Summer School fee of £110 covers all tuition, tea and coffee at mid-session breaks and Wednesday evening’s buffet. Please bring a packed lunch – the grounds of the school are ideal for a picnic – alternatively, cafés and sandwich shops can be found a short walk away.

 

Guest Artists

Workshop sessions will be led by Music for Everyone’s artistic team and our highly talented 2021 guest artists: Hilary Campbell, Richard Cox, Chris Swann, Sam Sweeney and Martin van der Brugge.

 

Conductors – Hilary Campbell and Martin van der Brugge

Hilary Campbell is a freelance choral specialist based in London. She is founder and director of professional chamber choir, Blossom Street, and Musical Director of Bristol Choral Society, Music Makers of London and Chiswick Choir. She has also recently been appointed assistant conductor of Ex-Cathedra. Hilary has released two award winning Naxos recordings and is a published and prize-winning composer. 

 

 

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Martin van der Brugge obtained his orchestra director’s diploma from the Rotterdam Conservatory in 1990, and in 1994 his choir director’s diploma from the Royal Conservatory, The Hague. In 1996 he gave concerts with the Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra as guest director, and was appointed regular guest director of the Mersin State Opera and Ballet of Turkey. Last year, Martin guest conducted MfE’s performance of Karl Jenkins’, The Armed Man.

 

 

 

Recitalists – Richard Cox, Chris Swann and Sam Sweeney

 

We are delighted that or regular accompanist Richard Cox is returning this year as both accompanist and recitalist.

Richard studied music at the University of Nottingham specialising in piano performance with Brenda May. He has combined a career of musician with that of running a mail-order and online business specialising in selling recordings of classical music to collectors all over the world.

 

 

Prize winning soloist Chris Swann studied at the Royal Academy of Music and has pursued a varied freelance career, playing Principal Clarinet with the BBC Symphony, Halle, Royal Philharmoni, BBC Philharmoni, Scottish Chamber, Manchester Concert and Sinfonia Viva orchestras.

He has made a number of concerto appearances including Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto with the RLPO and has performed chamber music with the Maggini, Allegri and Alberni String Quartets.

 

 

Former member of the award winning folk band Bellowhead, Sam Sweeney is recognised as one of the finest multi-instrumental English folk musicians.

Born in Nottingham, Sam won the BBC Radio 2 Musician of the Year Folk Award in 2015 and has gone on to further success releasing various albums and appearing at venues throughout the country.

The fiddler with the Midas touch… The Guardian

 

How to Enrol 

Booking for Summer School 2021 is now closed. If you would like to be on the mailing list for future events, please fill in the form below with your name, email and voice/instrument.

Family Sing Workshop

RESCHEDULED – until Saturday 17 July

1.30pm – 4.30pm at the Albert Hall, Nottingham

Come and enjoy a fun afternoon of singing together. Children aged 5+ with their mums, dads, grandparents, carers, aunts and uncles – the whole family, friends too! Singing is great for health, togetherness, confidence and fun.

No preparation is needed, we will send all details out by email before the day – all you need is your best singing voice!

Music leaders – Alison Bennett, Rachel Parkes, Greg Treloar

   

 

At the Family Sing, enjoy favourites such as ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams from the hit film Despicable Me, ‘We are Family’ by Sister Sledge, ‘Consider yourself’ from Oliver and other exciting songs, all led by our inspiring conductors.

 

(NB All covid regulations in place at the time will be adhered to)

Listen to a taster of the songs here:

Timetable

1.30pm – 2pm                 Registration

2pm – 2.15pm                 Warm ups

2.15pm – 3pm                  Rehearsal

3pm – 3.30pm                 Break

3.30pm – 4pm                 Rehearsal

4pm – 4.30pm                 Informal performance to each other

4.30pm                            End of session

Enrolment and Price

Price – £5 per adult, £3 per child (between the ages of 5 and 11)

Online – pay through PayPal or by card

Booking for this event is now closed. If you would like to find out about future singing events with MfE, please email admin@music-for-everyone.org

Just click here and fill in your details: Family Sing Form Payment can be made via PayPal or debit/credit card.

By post – pay by cheque

Please download and complete this pdf form and post it, together with your enrolment cheque (made payable to Music for Everyone) to Music for Everyone, 10 Goose Gate, Hockley, Nottingham NG1 1FF

For any further information, email admin@music-for-everyone.org or telephone 0115 9589312 (Monday – Wednesday, mornings only)

In partnership with:

Blow the Dust off your Instrument!

10.00am – 5.30pm at the Albert Hall, North Circus St, Nottingham NG1 5AA 

Orchestral Playing Day including Recorder Consort

Joy Bower, Gill Henshaw, Angela Kay, Chris McDouall conductors

Any Covid security regulations still in place will be implemented in full.

 

Let’s Blow the Dust off our instruments and start PLAYING AGAIN!

Music for Everyone invites you to a friendly, relaxed playing day at Nottingham’s spacious Albert Hall.

Did you learn to play an instrument when you were at school but haven’t got it out of the case for a long time? Or have you taken up playing an instrument in adult life just for fun? Do you like playing orchestral music? Were you a member of the school recorder group?

If the answer is YES to any of these questions then come to Blow the Dust off your Instrument.

The music has been chosen to give scope to players of all abilities and will include the swaggering ‘Polka’ from Schwanda the Bagpiper by Weinberger, Tchaikovsky’s well known ‘Waltz’ from Swan Lake, Eric Coates By the Sleepy Lagoon (better known as the theme tune to Desert Island Discs) and, to bring back memories of childhood, The Thunderbirds March!

There will be items for wind band and string orchestra and the recorder ensemble will also have a varied diet of music.

Listen to tasters of the pieces here:

Music Scores

Instrumental parts will be sent out in advance of the workshop to give you time to get to grips with the notes ahead of the day itself.

Workshop Day Timetable – Saturday 10th July 2021

9.40 am           Registration opens NB Recorder registration at 1.15pm

10.00 am         Morning rehearsals (to include coffee break)

12.30 pm         Meal break

1.30 pm           Afternoon rehearsals for all players (to include tea break)

4.15 pm           Break

4.30 pm           Informal performance for friends and family

Informal Performance (any Covid security regulations still in place will be implemented in full)

This performance is designed to be part of the workshop experience for participants to enjoy.  Friends and family will be welcome to attend. There will be no tickets but contributions in support of MfE will be much appreciated via a retiring collection.

Workshop Day Fee

The fee includes all music, optional online rehearsals, the workshop experience and coffee or tea at the morning and afternoon breaks.

MfE Subscribing Playing Members – £30; Non-members – £35.

Recorders – £15

N.B. Should the workshop need to be postponed due to an extension of Covid measures, full refunds will be given.

Bookings for Blow the Dust are now closed. If you would like to hear about future courses, please email admin@music-for-everyone.org 

How to enrol

Online – pay by card:

Just click here and fill in your details: Blow the Dust Payment can be made via PayPal or debit/credit card.

By post – pay by cheque:

Please download and complete this pdf form and post it, together with your enrolment cheque (made payable to Music for Everyone) to Music for Everyone, 10 Goose Gate, Hockley, Nottingham NG1 1FF

For any further information, email admin@music-for-everyone.org or telephone 0115 958 9312 (Monday – Wednesday, mornings only)

Youth String Workshop

1.30pm – 5.30pm at the Albert Hall, Nottingham

Come and experience string playing for young violinists, violists, cellists and bassists. Two string orchestras for players of all abilities (grade 2 – 8+). The Junior orchestra for players grade 2 – 5 standard, conducted by Ann-Marie Shaw, will enjoy a range of music that will introduce young instrumentalists to playing in an ensemble, including The Toreadors by Bizet. The Senior orchestra, for players grade 5+ standard, will play St Paul’s Suite by Holst and will be conducted by Richard Howarth, conductor of MfE’s East Midlands Youth String Orchestra.

We will end the workshop with an informal performance to each other. PDFs of the music will be emailed out beforehand so you can have a look at the music, proper copies will be provided on the day.

(NB All covid regulations in place at the time will be adhered to)

Listen to a taster of the pieces here:

Music leaders – Richard Howarth, Ann-Marie Shaw

 

Ann-Marie was the String Animateur for Music for Everyone, 2016-2018, where she helped to organise and lead string orchestra courses and performances for both adults and children in the midlands. Her current role is Music Teacher at Martin High School in Anstey, Leicester and she continues to perform in a wide variety of ensembles in the Midlands.

Richard brings a wealth of experience and energy to orchestral conducting, inspiring both musicians and audiences. He is able to draw on a distinguished career as a violinist, having led and directed orchestras for over thirty years.

Provisional Timetable – Sunday 20 June

1.30pm – 2pm                Arrive and Registration

2pm – 3pm                     Rehearsal

3pm – 3.30pm                 Break

3.30pm – 4.15pm            Rehearsal

4.15pm – 4.45pm            Break

4.45pm – 5.30pm            Rehearsal

5.30pm                            End of session

Enrolment and Price

BOOKING FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED. FOR INFORMATION ON FUTURE COURSES, PLEASE EMAIL admin@music-for-everyone.org

Price – £5

Online – pay through PayPal or by card: Just click here and fill in your details: String Workshop Form Payment can be made via PayPal or debit/credit card.

By post – pay by cheque: Please download and complete this pdf form and post it, together with your enrolment cheque (made payable to Music for Everyone) to Music for Everyone, 10 Goose Gate, Hockley, Nottingham NG1 1FF

For any further information, email admin@music-for-everyone.org or telephone 0115 9589312 (Monday – Wednesday, mornings only)

Dates for your diaries! We are also holding 2 workshop afternoons in May and June for wind band players and a singing event for primary aged children – find out more information here. All groups will come together on Saturday 17 July for a spectacular Youth Festival, which will culminate in an informal performance for family and friends to come and listen too!

Youth Wind Band Workshop

1.30pm – 5.30pm at the Albert Hall, Nottingham

Come and experience windband playing for young woodwind, brass and percussion players. Two windbands for players of all abilities (grade 2 – 8+), conducted by MfE’s Wind Band Animateur Gill Henshaw. The Junior band (for players grade 2 – 5) will be working on pieces such as Orion by Jan Van der Roost and Wild Westerns arranged by Michael Story. The Senior band (players above grade 5) will be playing Blue Ridge Summit by Bryan Kidd and a medley of classic rock; Queen in Concert arranged by Jay Bocook.

PDFs of the music will be emailed out beforehand so you can have a look at the music, proper copies will be provided on the day.

(NB All covid regulations in place at the time will be adhered to)

Listen to a taster of the pieces here:

Principal conductor – Gill Henshaw

Timetable – Saturday 19 June

1.30pm – 2pm                Arrive and Registration

2pm – 3pm                     Rehearsal

3pm – 3.30pm                 Break

3.30pm – 4.15pm            Rehearsal

4.15pm – 4.45pm            Break

4.45pm – 5.30pm            Rehearsal

5.30pm                            End of session

Enrolment and Price

BOOKING FOR THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW CLOSED. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUTURE EVENTS, PLEASE EMAIL admin@music-for-everyone.org

Price – £5

Online – pay through PayPal or by card: Just click here and fill in your details: Wind Band Workshop Form Payment can be made via PayPal or debit/credit card.

By post – pay by cheque: Please download and complete this pdf form and post it, together with your enrolment cheque (made payable to Music for Everyone) to Music for Everyone, 10 Goose Gate, Hockley, Nottingham NG1 1FF

For any further information, email admin@music-for-everyone.org or telephone 0115 9589312 (Monday – Wednesday, mornings only)

Dates for your diaries! We are also holding 2 workshop afternoons in May and June for string players and a singing event for primary aged children – find out more information here. All groups will come together on Saturday 17 July for a spectacular Youth Festival, which will culminate in an informal performance for family and friends to come and listen too!

Sing into Shape

MfE’s online singing project for January – February 2021!

Brought to you by MfE’s Assistant Artistic Director, Rachel Parkes and Director of Music of St Barnabas Cathedral, Greg Treloar – these online sessions are designed to help refresh your singing voice and get it back into shape with helpful warm up tips as well as rehearsing a piece of music, chosen by our conductors.

Rachel Parkes

Greg Treloar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sessions in this 4-week course are uploaded to our YouTube channel every Wednesday, but you can watch them in your own time when it suits you.

MfE’s online singing sessions are free of charge to access, but if you feel able to make a donation to support MfE through these hard times, you can do so with a card or through PayPal here: https://www.music-for-everyone.org/donations-page/

Or if you already have an account with us, through our website here (at the bottom of the page): Make a donation

To be added to the online choir mailing list, please email admin@music-for-everyone.org and further details will be sent to you.

MfE Christmas Celebration

Booking for tonight’s concert is now closed. If you have signed up but not received the link, please email admin@music-for-everyone.org Keep an eye out on our website for an additional viewing which will be available soon!

The MfE staff, East of England Singers and members of the Nottingham Concert Orchestra are performing a family-friendly Christmas concert from the Albert Hall especially for you. We hope our Christmas Celebration will get you in that Festive Mood! There will be well known carols and Christmas favourites for you to sing-a-long to, plus individual items by our instrumentalists and singers. There is something for everyone, from Frosty the Snowman to The Little Road to Bethlehem by Michael Head. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ for supporting us during these Covid days.

How the concert will work: 

  • The concert will be in the form of a video streamed from our Youtube channel, accessed via a video link.
  • There will be two showings: 3.30pm on Sunday 13th December and 7.30pm on Friday 18th December.
  • The concert video will not be available for public viewing, you will need to book a virtual ticket link in advance.

Booking is easy – just click the green ‘Book Tickets’ button at the bottom of this page and fill in your details on the form that will pop up.

You won’t receive a link to the video at the time of booking, it will be sent to you 1hr before the showing.

There is no charge for the virtual ticket and all performers have given their time for free – but we are hoping to make the concert into a bit of a fundraiser to help MfE get through the coming months. If you feel able to make a donation for your ticket then please donate via BACS or by credit card or Paypal through our website.

Donate here via PayPal or with a card (no fees)
Please note that making a donation does not automatically sign you up for the concert link, you will still need to click on the green ‘Book Tickets’ button at the bottom of this page.

BACS – Music for Everyone Bank Account
Sort Code 40 52 40
Account No. 00020915

I hope you will join us in bringing a little musical cheer to the Festive Season – get your mince pies, mulled wine and Christmas jumpers ready!