Last Choir Standing

BBC One has embarked on a brand new weekend entertainment show as choirs from all walks of life go up against each other to find out who has the passion, power and performance necessary to be declared Last Choir Standing.

Singing in choirs is one of the nation's favourite pastimes with over 25,000 registered choirs and at least half a million members. Following a callout to choirs across the country some of the UK's best will be going head to head in this exciting new talent search.

Presenters Nick Knowles and Myleene Klass will follow the choirs as they progress through the contest. Joining them and putting the choirs through their paces will be a panel of music experts - opera superstar Russell Watson, actress, singer and West End star Sharon D. Clarke and choral conductor and director Suzi Digby OBE.

www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding

Our Creative Talent: the voluntary and amateur arts in England

Treading the boards, crafting a short story or performing a show-stopping tune are just some of the ways that nearly 6 million English people participate in the arts, according to a new study.

The results from 'Our Creative Talent: the voluntary and amateur arts in England' show music is one of people's biggest passions with more than 11,220 groups across England, followed by theatre with 5,380 groups and dance with 3,040 groups.

The report says:

• there are 49,140 groups across the country - ranging from orchestras and book clubs to lace-making and dance - with a total of 5.9 million members
• an additional 3.5 million people volunteer as extras or helpers - for example raising funds or rigging lighting - bringing the total involvement to 9.4 million people
• voluntary arts generated a total income of £543 million in 2006/07.

You can download 'Our Creative Talent: the voluntary and amateur arts in England' at www.vaengland.org.uk/uploaded/map7402.pdf.

Marketing the Cultural Olympiad weekend

As part of the marketing campaign for the Cultural Olympiad launch weekend 26 - 28 September, London 2012 requires an update on any projects you may be considering for inclusion.

Projects chosen as part of the Cultural Olympiad weekend will be marketed through a Visual Tool Kit consisting of digital and printed formats. Visit Britain will also be including all projects and events as part of their web based marketing. It is hoped that a North East guide will be published and distributed widely across the region to promote the projects and events which are taking part in the Cultural Olympiad weekend.

If you are interested in putting forward a project for 26 - 28 September, please contact Lorna Fulton, 2012 Creative Programmer on 0191 202 3785 or lorna.fulton@gone.gsi.gov.uk.

Northern Rock Foundation Culture programme reopens

The Northern Rock Foundation has reopened its grants programme for high-quality and high-profile culture and heritage projects in North East England and Cumbria. The programme will be worth £2 million in 2008. Northern Rock Foundation is now seeking applications to support performing arts, contemporary craft, design and new media, museum and heritage exhibitions, festivals and collaborations as well as professional training for people working in these areas.

The Foundation plans to invest in a wide range of imaginative and ambitious work, and to support the region's creative talent. Alongside Culture and Heritage, the Foundation's priorities for grants in 2008 are: services for people with mental health problems, people with learning disabilities, older people and carers; one-to-one help for young people at risk, homeless people, substance misusers and groups that face prejudice and discrimination; reducing the incidence and impact of domestic and sexual violence, abuse and hate crimes.

For more information please visit: www.nr-foundation.org.uk

Largest Ever Steelband to Play in North East

Over 90 young musicians from nine steelbands in the region will play together this Friday 4th July as the largest steelband ever to perform in the region.

The event is the 2nd annual North Tyneside Festival of Steelbands, held this year as part of the Wallsend Festival, at Wallsend Memorial Hall, Station Road, Wallsend from 10am to 3pm.



Nine steelbands from Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Gatehead as well as North Tyneside, mostly from schools will be drumming up a storm. North Tyneside will be represented by North Tyneside Steelband training and intermediate bands based at the Langdale Cetre Howdon, and by Pink Panthers and Twisters Steelbands from Monkseaton Middle School.

During the day, each band will play two short sets on their own before joining together to play prepared pieces. They will also have the chance to work with a different tutor for a short workshop.

At the same venue from 7.30-11pm the NTSB Performance band will be launching their new CD '...bring a smile to your ears' with bar, refreshments and quiz; entrance is free, but please book a ticket on 0775 360 4281 or dave@steelbandsborth.org.uk

Newcastle College student volunteers in search of community/voluntary organisations

Newcastle College, the largest Further Education in the country, runs many successful internal volunteer projects and has links with many external volunteer organisations too.

The volunteer ethos within the college is building, and more students than ever before are volunteering in a wide variety of roles.

We would like to offer our students the chance to volunteer for local volunteering groups and would be interested in hearing from any voluntary/community organisations that would benefit from working with a group of keen student volunteers.

A recent survey conducted at Newcastle College showed that students were most interested in volunteering in the following areas:

• Animals
• Art and Culture
• Children
• Environment

However, we would be interested to hear from any organisation in need of volunteers.
If you would be interested in supporting student volunteers to benefit your organisation, please contact Emily Moran at emily.moran@ncl-coll.ac.uk or phone 0191 2004526.