MMNE News

Big Busk - Community music and dance

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:22:00 +0000

This summer, all genres of community music and dance will be united in one upcoming event. Performing in streets, market places and shopping centres, these amateur music groups will consist of all varieties of music - including steel pans, folk and samba. The event will also include free "drop in" workshops for members of the general public alongside the performances.

This will be a chance for children and adults to get involved and enjoy the experience of music and dance.

Making Music's "Big Busk" will take place in Ashington High Street on Saturday 24 July, at Blyth bandstand on Sunday 25 July, and at Dalton Park on Saturday 31 July 2010.

For more information and to find out how you can get involved in the events click here or contact Kirsty on 07855 642308, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

To read the full press release click here

Scientists discover link between singing and stroke recovery

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

As anyone who sings in a group or choir will tell you, the physical and mental benefits of singing are plentiful. Now scientists have discovered that teaching stroke patients to sing can actually help 'rewire' their brains. By singing, patients use a different area of the brain from the one used during ordinary speech.

Dr Nina Kraus, a neuroscientist from Northwestern University in Chicago, says that insights into how the brain responds to music also provide evidence that musical training is an important part of children's education. You can read the full article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8526699.stm.

(Source: Voluntary Arts Network).

Awards for Young Concert Artists winner announced

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:50:00 +0000

After a week of auditions, we are delighted to announce the following young artists on the 2010 Philip & Dorothy Green Award scheme:
Mae Heydorn - mezzo soprano
Philip Higham - cello
Boyan Ivanov - clarinet
Huw Morgan - trumpet
Olivia Sham - piano
Valda Wilson - soprano

These artists are now available for Making Music member organisations to book for recitals and solo performances for the fixed fee of £225, and members can reclaim a subsidy of £110 towards the engagement. For more information visit www.makingmusic.org.uk.

Over £200,000 awarded to choirs

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:05:00 +0000

The BBC Performing Arts Fund, in association with Making Music, has awarded over £200,000 to choirs and singing groups from around the UK through its Choral Ambition scheme.

From the 350 applications that were received, 98 choirs - with a total of almost 6,000 choir members between them - will receive funding. This funding will go towards 14 commissions of new music and 84 projects including training for choirs and choir leaders, workshops open to the public to attract new members, support to tackle ambitious new repertoires and support to put on large scale events.

Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of Making Music said: "Making Music was delighted to be able to help the BBC Performing Arts Fund with Choral Ambition and of course it is marvellous that the programme has been so brilliantly successful. Many congratulations to the PAF and to the winners."

Northern Harmony concert, workshop and ceilidh

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:23:00 +0000

Northern Harmony, a choir based in Vermont USA, is renowned for its command of varied world ethnic singing styles. This group, led by Larry Gordon and Patty Cuyler, world authorities on a capella vocal traditions, will be involved in a vocal workshop, concert and ceilidh in Tynedale.

Concert in Hexham Abbey, Friday 12 March 7.30pm
Vocal Workshop at Allendale Village Hall, Saturday 13 March 1.30pm - 5.30pm
Informal Ceilidh at Allendale Village Hall, Saturday 13 March 7.30pm

Supported by Queen's Hall Arts.

For more information visit http://www.queenshall.co.uk/whats-on/seasons-diary/209.

Training courses at Baltic

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:05:00 +0000

Artsplan (the in-house professional development department of ENYAN) is delighted to have an exciting programme of youth arts training courses taking place this year in partnership with the Baltic in Gateshead.

Upcoming courses include:
- Using the Arts with Juvenile and Young Offenders - 17th March 2010, 10am - 4.15pm
- Creative Facilitation - 6th May 2010, 10am - 4.15pm
- Using the Arts to Develop Aspiration, Leadership and Potential - 24th June 2010, 10am - 4.15pm

For more information on the course or to book a place, please contact The Artsplan Team, on artsplan@artswork.org.uk or call 02380 682 535.

McDonald's volunteers

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:46:00 +0000

McDonald's is being lined up by Olympics organisers to help recruit and train 70,000 volunteers to help at the 2012 games.

The expertise of the burger giant in teaching staff good customer service is to be used to recruit the assistants, nicknamed "McVolunteers".

Volunteer roles include interpreting, first aid, checking tickets and giving travel advice to the expected nine million spectators.

Although more than 300,000 people have already registered interest via Locog's website, Games chiefs want to ensure they have the right mix of skills and can be confident of retaining recruits, some of whom will take up their roles a year before the Olympics.

For the full story and more information on how to volunteer for the 2012 games click here.

UK Young Artists 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:40:00 +0000

The first UK Young Artists event will take place in the Autumn of 2010. Artists who are selected to take part in this event could also be selected to represent the UK at the XV edition of the Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean.

Work should be new and can be from any art form including visual arts, performing arts, literature, applied arts, film and fashion. Artists must be between 18 and 30 and be a UK citizen or have been resident in the UK for at least one year.

To register your interest and be notified when the call goes live visit www.ukyoungartists.co.uk/content/biennale-2009.

(Source: Voluntary Arts Network)

Applications sought for Newcastle Brown Ale Fund

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:40:00 +0000

Newcastle Brown Ale Fund is looking for applications from organisations working across the West End of Newcastle, Byker or Longbenton who can show how they are working with young people aged 18-25 to be more healthy, improve their well being and increase their confidence and self esteem, particularly through education, training or physical activity.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for direct project costs, activities and equipment. For more information click here.

Northern Chords Young Musician of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:51:00 +0000

Making Music member group Northern Chords are running a music competition open to young musicians aged 11-18.

The prize is the chance to perform alongside world-class chamber musicians at The Sage Gateshead, a city centre concert of their own and a place performing at The Journal Culture Awards.

Further information is available at www.northernchords.co.uk/awards.

Boost for live music as government announces plans to exempt small venues

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:44:00 +0000

Live music performances for 100 people or less will no longer need to be licensed, under proposals announced by Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.

An exemption from the Licensing Act for small live music events would make it easier for a wide range of venues to put on live music, and help musicians who want to play to a live audience.

Premises such as pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants, village halls and record shops would be able to host events without the need for a specific licence.

But to ensure that any concerns of people living close to venues are taken into account, the exemption would only apply to performances that are indoors, and take place between 8am and 11pm.

For more information: www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/consultations/6499.aspx

(Source: Voluntary Arts Network)

Making Music North East ebulletin

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:09:00 +0000

The January issue of our North East ebulletin is out now!

Packed with information on funding, opportunities, workshops and more.

To download the January issue click here (downloads as PDF file). If you would like to subscribe to the ebulletin contact kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Get out of the shower and get on stage!

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:17:00 +0000

Learn to sing for free in 2010. Unlock your inner diva, banish the January Blues, get fit and de-stress through the power of your voice at Learn to Sing, a unique series of singing coaching sessions run by Making Music and Choir of the Year.

Each course lasts for six weeks and participants will be taught the basics of singing, including how to look after the voice and sing in harmony through to performance skills, rhythm and voice development across a range of different styles of music from rock and pop through to the classics.

In the North East the Learn to Sing course will take place in Newcastle with Tynemouth Choral Society on Monday evenings from 15 February - 22 March. For more information click here.

For information on other courses visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/learntosing.

Learn to Sing is open to anyone of any ability, from total novice to shower soprano and karaoke enthusiast.

Young composers' competition

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:14:00 +0000

BBC young composers' competition opens for applications

Young musicians aged between 12 and 18 are being invited to enter the BBC Proms Young Composers' Competition, which is now in its 12th year. The competition will give the winners a BBC commission and see their work performed by professional musicians.

Composers have until 28 May to submit their entries.

The BBC is also calling for young composers to sign up for its Composer Labs, which aim to give young talent across the UK the opportunity to explore new ways of composing and get a taste of what it means to be a composer in the 21st century.

Full information about the competition and the Composer Labs can be found at http://bbc.co.uk/proms.

Musical Inspirations special needs conference

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:41:00 +0000

Musical Inspirations is a 2 day conference for those who work with children and young people with Special Educational Needs.

Organised by MusicLeader it will be held at The Sage Gateshead/Newcastle University on Tuesday 19th and Saturday 23rd January.

Sessions will include workshops, discussion groups, ideas for the classroom and discussion of issues.

For more information, including prices and how to book, download the full information here or contact north-east@musicleader.net, 0191 443 4592. A 25% discount is now being offered.

Amateur choirs on Classic FM at Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:12:00 +0000

Following Making Music's call for recordings from amateur choirs, Classic FM will be broadcasting several of our members on Christmas Day afternoon, following the Queen's speech - a time when they get some of their highest listening figures.

Eleven Making Music member choirs will be broadcast during this time. Avebury Vocal Ensemble, Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir, Plaxtol Scholars, Amabile Girls' Choir, Harrogate Choral Society, Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, The Whitehall Choir, Barbara Walton Singers, Aire Valley Singers, Chantage, and Goldsmiths Choral Union will feature between 3pm and 4pm.

The perfect accompaniment to your Christmas day!

BBC Radio 4 to feature amateur choirs

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:02:00 +0000

The musician Robert Wyatt will be guest editing an edition of the BBC Radio 4's Today programme on New Year's Day, in which he will be promoting the singing of amateur choirs.

Robert says that he prefers them to professional choirs because there's a greater sense of commitment and meaning in their singing.

Robert would like any Today listeners who are involved in amateur choirs to send in recordings of their work which he will play on the programme on New Year's Day.

If you think the choir you sing in deserves a public hearing, you will need a two-minute recording of your choir in a digital format which you can then either upload, email or post on CD.

For more information and details of how to send in your recording visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8406000/8406457.stm

(Source: Voluntary Arts Network)

Youth arts training at the Baltic

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:28:00 +0000

Artsplan has announced its 2010 course programme for the Baltic, Gateshead.

- Creative Facilitation
6th May 2010, 10 am - 4.15 pm

- Using the Arts to Develop Aspiration, Leadership and Potential
24th June 2010, 10 am- 4.15 pm

- Using the Arts with Young People at Risk
23rd September 2010, 10 am- 4.15 pm

- Behaviour Management and Youth Arts
11th November 2010, 10 am- 4.15 pm

Further information on all of these courses can be found on the Artsplan website: www.artswork.org.uk/artsplan/training.

Amateur orchestras are music's lifeblood

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:57:00 +0000

"Amateur orchestras are music's lifeblood" said Tom Service in his piece about amateur orchestras in The Guardian earlier this month.

There are "hundreds of thousands of people [...] whose talents, energy and concerts are the lifeblood of our musical scene."

He concludes the article by encouraging readers "This Christmas, get out there and support your local amateur orchestra and its winter concerts. You'll be as surprised, and impressed, as I was."

Read the full article at www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/dec/02/critics-notebook-tom-service.

Click here for concert listings in the North East.

Save our Sound UK campaign launched

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Over 20 organisations representing the British entertainment industry have joined together to launch the Save our Sound UK campaign, asking the Government to act to safeguard the future of any events which use radio microphones.

These events became threatened when Ofcom announced its plans to sell the ultra-high radio frequency channels 31-37 and 61-69 which will be cleared out by the digital switchover. After these channels have been auctioned off by the Government, they will become illegal to use.

The cost of replacing wireless equipment is estimated to be tens of millions of pounds, and thus far, Ofcom's proposed funding scheme is inadequate to cover these costs.

For more information visit www.saveoursounduk.com.

source: Voluntary Arts Network

Making Music North East ebulletin

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:00:00 +0000

The December issue of the ebulletin is now out!

The bulletin contains news, opportunities, funding information, events and more for the North East of England.

This month:
- The chance to go to professional concerts for free
- Grants for music groups
- Back the Bid - City of Culture in Durham
- Traditional music classes
- A Wordsworth premiere
- A Big Busk festival of music
- Get constituted!

To download the bulletin click here (downloads as a PDF).

To sign up to receive future bulletins email kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

National reward for 20 years service

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:54:00 +0000

Making Music member group North Tyneside Steelband (NTSB), which celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year, has been given a special award for 20 years service by the British Association of Steelbands.

NTSB, based in Wallsend, has gone from strength to strength in those twenty years and is one of the two longest established bands in the region.

On Saturday 5 December 22 players will travel to London to receive the award at a glitzy ceremony at the Bloomsbury Holiday Inn which will be attended by a veritable who's who of the UK steelpan world.

NTSB member and UK solo steelpan champion Jennie Gilberg says "It would have been hard to imagine 20 years ago how far the band have gone. We've all enjoyed the journey immensely and we're looking forward to the next 20 years."

NTSB will be appearing at Stephenson Railway Museum on Sun 20 December and plan a spectacular event at Whitley Bay Playhouse in April to celebrate their 20 years. More details will follow shortly at www.northtynesidesteelband.org.uk.

New folk music sessions for 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:56:00 +0000

For their spring season Phoenix Folk will be offering the following classes on Wednesday evenings from 20th Jan - 20th March 2010 at Ouseburn Farm, Byker.

19.00 - 20.10
Guitar (led by Maurice Condie)
Fiddles (led by Sophy Ball)
Mixed Squeezeboxes (led by David Oliver)

20.20 - 21.30
Fretted instruments with song (led by Maurice Condie)
Enjoying a session (led by David Oliver)
Advanced band (for more experienced players, led by Sophy Ball)
Ukeleles (led by George Welch)

£65 for the 10 week term. Concessions and multiple booking discounts available. All classes suitable for all levels (except absolute beginners) unless otherwise specified.

We are also offering absolute beginners piano-accordian and melodeon.

For more information and to enrol go to www.phoenixfolk.co.uk.

Girls Christmas Singing Project

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:29:00 +0000

Do you know of any girls aged 10 to 15 who like singing and who would like to sing with Carl Davis and Northern Sinfonia in their movie version of the Nutcracker on Monday 28th December?

Rehearsals will be at The Sage Gateshead
21 to 23 December & 27 December
Performance: 28 December

For further information contact Emma.Cochrane@thesagegateshead.org.

Organised by Sing Up, the National Singing Programme.

Two opportunities to Sing Hallelujah!

noreply@blogger.com (Making Music: North East) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:30:00 +0000

A free Sing Hallelujah workshop will take place with Tynemouth Choral Society, 2 - 5 pm on Saturday 28 November. The workshop will be led by Andrew Padmore and is free to all participants. For more information click here.

Also taking place as part of Sing Hallelujah is Come and Sing Hallelujah, which will take place on Sunday 6 December in Hall One of The Sage Gateshead with Northern Sinfonia. The event will take place from 10.30 am - 4.30 pm with a free sharing parformance with Northern Sinfonia in Hall one at 5.30 pm. Cost £5. For more information click here.

Come and Sing Hallelujah is for absolutely anyone! Participants don't need any experience of singing or of singing as part of a choir.

Both events have been programmed in line with the BBC's Sing Hallelujah Project, which is a nationwide project encouraging people to find their voice and to discover the joy of singing through Handel's famous 'Hallelujah Chorus'.