News from our corporate members

We welcome your brief news (max. 150 words for platinum and gold members, max. 100 words for silver members) and good high-res images. Please email mj@ism.org. The next deadline is 1 June for the July/August 2021 issue.

MusicFirst

The Music Ed Tech Conference UK on 4–5 May, hosted and sponsored by MusicFirst, offers two days of free professional development delivered by music education experts, covering topics including: • composition • audio production • podcasting • performing • student assessment • strategies for Teaching in a Remote or Blended-Learning

Environment This free virtual conference is open to all music teachers and features an incredible line-up of music educators from a wide variety of backgrounds, including Keynote Speaker Simon Toyne, President of the Music Teachers Association.

In addition to the professional development sessions, the conference also includes a Student Showcase, a compilation of original student compositions. This is intended to provide inspiration and serve as a testament to student achievement, even during the most trying of times. musicedtechconference.co.uk BAM! Baird Artists Management Consulting

Touring possibilities are ramping up in North America – venues are starting to re-open as vaccination rollout increases and many artists are looking toward touring opportunities in late summer and the fall in the United States and Canada. As the situation improves, it is anticipated that travel restrictions currently in place for United States and Canadian entry will be eased and it will be possible for artists from the UK and other restricted countries to be able to get entry visas. The State Department has indicated that it will re-open US Consulates abroad as soon as possible and will be processing entry visas. O or P work permit visa applications should now be in preparation for summer and fall tours. Robert Baird of BAM! Baird Artists Management Consulting is available for free consultation and advice pertaining to any questions or concerns with North American touring. Contact Robert at robert@ bairdartists.com

Lark Music instrument insurance

Lark Music has worked closely with the ISM for over eight years and we know how important it is to protect your instrument but also make a saving. That’s why we offer ISM members a 20% discount on their instrument insurance. Whether you play as a hobby or as a professional musician, we provide cover for all instruments and equipment – and we’ll also give you a 20% no claims discount. With our policy you’ll be covered if your instrument is lost, stolen or damaged. In addition, Lark Music offers a costeffective Practice at Home policy which is ideal for the current COVID-19 travel restrictions. Contact us to get your quote: T 020 3846 5271 E music@larkmusic.com

EPTA UK

We have recently launched our online EPTA UK National Performance Programme, offering amateur pianists opportunities to showcase their playing through a non-competitive festival, a progressive competition (both adjudicated) and a series of concerts and masterclasses. Discounted rates for students of EPTA-UK members.

Our webinar series continues: Dr Julian Hellaby explores the music of John Ireland, Robin Zebaida introduces creative fingering and Agnieszka Lasko offers improvisational ideas for firing children’s imagination. In April/ May, members can join Springboard – a 30-day programme to re-energise teaching featuring trustee-led webinars, participant presentations and networking events. All CPD events are FREE for members of EPTA-UK. epta-uk.org

The Piano Teachers’ Course UK

In these times where piano teaching has become more isolated than usual, and motivating students has become increasingly harder, do you struggle to maintain your own energy or creativity and require help?

The Piano Teachers’ Course UK (PTC UK) provides you with such support – both online and on-site from September 2021! Not only can you build your own network of support by engaging with like-minded teachers, but you will also gain inspiring, expert advice from professional tutors. The PTC UK also offers DipABRSM and LRSM preparation courses for those who want to further their careers.

Join the hundreds of piano teachers whose teaching has been transformed through the PTC UK, by booking your course now for September 2021, with our 10% Early Bird Discount valid until 30th June 2021. Enrolment open (online attendance available for all courses): pianoteacherscourse.org/courses T: 07833 687473 E: info@pianoteacherscourse.co.uk

Trinity Laban

Trinity Laban (TL) has become the first London conservatoire to partner with Black Lives in Music (BLiM) – a taskforce including BBC Young Jazz Musician 2018 and TL student Xhosa Cole (pictured) and TL tutor Cleveland Watkiss MBE. The organisations will work together to actively improve the experience of young people of African and Caribbean heritages within jazz and classical music. This includes TL’s commitment to diversify and decolonise the curriculum and performance programme. As part of this work, TL has established specific funding for students of African and Caribbean heritages by introducing the Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Scholarship. Awarded in memory of TL alumnus, political activist and musician Fela Kuti, the scholarship is funded by Partisan Records. It will enable aspiring jazz trumpeter Alex Polack to continue his studies at TL for 2021/22. Alex will also benefit from bespoke mentoring from Fela’s grandson Made Kuti, who is a fellow TL alumnus. trinitylaban.ac.uk/news/ tl-blim-partnership/

Centre for Young Musicians (London)

CYM (London) celebrated what would have been, in normal times, the day of the Annual Gala Concert with an array of events online on Saturday 27 March. This included a music theatre masterclass with West End artist Helen Hobson as well as numerous live and pre-recorded solo and ensemble performances by students from all departments. Students and staff have adapted with great ingenuity to new ways of teaching and learning. We are delighted to have high numbers of applicants wishing to join in September, and it is still not too late to apply for an audition. Visit cym.org.uk for more information.

Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS)

Following our highly praised and well attended autumn and spring series of online events, AOTOS is continuing with our Summer Series. Events that are left include:

25 May 7.30pm on Zoom, our FREE Zoom event for members only centres on teaching children’s voices with Nick Duncombe and Helen Everton.

12 June 5pm, we have a National Webinar open to all with Pippa Anderson (BAPAM) and Natalie Eastwood (SLT) on the work that goes into a vocal rehabilitation programme in a clinic. This event will cost £10 for members and £15 for ‘yet to become’ members! 11 July AGM for members with Round Table discussion on the future of Musical Theatre training in UK hosted by Sarah Leonard with Mary King, Adam Stadius and Wendy Gadian. Save the date We expect to run our Autumn Conference in person at St Paul’s Girls’ School in London on 31 October. It will be wonderful to get back together and share our experiences. To access all these events and take part in our member only forums come on and join us – the only UK organisation dedicated to singing teachers! Find out much more aotos.org.uk

Steinberg

Create stunning podcasts and videos for vlogging with WaveLab Cast from Steinberg Steinberg recently announced the release of WaveLab Cast, a brandnew audio recording, editing and publishing software for making podcasts and videos for vlogging, ideal for publishing on YouTube and other social media platforms. With simpleto-use editing, mixing, refinement and distribution tools, it is perfectly suited to bring podcasts and vlogs into a broadcast-ready state, easily and quickly.

It is also great for use with the new Graded Exams in Podcasting and Graded Exams in Vlogging, recently launched by RSL Awards Ltd. (Rockschool). With WaveLab Cast you can use sound correction tools to remove unwanted noise

or hum, rearrange different parts of an interview and add your favourite background music, which is automatically lowered when speech is detected on the voice track. WaveLab Cast connects you directly with five different podcast directories, including Spreaker, Podbean and Soundcloud. You can export your audio in various formats, including MP3, WAV and AAC. For more information visit steinberg.net/wavelabcast

Music Teachers’ Board

In February, Music Teachers’ Board (MTB) launched our new Performance Grades. Recorded in video, these exams allow candidates to experience the creative process of devising and delivering their own programme. The performance exams require four to five pieces meeting a target duration, to develop the key skill of managing recital time for real-world performances. With MTB’s free choice option a candidate can select any music they really enjoy, as long as it is of the correct grade standard. Performance grades can be recorded easily, using our new second generation app, in video, with just a smartphone or tablet. Our new performance grades run alongside our existing practical grades. Practical grades compromise a recital section, technical elements such as scales and technical exercises, and a musicianship section including aural and reading skills. All of our additional resources for practical exams are available to download for free on our website. To find out more, visit mtbexams.com

Naxos

Naxos Education resources FREE in May Naxos UK are offering extended free trials of two of their flagship resources to education sector ISM members.

Naxos MusicBox (finalist at the 2021 Music and Drama Education Awards), is a comprehensive introduction to the world of classical music for KS2 and KS3, including instruments of the orchestra, great composers, and World Music sections.

Naxos Music Library is an ad-free streaming resource with over 2.5m tracks, plus set-work essays, work analysis, composer studies and UK study guides. The first five respondents will receive free access to NML and NMB for a month, by emailing jedwards@ naxosmusic.co.uk and quoting ISM

Awards for Young Musicians

More than 100 young musicians from low-income families were invited to meet chart-topping ‘Classical Guitar God’(The Times) MILOŠ in an inspiring online session exploring life as a classical musician, his career to date and top tips for young musicians. Some of the young musicians also had the rare opportunity to perform for the guitar hero. The session featured young people supported by the charity Awards for Young Musicians (AYM). AYM encouraged MILOŠ early in his career and welcomed the guitar legend as Patron in 2014. MILOŠ said: ‘Musical talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not, and the pandemic has only exacerbated the obstacles faced by young people from lowincome families. Whilst nothing can match the experience of making music in person, I hope that this session will help bring together this community of young musicians and encourage them in their musical journeys.’

The Curious Piano Teachers

Founded by Dr Sally Cathcart and Sharon Mark-Teggart in 2015, The Curious Piano Teachers is a global, online community of piano teachers who love to learn as much as they teach.

Members can access a library of ready-to-use teaching resources and videos, with new content added monthly. In addition to professional development resources, members can connect with one another – inside the Facebook group, on live Zoom chats, on webinars and on memberexclusive courses.

If you’re curious to find out more, we’re offering all new, first-time members a free one-month trial.

Sarah says: ‘I would like to commend everyone at The Curious Piano Teachers for building such a great community and bank of resources, it’s incredible! I have learned so much already from fellow community members...’ Claim your free month of membership with the coupon code ‘FREESUPPORT’: thecuriouspianoteachers.org/join

Left: AYM Alumnus Haydn Bateman performs with AYM patron Miloš Karadaglic ´ Photo: Edward Webb

National Children’s Orchestra

Following an award-winning summer 2020 programme (youtube.com/ watch?v=m7mCzwEjQH8&t=4s), the National Children’s Orchestra (for children aged 7-14) has announced its exciting 2021 digital programme! The programme has already begun and more than 600 children have signed up to participate - many of whom are based in London as well as across the country. There will be over 450 live sessions ,including special Easter holiday sessions with the London Symphony Orchestra, webinars with the Kanneh-Masons and a bespoke mentoring programme with members of the National Youth Orchestra.

It is especially important for the NCO to be creating a programme like this, with government restrictions halting all face-to-face activities for youth organisations for over a year now. This programme will give the chance for these children to have fun, meet other like-minded people and make new friendships along the way. nco.org.uk

British Voice Association (BVA)

The BVA website – britishvoiceassociation.org.uk – contains a wealth of advice on many aspects of voice health. Many people who have had COVID-19 find themselves experiencing voice difficulties afterwards, so a group of our specialist Speech and Language Therapists have compiled a handy guide to the causes and treatment of post-COVID-19 voice effects. It offers tips on how to manage symptoms and advice on when to see your doctor about it. The website also contains information on our upcoming courses, including our international conference ‘Choice for Voice’, which will take place online in September 2021. Feldenkrais Guild UK

Get into shape as we return to work! The Feldenkrais Method is a great way of getting yourself physically and mentally ready to be back on stage. Benefits include improved performance, and greater wellbeing. Try out a weekly class, or go to a workshop. In May and June practitioners are offering workshops and classes for: string players: themovingbrain.com/ stringmoves flautists: niallflute.com

cellists and pianists: benslowmusic.org singers: maggyburrowes. com/working-with-maggy/ online-training We also offer more general sessions to improve the way you move, think, and play. For more information about what we offer, and to join the mailing list visit: feldenkraisresourcesformusicians. co.uk

Severn Arts

What an extraordinary year! Like everyone, we have had to react quickly, changing our use of technology and ensuring our offer is accessible and relevant. We are proud of what we have achieved – we have worked with 86% of Worcestershire schools, taught over 23,500 individual online music lessons, commissioned 68 artists and delivered 18 workshops for teachers and creative professionals. We are now looking forward with optimism. We have presented our new music offer to schools, launched ‘Fair Play’ to explore and improve equality, diversity and inclusion practices, our Furthering Talent programme is underway, and we are preparing for a big summer online concert! severnarts.org.uk

Music Education Solutions

Music Education Solutions® is delighted to be hosting the first LIVE national music education conference for over a year! The Curriculum Music Conference will take place in Birmingham on 22 June and features an array of practical and discussion sessions for Primary, Secondary and EYFS music teachers. ISM members receive a 20% discount on this event with the code from the member handbook. More details at: musiceducationsolutions.co.uk

Middlesex University

Middlesex University has been increasing the online presence of its music courses, with a brand new Instagram page under the name ‘mdxunimusic’. This page is run by a team of students, staff and alumni, and showcases artists from the music courses. In addition to a series of online Open Mic events hosted by students, an informal talk show has also been launched on Instagram, hosted by two students and featuring their colleagues and alumni as guests to discuss their work, university life and music in general. These initiatives have brought the department closer to the students and provided a useful platform for a number of artists. Among ongoing projects, final year undergraduate and MA research students are providing music for a re-imagining of Robert Cohan’s dance piece Tzaikerk, choreographed by Middlesex dance staff Sarah Sulemanji and Sian Hopkins, which will be livestreamed from campus spaces on 13 and 14 May as the culmination of this year’s dance-music collaborations. mdx.ac.uk Composers Edition

Commissioning – Fresh Thinking! Composers Edition lead the way as the first independent service publisher for today’s composers. We’re now turning our attention to commissioning. How does it work? Who does it? Why? You might be surprised! We think that far more musicians both professional and amateur and audiences should be in on the joys of bringing brand new music to life. Alongside publishing an article by serial commissioner Kate Romano, we’ve prepared a short guide with examples to help inspire: composersedition.com/ our-services/commissioning-newmusic-a-short-guide Impulse Music Consultants

Monetising your music online We are all longing to get back to live music with live audiences in live venues. Before that, and even when we can do that, let’s not forget everything we have learned and experienced through taking our music online. We have learned about home acoustics, about microphones, about cameras, lighting and backdrops, but what about earning from performances, plays, podcasts and promotions? As we wait to kick-start our live careers, there is still plenty we can find out about how to supplement incomes through online opportunities. What are the platforms that facilitate that? How do we set up ticketing or an invitation to donate? How should we present performance in an online environment? How do we develop our audiences and extend our reach? These questions and many more are answered in the resources (impulsemusic.co.uk/resources/monetizingonline-performance/) section of the Impulse website. Do take a look and contact us for further information: impulse-music.co.uk/resources Tel: 01760 441441

The National Schools Symphony Orchestra (NSSO)

With an overwhelming response to our return to live music-making this summer, NSSO continues to work within Malvern College’s highly regarded COVID protocols, and government guidelines, to ensure courses are safe for our members, staff, and families. Rolling online auditions, measuring applicants against entry standards (not each other, at a fixed deadline) resulted in half our available places being quickly filled. Planning for 2022 is well underway, moving courses into the maintained sector school holiday, and dividing NSSO Academy into two, musically better-focused, ensembles. Details of the 2021 NSSO Orchestras, Conducting Course, and Big Band can be found at nsso.org.

to consolidate learning and offer an extra layer of fun. We are very grateful to all our corporate members for their support.

Stay tuned … Sign up to our newsletter at collins.PLATINUM CORPORATE MEMBERS co.uk/music and follow us on Twitter

ABRSM

Allianz Musical Insurance

BAM! Baird Artists Management Consulting

Duet Group

Hal Leonard Europe Ltd

Insure4Music

Kawai

Lark Music

Leeds Conservatoire

London College of Music

Mark Allen Group

Music Mind Hub Musicians Insurance Services

Newmoon Insurance Services

nkoda

NMC Recordings

Park Lane Group

Portsmouth Music Hub

Rocksteady Music School

The Royal Central School Of Speech & Drama The Royal Philharmonic Society Trinity College London

Victoria College Exams

Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK)

GOLD CORPORATE MEMBERS

Benslow Music Instrument Loan Scheme Black Dress Code Classic FM Collins Music Henri Selmer Paris Impulse Music Consultants London College of Music Examinations Middlesex University Music Mark Music Teachers’ Board musicteacher.com National Preparatory School Orchestras Oxford University Press Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Stainer & Bell Ltd Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH Take it away The Academy of Music & Sound The Curious Piano Teachers The Piano Teachers’ Course UK Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance Trybooking.com Tutti University of St Andrews VLT Legal Services Ltd Voice Workshop Ltd

For further information about our different levels of corporate membership and a full list of over 180 corporate members, visit ism.org.