SMA Bulletin 190

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Supporting Music in Schools

the SCHOOLS MUSIC ASSOCIATION part of the Incorporated Society of Musicians

SPRING 2016 No. 190 £2.50

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ULLETIN

Hon. editor: Carole Lindsay-Douglas carole@lindsaymusic.co.uk tel: 01767-260815

above: Christian Santos (left) Principal of the Gibraltar Academy of Music and Performing Arts with students and tutors at a school workshop.

below: Tutors and youngsters attending a piano workshop organised by the Gibraltar Academy of Music and the Performing Arts – see more overleaf …

ISM-SMA member Cathy Batchelor, in addition to her work as music co-ordinator at St Pauls First School in Gibraltar, is also the Vice-Principal of the recently established, Governmentbacked, Gibraltar Academy for Music and Performing Arts (www.gampa.gi). Cathy reports that the Academy is making great strides since it opened its doors in September 2015, and that she is greatly enjoying this new challenge, and especially working alongside the ‘amazingly creative’ Christian Santos, the Academy’s Principal.

November 2015. The Academy caters for all the Performing Arts, and in early December, in conjunction with Santos Productions and local dance academies, a show called ‘A Christmas Wish’ combined all disciplines – singing, acting, instrumental playing and dancing which thrilled audiences for four days. In the same month there were three separate piano and instrumental recitals held at the Academy, combining solo and ensemble performances by the children.

Cathy says: “He is very focused, disciplined and has lots of ideas, some of which are in place already, even though things are very new. He is a strong leader and that is definitely what is needed for the Academy to thrive. I have total respect for what he has accomplished already and his plans for the future of the Academy.”

With over 20 tutors and a substantial sponsorship grant from the Parasol Foundation, the Gibraltar Academy for Music and Performing Arts looks set to thrive.

And it seems that already a lot has been accomplished.

In September, the Academy arranged tutor workshops in virtually all the local schools which resulted in more than 350 students registering at the outset. ‘Learn an instrument’ scholarships in brass and cello were given to students in the first term, and a tutor-led piano workshop was held on 21

above right: A workshop with the Gibraltar Regiment Band. above & right: students participating with the European Sinfonietta below: a workshop at St Paul’s First School

If this wasn’t enough, brass and woodwind masterclasses with the Gibraltar Regiment Band also took place in December and the Academy is now the centre in Gibraltar for ABRSM practical examinations. Also, 4 January 2016 saw several children from the Academy excitedly taking part in the New Year’s Concert for Kids at the John Mackintosh Hall, with the European Sinfonietta.

More NEWS from our MEMBERS A Concert of Christmas Music Southampton Schools Music Association has entertained us royally again. They presented their annual concert of Christmas music in the first week of December 2015 at the Guildhall, Southampton. This involved children from three infant schools, one junior and two primary schools as well as an instrumental group from across the city and a secondary school instrumental/vocal group.

The first half was a tuneful and cheerful performance of Baubles! : A Tree-mendous Nativity by Antony Copus, conducted by ISM-SMA member, Deirdre Wratten.

The entertaining story was performed with vigour by children from Glenfield Infant school, Sholing Infant school and Townhill Infant school, together with infant and lower primary children from Moorlands and St Monica Primary schools. The half concluded with a lively performance from Showcase Young Players Orchestra founded and conducted by Alex Pope.

The second half began with the Bitterne Park Collective under Sarah Moore in three greatly contrasting pieces: All I want for Christmas is you (Carey), Wings (Tedder) and Joy to the World (Watts / Handel), all arranged by the talented Miss Moore. These were enjoyed hugely by the audience.

Next, upper Primary children performed music composed or arranged by Mark and Helen Johnson, Alan Woods, Alan Simmons, Philip Wilby, David Flatau, and Moe Koffman, Kenny Jacobson and Janet Wheeler. Conducted by Heather Grant and accompanied by Deirdre Wratten, performers were from Beechwood Junior School, Moorlands Primary School and St Monica Primary School.

Showcase brought the popular programme to an end with a selection of Christmas and popular tunes.

Once more, I would like to thank SSMA for organising and managing such a successful seasonal event – and for inviting me to it. I am looking forward to the Summer Proms.

Jay Deeble

News from OCARINA WORKSHOP Christa Liggins reports

David Liggins has written a new comprehensive Ocarina article for the five volume edition of The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments and has presented “3,000 years of the Ocarina...” at the 2015 Galpin Society conference for musicologists and acoustics experts at Cambridge University.

David Liggins, possessor of a number of antique and ancient ocarinas played some of them. The sound of the 2,000 year old Ocarinas impressed the experts, many of whom said they “had no idea” of the Ocarina’s importance in preColumbian Latin America. There was also spontaneous applause for the Ocarina virtuoso Señor Tapiero in response to hearing his 1910 recording of the Carnival of Venice.

It has been said that the ocarina has “no musical significance whatever” yet “bridges the mortal and immortal worlds by its power.” In the history of musical instruments, the Ocarina is notable for its frequent absence. Ocarinas are easily misunderstood and undervalued, despite their distinctive acoustic qualities.

With millions of players worldwide and a new interest in making and playing, it is time to review the last 3,000 years and reflect on whether the Ocarina is genuinely “of little musical significance” or invested with “supernatural power.”

The name ‘ocarina’ was originally given by Giuseppe Donati to his terracotta invention in Budrio, Italy, 1853. The name is now used to describe other vessel flutes, including those unearthed in large quantities throughout pre-Columbian Latin America. The English 4hole Ocarina, invented by John Taylor, London, 1963, is more closely linked with these ancient vessel flutes than with its Italian namesake. However, all Ocarinas produce a sound that is relatively free of overtones, variously described as ‘bland’ or ‘spiritual’. Fingerholes can be positioned anywhere on the surface of an ocarina without changing the pitch, giving makers scope to develop new user-friendly designs.

An examination of preColombian, Italian and English Ocarinas spanning 3,000 years will allow for an informed reconsideration of the place of the ocarina in the history of musical instruments.

David Liggins is title holder of the Guinness World Record “LARGEST OCARINA ENSEMBLE” created on 5 November 2013 at the Royal Albert Hall by 3,081 primary school children, their teachers and parents, using a special arrangement by Douglas Coombes, who also conducted the recordbreaking event.

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A special offer from the Martin Shaw Archive to mark the centenary of ‘Cuckoo’ What could be more delightful for children than a song about a cuckoo? Martin Shaw was inspired by an old rhyme to write Cuckoo, and added a second verse. The song was first published in Songtime, a book of children’s songs, edited with the same care by the group of friends that brought us The English Hymnal and The Oxford Book of Carols. The cuckoo has some curious habits, and the song begins with a question: Cuckoo, cuckoo, Pray what do you do?... the cuckoo replies: In April I open my bill, In May I sing night and day, and then, as the song slips into a minor key: In June, I change my tune. The cuckoo leaves at last In August, away... I must.

Martin Shaw answered the inevitable question: Cuckoo, cuckoo, pray, where do you go? and we

learn about bird migration: Far away over the sea to Spain, I fly again... in fact to North Africa. So with more understanding the song ends Cuckoo, good bye... to you... Singer Sophie Bevan bids the cuckoo Goodbye at the end of The Airmen - a compilation of Shaw songs (available to download from iTunes). A Grade 1 piece for the ABRSM song syllabus, Cuckoo is still in print from Music Sales Classical. To mark the centenary of the song, the Martin Shaw Music Archive is giving away 100 copies.

To get your copy contact Isobel, Shaw’s grand-daughter, via email at iaplatings@gmail.com

A special offer from Lindsay Music Singer’s Oil - the teacher’s friend!

An all natural throat spray designed to help all who rely on their voice - whether singing or speaking. It was developed at the request of a professional backing vocalist.

This product has just come to the UK market having been successfully trialled in Germany for over ten years.

If you suffer from a dry throat, or have problems with mucus; if you have little or no voice the morning after singing or find that excessive periods of talking result in hoarseness, this simple, pleasant-tasting throat spray could be the answer.

Spray a couple of times before singing or prolonged use of your speaking voice, and then again, at the very end of your rehearsal

or working period. The spray container lasts for 300 actuations. The specially formulated spray is not a drug, but contains natural products designed to moisterise and reduce inflammation.

[Contains some alcohol. Read the accompanying leaflet thoroughly.]

Normal price £14.95 + p&p £4.95 ISM-SMA member introductory price £9.95 + reduced postage of £3 Order from sales@lindsaymusic.co.uk (quoting SMA190) or by phone at Lindsay Music 01767-260815 with credit/debit card details.