Highnotes, Spring 2015

THE MAKING MUSIC MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE | SPRING ISSUE 2015

Beyond the stage Discover performances happening in some unlikely places • PAGE 12

OPEN DOORS

How an inclusive approach benefits everyone • PAGE 10

MUSIC FOR ALL

Get involved with Learn to Play/Sing days • PAGE 8

London Symphony Orchestra

Sat 7 Feb 11am–4.30pm LSO St Luke’s Duruflé Requiem

Sat 9 May 11am–4.30pm LSO St Luke’s Brahms Connections

Come along to LSO St Luke’s and join Simon Halsey, director of the London Symphony Chorus, in two Choral Singing Days. On 7 February there’s a workshop exploring Duruflé’s Requiem prior to its performance at the Barbican on 1 March, or on 9 May discover how Brahms set his German Requiem and delve into its influences – including a Schütz setting of the same text, a Handel Fugue and an early Brahms motet.

LSO Singing Days 2015 Don’t miss the chance to sing with a world-class choral conductor this new year.

Whether you sing in a local choir, or haven’t sung since school, LSO Singing Days are an exciting opportunity to get to grips with a classic work.

Some sight-singing ability is required.

Simon Halsey conductor Tickets £17 (includes music hire) Afternoon spectator tickets available at £5 (from 3pm)

020 7638 8891 lso.co.uk/singing-days

CONTENTS & EDITORIAL

New year, new Making Music!

CONTENTS NEWS

5 In brief 6 Around the UK FEATURES

8 Learning to play 10 Younger voices 12 Strange places

You’ll still recognise our commitment to placing you, our members, at the heart of everything we do, you’ll still benefit from our fantastic services, helping you run your group and develop artistically, you’ll still see us fighting your corner, for example on music libraries.

FROM OUR TEAM

14 Membership and services 16 Opportunities 18 Volunteers

But having taken a look at how we deliver our support to you, in 2015 we will transform two crucial aspects of Making Music: our website, which is too slow and needs to offer more; and our member engagement structure, now that we no longer have staff in the English regions.

MEMBERS

19 Corporate members 20 Blow your trumpet 22 Readers’ page If you have suggestions or would like to contribute to Highnotes, please contact the Commissioning Editor, George Acock, on 020 7422 8291 or editor@makingmusic.org.uk

We will be consulting with you shortly on our draft proposals, so do please respond, to ensure we move forward in the right way.

The copy deadline for Highnotes Summer 2015 (published 1 May) is 5 March

Meanwhile, the enthusiastic team here at Making Music look forward to working for you and with you again in 2015, and learning ever more about your concerns and your celebrations.

Any views or opinions expressed by external contributors may not necessarily represent those of Making Music Highnotes is the official journal of Making Music, The National Federation of Music Societies, 2-4 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3NW 020 7422 8280 info@makingmusic.org.uk www.makingmusic.org.uk A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales no. 308632

Barbara Eifler

Registered charity in England and Wales no. 249219 and in Scotland no. SC038849

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MAKING MUSIC Email: barbara@makingmusic.org.uk Twitter: @BarbaraEifler

If you need us to make any of this information more accessible, please get in touch £6 where sold, annual subscription £15 (3 issues)

Cover: Band rehearsals at Camden’s Roundhouse Photo: Peter Shiazza

Photo: Damien McFadden

Designed by Cog Design Printed by Gemini Press Advertising by Space Marketing: 01892 677740

Opera that moves

Featuring the

Barbershop World Champions from Dallas, Texas

The Vocal Majority

London (7-14 march) Truro (17-18 march) Poole (20-21 march) Norwich (23-25 march) Sheffield (30-31 march) Cheltenham (8-11 april) Wolverhampton (13-14 april) Snape (17-18 april) Leicester (20-21 april)

Coventry (23-25 april) Exeter (28 april-2 may) Crawley (6-7 may) Canterbury (8-9 may) Blackpool (11-12 may) Buxton (14-16 may) Durham (18-19 may) Perth Festival (21 may) Cambridge (26-30 may)

More dates: www.englishtouringopera.org.uk

Making Music spr15 ad.indd 1

27/11/2014 14:18:03

Book Now! 41st Annual Barbershop Convention Friday 22nd - Monday 25th May 2015 Llandudno, North Wales

www.sing2015.co.uk

NEWS

IN BRIEF Left: A sound engineer in the studio Photo: Pip R Lagenta/Flickr Creative Commons Bottom right: Steve Forman at the British Composer Awards Photo: Mark Allan

Creative computers New intuitive music software could make recording easier for amateur musicians Boffins at the British Science Festival have unveiled new software that could potentially make it easier for amateurs to create professionalsounding recordings without expensive equipment and a long training process.

Named The SAFE Project, the software could help bridge the musical gap between humans and computers: “We take computers and we try and give them the capabilities to understand and process music in the way a human being would” explains Dr Sables,

one of the project’s creators.

Since computers process music as digital data they can’t understand the differences between instruments. The SAFE Project learns nuances such as variable pitch and allow users to create an intelligent database by tagging sounds with descriptions like ‘dreamy’. Early users say the intuitive software could benefit many amateur musicians.

Download the free plugins from www.semanticaudio.co.uk

Lady Hilary Groves Prize We were delighted to announce Andrea Encinas as the winner of Making Music’s Lady Hilary Groves Prize during a concert at the People’s Christian Fellowship in October.

The judges recognised Andrea’s great contribution to British gospel music through her work with British Gospel Arts, which she has led since its inception in 1999.

The panel gave special commendations to three further individuals: South London

Community Music’s Bob Bridges, founder of Cantorion Sirenian Singers Jean Stanley Jones, and Mavis Fletcher for 50 years of musical leadership in the North West. Congratulations to all.

BRITISH COMPOSER AWARDS

The annual British Composer Awards, presented by BASCA (the British Association of Songwriters Composers and Authors), include a Making Music Award for a work composed for an amateur music group.

The 2014 award in this category went to American-born Steve Forman for his Loch Awe, written for Making Music member Dunbartonshire Concert Band to commemorate their 40th anniversary. The work stretched them well beyond their comfort zone (“not even any ‘proper’ bars!”, as the composer himself puts it), creating a soundscape beautifully evoking an early morning on the loch, gently shimmering with light and wind.

Steve collected his award during a ceremony at Goldsmiths’ Hall, London, hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Sara Mohr-Pietsch and Andrew McGregor.

We’ll be bringing you more about Steve, his work and how you can access it in the next iNotes or visit: makingmusic.org.uk/awards

“One of the most inspirational women I’ve ever met - a worthy winner” Monica Castanetto, describing Lady Hilary Groves Prize winner Andrea Encinas

Something in the wood shed...

After snapping up a bargain pipe organ from her local church for £500, retired teacher Alison Malcolm spent £20,000 building a shed to keep it in! The enormous shed is fully sound-proofed so Alison can play the organ without fear of disturbing her neighbours: “‘[The organ] balances beautifully because it is built by such a genius” she explains; “if you pulled out every stop and played it together it would be very loud, but you don’t do that”.

Spring 2015

HIGHNOTES

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NEWS

AROUND THE UK SOUTH EAST

Area manager Sharon Moloney travelled to the Channel Islands in September, to hold Information and Advice events and visit Guernsey Choral and Orchestral Society and Jersey Festival Choir in rehearsal.

Groups discussed their thoughts and concerns on generating new audiences and shared ideas for attracting high-profile musicians and conductors to the islands.

Sharon was struck by the very supportive local media and the “real sense of community and belonging created by sharing musicians, sharing information and a passion both for music and for their island community.” makingmusic.org.uk/southeast

LONDON

Southwark goes to Paris Young member group jumps aboard the tour bus for a once in a lifetime adventure Southwark Children’s Brass Band has been awarded £12,000 for a fully funded concert tour to Paris, including a special performance at the Disneyland resort.

The funding is provided by youth travel company Club Europe as part of their ‘Proud to Perform’ initiative, which enables less advantaged music ensembles to go on tour.

Patty Harper, the band’s musical director is thrilled with the award and says that a lot of the students have very few opportunities like this. “It’s unlikely they would go to Paris otherwise”, she says; adding that the tour will give them a sense of “what is achievable with hard work and practice”.

Established in 1978 to give underprivileged children the opportunity to experience art,

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HIGHNOTES Spring 2015

music and culture, Southwark Children’s Brass Band provides weekly music tuition and training in brass instruments for around 50 children from the south London borough.

The charity relies on donations from the public so an award like this is an enormous opportunity for its young members. Jackie Schneider of Club Europe said: “We were impressed with Southwark’s independence...

They have managed to sustain themselves as a small charity over many years. They are a young group and I hope this funding is the start of a long legacy of touring for the group and the beginning of a culture change for them, which will raise their overall expectations.”

For more information visit southwarkchildrensbrassband.org

Above: Southwark Children’s Brass Band Photo: Tom Walker

YORKSHIRE AND THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

Sunderland football club is set to get its own opera! Music in the Minster has commissioned An Opera for Sunderland, which aims to get everyone – amateurs and professionals, people of all abilities – involved in opera in Sunderland.

Learn more about the project at musicintheminster.org.uk WEST

Our information and advice event at Fulwood Methodist Church in Preston was a great success.

Members came from across the region to discuss the current challenges of concert promoting and find new ways of working.

In December, The People’s Orchestra held a fundraising screening of Christmas classic The Snowman at Malvern Forum Theatre. The orchestra played the film’s original orchestration live for an enthusiastic audience and proceeds went to helping unemployed people find their way back in to work. makingmusic.org.uk/west

NEWS

SOUTH WEST

The Philharmonia Orchestra’s innovative iOrchestra returns to Devon and Cornwall in summer 2015, and there are lots of ways for members to get involved. For details visit philharmonia.co.uk.

Meanwhile, many of you will be aware that music library services around the country are being cut. Somerset County Council is holding a consultation on services at Somerset Performing Arts Library so we urge anyone who uses the music library there to respond to the consultation online before 11 January and join the Friends of Yeovil Performing Arts Library group on Facebook. Find the consultation at bit.ly/1ykWaDa

Did you know? Over the past year we have presented 45 Information and Advice events and training courses

WALES

In October we welcomed Alison Edbury of &Co Cultural Marketing to Cardiff, to run Making Music’s bespoke training course Reaching New People. The course covered ways to engage with new audiences and potential new members, barriers to engagement and how to plan a marketing campaign. Delegates came from groups in Cardiff, Swansea, the Vale of Glamorgan and Hereford and there were lots of interesting discussions and suggestions based on personal experiences. If you’re interested in reaching new audiences and members, email abby@makingmusic.org.uk.

SCOTLAND

Cowal Music Club celebrates 70 years One of Scotland’s oldest community music groups throws a birthday party to remember 2014 marked the 70th season of one of the longest standing clubs in Scotland; Cowal Music Club.

To celebrate its milestone birthday the club has commissioned a new piece of music from Scottish composer Edward McGuire, called Cowal Colours, which will tour to the far corners of Argyll and Bute in 2015, performed by Cowal Music Club with harp and flute duo Hoot.

Two local artists, Jean Bell

and Don McNeil, have created paintings alongside Edward’s music, which will be on display at every concert on the tour.

To top it all off film maker Gordon Davidson will be on-hand to capture this extraordinary partnership’s adventures for a documentary film. Now that’s how you throw a birthday party!

For information about where to catch the club’s performances this year visit cowalmusicclub.co.uk

EAST

Singing the songs of Africa Alexander L’Estrange’s African and jazz fusion ZIMBE! comes to Market Rasen

Right: Alexander L’Estrange Photo: Susan Porter Thomas

Northern Ireland October saw the first Making Music training event in Northern Ireland. The joint event, with the Association of Irish Choirs (AOIC) and Voluntary Arts Ireland, took place in the charming St Marks Church Dundela, Belfast.

We were really pleased with how the day ran, as well as the great feedback, and certainly plan to run another event in Northern Ireland in 2015.

L’Estange’s popular African song and jazz piece will be performed by the Market Rasen and District Choral Society, thanks to an £8,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Bringing together students from 13 local schools to sing alongside Market Rasen and District Choral Society, this very special performance will feature L’Estrange himself leading his Call Me Al jazz quintet, conducted by Jeff Blewett.

Karen Gramson, chair of Market Rasen and District Choral Society says: “We are so pleased and excited that we can now afford to involve local schools and the general community in a project led by the composer, where they will have the experience of singing with a large mixed choir and working with a professional jazz group.

We hope that it will generate a new interest in the performance of live music in the area.” The performance takes place at the De Aston Sports Hall in Market Rasen on 9th May 2015.

For more information go to www.music-link.org/soc-org/ market-rasen-cs.html

FEATURE

Learning to play Want to help more people make music? George Acock looks at two ways Making Music members can involve the local community in their work Everyone remembers the first time they picked up an instrument and made their first tentative steps towards mastering its mysteries. As any member of a music group will agree, playing an instrument or singing in public can be a hugely rewarding way to express yourself creatively, gain confidence and make great friends.

According to a survey by the Music Industries Association, an estimated 15 million people in the UK would like to play an instrument or would like to start playing again. That’s where Making Music members can help, by getting involved with two great initiatives to spread the joy of music to even more people!

Come and Sing/Play These simple but brilliant events do more or less exactly what they say on the tin: you open up your group for a day, for anyone to come along and sing or play an instrument.

There are lots of ways to host a Come and Sing or Play event. With a bit of planning you can create a fun day for everyone involved that can really benefit your group — whether you want to find new members, grow your audience or reignite musical passion and persuade someone to dust off that forgotten violin.

Think about what your group wants to achieve from a Come and Play/Sing event. For example: • If you want to increase group membership you could have a stand at the event where people can learn about membership and sign up.

• If your main aim is to grow your audience then you could offer participants a discount for your next concert.

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HIGHNOTES Spring 2015

•

If your focus is to help the local community, think about how you will follow-up after the event so it isn’t just a one off involvement.

• If you want to raise the profile of the group maybe you could invite a local reporter along to the day?

We have created a handy toolkit to help you decide what sort of event you want to run and find practical advice on how to plan and run the day itself.

Above: An in-store music lesson from Learn to Play Day Photo: Music Industries Association and Learn to Play Day

Download the toolkit from goo.gl/pNrMfJ Learn to Play Day (21 March) Now approaching its fourth year, this very popular initiative from Music for All offers free ‘taster’ music lessons to the general public in music shops and other venues all over the UK. With Jools Holland as its patron and an impressive list of famous faces including Harry Hill and Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) offering music lessons in past years, Learn to Play Day continues to grow in scale.

117 venues took part across the country in 2014, delivering over 10,000 free lessons to the public.

The next Learn to Play Day takes place before the Easter holidays and there are many ways for Making Music members to get involved. Perhaps you know of a local music shop that would make a good venue or you could open the doors to your rehearsal space to offer taster lessons and the chance to have a go?

Music for All is keen to hear from community music groups so get in touch with organiser Paul McManus to discuss ways to get involved: paulmc@mia.org.uk.

Visit www.learntoplayday.com to learn more.

“ An estimated 15 million people in the UK would like to play an instrument”

Singalong with the CBSO: Ever wondered what it’s like to sing live at Mozart’s Requiem Sunday 25 January 2015, 7pm Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Symphony Hall with the full CBSO?

Whether you’re a choral society veteran or have only ever sung in the shower, rehearse and perform Mozart’s Requiem under the CBSO’s world-famous chorus director Simon Halsey in this one-off performance.

Rehearsals start at 1.30pm. For score requirements and full singer information, visit cbso.co.uk/singalong Singer ticket: £20* Singer ticket with score: £27* Audience ticket: £13* * £3 transaction fee, plus £1 (optional) postage, will be charged on all bookings except purchases made in person at the Town Hall or Symphony Hall Box Office.

For more information and to book:

visit cbso.co.uk/singalong or call 0121 345 0499 facebook.com/thecbso

Supported by The CBSO receives funding from

twitter.com/thecbso

New

94 years of enlightened support

John Rutter Anniversary Edition The John Rutter Anniversary Edition celebrates the 70th birthday of one of Britain’s leading composers and the 30th anniversary of his choir, The Cambridge Singers.

2

Publishing 2014-2015 Christmas Candlelight Carol ♦ Go, tell it on the mountain ♦ Sans Day Carol ♦ Shepherd’s Pipe Carol ♦ Silent Night

Sacred All things bright and beautiful ♦ Featuring mainly earlier pieces Be Thou my vision ♦ For the beauty from the composer’s catalogue, of earth ♦ God be in my head ♦ this series presents seminal works I my Best-Beloved’s am ♦ The Lord for mixed chorus in brand new editions and with accompanying bless you and keep you ♦ O clap notes on both the music and your hands ♦ Open thou mine eyes ♦ performance, written by the composer himself.

Three Choral Amens The Anniversary Edition provides the most comprehensive Secular and authoritative performance materials (including full Blow, blow, thou winter wind ♦ scores and parts) for over 30 of the composer’s favourite Dashing away with the smoothing anthems, carols, and songs.. iron ♦ Down by the riverside ♦ www.oup.com/uk/music The owl and the pussy-cat

FEATURE

Younger voices Voluntary groups should engage young people from all walks of life, writes Roundhouse CEO and artistic director Marcus Davey Engaging with creative activity can help build skills, empathy, knowledge and self-confidence. All people should have access to the same opportunities no matter what background they are from. Based on this statement isn’t it an obvious conclusion to suggest that it is vital the arts are inclusive of all?

Each year, the Roundhouse works with over 3,000 11-25s, enabling them to realise their creative potential. The Roundhouse aims to work with young people who have been excluded, marginalised or disadvantaged by society, aiding them to find pathways back into education, work or simply to enjoy a wider cultural life.

A recent report by ABRSM found that the proportion of children in the UK who know how to play a musical instrument has almost doubled in the past 15 years, but long term music education is still the preserve of children from richer backgrounds with young people from poorer backgrounds more likely to miss out. That is why it is so important that cultural organisations offer local schools opportunities to engage with the arts and music.

As an Arts Council England Associate Bridge Organisation, the Roundhouse is part of a national network of bridge organisations given the job of helping children, young people, schools and families to connect with arts and culture. Through strong links with local schools young people can be introduced to various art forms alongside their peers.

Although targeted projects are essential to engage a diverse background, from our experience it is important that universal services are on offer too. At the Roundhouse our work is all open-access and we know that young people find this approach more

10 HIGHNOTES Spring 2015

accessible. They are more inclined to attend sessions when they know that they are open to all. Likewise, drop-in sessions are less inhibiting for people to simply pick up an instrument and have a go or experiment with the latest technology in the studios.

There is not the pressure to commit to a long term course, so giving the option of drop-ins gives greater flexibility and increases the likelihood of attending to try out a new creative skill.

One of the biggest barriers to people experiencing art and music is often money, so to increase accessibility it may be necessary to offer bursary schemes to help cover fees and travel expenses. We also know how important it is for people to have the same opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by great art and music. That’s why we created GET IN. It is a membership scheme for 16-25 year olds which is free to join and gives young people exclusive access to £5 tickets to selected gigs and shows every month. We want to ensure our shows are within the reach of young people so they don’t miss out on opportunities to enjoy a more cultural life.

We have always made it a priority to offer young people new experiences and the chance to develop a brighter future. A majority (60%) of the young people who take part in programmes at the Roundhouse are facing significant socio-economic disadvantage. Where they may have missed out on experiences growing up we enable young people in our local community the chance to thrive in a creative environment. It is almost always the start of a different, more positive journey.

For more information about the Roundhouse visit www.roundhouse.org.uk

Above: The Roundhouse choir in rehearsal Photo: Ellie Pinner

“The Roundhouse helps over 3,000 1125s realise their creative potential each year”

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music education & performance equipment

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APPLY NOW to study

at Chetham’s School of Music!

Would you like to: • Study with other young musicians?

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• Access a range of performance opportunities?

If so, we would love to meet you!

Chetham’s has a world-class music programme and exceptional facilities. It is the UK’s largest specialist music school.

3rd–7th August

Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh

Chetham’s offers a huge variety of performance and learning opportunities alongside an outstanding academic education.

Singing, Singing, Singing The core of musical expression

What matters at Chetham’s is musical potential, not background or ability to pay. You could receive up to full Government funding towards all your fees.

Located in a new state-of-the-art building, with a professional Concert Hall due to open in 2017, there is no better time to apply!

Hosted by the National Youth Choir of Scotland under the auspices of

If you are unsure whether to make an application, come and see one of our specialist tutors for a free open and friendly advice audition.

OPEN DAY: Saturday 17 January 2015 Auditions are available throughout the year. Pick up a flyer today, call 0161 834 9644, or visit www.chethams.com for more details.

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SCOTLAND

www.chethams.com

the International Kodály Society Keynote Presenters: James MacMillan (Scotland) László Nemes (Hungary) Christopher Bell (Scotland) Miriam Factora (Japan) Book your place now: www.nycos.co.uk

Chetham’s School of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB

IKS Highnotes ad.indd 1

27/11/2014 11:15

FEATURE

Strange places From shopping centres to cable cars - George Acock talks to the musicians taking their talents to unconventional locations It’s official – music is good for you. A recent study at McGill University in Canada found that music can boost the body’s immune system, reduce anxiety, and help regulate mood. It’s no wonder, then, that so many public venues are incoporating live music into their activities, from shopping centres and museums to care homes and prisons.

The retail industry has put increasing emphasis on offering live music to customers, and many shopping centres today are well equipped with pop up stages and top-flight PA systems. Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, which organises regular performances under the ‘Westfield Presents’ banner, recently hosted performances from several Making Music members and says that live performance is integral to its identity. “More than a place to shop, Westfield is the home of inspirations, experience, entertainment and connection”, says general manager of events and entertainment Fiona Kyle; “Westfield Presents brings this to life. We let fans get up close and personal, we encourage fans to discover new acts and acts to discover new fans.”

Making Music volunteer Sandra Johnson helped organise a series of performances by amateur groups at the Wellgate shopping centre in Dundee, and agrees that performing for shoppers can be

12 HIGHNOTES Spring 2015

rewarding. “The audience grew the longer we were there - they loved it” she says, “and the venue couldn’t have been more helpful”.

Of course there are practicalities to consider when performing in a public space. “Do your homework beforehand and make sure you get to know the venue well”, Sandra advises, “and take time to build up a good rapport with the venue manager – you’ll want them on side on the day!”

In care homes and hospitals, visits from musicians can be a ray of light for many residents.

Live Music Now, a charity which aims to bring live music to disadvantaged audiences, says that for older people suffering with dementia, live music has an overwhelmingly positive impact on communication, memory and enjoyment of life. Inspiration International is an initiative of the Finchampstead Handbell Ringers, who regularly perform in care homes and give patients an opportunity to join in by singing along and playing a variety of percussion instruments.

Encouraging participation can be invaluable since it creates an atmosphere of sociable interaction, which medical centres can sometimes lack.

The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill holds an annual Christmas concert by London flute

Above: The Salomon Orchestra performs on the Emirates Airline to celebrate The Classical Season at The O2, London.

Photo: Matt Alexander/ PA Wire

FEATURE

“Consider the noise implications of any unusual venue very carefully”

choir Opal Flutes. With an audience made up of passers-by, including many families with young children, the success of the performance depends on the group’s repertoire. “The key thing to remember is that unlike in a formal concert setting, your audience is free to leave or join as they please”, explains organiser Sharon Moloney. “People stop to listen because we’re there, rather than through a concerted effort to see us, so we play tunes that people know and can join in with”.

“Background noise is always an issue”, she says, “so consider the noise implications of any unusual venue carefully. Non-traditional venues usually rely upon picking up on passing traffic and passing traffic creates noise!”

If you’re going open air then consider the weather too, says the Salomon Orchestra’s Alex Lamont, whose members took to land, sea and sky (well, an Emirates Air Line cable car) to promote its performances as part of the O2’s Classical Season. High winds meant sheet music was impossible, so everything had to be either improvised or from memory. “It was a challenge”, says Alex; “have a backup location in case of bad weather and take good hair grips for those with long hair!”

Wherever you choose to perform — be it care home, shopping centre or cable car — taking your music to new ears can be a hugely fulfilling experience for musicians and audiences alike. So next time you’re choosing a concert venue, why not go ‘off piste’? You might be surprised by the results.

CHANGING TUNES Changing Tunes holds music workshops and performances in prisons around the UK and sees the transformative effects of music first-hand. Of the inmates who take part in the charity’s music workshops, only an estimated 15% go on to reoffend — a huge drop from the national average of 61%.

“Our team of professional musicians are trained to work in a prison environment and create strong bonds with the inmates” explains Philip Emery, who runs the charity’s London and South East regions, “many ex-offenders stay in contact with us after their release and continue to play music.

Community groups can offer a great opportunity for them to continue to play”.

Staging a concert in a prison can be a rewarding experience for musicians, too. Philip is happy to offer practical advice to any members who are interested in exploring this, or working with prisoners after release. Contact him at: philipe@changingtunes.org.uk.

Learn more at www.changingtunes.org.uk

WHERE NEXT? Here are some suggestions, but use your imagination and knowledge of your local area too — it can pay to go off the beaten track!

• Local shopping centres • Care homes and hospitals • Prisons • Museums • Art galleries • Ferries and other public transport • Train stations

Spring 2015

HIGHNOTES 13

FROM OUR TEAM

MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICES Helping you get the most from your membership Left: Members share ideas at a Making Music event Photo: Stuart Pearson

Here are our upcoming events for 2015. We’ll keep adding more dates online so keep an eye on makingmusicuk.eventbrite.co.uk for up to date events details and to book your place.

Have you been to, or heard about, our Information and Advice events? certain genres, such as promoting groups, to share their issues and concerns. If you have any ideas for topics please let us know at info@makingmusic.org.uk.

At all events, Making Music staff are present to answer your questions on any topic, and there are opportunities to chat with lots of other like-minded musicians over refreshments.

Of survey respondents for I&A events in 2014, 91% said they learned something new and of relevance to their group, and that they found the opportunity to meet other members and musicians valuable.

Events currently planned for 2015 are listed in the panel on the right-hand side of this page, and more will be added. Look out for our email updates, which have all the latest information.

The Making Music office was awash with renewal forms and cheques in the Christmas lead up.

Usually by now the majority of you have renewed — a big thank you to those who have.

Anyone who is yet to return their renewal form, remember your insurance ran out on 31 December 2014 so is no longer valid. However, there is still time to renew, so get your forms sent in as soon as you can.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Information and Advice Simply put, they are ‘bite-sized’ sessions of a couple of hours in duration, taking place on weekday evenings or on Saturdays in locations all across the country.

They offer great opportunities to find out about a specific topic in more detail and chat to your fellow amateur musicians.

Sessions usually feature a guest speaker talking about a particular subject: recent speakers have included Arts Council England talking about their Grants for the Arts funding programme, Voluntary Arts England talking about good committee management, and a lecturer in acoustics discussing musicians and their hearing. Other sessions have included a tour, for example backstage at ROH2 or at the Barbican Music Library, or have provided a forum for

RENEWALS

“A very timely and essential event for my group, both in terms of learning more about Making Music but also the direct contact with the Arts Council” Viv Edwards, Haywards Heath

Training events • Reaching new people 7 February, Glasgow 21 March, Southampton • Making the most of social media 21 February, Edinburgh 28 February, Chester 14 March, Aberdeen 16 May, London Information and Advice events • Barbican Music Library tour 24 January, London • Making Music’s future (consultation) 17 February, London • Promoting groups 21 February, Leicester • Managing your group 7 March, Swansea • Helping your group to thrive 20 June, Port Erin, Isle of Man

CONTACTS Ben Saffell, Senior Membership Manager: ben@makingmusic.org.uk • Katie Calvert, Membership and Events Coordinator: katie@makingmusic.org.uk • www.makingmusic.org.uk/membership-advice-blog

14 HIGHNOTES Spring 2015

FROM OUR TEAM

MEMBER NEWS 50 members of Wrexham Community Choir returned from a visit to Miedzychód, Poland in November. Over the course of the three day trip they sang at a choir festival at the Centre for Arts and Culture and gave an evening performance at the lakeside in Miedzychód. Organiser Wendy Paintsil says they were “overwhelmed by the hospitality” and plan to return in 2015.

When Music Sounds, the five movement work for Nottingham’s Music for Everyone, written by Rebecca Dale as part of the Adopt a Composer scheme, is set to be recorded by a professional 70-piece session orchestra and choir at the start of the year.

In November Orpington Keyboard Club performed at Walnuts Shopping Centre in Kent, to raise money for Children in Need. The club’s chair John Parker played his KORG keyboard while volunteers helped collect almost £100 in just two hours.

Congratulations to Ian Assersohn, musical director for Epsom Male Voice Choir, Leatherhead Choral Society and Concordia Singers, who has won a place at the next International Male Voice Choral Festival in Cornwall. Ian beat 40 other entries in the hotly contested Composers’ Competition with his work Crossing the Bar, performed by the Celtic Male Ensemble. The work will have its world premiere at the festival in May. St Peter’s Singers have been busy recording songs from last year’s One Equal Music project. The CD is on sale now; buy it online at www.oneequalmusic.org.uk

Our programme notes and information sheets have been downloaded 3,664 times in the last quarter

Feeling charitable Our new model constitution offers useful guidance on everything charity-related Happy New Year from the Membership Services team. Our focus over the last few months has been on improving and refining our guidance on the key practical topics you need to help you run your groups.

An important focus for us has been to develop a new model constitution, working closely with the Charity Commission, which is designed to put you on a sure footing when it comes to constitutional and charity regulation matters.

Of course many of you already have your own constitution, but we would urge you to consider adopting ours – particularly if you are applying for registered charity status (remember you must do this if your income is over £5000/year) as our model constitution will put you on the Charity Commission fast track, making the registration process far easier and quicker.

To go alongside our new constitution we have a handbook for trustees. This includes FAQs and guidance on those common and often tricky charity and trustee queries, and on what registered charities More advice need to prepare and send to the It’s not just charities we’re Charity Commission. offering advice to. This spring The new constitution and charity we’ll be updating guidance on advice will be available soon – keep safeguarding, VAT, Gift Aid and an eye on our website for more template contracts for engaging details. www.makingmusic.org. professional musicians. uk/our-services/advice

Associate members

Any associate members who are thinking about setting up as a charity and converting to full membership will find the new model constitution particularly useful. Being a charity isn’t as complicated as it might initially sound; there are lots of great benefits such as cheaper Making Music group insurance rates, as well as tax and Gift Aid benefits. If you’d like more information just email us at info@makingmusic.org.uk or call 0207 422 8280.

Charity Commission: Reporting serious incidents The Charity Commission believes some serious incidents are going unreported, making it hard for them to accurately assess the risks faced by charities. We would like to remind all trustees of the need to report serious incidents to the Charity Commission. Not only does it help them monitor what is happening in the charity sector, it also means they can offer help and support to trustees in dealing with any serious incident.

A serious incident is one that results in significant loss of a charity’s money or assets, damage to a charity’s property or harm to a charity’s work, beneficiaries or reputation. Common examples are fraud, theft and confirmed safeguarding issues.

You can find more guidance on the Charity Commission website: www.gov.uk/how-to-report-a-serious-incident-in-your-charity

Spring 2015

HIGHNOTES 15

FROM OUR TEAM

OPPORTUNITIES Keeping you up to date with our national projects and programmes Left: François Boucher’s Arion on the Dolphin Credit: Princeton University Art Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund y1980-2

•

Register interest now! last song, and they allow him. His song draws dolphins to the ship.

As soon as he finishes his song, he jumps overboard and is rescued by one of the dolphins who carries him to safety. The dolphin ends among the stars, as the constellation Delphinus.

For more information on Arion and the Dolphin, and Schott’s accompanying special offer for Carmina Burana, see: tinyurl.com/q2q2hfe If your musical director would like to attend a workshop on the piece in April or to register interest in being one of the Making Music member choirs to premiere it, email sally@makingmusic.org.uk.

•

“Being a part of the AYCA scheme has provided me with some of the most memorable of all my performances in recent years” Joseph Houston, AYCA 2013

•

•

•

Anna Braithwaite with Quirky Choir (Yorkshire) Mentored by Fraser Trainer Kirsty Devaney with Arden Recorder Orchestra (Warwickshire) Mentored by Colin Riley Mark Carroll with Strathaven Choral Society (Scotland) Mentored by David Horne Seán Doherty with Kensington Symphony Orchestra (London) Mentored by Fraser Trainer Ailie Robertson with Jubilate Choir (Middlesex) Mentored by Colin Riley Michael Betteridge with Cobweb Orchestra (North England) Mentored by David Horne

Applications for 2015-16 open on 1 May 2015, please see our website for details and an application form.

Award for Young Concert Artists Applications are open for this year’s young artists. Auditions will take place in March and you will find the new young artists listed in the Selected Artists brochure, which will be sent out with your next copy of Highnotes in May. Subsidies are still available for the 2014-16 seasons at the new rates; please see the website for more details. www.makingmusic.org.uk/our-services

CONTACTS: Sally Palmer, Membership and Projects Coordinator: sally@makingmusic.org.uk

16 HIGHNOTES Spring 2015

Six pairings were chosen for this year’s project, from 113 applications. One of the pairings, Michael Betteridge and the Cobweb Orchestra, will continue their collaboration for a further year as Michael is composing five pieces for the groups that make up the orchestra in different locations between the Scottish Borders and North Yorkshire. The 2014-15 Adopt a Composer pairings are: •

Arion and the Dolphin Making Music’s commission of a new choral work from Jonathan Dove, funded by the Nicholas Berwin Charitable Trust, will be available for programming by Making Music members in the 2015-6 season.

Arion and the Dolphin, a dramatic cantata for countertenor or alto solo, children’s choir, adult mixed choir, two pianos and percussion, is a sequence of songs, with a soloist as Arion, tenors and basses as the sailors, and children’s voices representing the dolphin. The instrumentation is suggested by a popular arrangement of Carmina Burana, so that Arion and the Dolphin can be performed as a companion-piece.

Arion is a young poet from Corinth who wins first prize in a singing contest in Sicily. During his voyage home, the sailors plot to kill him and keep his prizemoney. Arion begs to sing one

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FROM OUR TEAM

VOLUNTEERS Interested in volunteering for Making Music? Visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/volunteers BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

CLARE BIRKS Vice-Chair

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

ROSEMARY ALLEN Volunteer Support Officer, South West

When did you join the Board?

May 2014.

When did you start volunteering with Making Music? Shortly after I retired in 2001.

What was the application process like? I’d been wanting for a while to become more actively engaged with Making Music so when I read that board directors from member groups were needed, I thought, “ah, this sounds like a real opportunity!”. I turned up at the AGM in a state of trepidation, and shortly found myself receiving warm congratulations and a firm handshake from our Chair Peter Lawson. Brilliant!

What inspired you to volunteer with Making Music?

I had been to a few Making Music AGMs before I joined, through my music society. Once I retired I decided to get more involved because I felt I could really contribute and make a difference. Not long after signing up I took over the role of deputy chair of the South West, then I became chair shortly after. I hadn’t really expected to become quite so involved so quickly!

What do you do when you’re not doing Making Music Board-related activities? I am a board member at several small family firms in insurance, property and consultancy. I chair our local community choir and I am vice chair of our local amenity group, Bermondsey Street Area Partnership.

If any Making Music members would like to meet up, I’d be happy to. They can email me care of info@makingmusic.org.uk.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering? I write fiction and had my first novel published in 2013. It is called Listening to Brahms and is set in 1989 during the collapse of the Soviet Union. I’m now working on my next book, which is set during the 18th century – I’m still in research stage for that, so a long way to go. I also go to the theatre and concerts a lot.

Do you play an instrument or sing? I sing alto in the choir and sight-read piano. When my children were young I took drumming lessons, which was a great way of letting off steam, though I’m not sure the kids or the neighbours fully appreciated the benefits!

Which Making Music member group are you part of? The Community Choir for Rotherhithe & Bermondsey (RBCS).

What was the last piece of music you listened to? Our musical director recently wowed us with Naji Hakim’s Rubaiyat — very textural and expressive.

Do you play an instrument or sing? I sing with the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus. We perform regularly at The Lighthouse in Poole.

If you could invite three people, past or present, to dinner, who would they be and why? It would have to be Bach, Beethoven and Brahms so I could hear them discuss composing, each coming from the perspective of their own time periods.

I would recommend volunteering with Making Music because ... I always tell people that the more you put into Making Music, the more you get back — it’s about so much more than just insurance!

Want to advertise in Highnotes?

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18 HIGHNOTES Spring 2015

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BLOW YOUR TRUMPET soundLINCS’ 15th birthday

Steve Hill

The East Midlands music agency celebrated 15 years with a spectacular music event and a bubble wrap-popping record attempt, writes Sam Cullington

As part of soundLINCS’ 15th birthday celebrations, B15, we staged a spectacular music event at the Lincolnshire Showground, which saw over 300 people singing, strumming, playing and even popping!

An ensemble of players aged from 7 to 85 performed an original composition based on the traditional Lincolnshire Folk tune Lost Lady Found.

The performance featured 15 different musical genres, including orchestra, folk, rock, jazz, choral, music technology, and brass band and saw a huge variety of instruments from guitars and clarinets to a gamelan, iPads and even unique, hand-made creations.

The performance was live-streamed around the world and has gone on to be watched over 1300 times on YouTube.

Nikki-Kate Heyes MBE, soundLINCS CEO, commented: “B15 was an incredible experience for everybody involved and we’re delighted that so many people shared the day with us to celebrate an amazing 15 years of making community music across the East Midlands.”

The day also featured an attempt to break the Guinness World Record® for the ‘Most People Popping Bubble Wrap’

thanks to a donation of bubble wrap from Sealed Air. Although the record wasn’t broken, we had a fantastic time and the participants created a brilliant rhythmic performance of bubble wrap popping which added to the variety of musical styles featured throughout the day.

One musician noted: “B15 was a great day, the amount of work put in to it was phenomenal and helped to make it the success that it was. Memories were created that the young and not so young will remember for the rest of their lives!”

Making Music were instrumental (pardon the pun) in helping to support and promote B15, even helping out on the day. A big thank you to them and everyone else who helped make it all possible! www.soundlincs.org

Paul Woods

Chamber babies Belfast Music Society’s Pamela Smith tells us about their series of concerts for babies and toddlers It’s November 1st. In a black-box-style room in the Crescent Arts Centre the lighting is subdued, the floor strewn with bright red bean bags and assorted tiny chairs; gently swirling patterns of light are projected on the wall behind the performance area, and a few soft toys are scattered about. The music stand is festooned with multi-coloured gauze scarves.

It’s hardly a typical setting for a chamber music concert. But the stage is set for Chamber Babies, the latest musical offering from Belfast Music Society, and there’s a queue of mums, dads and infants with assorted prams and baby paraphernalia at the door.

Founded in 1921, BMS’s advanced age is matched (almost) by that of many of

20 HIGHNOTES Spring 2015

our regular audience members. It’s not unusual to see a number of grey heads at our concerts. Of course, we are not the only promoters of chamber music to experience this problem — if, indeed, it is a problem at all (but that’s a discussion for another day).

Today’s audience is markedly different.

These ‘little listeners’ seem delighted and fascinated by the music that Derry cellist Kim Vaughan and soprano Kirby Ann Hall are performing for them, as do their parents who hang around after the short performance to talk to the musicians.

“What a lovely way to share a Saturday morning with my grandson, Finn”, says one happy customer afterwards and asks for details of the next concert. Each Chamber Babies event so far has sold out.

The formula seems to work – real chamber music (short items, but no ‘dumbing down’), local professional musicians, and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It’s early days for the series (the first concert was earlier this year) but word is spreading; we are planning more for 2015!

Chamber Babies – live classical music for little listeners is a partnership between Belfast Music Society and the Crescent Arts Centre. For more details, go to www.belfastmusicsociety.org

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MEMBERS

READERS’ PAGE This is your page and we’d love to hear from you: editor@makingmusic.org.uk.

Could you be an occasional or even our resident cartoonist? Would your group like to feature in a 60 second interview or send in an anonymous column?

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inte We talk to David Shepherd of Jazz Steps, a charity that’s been bringing the very best jazz to Nottinghamshire for over 14 years

Describe Jazz Steps in three words. Modern jazz fanatics.

What are its aims? We are a committee of six people and we’re all dedicated to the same thing – promoting modern jazz and contemporary music. We are part of an organisation called EM Jazz, which is supported by Arts Council England and distributes funding to member groups each year. We did our first performance at the Bonington Theatre in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, and we’ve been regulars there ever since.

How does being part of the group fit in with your members’ working lives? We all have flexible diaries so we manage to fit it in around our schedules. At least one of us can do something every day. Three of us are retired, including myself, and one member of the committee works in the arts.

What’s been your favourite jazz performance of the last year? I’ve been promoting jazz for 55 years and I recently saw an excellent performance by a young group called the Ollie Howel Quintet. It brought home to me that jazz today is in very good hands – there are young groups out there keeping jazz in the place where it should be.

What would be your desert island disc? That’s a difficult question – I have so much jazz on CD and vinyl! I think it would have to be Charles Mingus’ Ah Hum. It’s so exciting.

Every track on the album is brilliant. www.jazzsteps.co.uk

Clare in the Community

BY HARRY VENNING WWW.HARRYVENNING.CO.UK

22 HIGHNOTES Spring 2015

BOOK REVIEW: SIR GEORGE DYSON, HIS LIFE AND MUSIC (PAUL SPICER, BOYDELL PRESS 2014)

George Dyson’s life-story could read as a prime example of a working-class Yorkshire boy made good. Born in Halifax, son of a foreman blacksmith, he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music and became a noted composer, broadcaster and distinguished administrator.

Principal of the Royal College of Music at a tricky time in its career, he worked with the Carnegie Trust and helped found the National Federation of Music Societies, now Making Music.

Quite how remarkable he was comes over in this comprehensive new biography from Paul Spicer. Sir George Dyson, His Life and Music is a very thorough book combining Dyson’s life, with much contemporary background plus analysis of Dyson’s works threaded through the narrative. Spicer clearly has a great empathy for Dyson’s music, but also a sympathy for Dyson himself.

Dyson came over as a brusque Yorkshireman (he never lost his accent) and was rarely emotional, but through Spicer’s narrative you sense a more complex being.

Dyson’s major works have now appeared on disc and we can appreciate his English, yet distinctive voice. A conservative composer, but an open musical thinker; in print and in lectures he made an important contribution to the dialogue with contemporary music.

There are just two pages covering Dyson’s involvement with Making Music but Spicer admirably puts the events in context. The book is perhaps a little too comprehensive, which makes it a commendable but not always a lively read. However it certainly enables us to learn more of this fascinating man.

Robert Hugill

Credit: Harry Venning / The Guardian

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