NCEM Education Newsletter Summer 2008

intune

summer 2008

ISSUE 4

a chance for you to get involved!

Welcome to the NCEM’s education and community newsletter – the space for you to find out more about events and activities.

BEVERLEY YOUNG MUSICIAN WINS PRESTIGIOUS PRIZE A Beverley teenager has won the first Beverley & East Riding Early Music Festival’s Young Composers’ Competition organised in association with the National Centre for Early Music.

Keryn Tatman, 17, from Beverley Grammar School, was one of six Yorkshire finalists who took part in the finals at the NCEM in May and has had his piece performed by the acclaimed vocal ensemble,The Tallis Scholars, in Beverley Minster as part of this year’s Festival.

The competition was judged by Peter Phillips, Director of The Tallis Scholars, who was extremely impressed with the overall standard of the young composers. He commented: “The winning piece, ‘Stabat Mater’ was exceptionally good and was quite different in complexity to the other compositions. It has been beautifully written for the acoustics of Beverley Minster and The Tallis Scholars were thrilled to give Keryn’s work its first public performance."

Delma Tomlin, Director of the NCEM, who co-ordinates the Festival added: “We were absolutely delighted with the standard of all six finalists – it is just awe-inspiring to be reminded of what fantastic talent we have in our teenagers. We are planning to run a similar competition next year with The Tallis Scholars in York as part of the summer York Early Music Festival and look forward to discovering more young talent.”

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Keryn - an ex-chorister of Beverley Minster - was very excited to have won this prestigious prize.

His family were equally thrilled as they have been ardent supporters of the Festival since its inception and have stewarded at concerts over the past 21 years – long before Keryn himself was born! Keryn said: “I am ecstatic to have won the competition as it was the first thing I have ever entered. It was a great learning experience and one that will hopefully open doors for me in the future. I am hoping to study composition at either Brunel University in London or the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.”

The other finalists were: Ben Horrigan from St Mary’s College, Hull;Tom Armitage from Wolfreton School, East Riding of Yorkshire; Natalie Clarke from Fulford School,York; James Woodrow from St Peter’s School,York and Ruth Eaves from Huntington School,York. All took part in a finalists’ workshop day at the NCEM with The Ebor Singers, the American composer Aaron Cassidy from the University of Huddersfield and students from the University of York.

INTERNATIONAL YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION The York Early Music Festival has now taken over the running of the bi-annual International Young Artists Competition, previously held in association with the Early Music Network. It will take place from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 July 2009 as part of the York Early Music Festival.

To enter this competition, you need to be aged between 17 and 30 years (35 for singers); part of an ensemble with a minimum of three persons (the group can be instrumental or vocal, or a mix of both); playing repertory from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century (using period instruments as appropriate).

The winners will receive a prize of £1,000 and a major boost to their professional careers, including the possibility of a UK-wide tour and a professionally produced CD working in association with Linn Records.

For details of how to apply for the 2009 competition, please visit the NCEM website at www.ncem.co.uk/youngartists or ring 01904 632220.The closing date for applications is 5 December 2008.

The Competition is supported by the NCEM, BBC Radio 3, Arts Council England,Yorkshire and Linn Records.

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SING UP FOR YORK Children from Fishergate,Tang Hall, Naburn, Haxby Road, Wheldrake and New Earswick Primary Schools were invited to a celebratory singing day at the NCEM in March to mark the end of the first phase of Hopscotch, a Sing Up Project which was run in 25 primary schools across York last term.

The young people, along with the NCEM’s community musicians, taught each other some of the songs they had composed themselves over the past few months and sang extremely well.

They had grasped the concepts and enjoyed singing, dancing, clapping and skipping to traditional and new songs that will continue to be enjoyed in their own playgrounds for many years.

Sing Up, the Music Manifesto National Singing Programme, produced by Youth Music with AMV-BBDO, Faber Music,The Sage Gateshead and supported by the Government was launched in November 2007 with the aim to raise the status of singing and increase opportunities for primary school-aged children throughout England to enjoy singing as part of their everyday lives.

The £10 million government investment aimed to ensure that good quality singing is central to young children’s lives, in primary schools, in the home and in the wider community.The NCEM was one of 19 organisations throughout the country who were granted a ‘Hearts and Minds’ award to run a singing programme which they led in association with the City of York Council’s Arts Education Service and North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership.

Hopscotch aimed to encourage enjoyment, singing experience, confidence, leadership, social skills and healthy exercise within children and help schools to benefit from a boost to playground, social activity, new play ideas and musical resources.Tim Brooks, Music Consultant for the City of York Council felt it had succeeded: “This Hopscotch project has been absolutely fantastic in encouraging children not only to sing but to have ownership over their singing. It also hits the ‘being healthy’ agenda because it has involved outside play.”

Similarly, the teachers were delighted with the project. Stephen Kenwright, from Naburn Primary School, said that the school had really embraced it and was delighted that Hopscotch was helping to transmit and preserve the playground culture.

He added: “The project has offered more than just learning old and new songs, it has helped the children grow in confidence and has been all inclusive, which has been very useful for some of the more reserved children.

“Some of the games have also been quite physically demanding and those who have taken part have had to demonstrate a high level of fitness and dexterity which also encourages a bit of healthy competition. The boys have taken part in these activities – particularly the skipping which they have really enjoyed and done very well. They have also come forward to share their raps and street music songs with other children.”

Fiona McCallion, a teacher from Tang Hall Primary School, added: “This project gives us the opportunity to step away from the systemic approach of teaching. It fulfils all the criteria but gives that extra pizzazz factor, which the children really enjoy.”

Educationalist, Jo Glover, who co-ordinated this project for the NCEM was delighted that Hopscotch had reached so many people and provided so much enjoyment. She explained: “This project seems to capture the imagination of young people because playing singing games in the playground is something that is traditional.They find the songs and games very compelling.

“Singing is high on the teaching agenda in some schools but for many schools singing is an issue, partly due to unconfident staff and also many other pressures. We hope that this project has helped to raise the profile of singing in schools.”

The NCEM has produced a short film relating to this phase of the Hopscotch project and this will be shown to educationalists and music specialists in the autumn.

creative learning MINSTREL profile Hannah Plowman, aged 18, has been a Minster Minstrel since the group formed in September 2003 and leaves this year to go to University.

NEW SINGING EXPERT FOR MINSTER MINSTRELS Singing expert, Sue Hollingworth, will direct the Minster Minstrels Vocal Ensemble next term in preparation for their performance in the York Early Music Christmas Festival at the NCEM. The performance, which will take place on Sunday 14 December at 3.00pm, will include traditional Christmas music that was performed during the period of the Middle Ages to the mid-eighteenth century across the globe.

6 Dec and 14 Dec.They will be joined for the concert by the Minster Minstrels Instrumental Ensemble who is now a well established group within the City and continues to meet every Saturday at Canon Lee School, under the direction of recorder player Ailsa Reid.

Sue is an experienced singing leader who is director of the Training Choir of the National Youth Choir of Scotland, Music Adviser to North Lincolnshire LEA and Project Director for the Voices Foundation.

The Minster Minstrels is run as a partnership between the NCEM and the City of York Council’s York Arts Academy (formerly known as the Performing Arts Centre) with support from the Mayfield Valley Arts Trust.The York Arts Academy offers a range of experiences for young people and adults. For more details please contact Donna Fox on 01904 554266 or email donna.fox@york.gov.uk

The Minster Minstrels Vocal Ensemble meets on five mornings during term time at Canon Lee School.The rehearsal dates for the autumn term are: 4 Oct, 15 Nov, 29 Nov,

ALCUIN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE A new resource for teachers has been launched by the NCEM with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Why did you decide to play the recorder?

When I first started school, I saw older pupils playing the recorder and decided I wanted to play it too. I joined the recorder group and practised right through primary school then gave up for a while and returned to playing when I was a bit older.

What sort of music do you enjoy listening to in your spare time?

I usually listen to the radio but I also enjoy a range of different music and my ipod ranges from Vivaldi to 80’s rock bands including French pop music and a South African choir.

Has playing in the Minster Minstrels changed the way you listen to music?

I now listen to more early music and, particularly, live performances. I have become more aware of how musicians play as an ensemble and the ways in which they choose to interpret the music.

What are you learning from the musicians who are teaching you at Minster Minstrels?

I have learnt a lot about early music and the various styles and playing techniques this can incorporate. I am also learning how to play more musically by varying articulation and dynamics.

Does it help your musical skills being part of a group?

Yes, as well as learning how to listen to and play with other musicians, we share ideas on how we would like to interpret pieces.

What do you want to do when you leave school?

In September, I am hopefully going to study Classics at St. Andrews University, where I intend to join the early music ensemble, but I have no plans for after university.

The web-based resource ‘Renaissance’ has been researched and created by Cathryn Dew, the NCEM’s Education Consultant, and contains information and teaching resources about Alcuin, Charlemagne and the Carolingian Renaissance.

Some of the information and activity sheets are suitable for children in upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 plus there are additional resources for teachers.

The resource includes downloadable PDF information sheets, sheet music and audio files divided into the following categories ‘Music and Musicians’, ‘Renaissance and the Rebirth of Learning’ and ‘Calligraphy and Creative Writing’.

The resource can be found at www.ncem.co.uk/renaissance

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COMES TO YORK Following on from the success of the ‘Funky Grooves, Jazzy Beats’ Aim Higher workshops which have been running over the past two years with eight schools across North Yorkshire, the NCEM received some extra funding to run a special one off workshop for a York secondary school.

Music students from All Saints’ RC Secondary School had the chance to work alongside the internationally acclaimed trombonist Dennis Rollins and University of York final year music students, Philip Merriman and Raphael Clarkson, in an innovative improvisation workshop which is intended to encourage young people from Years 10, 11 and 12 to consider continuing on to higher education.

Music teacher, Catherine Birch, who co-ordinated the trip at All Saints said the students had been really excited about the opportunity. “We rarely get the chance to work alongside professional musicians and this inspiarational workshop gave us some valuable new musical skills. It was also brilliant for the students to spend the day at the NCEM where so much fantastic music takes place.”

DEVELOPING JAZZ SKILLS

JOGLARESA SHARETHEIR MUSIC

Following on from an extremely successful late learners jazz workshop led by jazz musician Rob Lavers as part of the May Jazz Weekend, another session is scheduled for Sunday 23 November from 10.00am – 1.00pm.This workshop is aimed at people who have dabbled with music in their youth or taken up music later on in life, perhaps developing the interest when supporting a child.

Those who take part enjoy being part of an ensemble and benefit from first class music tuition and the backing of a band.The workshop costs £35. Tickets are available at www.ncem.co.uk or by ringing 01904 658338.

The renowned early music ensemble Joglaresa is inviting people of all ages to join them for a whirlwind tour of songs from Spain to the Balkans!

The workshop, which is taking place on Saturday 12 July 2008 as part of the York Early Music Festival, offers the opportunity to learn some of Joglaresa’s most popular songs and participants will also gain an insight into the music and culture of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian world of medieval Andalusia.The workshop will be accompanied by an array of Arabic and European instruments.There will be the chance to hear Joglaresa in concert that evening at 9.30pm at St Olave’s Church, Marygate.

Saxophonist, Alan Barnes, will be running a masterclass on Saturday 22 November from 10.00am – 1.00pm. Alan will be playing with his Trio that evening as part of the November Jazz Weekend. More information is available on-line at www.ncem.co.uk or by ringing 01904 658338.

Tickets for both workshops will be available from 1 September 2008.

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The National Centre for Early Music is hoping to continue its relationship with Aim Higher and involve professional musicians and students in more music projects in the future.

For more information or to book a place, please ring 01904 658338 or visit www.ncem.co.uk

RECORDINGYOUR CONCERT ATTHE NCEM The NCEM has updated its recording equipment and is now able to offer schools and community groups the opportunity to record their own concerts or workshop sessions. If you are interested in this facility and would like more details, please contact us on 01904 632220.

For further information about any of the activities, events or resources mentioned in this Newsletter please contact the NCEM on 01904 632220 or email info@ncem.co.uk To book tickets for events, please contact the Box Office on 01904 658338 or visit www.ncem.co.uk National Centre for Early Music St Margaret’s Church Walmgate York YO1 9TL All details are correct at the time of going to press but we reserve the right to amend the published programme if necessary.

Promoted by York Early Music Foundation Registered Charity No. 1068331