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A Year in Review and a Look Ahead BY MORAG CAMPBELL Chief Executive
BY CHRISTOPHER BELL Artistic Director
We have spent some months pondering how best to engage with our many supporters and stakeholders. While we know that some people enjoy the rattle of the letterbox when a newsletter arrives, we are also aware that others are happy to spend a few minutes reading online. At the moment we’re trying to do both, and will continue sending electronic news updates on a regular basis, as well as a hard copy once a year. Although I’ve been a friend of NYCoS for a long while, when I was appointed Chief Executive in April 2012 I was astonished to discover the scale of the organisation. Read on and you too may be surprised to discover the work we do with babies, toddlers, parents and teachers throughout the country, not to mention the continuing success of our publications, summer schools, and on and on. Of course, at the heart of everything we do are our young
It’s not often I’m stuck for words, but after recent performances of Mozart Requiem by NYCoS with the BBC SSO and Donald Runnicles, all the usual words wouldn’t do. Words that should be useful, like ‘awesome’ and ‘amazing’ have been devalued by overuse elsewhere - they don’t have the impact to explain one of the most outstanding performances that I have witnessed in many a long year by any group. This was a fully professional performance of the highest standard, outstandingly executed, that would hold its own on any stage in the world. Hard to believe? Don’t just take it from me; Donald Runnicles was still evidently ecstatic three weeks later when he wrote to me about it. Two five-star reviews and people are still talking about it. Seventeen years after those faltering first steps, NYCoS as a choir has shown that Scotland’s youth can look the world in the eye. It’s this ethos of excellence that we are seeking to provide
Morag Campbell
singers, so I see my task over the next few years as one of consolidation, seeking funding and providing a secure platform that will allow this marvelous organisation to flourish. We already have one of the top choirs in Britain. Why stop there? Let’s be the best in Europe. However, business processes need to be brought up-todate and systems improved to ensure that we are a customerfocused organisation providing the best possible information to our stakeholders. That’s not to say that as we embark on this organisational project we won’t be as innovative and adventurous as we have always been with our music and education projects.
Equal to Nunn BY MORAG CAMPBELL Chief Executive
Andrew Nunn
Have you ever watched The Voice on BBC? Have you ever voted for your favourite singer on the show? If so, you might be surprised to learn that the money from your telephone votes has
enabled us to have a Conducting Fellowship Award from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. Andrew Nunn, a second year Masters student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, is the NYCoS conducting Fellow for 2013/14. This year, Andrew has worked with the National Girls Choir and NYCoS Scotland whilst receiving coaching from Christopher Bell. Andrew’s other work includes conducting the prizewinning female choir, Les Sirènes, the Hutchesons’ Choral Society and
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Christopher Bell
across all our activities from Mini Music Makers and Area Choirs to publications and resources. I hope you enjoy reading the stories in the newsletter. Behind the scenes we are turning our attention to putting the necessary systems in place to help us manage things more efficiently. A new database and eventually a new website will streamline many aspects of administration. NYCoS would not be where it is today without our singers, our staff and our generous and committed friends. We couldn’t do it without you. So in short, this Christmas we are thankful for you. With warm wishes for a happy holiday season.
the Chamber Choir of the RCS Junior School. We are looking forward to working with Andrew at NYCoS Summer School 2014 where he will assist with coaching and conducting NYCoS. “For Andrew this is a huge opportunity to work, not just with our coaches, but with the singing teachers who support them,” says Christopher Bell. “These are the people I turn to myself for solutions to certain problems. He will benefit hugely from the experience.”
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A Year to Celebrate
AREA CHOI RS
BY DAVID FETTES Marketing & Communications Assistant NYCoS Area Choirs provide great singing experiences for children in both primary and secondary education across Scotland. Not only are they fun, but they also help to build friendships, boost confidence and develop valuable musical and social skills. 2013 has provided some significant highlights and milestones. This winter, NYCoS was pleased to extend a particularly warm welcome to the children, parents and staff of the latest Area Choir in Orkney into its ever-expanding group. The announcement of the
Midlothian Choir sang to a capacity audience in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. It was an unforgettable experience for all the singers and for their friends and relatives in the audience. The Renfrewshire Choir celebrated its 10th anniversary with a concert in front of a packed audience in Paisley Abbey. The concert was concluded with an emotional farewell to their first ever group of leavers from the Chamber Choir, whose rendering of Fields of Gold will remain a very
A NYCoS Area Choir rehearsal
15th Area Choir fell in the same year both Edinburgh and West Lothian Area Choirs celebrated their 15th anniversaries. In March this year, the Angus Choir participated in the Angus Senior Schools Concert at Webster Memorial Theatre, Arbroath. The choir appeared as special guests, performing a twenty-five minute slot in the programme. Also in March, the Isle of Lewis Choir was congratulated on its successful performance for members of the Scottish
Parliament during the Parliament Day Reception in Stornoway. The Boys Choirs of East Dunbartonshire and Perth enjoyed a successful joint singing day and presentation in Bishopbriggs Academy this summer, during which the focus was on making new friends whilst learning new repertoire and musical games. In July, the Falkirk Choir were honoured to perform with the BBC SSO and jazz supremo, Richard Michael in Glasgow’s City Halls for a concert entitled Alive with
Music: We’ve Got Rhythm! This special performance was also broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland’s Classics Unwrapped. The Inverness Choir’s highlight this year was performing in a packed Eden Court with Inverness Choral Society and Chorus Niagra. Its eldest group, the Senior Choir, formed the ‘Ragazzi’ choir for a performance of Carmina Burana that included over 200 singers on stage. As part of the Midlothian Instrumental Music Service Festival of Music, the entire
special performance in everyone’s memory. 15th December 2013 saw the return of the Stirling Choir to Stirling Castle’s Great Hall for a special festive concert entitled Carols at the Castle – an event that is always a highlight.
Area Choir performances
FUNDRAISING
NYCoS Needs You! BY LOUISE GOODLAD Fundraising Manager Many thanks to Clare, Brenda, Julia, Sue, Jenny, Jamie, Muriel and Nella who all rolled up their sleeves and helped stuff envelopes for our
and seeing all the puppets. It became a real highlight of our week, as much for me as it was for the children! For the last three years I have had the privilege of undertaking Kodály-based training through NYCoS and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and taking my own Mini Music Makers classes. It has been an amazing journey. Mini Music Makers classes are based on Kodály’s philosophy of music education. Kodály said that ‘music should belong to everyone’ and that learning music should be a joy, primarily undertaken through unaccompanied singing. As a Kodály teacher working with babies, toddlers and their Mums, Dads, and Grandparents, it is fantastic to see the grown-ups gaining confidence to sing with their little ones, and the sheer Having fun in a
MINI C I S U M S R E K MA An Amazing Journey BY TRACY CURLE Mini Music Makers Leader, Linlithgow Nearly six years ago, Mondays became Mini Music Makers day in our household. My children were ages 2 and 4 when we decided to go along to Mini Music Makers in Linlithgow. We loved our time together doing tickly rhymes, singing songs, playing drums and shakers
mammoth mail-out to Area Choir members. Also, thanks to the many others who offered their services… we’ll be in touch regarding future volunteering opportunities at NYCoS HQ. In the meantime, there are numerous other ways to help: recruit new supporters by inviting
friends along to concerts; host a fundraising event at home; talk to your employer about potentially supporting a choir; offer your professional skills as a board member or even run a marathon! If you would like to discuss any ideas, just call 0141 287 2856 or email admin@nycos.co.uk.
joy they experience from this special time with the grown-ups. The bouncing and tickling songs and rhymes, circle games and songs with puppets, help the children subconsciously learn to feel a beat, clap rhythms and understand musical concepts such as dynamics, tempo and pitch - all just by having fun! I’ve had the privilege of seeing the 2 year olds who were attending my classes when I first started teaching going off to school this August. It’s so rewarding to know that already they have developed some key musicianship skills as well as a real love for music. To find your nearest Mini Music Makers class, visit nycos.co.uk/mini-music-makers
Mini Music Makers class
Anna’s Fund BY CLAIRE ASHWOOD Assistant Administrator (Choirs & Education) In March this year, Tracy Curle, our Mini Music Makers leader for Linlithgow, held a fundraiser in aid of Anna’s Fund - a charity set up to help Anna Penman, one of our young members. Anna was 4 years old at the time and had been diagnosed with both Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Leukaemia. The lifesaving chemotherapy for her Leukaemia has had a devastating impact on the little strength she had left in her legs and her mobility is severely restricted. All of the money raised has helped fund a Snapdragon Wheelchair and other specialist equipment which will give Anna the Anna Penman
chance to join in with activities that most children take for granted. The event in March took the form of a massive Mini Music Makers class for all ages instead of our usual 15 member classes that are all based on age. Around 50 children from ages 6 months – 5 years came along to enjoy the fun event, which allowed them to sing their favourite songs from their classes and play the games that they enjoy on a larger scale. The event included parachute and lycra games, as well as fun with puppets and musical instruments. In addition to the music, singing and games, there was a raffle and some delicious home baking, which disappeared very quickly. Overall it was a great event, which in the end raised in excess of £600 for Anna’s Fund. To read Anna’s family blog, visit: www.annapenman. wordpress.com
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L A N O NATI RS CHOI NYCoS Singing Academies BY CLAIRE ASHWOOD Assistant Administrator (Choirs & Education) ‘Singing Academies’ is a new project run by NYCoS to help develop both the voices of young singers and the experience of young singing teachers. Every year, NYCoS recruits 170 new members to its training groups (NBC Junior Corps, NGC Training Choir and NYCoS Training Choir). These novices attend a weeklong residential course alongside the main choir,
where they receive expert tuition in singing and musicianship, in many cases for the first time. A year on, most attend a second audition and are keen to progress into the fullyfledged main choir, however all too often they show little development in their technical vocal abilities. This is invariably because they do not have regular access to a singing teacher of calibre, due to geographical or financial constraints. NYCoS Singing Academies will give enthusiastic and committed young singers regular access to specialist tuition. In our first year, we have started Academies in Edinburgh, Dundee and Dumfries. We have 7 singing teachers who all took part in NYCoS Summer School this year where they received training from Pat MacMahon, Margaret Izatt and Wilma MacDougall. Across all of the Singing Academies we have 45 students taking part, most of whom have come from our own choirs and are looking forward to developing their voices before the NYCoS auditions in January and March.
recording of Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, and in 2012 recorded Richard Rodney Bennett’s Letters to Lindbergh, both on the Signum label. Critical response has been very positive, especially for the Bennett BY CHRISTOPHER BELL CD – focusing not only on the Artistic Director choir’s blend, tone and intonation, but on the choir’s remarkable A glance at the concert and diction and articulation of texts: recording schedule for the “texts… quirky, often National Girls Choir over the last humorous, and always sung so few years reveals a surprise. clearly that we did not once need This band of 70 female singers to look at the CD booklet to gathered from all over Scotland check!” (Cross Rhythms) has been as busy doing concerts “although the excellent diction as the flagship National Youth of the choir is such that [the booklet Choir of Scotland itself, but of all texts] are not always needed” the national choirs it is the Girls (Music Web International). Choir that has been doing the To have the flagship Radio 3 commercial recording. CD Review programme raving In 2010, they released a about the choir was extremely gratifying: “this youth choir is so on it - the vitality, the diction, everything that you want from a young choir NYCoS National Girls Choir CDs, available at nycos.co.uk
It’s Time to Show the World Our Singin’ Lass(es)
NYCoS CDs SHOP ONLINE nycos.co.uk
All-Male Songs of Praise Courts Controversy BY CHRISTOPHER BELL Artistic Director It’s a well-known cry in the world of singing: boys don’t want to sing! But on 25th November 2012, aficionados of the great British institution Songs of Praise tuned
Singing Academies
in to see Dunblane Cathedral entirely filled with boys! A long held ambition of mine was to show off the work that NYCoS does encouraging boys to sing. The 150 members of the National Boys Choir were joined by all the boys from NYCoS Area Choirs and as many tenors and basses (current and alumni) from NYCoS as we could summon – very close to 400 in total. Reactions in the main were as could be predicted, with viewers thrilled to see boys of NYCoS male singers in all ages singing with gusto and Dunblane Cathedral enthusiasm. However, the broadcast voices in singing so this was coincided with the debate and somewhat frustrating for those of subsequent failure of the Anglican us who knew that the programme church to agree on the position had been planned for almost a of women bishops, and some year without any knowledge of viewers suggested the programme impending debates. was broadcast exactly on that So three cheers I say: hurrah for date to emphasise a more sinister the boys who loved to sing, hurrah agenda of male hegemony. for the task of encouraging male Whatever the perception of singing, and hurrah to the BBC men within the church, there who agreed to let us do Songs of certainly isn’t a surfeit of male Praise.
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is there. It’s beautiful; it’s very grown up but youthful too” (BBC Radio 3). NYCoS National Girls Choir concerts in 2013 have been focusing on music for upper voices and harp (a return to A Ceremony of Carols in Britten’s centenary year) and horns (Brahms Four Songs, Op 17 – a revelation). The Lammermuir Festival took the opportunity to commission a piece for the Girls, harp and horns from Bill Sweeney. Called The Singin’ Lass, it presented a formidable challenge for an experienced chamber group, but the premiere in Haddington was very successful with the press and audience recognising the quality of the Scottish girls’ singing. It’s time to seek opportunities for our singin’ lasses to travel and show the world what they can do. Through recordings and concert performances, they have shown that they can hold their own with the best choirs and perhaps, through their attention to text and articulation, will be seen as offering something that’s not so usual. Let’s get planning!
FUNDRAISING
The Perfect Birthday Gift BY CHRISTOPHER BELL Artistic Director
BY LOUISE GOODLAD Fundraising Manager
In 2005, composer Tom Cunningham and poet Paul Wigmore wrote a short song entitled The Great God Thor for the NYCoS National Boys Choir. This proved to be such a success that the following year Tom was invited to expand the piece into a complete cantata. The Saga of the Seven Days was born with an additional six movements set to texts by writer Derek Roberts. In 2013, the National Boys Choir returned to The Saga. Such was the enthusiasm of the boys for the songs that there was only one thing for it – we really needed to record it. So, in May 2013 we reconvened the boys in Edinburgh with a recording engineer and producer in tow. The costs involved were met out of the funds donated by the friends of Roger Chalmers-Lang in lieu of birthday presents for a ‘significant’ birthday. The CD is now available to buy on the NYCoS website.
What do you buy the man who has everything? An enthusiastic supporter, Roger Chalmers-Lang helped friends and family answer this question by suggesting they mark his 60th birthday by donating to NYCoS. And boy, does Roger have lovely friends! Their generosity raised over £4,000 – a phenomenal amount that made the National Boys Choir’s first ever recording possible. Thank you to everyone who donated and, of course, to Roger for his support. Roger said: “I have taken tremendous joy from singing with choirs throughout my life and am thrilled to see NYCoS inspiring the next generation of singers, who will ultimately carry on this country’s choral tradition. “It was my absolute pleasure to support their work through my birthday celebrations and am delighted that we raised such a grand sum… the perfect birthday gift!”
NEW RELEASE
NYCoS National Boys Choir CD
Roger Chalmers-Lang
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Concert Tour of ‘Piece’, Love and Harmony BY JAMIE STEWART NYCoS Member Editor’s Note: Jamie joined NYCoS Edinburgh Choir aged 8. He spent seven years with NYCoS National Boys Choir before progressing to the flagship NYCoS choir. He currently works in Edinburgh as an IT Graduate Trainee.
I’m not a singer by trade. In fact, if it wasn’t for NYCoS, I would probably never have picked up a score or even learned to read music. The experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the things we’ve done together are amazing. This is exactly why I love the organisation and they will have to force me out the door when I reach the “old” age of 24. This year has been the pinnacle of NYCoS for me, perhaps because I’m old enough to start truly appreciating what we do, perhaps because we really are the best we’ve been. The two concerts we just performed in - Mozart’s Requiem with Donald Runnicles and the BBC SSO - have certainly reached my personal accolade of favourite alltime performances.
I have to confess, I didn’t like Requiem when we started learning it. I didn’t even like it all that much right up until we started performing it on tour. For me, it wasn’t until I heard an orchestra of such calibre playing it that it started to feel like it could be a ‘special’ one. There have been a few of those performances in my time at NYCoS, but these have shattered what I thought we could do. I get such a kick out of contributing to the overall sound, and what a sound it was. This year, the tenors were the strongest I’ve ever heard them. The thing that truly makes this worthwhile though is the feeling of comradeship that this choir has. There’s time for fun and it’s the worst kept secret that we like to party (what happens in Prague...) but when it comes to a performance there’s an intensity in being linked to the other 100 or so in the chorus who are concentrating just as hard on producing the best possible version of the piece. The performances felt surreal in a way. We’ve been singing this Mozart Requiem for a year and a half and I thought I knew every inch of the score. On these nights though we enticed something extra from those pages. We captivated an
Big Give Challenge BY LOUISE GOODLAD Fundraising Manager Finding support for an international tour is frankly a fundraiser’s nightmare. Not because the project doesn’t have value: ask any NYCoSian why touring is important and they will explain that it has developed their singing, their ambitions and their confidence (not to mention Scotland’s cultural status).
audience and we made them feel the emotion that Mozart himself put down in each note. For me, the measure of a good concert is how I feel during the performance; I was totally captured in the moment, feeling the intensity of what was happening around me. The best feeling I have experienced is when a piece ends. There is a pause, an electrifying silence in the hall. People know it is the end but no-one is quite willing to let go of what they’ve just heard. Then, tentative applause that crescendos into a deafening wall of sound. You know you’ve done something quite special when people are literally roaring praise at us when we are called to stand. It’s a feeling that I fear I may never experience in quite the same way outside of this choir, this group, these friends. The best thing about being in NYCoS though is that this is not at all the pinnacle or peak. I believe absolutely that we will go from strength to strength and cannot wait to see what happens in my last few years. It’s been a wild ride from the tender age of 8, but this group of people have instilled in me a love of performance I will cherish for my entire life.
However, with so many worthy causes on home shores, it is increasingly difficult to make the case to funders. So in 2012 we took a new approach by participating in The Big Give Christmas Challenge - an online matched funding event. Despite the numerous restrictions on when and where to give, the response from choir members, family and friends was incredible and we raised £20,000. On behalf of all the young singers who travelled this summer, thank you so much again to everyone who made a contribution.
All You Can Do is Laugh BY THOMAS HENDERSON
NYCoS Member
Editor’s Note: Thomas was a member of the National Boys Choir for one year and then moved on to NYCoS in 2006. He studied English and Music at the University of Aberdeen and is currently teaching English in a school in Edinburgh.
Sometimes, all you can do is laugh. When my hopes of the NYCoS 2013 tour taking me on my first ever voyage out of Europe were dashed, and replaced with a tour I – and others – had been on just months before, all I could do
was laugh. When Christopher’s displeasure at disappointing even a few of his choir members led him to suggest our own NYCoS-customised tour, I had to laugh: this time because I knew it was meant to be. We laughed when our soloists were miscounted, leaving Josh empty handed in the middle of a line of other happy, flower-laden soloists. We laughed when Christopher’s request for “10% off” the brightness of lightning in Smetana Hall during rehearsals resulted in some sort of disco, causing him to direct his frustration at the crew in the wings, calling the whole thing “an absolute pantomime!”.
FUNDRAISING Czech Mates!
beautiful capital cities than to see the National Youth Choir of Scotland perform? BY LOUISE GOODLAD The concert in Prague’s art Fundraising Manager nouveau Smetana Hall was well worth the trip (even the 5am start What better excuse for a long on Thursday morning at Edinburgh weekend in one of Europe’s most airport!). Our party of 24 dedicated
Louise Goodlad (front row, second from left) with NYCoS Friends in Prague
Then, without a word, still looking at him, they slowly closed the door on his nose, leaving 100 NYCoSians waiting with bated breath to see what would happen. All Christopher, or the rest of us, could do was laugh. I even managed an appreciative ‘ha!’ at the appropriateness of us singing the pants off Mozart’s Requiem in St. Stephen’s, Vienna, where Mozart’s body was brought 200 years ago, leaving the unfinished pages of this very Requiem still lying on his desk. I look back on this my last tour with the National Youth Choir of Scotland and on all the irreplaceable memories of the last 8 years and all I can do is laugh. If I didn’t, I would probably cry.
NYCoS Friends - family and fans - were blown away by the choir’s moving performance of Paul Mealor’s Crucifixus and the Mozart Requiem. Thanks to all my travel companions for making it such an enjoyable trip… now, where shall we go next?
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f Central Europe Pride of Scotland BY KIT HOBKIRK NYCoS Vocal Coach
Clockwise from top left: NYCoS on stage in Smetana Hall, Prague; NYCoS and Christopher Bell pose in Obecní dům, Prague; NYCoS receives standing ovation in Slovak Radio Building, Bratislava; choir members have fun in Vienna.
Having recently listened to the broadcast of the NYCoS performance of Mozart Requiem with the BBC SSO on Radio 3 (sadly, I was not able to be there in person), I felt moved to write a short piece describing my reaction to that performance and the journey that NYCoS has made over the last 17 years. Firstly the Mozart: this was a virtually flawless choral performance of the work; streets ahead of anything I have heard before, either live or on a recording. Electrifying vitality, breath-taking pianissimos, perfect intonation and crystal clear diction, with such sophisticated musical shaping. However, most impressively of all, NYCoS achieved something unique in my experience of listening to this piece, which was, that even in the highest, most powerful moments, the tone quality never lost its beauty and control. When I look back on the earliest days of NYCoS, I remember that it was, even then, characterised by huge enthusiasm, humour and hard work, but was very much like a diamond in the rough. I could see the potential and can still bring to mind the excitement that instilled.
QUOTES FROM
NYCoS
MEMBERS:
“The rare opportunity to sing in such amazing venues with such fantastic musicians, and the emotions that came along with it are something that will stay with me always” - Ellen Smith
“Getting to sing Mozart’s Requiem in the cathedral in which he was married was an incredible
“Enduring the Czech ‘roads’ was worth it just to sing beautiful repertoire
experience that will stay with me the rest of my life” - Megan Alexander
Another feature of NYCoS has always been the ability to concentrate on solutions and not problems, which led to the founding of the Area Choirs, then the Boys and Girls Choirs. Of course we all know, so it hardly needs to be mentioned, that all of these things are Christopher Bellisms and he has driven NYCoS forward, Moses-like, to where we are today. Whilst Christopher and the rest of the team who are involved in NYCoS on a day-to-day basis can undoubtedly see the incredible development over the years, they are rather like parents who see the gradual growing up of their children. Turning up once a year, like a fussy old uncle, as I do, I can see, from a more detached position, how far NYCoS has come. Fulfilling the very privileged roles of both section coach and vocal tutor, the journey I have experienced is that I no longer have to worry about the notes, but can now spend most of my time talking about sound, colour, phrasing, communication and so on, which for me is what it’s all about. This is a sure sign that, in today’s NYCoS, we are working with mature musicians and the effect of the wider NYCoS organisation on the standard of musicianship must not be underestimated. I can now say, with immense pride, that NYCoS is one of the finest choirs in the world and what was once the rough diamond is now sparkling brilliantly in Scotland’s crown.
in the most stunning venues” - Andrew McNeill
“NYCoS tour was an incredible experience. I’ll remember it all for a long time.” - Hannah Miller
“I was moved to tears because I realised NYCoS will continue without me... and that is the most reassuring feeling I can have” - Ross McLean St Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna (left), Slovak Radio Building, Bratislava (top) and NYCoS soloists in Smetana Hall, Prague (right)
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Singing Games and Rhymes from 9 to 99 School’s in for Summer
(and beyond!)
BY CAROLE ALLEN Head of Education & Outreach
BY LUCINDA GEOGHEGAN Education Director Participation in singing games has many benefits whether you are a child in Nursery, Primary School, Secondary School or indeed well beyond school age! The Singing Games and Rhymes series provides suitable material for all of the above stages: Singing Games and Rhymes for Tiny Tots, for the babies and toddlers; Singing Games and Rhymes for Early Years, for the three to seven year olds; Singing Games and Rhymes for Middle Years, for the seven to nine year olds; and planned for 2014… Singing Games and Rhymes from 9 to 99, for – you’ve guessed it – those older than nine! The latest addition to the series, being researched at the moment by myself and Dr László Nemes (NYCoS Education Patron), is planned to include folk songs, partner songs, canons and part songs from around the world. All of this musical material is accompanied by a variety of games: ball games, clapping games, dances, stick passing
NYCoS Summer School participants playing the Cup Game
games, cup passing games and even a Philippine tinikling dance (no, it’s not a typo – check it out on YouTube!). The games will be suitable for everyone who enjoys singing together and playing challenging games regardless of whether they are an upper primary school child, secondary school student, college student or a member of an adult choir. These singing games not only create a love for singing, but games have proven over the years to be a highly efficient way of developing general musical skills. Of course, the games not only develop musical skills but cognitive skills, a sense of wellbeing, a community atmosphere and are stimulating for both brain and body.
Gold Honour Choir Shines
NYCoS Gold Honour Choir, Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh
BY CAROLE ALLEN Head of Education & Outreach Forty members of our Area Choirs who had achieved a NYCoS Gold Award, with particular skills in sight singing, were invited to come to work with Dr László Nemes, one of the leading experts on musicianship training and choir conducting
using Kodály’s ideas. After a very short number of rehearsal hours, this newlyformed choir of young people aged 14–18 were able, with much focus and commitment, to present a collection of songs for friends and family. We asked them afterwards whether they had enjoyed the experience, and the response was resoundingly positive:
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One Summer School attendee said “participation in these games is like a work out in many different ways: they are physically, emotionally, and musically uplifting”. So watch this space and get ready for the work out! Singing Games and Rhymes from 9 to 99 available early in 2014 - we will have a fun training day to launch the new book.
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing” George Bernard Shaw
“...an amazing opportunity to push myself musically, meet like-minded people and make the most of an amazing conductor”, “it’s a great opportunity and it was very humbling to be chosen”, “taking part gave me more confidence” “a fantastic opportunity to extend our knowledge and musical range. Great to bring people of similar ability together. Thank you!” A couple of delegates who came to the short presentation at the end of the two days said: “It was very encouraging to hear and watch young people performing with enthusiasm and demonstrating their capacity to learn quickly” “absolutely amazing, thank you for that little glimpse of brilliance!”
“Tumbai, tumbai, tumbai” Was this some sort of shamanic ritual happening in the Memorial Hall at Merchiston Castle School? People seemed to be chanting, clapping, stamping, moving forward and backwards and turning round and round. Ah, it appears to be the final game in the communal singing session – László Nemes is directing operations, and amid much laughter and shaking of some heads (“oh this is difficult!”) delegates are learning coordination exercises to be included in the new book, Singing Games and Rhymes for 9 – 99 years. You might imagine that the last thing teachers would want to do in their vacation would be to attend a training course entitled ‘Summer School’, so you might be surprised if you had seen a large group of the said staff happily giving up five days of their precious holidays to come and learn more about the Kodály approach to music education. In fact, when speaking to one of the participants at the end of the week, she said “Having attended several NYCoS training weekends in the past, I thought I would like a week-long summer school. Having attended a weeklong summer school I would like to do a month’s worth!” Every morning was spent in solfège class, where musicianship levels from beginner to advanced were catered for. Whether it was learning basic level pentatonic solfa, handsigns and rhythm names, or advancing through the
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modes, transposition and formal analysis, delegates were guided skillfully by our knowledgeable tutors. Only in its second year, the NYCoS Summer School built on the previous year’s successful format with the introduction of the Gold Honour Choir and a new teaching strand. Pat MacMahon, Margaret Izatt and Wilma MacDougall ran sessions on the various techniques of singing teaching methodology, which proved to be an ideal opportunity to introduce our potential Singing Academies staff [see page 3 for more, Ed.] to each other. This strand proved very popular with delegates, being described as “absolutely phenomenal and so informative.” One of the delegates said: “the thing for me about the NYCoS courses and especially this one is that they are friendly and welcoming courses, part of that is clearly your choice of staff and the good, well prepared organisation of the course. They are accessible musically yet still challenging to each individual.” We have next year’s dates in our diaries already – 3–8 August 2014 – so sign up to our email list for further information about early bird discounts and a new programme. And of course it’s not just for teachers. Just be prepared for some fun games!
T RAINING OPPORTUNITIE S & ED U C ATI ON AL R ESOU R C ES
Kodály Summer School • Mini Music Maker Training • Go for We Bronze Training • Goofforteachers Silver Training • Go for of Gold train thousands at hundreds Training • Study Trips to Hungary • Accredited Musicianship events across the UK and worldwide. Our music education and Methodology Modules • Active Learning through Music programmes are suitable for class, specialist Programmes • Singing Games and Rhymes in Motherand Tongue • In-service Traning for Nursery, Primary and Secondary instrumental teachers and cover all stages from Teachers • Jump Start Your Choir • Kodály Summer School early years to tertiar y level. We offer customised • Mini Music Maker Training • Go for Bronze Training • viceTraining training our training Goin-ser for Silver • Go and for all Gold Trainingis•supported Study Trips to by Hungary • Accredited Musicianship and Methodology educational resources and material. Modules • Active Learning through Music Programmes • Singing Games Rhymes “ I can safely sayand they were two of in the Mother Tongue • In-service bestfor courses I’ve ever Primary been on.” and Secondary Teachers • Jump Traning Nursery, - Principal teacher Start Your Choir • Kodály Summer School • Mini Music Maker Training • Go for Bronze Training • Go for Silver Training • for forthe latest updates Go Gold Training • Study Trips to Hungary • Accredited Musicianship and Methodology Modules •
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7
oS C Y N E L P PEO
AmaSing Emily BY DAVID FETTES Marketing & Communications Assistant Less than a year ago, Highland locals and music enthusiasts, Rob Ellen and Steve MacDonald teamed up with gifted musician and NYCoS singer, Emily Scott to create a social music project that aimed to “engage rural Scottish, Highland communities in meaningful musical activities.” Why? Well, Emily is all too aware of the negative impressions many young people have of rural areas - feeling there is little to do, or that they are consistently excluded from major activities that only take place in towns and cities. “You hear it every day, ‘There’s nothing to do’; but this shouldn’t be the case” said Emily. Her aim was to provide “collaborative musical opportunities and a performance
My Friend Morag BY RUTH TOWNSEND Head of National Choirs The first year I took over as Course Director of NYCoS, the house staff all left! It wasn’t my fault. It was simply that they had all come together at the first course, so when a couple decided to leave the rest followed suit. So there I was, my first year as Course Director with a brand new team of house staff, none of whom I knew as they were recruited by the outgoing Head of House. It was not a success. For my second summer course I was determined to find the right people and the first post to fill was the one at the top. I spent ages worrying then inspiration struck. I had the perfect solution... my friend Morag. I first met Morag Mitchell in P7 at Insch School, Aberdeenshire – a number of years ago. We went our separate ways after school but stayed in touch.
platform in two stages”. The first stage was to run local music groups with youths aged 16–24, to encourage and empower young people through musical creation. The second was to host community musical events. One such event was to become their feature two-day, multi-venue music festival in Strathpeffer: AmaSing. Taking place between 31st August and 1st September 2013, and featuring such headliners as Eddi Reader, Kassidy and Donnie Munro - with a full bill of events and showcasing 40 events across six venues - the interactive, acoustic song festival has been a major success, thanks to Emily’s incredibly hard work. “I wanted AmaSing to make chances for people to take part in musical activities that were accessible to them”, explains Emily. “The music festival is our first major event. But I’m very lucky; I’ve been getting a lot of support. And I’ve got some pupils from Dingwall Academy who have the opportunity to get involved and they’re helping with everything from design to marketing and booking artists. “I feel really supported by the local community - very lucky in that respect.” Emily, who joined NYCoS Training Choir in 2007, has a degree in applied music from Strathclyde University, has studied opera, plays the violin, piano and guitar and is also a singer-songwriter. As well as her other musical commitments, including singing with female
a cappella group Ms Joe, Emily 12 years ago at Hayshead Primary is part of the current flagship School, Arbroath. Christopher Bell NYCoS Choir, which recently visited the school to conduct a returned from its successful tour singing workshop and, according to of Central Europe. Adam, “my teacher gave me a bit of However, it was her time spent paper and sent me to the hall”. in Germany on a scholarship, BY MORAG CAMPBELL His singing in the hall must have learning how to put together Chief Executive impressed Christopher as he was social projects, which provided accepted for the National Boys Emily with the motivation to Everyone who has attended a Choir. This was followed by a create AmaSing last December. NYCoS concert, whether it was a spell in the Changed Voice Section, “It’s called The Do School and National or Area Choir, knows that NYCoS Training Choir and finally I spent three months in Hamburg. there is no shortage of talent in our ‘big’ NYCoS. It encourages young people from ranks. Although working long days and all over the world to come up with What you may not know is irregular hours in the kitchen, Adam their own social project. It can be that within the NYCoS flagship continues singing with NYCoS; in anything from music to theatre, choir, we have the winner of two the highlights of which have been to cooking - to peace! prestigious cookery awards. Adam Proms in the Park with the National “You focus on the speciality Newth is currently the holder of the Boys Choir, the BBC Proms in you want and learn how to make titles, Young Scottish Chef 2013 and London and, this summer, the tour it happen. Young Scottish Seafood Chef 2013. to Central Europe – not forgetting “In the music group were Adam was introduced to NYCoS meeting his girlfriend, Rachel. people from Honduras to Vietnam to Tunisia - though I was the first Scot. “When the next music people come along I can offer them help - particularly if they’re from Scotland. “When I came back I decided to set up the project here in Strathpeffer.” Emily is keen to build on the success of the inaugural AmaSing festival, by offering regular workshops throughout the year: “We want to have a weekly stream to encourage people into Adam Newth music, with music groups, to learn Emily Scott things like percussion, vocals and composing their own music. “It will start in Strathpeffer but we hope to branch out and have weekly groups in different places.” For more information, visit www.amasing.co.uk
Morag trained as a Youth and Community worker, a profession she followed for several years before returning to university in Glasgow to study economics. This was very handy for me because I slept on a sun lounger in her bedsit every rehearsal and concert day for two years when I was a member of RSNO Chorus but resident on the Isle of Bute. By 2003, Morag was a researcher and lecturer in economics at the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchencruive but still helped out with various youth groups. She was the perfect person to be Head of House Staff for NYCoS. Ten years, ten courses and three tours later she decided to step aside and make room for a new person. Graham Boyce filled the role this year at Merchiston and Morag bowed out after the tour to Prague but will still help out on an occasional basis. She has been an invaluable friend and colleague and will be fondly remembered by NYCoSians for many reasons
– the moon walk, her Hermione impersonation, her skill in persuading members to buy things they didn’t really want, her catch phrase ‘nae problem’, the list goes on. We will miss her at courses but look out for her at concerts.
Adam Wins Culinary Awards Just for the Halibut!
Thank You for the Music
Morag Mitchell
Emily Fraser and the NYCoS music library
BY RUTH TOWNSEND Head of National Choirs This summer, the NYCoS office was swamped with music gathered in from all of our Area Choirs. Office and choir staff collected and delivered crates of music from across the country, sometimes meeting up in wet and windy car parks to transfer boxes from car to car. Fifteen years worth of music is an awful lot! Everything from 569g Essential Repertoire books to single sheets of A4. Wherever we turned, boxes were stacked under, around, on or against desks. We could hardly move for music. Emily Fraser, one of our NYCoS Alumni, was the brave person who accepted the task of sorting and cataloguing it all.
During June, July and August she took over Christopher’s desk in the office and got stuck in. It was a herculean task and it still isn’t absolutely finished but we do now have neat shelves of sets of music which have been counted, labelled, repaired if necessary, catalogued and wrapped in cling film to keep them clean. Our Area Choir Directors have spreadsheets listing all the sets, including the many titles purchased for our National Choirs over 17 years, and all of this music is booked directly from the office. The spreadsheets will be regularly updated as will the list of music available for hire to outside organisations. I’m confident the new system will be a vast improvement. Time will tell!
8
NYCoS in Numbers
Sources of Income
Last year, NYCoS worked with over 2700 young people across Scotland.
NYCoS has an income of £1.3m, which comes from a range of sources. Trading
2000 Area Choir Members
Core Funding
CDs, Publications
Creative Scotland
8%
4%
Concerts
7%
300 Mini Music Makers
% 15 Fees
Mini Music Makers, Area Choirs, National Choirs
Fundraising Donations, Friends, Trusts and Foundations
29%
37 %
420 National Choir Members
North America Canada, USA
Trading
Education and Training
Europe
Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Netherlands, UK
NYCoS sold over 5000 publications to countries in five continents last year. These included:
15 educational publications
Australia
Australia, New Zealand
Asia
19 songbooks South America
8 CDs
Argentina
Fundraising NYCoS is incredibly grateful to the following organisations and people whose support makes our work possible: Trusts & Foundations The Alexander Moncur Trust AmbITion Scotland The Bacher Trust Bank of Scotland Foundation Barfil Charitable Trust BBC Performing Arts Fund The Binks Trust Callendar Charitable Trust Cruden Foundation The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust The Gannochy Trust The Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust The Hope Scott Trust The Hugh Fraser Foundation The Imlay Foundation The Jennie S Gordon Memorial Foundation JTH Charitable Trust The Leverhulme Trust The Margaret Murdoch Charitable Trust The Merchants House of Glasgow Miss Jean R. Stirrat’s Charitable Trust The Moffat Charitable Trust MV Hillhouse Trust The Nancie Massey Charitable Trust PF Charitable Trust The RJ Larg Family Trust The RKT Harris Charitable Trust The Robertson Trust Scottish Secondary School Teachers Association SFIA Educational Trust Limited The St Katherine’s Fund
Principal Supporters
China, Singapore, Thailand
The Stevenston Charitable Trust Tay Charitable Trust The Turtleton Charitable Trust Area Choir Partners The University of Aberdeen Angus Council Dumfries and Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Dunbartonshire Council City of Edinburgh Council Falkirk Council Highland Council Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar Midlothian Council Orkney Islands Council Perth & Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Stirling Council West Lothian Council Bursary Providers BAA Communities Trust East Renfrewshire Council Glasgow City Council Integrated Grant Fund The McGlashan Charitable Trust North Ayrshire Council PRG Recruitment Saint Andrew Society (Glasgow) Charitable Trust Thomas Tunnock Ltd
Education Partner
fortissimo Friends Geoff & Mary Ball Christopher Bell Mary Bennett Roger & Craig Chalmers-Lang James Coyle Tom & Alison Cunningham Dr & Mrs J Going Helen & Mark Goodwill Charles & Catherine Leeson-Payne Graham & Liz Mackenzie Jean Macnab In memory of Walter McCandless Katie & James McNeill Susan Meiklejohn Prof. & Mrs K R Paterson Rob & Anne Walter Mr & Mrs R Williamson forte Friends Mr Ken Allen Moira Allingham Mrs Sheila Anderson John Anderton Dinah Bourne Margaret & Eddie Briggs Morag & Stuart Campbell The Campbell Family Kathryn Cartwright Alison Chambers Derek Clark Alison & Martin Cockcroft Donald MacDonald Cowan Pamella Dow Dr Lynn Drennan Dr Elwyn Evans Mr & Mrs K Fraser Douglas & Julia Haddow Neil & Elizabeth Halliday Morag Hayes Dr David A Hughes & Dr Joyce E Davidson
Rea Johnston David & Zoe Kemp Jenny Laidlaw Carol Leddy Jan Livesley Angus & Elizabeth Mackay Jim & Linda McColl Stuart McCue-Dick Iain McGregor Norrie & Eleanor McKay Linda McLauchlan Mr & Mrs McLuskie Archie McPherson David & Kathy Miller Ian & Margaret Mills Keren Nicol Richard Nixon Audrey Ogilvie Derek Ogston Pauline Perry Pat Reed Jane & Tamlin Roberts Judith Robertson Kay Smith Heather Smith Marion & James Stevens Victoria Sutro Graham Graham Taylor MBE Dr & Mrs C Watson Mrs Aline Watson Karen Watt Johnathan & Elspeth Waugh Finlay Williamson Jeannette Wilson Chris & Ros Wilson Kathy Wishart Family Friends Margaret & Joe Aronson Rosemarie Bremner Wendy & Mike Davidson Alison & Howard Duthie
Janey & Leslie Fleming Rona & Norman Gray The Knechtli Family Joan & David Lacy Dr C. E. Lennox Euan Macdonald Eleanor & Marshall MacKillop Kirsteen Grant & Iain Maclean The Macnaughton Family Veronica Mair Mr & Mrs McGrath Graham Mitchell Mr & Mrs J B More Ronald & Ann Morrison Nella Parker & family Mr & Mrs Beau Pettinger Ian Rolfe & family Hamish & Christina Scott Malcolm & Maureen Stewart Robert & Christine Tait Susan & John Wexler NYCoS Friends Mrs Dorothy Batchelor Graham Boyce Rosanne Brackenridge Dorothy Buchanan Mrs Morag Burton Richard Chester Claire Christie Joe & Eleanor Clark Eilidh Cochrane Wendy Colquhoun Lucinda Coulthard Kathy Crawford Hay Gillian Crosier Mrs Ann Dye Elaine Ellen Miss Anne Farquhar Ann Firth John L Fulton Lady Gibson
How to contact us
Find us...
Email: admin@nycos.co.uk Visit: www.nycos.co.uk Call: 0141 287 2856
Facebook.com/NYCoScotland Twitter.com/NYCoScotland
Louise Goodlad Mrs Myra Grant Anne Grindley Moira Hamilton Miss Margaret Harbison Jill Hardy Muriel Holroyd Alison B. Hunter Patricia Hutton L. Inglis N. A. Johnston Jill Kerr Olive Kinnear Marion Lang Mrs V M Langston Mrs Josephine Leighton Jane MacLeod Helen Macpherson Susan McArthur Brenda McFarlane Mrs J Miller Simon & Rachel Murphy Moira Murray Mrs Christine Neale Mrs Ruth Orr Tom Pate Mrs Anna Robertson Mr I M Roper-Caldbeck Norma Speirs Ken & Margaret Taylor John Thomson Margaret Thomson Dame Lorraine Veitch Rutherford Jackie Westbrook Susan White Alice E Woodward Ian Young
This newsletter is printed on
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National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland with company number SC165149. NYCoS is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC024899. All details correct at the time of going to print.