Historic changes open up ISM

Musicians' body streamlines joining

The musicians' professional body, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, is simpler to join after members overwhelmingly supported historic changes to the Society's rules.

For the first time, musicians can join the ISM on the basis of their qualifications or experience alone, without the need to be recommended by two members of the Society. The historic decision was taken at the ISM's Annual General Meeting on 16 April.

ISM Chief Executive, Deborah Annetts, said:

'These changes make the ISM even more open and inclusive. As a professional body, we're interested in what you know - not who you know.

'The ISM is a uniquely independent voice for the whole music profession. Our members include performers, composers, class teachers, private teachers, academics and therapists working in all musical genres.

'Applying for ISM membership has never been easier, so we're looking forward to welcoming many more musicians to benefit from our excellent legal services, comprehensive insurance cover and opportunities for professional development.'

2009 Haydn, Mendelssohn Handel & Purcell Anniversary Events

Choirs are invited to register in performing Mendelssohn’s “O for the Wings of a Dove” as part of a nationwide Mendelssohn celebration from Friday 8 May to Sunday 10 May. Choirs may schedule their performance in any chosen location during the weekend in question. For more information visit www.choirs.org.uk/mendelssohn.html and for details of BBC Radio 3 Composers of the Year visit www.bbc.co.uk/composers/

North Somerset Arts Week

Open Studio week throught North Somerset including exhibitions and performance art involving schools and students as well as professional artists. Over 300 artists will be taking part spread across 120 venues. 1-10 May 2009. Brochures are available throughout the county or are available by post. Please see website http://www.northsomersetarts.org.uk/ for further details

21st Century Stitchers Exhibition

2 May 2009 – 4 July 2009

If you cling to the notion that embroidery is a genteel art that has had its day prepare to be surprised.

Showcasing contemporary work from six innovative textile artists; Anita Bruce, Jill Flower, Julianne Long , Lee Mattocks, Harriet Maxwell and Alison Mercer, this exhibition confirms that embroidery today is an expressive medium that can be powerful, challenging, witty and beautiful.

Jill Flower and Julianne Long both use recycle materials to create exuberant three dimensional pieces bursting with colour and texture. Jill Flower stitches together pages from books and magazines and adorns them with beads and buttons to create historically inspired ruffs referencing our development from child to adult whilst Julianne Long’s vibrant work has been described as a “symphony of junk” drawing attention to the wastefulness of our consumer society. Colour also characterises Lee Mattocks’ hand and machine decorated garments and accessories which are infused with surrealism bringing an unexpected, quirky element to a traditional craft.

At first glance Harriet Maxwell’s stunning large scale portraits might be mistaken for paintings but closer inspection reveals a tactile cloth manipulated and transformed through stitch. Anita Bruce also plays with scale in her sculptures which reconstruct and magnify microscopic life forms in simple looped stitches. By contrast Alison Mercer is an embroiderer who uses stitch to explore and express the relationship between the self and the outside world. She is also fascinated by the influence of the past upon the present and her contemplative pieces are a moving manifestation of her conscious and subconscious self.

Curated by The Embroiderers’ Guild, the UK’s leading charity promoting embroidery and supporting emerging and established artists.

Admission Free

Gallery Open: Mon, Thurs, Fri:10.00am-6.00pm; Tue & Sat: 10.00am-5.00pm; Wed: 10.00am-8.00pm; Closed on Sundays.

tel: 020 8943 1229

email: lszygenda@embroiderersguild.com

visit: www.embroiderersguild.com

Just for Kids 14 November 2009 – 6 February 2010

Call for exhibitors:

Bilston Craft Gallery is seeking innovative and fun craft and design for children by national and regional makers and designers for a selling exhibition this winter.

The exhibition will highlight the breadth of products being handmade for this market to inspire young families when purchasing products for children, and to introduce children to the notion of handmade.

We are looking for makers and designers who:

• Produce exclusively for the children/baby market;
• Create customised or commemorative pieces for special occasions such as the birth or Christening of a child.

Types of work we are seeking include:

• Toys and child friendly automata
• Clothing and accessories
• Furniture and furnishings
• Pictures and decorative items for children’s rooms
• Children’s book illustrations with a craft edge
• Commemorative silverware, ceramics, and textiles e.g. quilts

For a brief and application form, please contact Valerie Plummer at:

Bilston Craft Gallery
Mount Pleasant
Bilston
Wolverhampton
West Midlands
WV14 7LU

T: 01902 552507
F: 01902 552504

valerie.plummer@wolverhampton.gov.uk
W: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/bilston

It's all about art

Art Workshops & Demonstrations
There will be plenty of opportunities to take part in workshops, relax and learn at one of the demonstrations or meet one of your favourite artists...no pre-booking required!

How do they do that...or...How do I use that?

Watch the experts show you how...from creating your art materials to trying out products such as Kopykake Projectors, Longridge Mount Cutters and Tracedown.

SAA Home Shop Experience

Experience the SAA Home Shop like never before! Try out products and materials for yourself and take advantage of one of the many special offers!

How to book tickets:

SAA members advance ticket price £5.00 / £6.00 on the door (Quote: AE091)

Non members advance ticket price £7.00 / £9.00 on the door (Quote: AE092)

SAA art clubs & RSC groups can bring all members at a special price of £6.00 per ticket. These tickets must be pre-booked (Quote AE093)

Ticket Hotline: 0800 980 1123

Book online at www.saa.co.uk

using ticket item codes:

SAA Members: AE091
Non Members: AE092
SAA art clubs & RSC groups: AE093

Pay by cheque:

Send a cheque (made payable to SAA)
and covering letter to: SAA, PO Box 50, Newark,
Notts NG23 5GY (UK only)


Please note tickets are valid for one day only.

Feeding a Better Future - Mothers' and Children's Diets

Taking place on Tuesday 2nd June at The Angel Hotel in Cardiff - "Feeding a Better Future - Mothers' and Children's Diets". This is an exceptional opportunity to hear the latest scientific evidence from a panel of leading UK experts on the role of nutrition in behaviour, learning and mood. For more details go to www.fabresearch.org and click on "Cardiff Conference". A super early bird rate of £75 is offered when you book online and quote Aura by Friday 8th May or telephone 01463 667318. For all nutritionists, Mums and Dads - dont miss it!

Gloucestershire Village of the Year competition 2009

Villages throughout Gloucestershire with a population of 5,000 and under are being called to action as the Calor Gloucestershire Village of the Year competition 2009 gets underway.

Villages entering will be judged across 5 new categories - Children and Young People, Economic Development and Enterprise, Healthier Communities and Older People, Natural Built Environment and Safer and Stronger Communities. The competition is about recognising, rewarding and encouraging vibrant and sustainable village communities which pull together to make the best of local opportunities through both good times and bad. The Gloucestershire judging panel has again amended the entry form to make it easier for communities to complete and participate. This is reflected in the reduction of 8 categories to 5 and the prize pot has increased too, to £500 for the winner of a category and £100 for the runner up. All entries will automatically be put into the Grand Prize Draw with the chance of winning environmentally friendly prizes of a composter, shredder and strimmer, courtesy of B & Q in Gloucester. All winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, this year held at the prestigious Campden House in Chipping Campden on Friday 17th July 2009 at 7pm.

The deadline for entries is Friday 8th May 2009 and entry forms can be requested from Naomi McMahon at GRCC on 01452 528491, email naomim@grcc.org.uk or downloaded from the GRCC website at http://www.grcc.org.uk/.

For further information in relation to the county competition, please contact Barbara Piranty or Naomi McMahon at GRCC on 01452 528491.

Winchcombe Country Show

WINCHCOMBE COUNTRY SHOW
MONDAY 25 AUGUST 2008
WINCHCOMBE SCHOOL FIELD, GREET ROAD
GATE OPENS 12 NOON


Programme of events for the day


See also the Flower Show Schedule for full details of the competitive exhibits
(held in the marquee)


In addition to the traditional Flower Show which includes flower, vegetable, fruit, cookery handicraft and junior competitions there are activities to suit all tastes during the day.


Attractions this year include:
(see over for further details on events marked *)
Main ring events
Vintage Tractors
Human Scarecrow Competition*
Dog racing*
Parade of Hounds
Human Mummy Competition*
Kick boxing display
Tug of War
Presentation of junior Flower Show awards
Other attractions around the field
Fortune teller
Guess the name of the lamb (under 12s)
Street Entertainers
Guess the weight of the lamb
Winchcombe Town Brass Band
Snail racing
Winchcombe Community Choir
Fun Run*
Dry Stone Walling
Sumo Wrestling
Childrens’ Corner
Milk the cow
Beat the Goalie
Clay Pigeon Shoot*
Beer Tent
Bouncy Castle
Afternoon tea and home-made cakes
Valuation Roadshow*
Companion Dog Show - contact Bob Smith 01386 852921
Raffle – lots of fabulous prizes to be won

Unless otherwise indicated please contact the Show Secretary if you have any questions: Sarah Day, 01242 602395

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU

www.winchcombe.co.uk/countryshow

Ashton under Hill Open Gardens Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June 2009

Ashton under Hill Open Gardens Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June 2009

Over 1400 visitors came to our 31st annual event in 2008, from as far afield as Japan, Canada and Holland, as well as many places much nearer to Worcestershire. They shared two days of beautiful, warm sunshine with us, enjoying the village and the gardens which were open for viewing. Many people said they particularly appreciated the variety of gardens on display, and the warmth and friendliness of their welcome.

Gardens for Gardeners

Our theme in 2009 is Gardens for Gardeners, emphasising that what you will see in Ashton are gardens designed and maintained by enthusiasts, facing all the usual challenges of climate, location, soil, and of course the same garden pests! You can be assured of a warm welcome from our gardeners who will be happy to talk to you about their gardens, their choice of plants and shrubs, and their successes and failures. This year we will have 24 gardens open, from small vegetable and cottage flower plots to large landscaped gardens on the lower slopes of Bredon Hill.

Refreshments and Plant Sales

When you feel the need for rest and relaxation you will be able to enjoy some quality refreshments: lunches from 12:30pm, cream teas, afternoon teas from the WI or the full menu in our village pub, The Star. There will also be the opportunity for you to buy a wide selection of quality plants, and we continue our theme of exhibitions and displays in the village church with Images of Ashton, a pictorial and audio-visual look at events and activities in the village from times past to the present day. There will also be displays by the Cotswolds Wardens and the Hereford and Worcester Master Composters, as well as a Picture Treasure Hunt for children.

Admission Prices Held

Gardens are open from 1.00pm to 6.00pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the event remains at just £4.00 per person, children free, and Saturday tickets are valid for Sunday. Free use of the special bus service throughout the village is included, allowing you time to see all of the gardens at your leisure. There’s also ample free parking for cars and coaches.

Discount for Group Bookings

We are pleased to offer group discounted tickets at £3.50 per person for a party of 10 or more, booked in advance by Friday 29 May. To find out more, including photos of previous events, please visit our website at: www.ashtonopengardens.co.uk.

Contact details:

Telephone: 01386 881778
Fax: 0870 762 1557
Email: marketing@ashtonopengardens.co.uk

Bags of Ideas for Exclusive World Fair Trade Day Competition

Do you have an interest in design? Would you like to see your work produced by skilled artisans in India? Do you support Fair Trade? Then we have the competition for you!

The Textile Directory is launching an exciting new competition to celebrate World Fair Trade Day. We are inviting all artists and designers to submit a design for a fabulous fairly traded organic cotton shopping bag. The theme of the competition is ‘India’. This theme is open to your own interpretation and we welcome you to incorporate your own creative ideas to produce a vivid design. Your challenge is that you are only able to use one colour, so use your imagination to make your design stand out.

The winning design will then be exclusively produced for The Textile Directory by pioneering Fairtrade company, Bishopston Trading, who provide work for tailors and handloom weavers in rural India. The Textile Directory recently published an article about them, which you can read here.

The closing date for this competition is 30 April and voting will begin on the website on 1 May, so don’t forget to visit The Textile Directory to choose your favourite design. The overall winner will be the design that receives the most votes and will be announced on 9 May 2009 – World Fair Trade Day. The winner’s exciting prize is to see their design made into a beautiful bag, 100 of which will then be available to buy from The Textile Directory. The bags will be priced at £4 each plus £1 for delivery, and £1 from each sale will be donated to The Fairtrade Foundation. The winner will receive a free bag featuring their design.

We have included a few images with this article to show you the size and style of bag we will be producing:

If you are interested in entering the competition, please have a read through the following details.

• At the bottom of your design you must incorporate the following lines of text in font size 12:’100% organic cotton fairly traded from South IndiaBag design by (insert your name) for The Textile Directory (http://www.thetextiledirectory.com%29%e2%80%99/
• Your artwork must be submitted in black and white even if the design is to be printed in colour. If your design is to be printed in colour (one colour only), then please also submit a version of your design in your chosen colour OR tell us the pantone reference.
• Your design should be 11inches wide and 13inches long.
• The jpeg of the design should be 300dpi.
• The design is to be printed on a plain cream cotton bag

If you would like to submit an entry please send your artwork Jpeg and a brief explanation behind your design to Sara Drinkwater at mailto:sara@thetextiledirectory.com?subject=Contact%20from%20the%20Textile%20Directory by Friday 30 April 2009.

If you are not able to submit your entry electronically then you can send us your original drawing and we will scan it for you. Please note that the deadline for this will be Monday 27 April 2009. Please send artwork to Sara Drinkwater, Design A Bag Competition, The Textile Directory, 8 King Charles Court, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4RF. If you would like your artwork sent back to you please also include a stamped addressed envelope.

If you have any other questions, please contact Sara at mailto:sara@thetextiledirectory.com?subject=Contact%20from%20the%20Textile%20Directory.

It isn't too late to Vote for Your Favourite Worcestershire Tourism Business!

Destination Worcestershire brings the first ever awards aimed at the tourism industry to the county celebrating the diversity of Worcestershire's tourism offer.

There are four Worcestershire Awards and you are invited to vote for your favourites, the categories include:

• Best Worcestershire Breakfast
• Eat & Drink Worcestershire
• Worcestershire Awareness
• Worcestershire Nights

Closing date for entries is Monday 20th April 2009

he winners will be put forward for regional and national award schemes and also receive a commemorative plaque and a vocational prize of their choice such as training in marketing or financial management.

More information on Worcestershire Welcome Awards

Congratulations to our voucher winners ...

Mr & Mrs Smith and Ms J Cole from Gloucestershire, and Ms C Kirby from London who all won vouchers in our Refer a Friend prize draw in March.

Parish Music Concert Saturday 16th May

Concert in St Nicholas' Church, Teddington at 8pm Saturday 16th May 2009

Trio Ébano makes a welcome return to Parish Music. The group last played for us in November 2004 shortly after their leader, flautist Nicola Shorland, had become Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year. She continues to be a dedicated chamber musician and has acquired an interesting collection of flutes, some of which she will demonstrate at the concert. The programme will also include solos for flute (Debussy’s ‘Syrinx’) and clarinet (‘Tricolour Capers’ by Eric Mandat), duos for flute and clarinet by Rutter, Elgar and Villa-Lobos, and trios by Shostakovich and Mozart.

Trio Ébano was formed in January 2003; the name is taken from the Spanish for the ebony from which many woodwind instruments are made. Nicola is joined in the current ensemble by clarinettist Lucy Tugwell and bassoonist Hannah Wrieden. Nicola and Hannah studied together at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Lucy studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. In the summer of 2004, the trio won third prize in the ensemble category of the 13th Anglo-Czech Trust International Competition. In 2006 Trio Ébano took their music to Singapore where they performed with the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, and gave recitals and led workshops in various schools. All the members of the trio value teaching as part of their portfolio. Between them they teach in private and state schools in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, London and Warwickshire. Nicola originally learnt by the Suzuki method with Susie Alington and is now herself an accredited Suzuki Flute teacher.

Cotswold Midnight Walk - Friday 26th June

Wanted!

2,000 women for the girls’ event of the year

Girl power will be the order of the night when the Cotswold Midnight Walk sets off at midnight on Friday June 26th in Cirencester. Last year 1,200 women took part and raised £120,000 for Cotswold Care Hospice. This year the charity is aiming for 2,000 women to make it the biggest Midnight Walk in Gloucestershire. Scores of men are also needed to act as volunteers and marshals on the night.

Entry is £10 and details are available from events manager Vicki Hayward on 01453 886868 or email vicki.hayward@cotswoldcare.org.uk or log on to www.fancyagirlsnightout.com.

Women must register in advance of the event.

Musicians must stand together in credit crunch

LEADING conductor Sir Mark Elder has urged musicians to stand together and speak up for the arts during the credit crunch.

Speaking as he was presented with the Incorporated Society of Musicians' Distinguished Musician Award at the Royal Opera House last night, he said:
'Before the credit squeeze jumped on us, we were all nervous and apprehensive that the wonderful "Olympic dream" would drain the resources that might otherwise have gone to the arts.

'Now the credit squeeze has joined that pressure, it is all the more important to stand together and be prepared to speak out. Not as "whinging luvvies", but as people who stand up for something that they passionately believe in.'

Sir Mark Elder is the 27th recipient of the Distinguished Musician Award, the ISM's highest honour. Since 1976, the ISM has given the award to musicians including Jacqueline du Pré, Simon Rattle, Pierre Boulez and Janet Baker.

His friend and colleague, the accompanist Roger Vignoles, said:
'In Mark we have a truly rounded musician, truly a "musicians' musician". There is nobody more worthy of receiving this award from his colleagues in the profession.'

Sir Mark went on to emphasise the ISM's role in bringing together all types of music professionals: composers, performers and music teachers.

'This occasion allows me to state the importance of striving together. This very distinguished Society has stood for years as a voice and a forum for all types of musicians and what you do is of inestimable value. Combining creators, re-creators and teachers is the only way a united voice can be found in our profession.'

You can read the full text of Sir Mark Elder's speech on the ISM's website at www.ism.org

2009 International Aesthetica Creative Works Competition

Call for Entries

Aesthetica is looking for entries to the 2009 International Aesthetica Creative Works Competition. The 2008 Competition was a successful springboard for artists’ careers around the globe.

The winners and finalists from last year, went on to secure further exhibitions, commissions (including Channel 4’s Three Minute Wonder), and publications. The winners and finalists were published in the Aesthetica Annual, which is available nationwide through Borders Stores. It’s a great opportunity to bring your work to a wider audience.

• The Aesthetica Creative Works Competition seeks entries of Artwork, Photography & Sculpture, Fiction and Poetry
• Three winners will be awarded £500 each
• All finalists will be published in the Aesthetica Creative Works Annual, in stores December 2009
• Entry to the 2009 Aesthetica Creative Works Competition is £10
• This allows you to submit up to 5 images, 5 poems or 2 short stories
• Closing date to receive Creative Works is 31 August 2009

For further details on the successes of artists and writers from the 2008 Aesthetica Creative Works Competition please click here

For competition guidelines and to enter the competition please click here

www.aestheticamagazine.com

THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING!

But are they changing for the better? If you think not here’s you chance to sing out in protest! Top writers on-line community, Writelink, is launching a new song writing contest which picks up the torch of lyrical dissent first raised by the young Dylan of the sixties!

Doing Dylan is looking for original songs which sing out against social injustice, political corruption, racial bigotry or religious fanaticism!

We’re also interested in sensitive, poetical lyrics mourning lost or unrequited love, offering solace in the dark hours of despair or trumpeting a rallying call for freedom!

We DO NOT want covers, impressions or parody! Take you inspiration from Dylan’s masterpieces, but DON’T dangle at his coat tails!

All songs must be original, but may be collaborative efforts. E.g. if you only write lyrics then it is fine to get a musician to set your work to music and even have a third party sing it for you.

Unlike other contests, all entrants have a fantastic chance of being heard and commented on throughout the duration of the competition as entries are posted directly to our competition site.

Visitors can hear all the songs as they are added, make comments and vote for their favourites.

Entrants are given tools to let all their friends and family know that their song is open for voting and a daily update keeps them informed of how their entry is doing in the ratings.

The site will generate a top 10 shortlist, but final judging will be by human editor who will cherry pick up to 10 other entries.

Doing Dylan isn’t just about expose though, we have cash prizes of £100, £75 & £50 for the winners.

Entries close 31st August, 2009.
http://www.writelink.co.uk/doingdylan

Writelink ... Many Writers ... One Communitywww.writelink.co.uk

Aesthetica Creative Works Competition 2009

The 2008 Competition was a successful springboard for writers and artists’ careers both in the UK and internationally with many securing further publications, exhibitions and commissions (including Channel 4’s Three Minute Wonder). The winners and finalists were published in the Aesthetica Annual, available nationwide from Borders. It’s a great opportunity to bring works to a wider audience.
For further details on the successes of artists and writers from the 2008 Aesthetica Creative Works Competition please click here

• The Aesthetica Creative Works Competition seeks entries of Fiction and Poetry, as well as Artwork
• Three winners will be awarded £500 each
• All finalists will be published in the Aesthetica Creative Works Annual, in stores December 2009
• Entry to the 2009 Aesthetica Creative Works Competition is £10
• This allows you to submit up to 5 poems, 2 short stories or 5 images
• Closing date to receive Creative Works is 31 August 2009

For competition guidelines and to enter the competition please click here