Cinema & guitars at WAW this weekend!

7.30pm, Friday 22 October – doors open at 7pm

The Splendid Cinema

Couscous

Directed by Abdel Kechiche

France 2007 - Colour – 154 mins - Cert 15

Habib Boufares, Hafsia Herzi, Faridah Benkhetache
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival 2007 and the 2008 César Award for Best French film, Couscous is a family drama focusing on the travails of an ageing North African émigré who, after being made redundant from his shipyard job, attempts to realise his dream of opening a restaurant. While the restaurant gets caught up in bureaucratic red tape, the tensions and connections that make or break a family are brought bubbling to the surface.

Tickets: £5 on the door or reserve by contacting Box Office tel: 01905 21095
or e-mail: info.waw@eurotelonline.com


7.30pm, Saturday 23 October – doors open at 6.45pm

Worcester Classical Guitar Society –

Haley Savage & Dimitris Dekavallas

Classical guitarists Hayley Savage and Dimitris Dekavallas share the stage this year in a tour de force duo, combining Hayley’s internationally recognised talents as a composer with the flair, virtuosity and exuberant musicality of the widely-acclaimed and multiple award-winning Greek guitarist Dimitris.

Both players are former winners of the Ivor Mairants Guitar Award and have come together to perform a new work by Hayley. Their programme promises to be exciting ad show the level that the classical guitar has now reached on the world stage.

Tickets: £8 (£6), under 16’s free Box Office tel: 01886 832715

Website: http://www.worcesterguitar.co.uk/

The Urban Folk Quartet - Autumn Tour 2010

As the nights draw in and winter approaches…do something that will cheer you up...


Come and see The Urban Folk Quartet on their autumn UK tour which starts next week!


Click here for details . Very best wishes from the UFQ!

Three Choirs Festival 7-15 August

The Three Choirs Festival, held each year since the early eighteenth century, and rotating between the three great cathedral cities of Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford is one of the world’s oldest classical choral music festivals. This heritage has long established the Festival as a firm fixture in the British music calendar and a must-visit for lovers of the great choral works from across Britain, Europe, America and Australasia.

The festival returns to Gloucester this August with an excellent line up. Each festival provides an attached Festival Club, traditionally run by the “Friends” of the home festival, which provides a central social venue for audience and performers alike, as well as food and drink in a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere.

For more details see http://www.3choirs.org/

74% of music organisations say music education is the most important issue facing the sector

A survey by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) has revealed that 74% of ISM corporate members rate music education as the most important issue facing the whole of the music sector.

To read this article in full visit http://www.ism.org

Live Music Bill must be passed as soon as possible

The ISM welcomes the coalition government’s commitment to reduce live music bureaucracy and calls on the government to introduce the Live Music Bill which had front bench support from both governing coalition partners before the election.

The Bill, introduced last parliament in the House of Lords by Lib Dem Lord Clement-Jones, would allow small venues like schools, colleges and village halls to hold concerts without an entertainment license if the venue holds fewer than 200 people. It would also exempt venues that serve alcohol from needing an entertainment license where only one or two musicians are performing without amplification.

In the previous session of parliament, the Live Music Bill passed the House of Lords stage un-amended and, with cross-party support, came close to making it on to the statute book despite government opposition. Now, the coalition government has said it will ‘cut red tape to encourage the performance of more live music.’

ISM Chief Executive, Deborah Annetts, welcomed the coalition government’s commitment and encouraged the introduction of the Live Music Bill:

‘The government has a real opportunity to reduce the bureaucracy which is crippling the small live music event industry and destroying fledgling careers.

‘So many musicians rely on live music to start their career and the current licensing regime is causing opportunities to dry up.

‘This Bill has the support of politicians from all parties and musicians from all genres as well as the support of front-bench teams from both partners in the coalition government.

‘We are calling on the government to make time for this important piece of legislation and enable musicians to do what they do best, play music to a live audience.’

Read more at http://www.ism.org/images/uploads/files/8_10.pdf

A Month of Sundays Musical Theatre writing courses

Musical Theatre writing courses

AMOS aims to address the need for the development of new writers in the UK Musical Theatre industry. The course title refers to the length of each course – literally a month of Sundays. Being a weekend course makes it easy for you to get involved with minimum disturbance to your work and social life.

New writing is the lifeblood of theatre, be it with plays or musicals. There are now a large number of opportunities for new playwrights to train, learn and make contacts in centres of nurturing all over the UK in places such as the Royal Court, Traverse and Bush theatres. These kinds of solutions don’t exist to the same extent for musical theatre writers in the UK, which is where AMOS can help you.

If you are passionate about learning your craft from industry professionals, perfecting your writing skills or rediscovering your inspiration then ‘A Month of Sundays’ is an unmissable experience to encounter.

Visit www.chrisgrady.org to download a full information pack and application form.

Concert for Africa Educational Trust at Farncombe

We are delighted to announce a concert at Farncombe in aid of the Africa Educational Trust, AET, to be given in the Gloucester Room in Springfield House at 8.00 pm on Saturday 26 June 2010. William taught in Kenya in 1967 and worked in the south Sudan from 1973 to 1975 and particularly hopes you will support the work of this excellent charity - see www.africaeducationaltrust.org


Pianist and composer Marcel Zidani ( see www.marcelzidani.co.uk) will perform a programme comprising: Chopin - Nocturne No 19 in E minor; Lieberslied; Rachmaninov Prelude OP32 no 13; Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody no 2; Mikhashoff - Casta Diva; Chopin - Fantasy Impromptu in c sharp minor and Hungarian Rhapsody No 12.

Tickets: £6 (£4 to AET); Supper £14 (£5 to AET) available from 6.30 in the dining room. Some Saturday night B&B available at Farncombe, £40.


Tickets and, if desired, supper and B&B must be booked in advance. Tel 01386 854100

British public backs music education

NINETY-ONE per cent of adults in Britain want children to have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument at school, according to research from the Incorporated Society of Musicians.

The musicians' professional body commissioned YouGov to survey 2,095 people online in a representative sample of all adults in Great Britain.

People from all backgrounds were strongly in favour of giving children the chance to learn an instrument, with 90% or more support in all age groups and social grades.

ISM Chief Executive, Deborah Annetts, will announce the findings in her keynote speech, entitled 'Fighting for the future', at the Music Learning Live conference in Manchester on Friday 26 February. She said:

'These results are overwhelming evidence that people in Britain are hugely supportive of our world-class music education system. Now is the moment for us to speak up loudly and proclaim just how good music education is in this country and how much support it has.'

'In a time of political and economic uncertainty with the threat of cuts, we need to fight for the importance of music education. We now know that the public is unquestionably behind us.'

'Reasonable cost'

The ISM survey also found that 77% of respondents think the cost of central government funding for music lessons in England is reasonable.

The government contributes £82.5 million to music education through the Music Standards Fund - around 3p per person per week. This is supplemented by a further £137 million from local authorities, schools, parents, sponsorship and charities.

Adults' musical ambitions

The ISM research also looked at adults' own musical ambitions. It found that 19% of respondents said they already played an instrument or sang in a choir, and 43% said they would like to do so.

Deborah Annetts said:

'Every human being is born with a certain level of musical potential and music education must reflect this. We need those working in music to link up and ensure that all people have access to music education from the cradle to the grave.'

Farncombe Estate has recently joined the Associated Teachers of Singing as a Corporate Member

The Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS) was founded in 1975 to promote a wider understanding of all aspects of the teaching of singing. They create opportunities which bring together teachers from all over the world. All AOTOS activities and services are open to members specialising in teaching any expression of song: from classical, through music theatre and folk, to jazz, rock and gospel, either privately or in school, college or conservatoire.
http://aotos.org.uk/directory/

JAZZ EXPERIENCE COMPETITION

This is a national (i.e. UK-wide) competition for jazz ensembles with members aged 11-18. The competition's 3 age bands mean that younger musicians can enter and stand a good chance of success within their age group.
Judges include Julian Joseph, Peter Ind, Richard Michael, Helen Mayhew, Andrea Vicari and Liane Carroll.

All that's required is to prepare just 2 pieces: a blues and a piece of your/their own choosing that features impro.
Ensembles are based around piano (or kbd), bass (upright, bass guitar, etc), drums, plus optionally up to 5 additional performers.

How To Take Part
Now: read through the details on the attached Rules document
Asap: Email angela.whittington@gmx.yamaha as soon as possible to confirm your intention to take part.
This term: Coach your ensemble this term, as explained in the Rules document (attached)
By mid-Jamuary 2010: Send us a video of your ensemble performing their 2 pieces, with the completed application form (also attached), by mid-January 2010.
It's that simple!

We are not insisting that every member of the ensemble improvises. So if you've got some musicians who are solid rhythm players and others who have a flair for impro, they can work to their strengths. A good, tightly together ensemble will go a long way in this competition. So please have a go and take part.

NB: You can enter more than one ensemble, though no performer may appear in more than one ensemble.
http://www.yamahaeducation.co.uk/jazz_experience

Win an annual membership to the British music experience

Dayvisits in association with the British Music Experience, Britain’s interactive museum of popular music at The O2, are offering you the chance to win one of five fantastic annual memberships.


Worth £50 each, every member will enjoy-

Unlimited entry without having to queue
Use of their exclusive Green Room, complete with complimentary refreshments
6 free tickets to give to friends and family
Discounts on British Music Experience merchandise and invitations to exclusive British Music Events
To enter the FREE prize draw competition sign-up via the e-news form
http://www.dayvisits.co.uk/news/84/

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.'

The Strad Launches Lost and Stolen Database

The Strad magazine has started a new database to help reunite stringed instrument owners with their prized possessions.

If your stringed instrument has been lost or stolen in the last few months, it’s simple to add your details to the register. Go online at www.thestrad.com/lostandstoleninfo and fill out our form.
The information will then appear to the public on our website from May so that readers of The Strad and www.thestrad.com throughout the world can be alert to specific instruments when they surface.

The Strad Lost and Stolen Database is in association with Axa Art.

UNLOCK THE MUSIC'S SPRING CONCERTS

http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/tutordetails.asp?tutor=322

"Songs of Life and Love"

he theme for our Spring series of concerts is "Songs of Life and Love". There are three concerts with differing programmes of music, poetry and dance. There will be some overlaps but the each programme has a different emphasis.

The musical community of Unlock the Music are pupils and friends of Lizzie Perring and Trudi Garth who will be performing with their teachers in these exciting and varied evenings. The standard set by Lizzie and Trudi for their pupils is very high and the commitment to developing this music abilities through dedicated practise shown is outstanding. Many are young people with lots of other commitments to fulfill but music gets put top of the list. Lizzie Perring teaches singing in Coventry and Leamington Spa. Trudi Garth teaches flute and piano in Rugby and Coventry. Both are themselves life time performers and are joined by amongst others, Jane Farrington, on cello, Maddy Kerr of Heartbreak Productions who will host some of the concerts and Roger Greasby of Born in a Barn who will be managing the sound for the concerts. Unlock the Music makes music in the local community by networking with other teachers and musicians and including family and friends of pupils in its events.

PART ONE Saturday 21st March 7.30 Spencer Yard, Leamington Spa

A mixed programme of classical and popular music which will include music by Purcell, Bach, Debussy and Sondheim as well as some contemporay popular songs, with dance and poetry.

TICKETS FOR THIS CONCERT CAN BE RESERVED BY PHONE UNLOCK THE MUSIC TEL: 024 7641 5563

PART TWO Saturday 4th April 7.30 St. Nicholas Church, Abbey Fields Kenilworth

A programme of beautiful music which will include music by Purcell, Bach, Debussy and Sondheim as well as some contemporay popular songs.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW for this concert FROM:- ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH TEL: 01926 858651 or UNLOCK THE MUSIC TEL: 024 7641 5563


PART THREE Monday 11th May 7.00 Baginton Village Hall

Favourite moments from the past two concerts.

TICKETS FOR THIS CONCERT CAN BE RESERVED BY PHONE UNLOCK THE MUSIC TEL: 024 7641 5563

For further details on the location of these venues please link to the website and follow the embedded links.......

Lizzie Perring
www.unlockthemusic.co.uk

Musicians Explore New Frontiers

MUSICIANS will learn more about 'lost' music, African music, pop music and the work of women composers at the ISM Annual Conference 2009, Exploring New Frontiers.

The event will take place from 14-17 April at the Cave Castle Hotel, Brough, East Yorkshire.

Professor Nicola LeFanu will discuss the work of female composers; Malian composer Tunde Jegede will introduce a programme of African classical music; Peter Nickol will explain how pop music came to be taken seriously; and Dr Lewis Foreman will unearth forgotten music in a session called Lost and (Only Sometimes) Found.

Royal Northern College of Music Principal Jonty Stockdale, who took over at the RNCM in September, will discuss his new role in the conference's keynote address. Baz Chapman, director of the government-sponsored National Singing Programme, Sing Up, will report on its progress and answer questions.

Participants will visit Beverley Minster and Hull University Music Department, and listen to performances from the Tippett String Quartet and the satirical comedy piano duo Katzenjammer.

Philosopher AC Grayling will speak at the conference's closing dinner.

ISM President 2008-09, the musicologist and broadcaster Roderick Swanston, will chair the conference. He said:

'The conference may make us ask what constitutes a true history of music and re-evaluate our ideas about popular culture. I hope together we can explore new frontiers with passion, insight and pleasure.'

To download a booking form, visit ism.org/annualconference.

Building Sound Foundations for Music

THE MUSICIANS' professional body, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, is bringing together pre-school and primary music education experts to share best practice in children's musical learning.

Sound Foundations takes place at the University of Westminster, London, on Saturday 28 February.

Participants will hear about contrasting approaches to musical learning and take part in practical sessions to find out how music fits in with the Early Years and primary curriculum. There will also be a chance to find out how video teaching can make a difference to music lessons.

Dr Susan Young, senior lecturer in early childhood studies and music education at the University of Exeter, will discuss New Times, New Challenges for Early Years learning in her opening address and music education consultant Leonora Davies MBE will speak about how pupils can make a smooth transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3.

Alan Cameron, education officer at Dumfries & Galloway Council, will demonstrate how he uses video conference technology to deliver instrumental lessons to children across a wide geographical area.

There will be two workshops about music for under-5s: Margareta Burrell, music therapist and teacher, will lead a session on music & movement based on the principles of Dalcroze; and Sarah Carling will show how music fits in with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and preparation for Key Stage 1.

Rachelle Goldberg currently leads the ISM's Music in Education Section. She said:

‘We want children to get the best possible start to their musical lives. All of our speakers are putting that aim into practice so we want to share their experience as widely as possible. I'm sure that Sound Foundations will be highly rewarding for anyone who wants to give children the best musical start.'

The seminar costs £60, £50 (ISM members) and £10 (ISM student members). You can download a booking form from ism.org/soundfoundations

PERCUSSION TRAINING DAY for MUSICIANS

PERCUSSION TRAINING DAY for MUSICIANS

Date: Saturday 24th January 2009, 10am - 4pm
Place: St Peter-in-Eastgate Infant's School, Greetwellgate, Lincoln LN2 4AW
Cost: Free
Tutor: Leo Nolan

This is the first of a series of training days for musicians wishing to explore their professional development with a view to working in schools and communities.
This first workshop will be based around percussion work with a specific emphasis on how to achieve good results with limited resources. It will be relevant for musicians from all backgrounds and will be of interest to both non-percussionists and percussionists.
Leo is a community musician with many years experience working with schools and communities. Based in the North West, he has worked for organisations as diverse as More Music in Morecambe and the Halle Orchestra. We are delighted he can join us for this first workshop and it will be a fantastic opportunity to learn new techniques and skills.
Place are limited so allocation will be on a first come first served basis.
For further details and to register, please contact Sue Hawes at The Firebird Trust Ltd:
e-mail: admin@firebirdtrust.com
or telephone: 01522 811229

Parish Music : Choral Delights

Parish Music : Choral Delights
Saturday 28 February 2009
Overbury Church 8pm

The Oriel Singers had just won the BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year competition when they last sang for Parish Music in 2005. Founded in 1975 as a quartet meeting in Oriel Terrace, Cheltenham, the original group sang simply for pleasure and had no intention of performing. The choir soon grew and Tim Morris was invited to become director.
Numbering about 28, the members still meet primarily for their own enjoyment but now give around 12 concerts a year at home and abroad. They have always had the objective of producing a high standard of a cappella music both sacred and secular, serious and light-hearted.
The singers come from all walks of life. Conductor Tim Morris, who is also assistant conductor of the Cheltenham Bach Choir, studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge and is an arable farmer.
Parish Music, now in its 14th year, provides concerts of classical music in the five country churches of the Parish: Ashton under Hill, Beckford, Overbury, Alstone and Teddington. Concerts start at 8pm and conclude with an opportunity to meet the performers and enjoy a drink of wine or fruit juice in the church.
Admission £10; students free.

Folk weekend at Farncombe

The Farncombe FiddleOn Folk weekend takes place 27 February - 1 March.

Even if you do not play an instrument you can still enjoy the atmosphere !!

Other day courses taking place that weekend include Storytelling, Creative Writing, Jewellery Making and Indian Head Massage. For more details visit the Folk page of our website www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk/Folk.

If you wish to attend the free concert on Sunday afternoon admission is by ticket only. Please reserve tickets by contacting Farncombe on 01386 854100 or send an email to Mandy@FarncombeEstate.co.uk

Competition for Outstanding Amateur Pianists 2007

You don't have to be a professional pianist to make it to the stage
Do you have this passion for the piano? Do you practise in the evenings and at the weekends just for the sheer love of it? Have you dreamt of performing on stage in front of an audience but never thought it was possible? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then this is the competition for you!
There are two categories – CLASSICAL and JAZZ – with a winner in each category. All you have to do is choose the category you want to enter (that’s the easy part!) and then submit a 15-minute recording of your piano playing. You might find yourself up there on the stage performing in the finals to a packed house. (Imagine how impressed your friends and family will be!)
This year we have some fantastic opportunities to offer our winners: the Classical winner will be invited to perform a movement from a concerto of their choice with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Jazz winner will perform with Julian Joseph and his band at a top London jazz venue. The winners performances from the finals will be broadcast on Classic FM and the Jazz.
Six finalists will be invited to perform at one of London’s most prestigious venues – Cadogan Hall, in November 2007, in front of a distinguished jury including Jamie Cullum, Julian Joseph, Piers Lane, Noriko Ogawa, Jason Rebello, Martin Roscoe and Gwilym Simcock.
More details and how to apply from www.thepianists.co.uk