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The Newsletter from the Love Music Trust
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This month the Spotlight is on our Partner Ensemble Congleton Youth Orchestra
Congleton Youth Orchestra were recently honoured to have been invited to provide a String Ensemble to play in Congleton Town Hall for the visit of H.R.H. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. They were complimented on their playing by the Prince, who asked Musical Director Miles Haslam about the orchestra and told him to “keep up the good work”.
The string players had worked extremely hard, having been given just one week’s notice to prepare something, but they received warm applause from everyone in the Town Hall after the Prince and Duchess had departed.
The orchestra is now preparing for its Spring Concert on Saturday 24th March, which is again sponsored by the Rotary Club of Congleton. This year’s concert has a space theme, with music from the Planets Suite, Star Trek, and Thunderbirds, along with some Glenn Miller and film music; another great assortment of music for all tastes. The Intermediate Orchestra will once again be performing on their own and with the senior orchestra for a couple of pieces.
Following CYO's very successful Open Day last year, we will be holding another one on Saturday June 16th at 10.00am and this year it will take the form of a music workshop for primary school children aged 7 and upwards - no experience necessary! They are then able to register for our next Training Group intake, which commences in September 2018. Our Recruitment Officer Sally-Ann Holland and her team will again be visiting primary schools in the area to publicise the event. Further information can be obtained at www.congleton-youth-orchestra.org.uk
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Artvark Saxophone Quartet at LMT Big Band
On Wednesday 10th January, the Love Music Trust Big Band were treated to a private performance from Artvark, a saxophone quartet from Holland. Artvark has performed at major international festivals such as The North Sea Jazz Festival, The Cairo Jazz Festival, The Bohemia Jazz Festival in Prague, Jazz Bruges and toured in Ireland, Turkey and South Africa.
The session began with a short recital from Artvark’s extensive repertoire, including some really exciting arrangements of pieces by South African composers, and several of their own compositions. One of the highlights was ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’, in which the players used their saxophone keys as pitched percussion. The performance was both musically and visually exciting, and our players found it a really inspiring experience to see 40 minutes of continuous music played from memory – without chairs!
The quartet then joined the big band for their rehearsal, focusing on ‘Groove Merchant’ by Jerome Richardson. Rolf, Bart, Mete and Peter offered some fantastic advice, and the band sounded brilliant. All in all, this was an invaluable and inspirational experience for our young players.
Artvark are currently working in collaboration with the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, and the groups will be touring together in 2018. Please see www.artvarksq.com for further details. |
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This month the Student Spotlight is on Robyn Gage, from LMT Folk Ensemble and Sinfonia
Tell us a little about your background as a musician
When I was about 8 my dad got his old flute down from the loft that he had learned as a boy and passed it onto me. From my very first lesson I’ve always been excited by music and learning to play, and jumped at every opportunity to perform and share my music with others. I loved being part of school orchestras, jazz bands, wind bands, and LMT ensembles, getting to meet and learn from so many talented musicians and kind hearted people.
How did you come to join the String Sinfonia and the Young Folk ensemble?
My violin teacher, Sarah Heald, introduced Sinfonia to me, and while a part of that, the director, Clare Smith, set up the Young Folk Ensemble which I excitedly joined.
What is your favourite part of playing for the String Sinfonia and the Young Folk Ensemble?
I love spending time with Clare, Sarah and all the talented and kind young musicians. I love learning from them and connecting through music. I also enjoy being able to connect with the tunes we play, classical work that I would otherwise not hear or understand so well, and also the wealth of folk tunes that are part of an important and wonderful tradition.
What have been the highlights of your musical career so far?
The Orchestral Residentials organised by LMT, auditioning with Laura Jellicoe at the RNCM and receiving a one-to-one flute lesson from her, performing at Chester Folk Festival with the Young Folk Ensemble, Folkworks Summer School, setting up and running a folk ensemble at Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College, stewarding and taking part in workshops and sessions at the Chester and Sidmouth Folk Festivals, passing folk music onto others, encouraging others to perform, writing my first piece of music.
Do you have any musical aspirations for the future?
I hope to form and play in folk ensembles for the rest of my life, and specifically play in a ceilidh band. I want to write more tunes and some songs, and get a more serious group together to play them with.
What school do you go to and what lessons do you enjoy?
I’m currently studying Art Foundation at Manchester School of Art. I enjoy painting the world around me, and engaging with social issues. At Sixth Form, I loved Maths and Biology, as well as English Literature.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not playing? What are your other hobbies?
I volunteer with a Scout Group, sing in a choir, tutor in maths, help at Central Cheshire Buddies Scheme, read science magazines, and watch TV for fun.
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LMT Percussion Day 2018
On Sunday 14th January, the inaugural Love Music Trust Percussion Day was held at Sandbach School. The day offered a mixture of open rehearsals and workshops, with a programme spanning a wide range of genres and styles.
The day kicked off with an open rehearsal of ‘Six Marimbas’ by Steve Reich. The session featured players from LMT ensembles alongside visiting students from Birmingham Conservatoire’s Percussion Department. This was followed by a Latin percussion workshop, which was delivered by students from Birmingham Conservatoire. Participants had the chance to try their hand at a wide variety of instruments, including congas, cowbells and shakers. By the end of the session, the group had put together a great piece for the concert.
After a break for lunch, there was an open rehearsal of ‘Ionisation’ by Varése, led by Adrian Spillett. Written for thirteen players, it is a landmark composition and it was really exciting to see a live performance featuring such a variety of instruments.
The final session of the day was a tuned percussion workshop. This was led by orchestral percussionist Owen Gunnell, and gave everyone a chance to try their hand at playing the marimba, glockenspiel, xylophone and other tuned instruments.
The day ended with a concert attended by friends and family, in which participants could perform the pieces they had learnt during the day. The concert also featured performances from the Love Music Trust Outreach Project at Elworth Hall Primary School, and a (very impressive!) drum solo by Harry Bent, a current student at Birmingham Conservatoire, and ex-member of LMT Percussion Ensemble.
It was a fantastic day, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. A big thank you to all who attended, with particular thanks to Acoustic Percussion (sponsor of the LMT Percussion Ensemble), Adrian Spillett and Owen Gunnell for their support.
For more photos of the day click here to see the gallery
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Vocal Residential 4th - 6th May 2018
Come along and join us for the first Vocal Residential at Stanley Head, Stoke on Trent.
A full weekend of vocal fun with expert tutors, suitable for all students in KS2 - KS4.
A fantastic subsidised weekend, only £75.00 including travel, food, accommodation and an outdoor activity, specialist choral tuition, exciting workshops and a celebratory performance at Sandbach School on Sunday.
Places are limited to 40 so early booking is essential!
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Brass Toff Donate to Africa
Brass Toff, instrument repair and renovation specialists based in Warrington, have been on a mission to help disadvantaged children in Africa.
Each summer, Brass Toff work alongside Steve Caunce to collect donated instruments and bring old ones back to life for children in Gambia and Zimbabwe. This year, just in time for Christmas, the Mandanari Scout Band and Bakoteh National Scout Band in Gambia were brought the gift of music! Some of the instruments sent to africa has been donated by The Love Music Trust.
Paul Andrews, owner of Brass Toff, said, ‘We are proud to have the opportunity to transform the lives of so many children and young people… We have heard what a positive effect our gift of music has brought, not only to the children but the whole communities in which they live.’
To see some of the donated instruments in action click here
If you would like to help, please contact Brass Toff via email at [email protected], or visit their Facebook page. They accept anything from brass instruments, mouthpieces, accessories, cases and percussion, to old band clothes and shoes.
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The Love Music Trust is delighted to announce the finalist of this years Cheshire East Battle of the Bands Competition!
Empire - All Hallows’ Catholic College
Good for Gordon - Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School and Sandbach School
Room Three - Wilmslow High School
Sound of Phoenix - Alsager School
Year 9 GCSE Music Group - St Thomas More
The Battle of the Band final will take place at Crewe Lyceum Theatre 7:00 pm 29th March 2018. Tickets are £5.00
Click here for tickets to the evenings event
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Cheshire East Schools' Music Competition Heats
This half term we held the Cheshire East Schools' Music Competition Heats at Tytherington School and Sandbach School. We saw over 500 students perform over the two evenings!!
Thank you and well done to all the primary and secondary schools who took part in the event: Acton CE Primary, Alsager School, Brine Leas School, Cranberry Academy, The Dingle Primary School, Elworth Hall Primary School, Excalibur Primary School, The Fallibroome Academy, High Legh Primary School, Marlborough Primary School, Poynton High School, Sandbach School, Shavington Academy, Smallwood C of E Primary Academy, Stapeley Broad Lane C of E Primary School, Tytherington School.
Congratulations to Elworth Hall, Excalibur and The Dingle who all go through to the final and will perform on Tuesday 27th March at Crewe Lyceum.
Tickets for the Primary final are availablehere
Congratulations to Alsager, Brine Leas, Poynton High and Sandbach School who all go through to the final and will perform on Wednesday 28th March at Crewe Lyceum.
Tickets for the Secondary final are available here
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| To purchase tickets to the above events, click the correct image |
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RNCM Young Instrumentalists
The RNCM are running a selection of free workshops for young musicians:
Young Basses - Sunday 4th March, 22nd April, 24th June
www.rncm.ac.uk/youngbasses
Young Violas - Sunday, 8th April, 27th May, 22nd June
www.rncm.ac.uk/youngviolas
Young Tubas - Sunday 4th March, 20th May, 24th June
www.rncm.ac.uk/youngtubas
Young Bassoons - Sunday, 25th February, 29th April, 1st July
www.rncm.ac.uk/youngbassoons
Young Oboes - Sunday, 25th February. 29th April, 1st July
www.rncm.ac.uk/youngoboes
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Music Open Days at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Wednesday 13th June
Register at www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/opendays
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Newsletter Feature
We welcome any suggestions for articles to feature in Barlines. If you have an item you would like to feature, please click here to send us more information.
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