SONGWIRES – RAISING THE ROOF!Songwires is a fun weekend singing course for children in Years 1-6 of Primary school. Our courses begin with a CD sent by post so that children can learn the carefully selected songs in their own time at home. Each project includes songs around a theme and includes a wide range of musical genres. After a couple of weeks with the CD we get together over a Saturday and Sunday afternoon, where we play musical games and add signs, dance moves and different parts to the songs, and most importantly, stop to play and have drinks and biscuits! On our third and final afternoon we meet at a concert venue, have a final rehearsal, and perform to a warm audience of

friends and family.

We have run seven successful courses in York and Thirsk over the past three years on the themes of space, animals, the sea, songs that make us happy, and our latest project focuses on the theme of Home. It features No Place Like by Kerry Andrew, which is one of the BBC’s Ten Pieces (and is dedicated to two of our Songwires participants!). We are looking forward to exploring the sounds our voices can make in this piece: beatboxing and other vocal sounds as well as singing. We will also be adding our own composition ideas to the piece to make it our own. Look out for our course in April with a performance at the National Centre for Early Music.

Our course in York will run on 14th,

15th and 21st April and you can get more information by emailing songwires@gmail.com or finding us on Facebook or Twitter @songwires.

Tutti Spring 2018

Issue 11

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Yorkshire Young Sinfonia

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Songwires

JOIN THE WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL YOUTH ORCHESTRAApplications are now open to join the world’s first digital youth orchestra, Yorkshire Young Sinfonia, as seen on BBC Look North and BBC Radio 4.

YYS provides young musicians with an intensive week of orchestral rehearsals and sectionals where they will learn an exciting and stretching range of music with some of Europe’s best musicians and teachers.

In addition to their tuition, students also receive workshops ranging from Choir, Movement and Communication, Entrepreneurship, Performance Etiquette and Performance Psychology.

On top of that, YYS is the first youth orchestra in the world to be 100% digital, using iPads instead of sheet music, thanks to the Newzik app.

YYS 2018 takes place August 12th – 17th at Queen Margaret’s school, with the concert at Leeds Town Hall.

YYS will be joined by international violinist and Instagram sensation Esther Abrami.

Our course fees offer incredible value for money at £75 a day, including all accommodation, food, rehearsals, tuition, workshops… and use of iPad Pros!

The course is for young musicians aged 12-18 during the time of the course, and at least grade 6 standard.

What do students get out of the Sinfonia?

Tuition from some of the best musicians in Europe

Cutting edge technology - using iPads instead of sheet music (thanks to the amazing Newzik app)

Awesome repertoire - chosen to help stimulate students

21st century music coaching - with extra workshops including performance psychology, social media, entrepreneurship and UCAS

A safe and supportive learning environment – the Sinfonia provides specialist pastoral staff who are responsible for social events and the welfare of all the students.

All food and accommodation Concert at Leeds Town Hall with international

violinist Esther Abrami

Apply now – www.yys.org.uk

TRAINING DAY WITH NICOLA BENEDETTI PLANNED FOR LEEDS TOWN HALLString teachers and students Grade 6 upwards are invited to an event planned to take place in Leeds Town Hall on 4th July.

Nicola Benedetti will be spending the day training teachers and students, culminating in a performance. Final details are being arranged, but we are asking people to register their interest in the event as places will be limited.

Please contact catherinefrancisviolin@gmail.com for more information.

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HUBBLE…BUBBLE AN OCCASIONAL BLOG FROM THE CHAIR OF THE YORK MUSIC HUB, PATRICK SCOTT…..There’s a lot to report this time…. the launch in November, plans for the ‘Best of the Bands’ in March, sponsorship for the proposed York Youth Orchestra, exciting plans for the choral festival, and more. But I want to concentrate in this blog on the Commissioning Fund that we use to generate activity and interest from people making music with and for young people in the city.

We’ve not got a lot of money in the Fund, but three times a year, we invite applications for grants from organisations that want to do something a bit out of the ordinary. The next round is almost on us. The deadline for applications is the 23rd March.

This year, we have made three awards so far and they all promise to deliver something exciting. The new South York Academy Trust (Fulford and many of its partner primary schools) is starting an orchestra which brings together youngsters from primary and secondary schools. York Arts Education is starting an inter-generational choir

(young people and adults singing together) and

‘Songwires’ is planning to work with up to 6 primary schools on a singing project called ‘No place like home’.

There are some common themes here. We love it when the proposal is for organisations to work together, and we are particularly interested in ideas for getting young people singing…and not just in their bedrooms using a hairbrush as a microphone! We can offer the annual music festival (at the Barbican this year) as an

opportunity to showcase the work.

And we also like proposals that

involve schools. I have a real fear, backed up by evidence, that changes to the curriculum and reductions in school funding are squeezing out the arts subjects, including music. There was a lively discussion about this at the last meeting of the advisory panel, when we all vowed to do something about it, but we are finding it hard to get schools actively involved. They just have too

many other priorities.

If anybody doubts the value of music as part of the school curriculum, here is a selection of news items over the last couple of months.

Convinced? You probably are. Where can I find some unconverted to preach to?!!

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MUSIC AT THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR EARLY MUSIC (NCEM), YORK SPRING 2018NCEM Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: tickets.ncem.co.uk

The Kingdom Under The SeaOpera NorthSunday 11th March 11.00am | 1.00pm | 2.30pmNCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL

An enchanting storytelling experience inspired by Japanese folk stories and Opera North’s production of Madam Butterfly. Be swept along on a magical adventure to the bottom of the ocean, visit the majestic palace of The Dragon King, ride on the shell of a turtle and discover a mysterious treasure…

Tickets: £7.00 (under 16 £5.00, £ 20.00 family ticket: 2 adults, 2 children)

The Empty ChairSunday 6th May 11.30amNCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL

A mischievous musical adventure that explores the ways in which people and friendships grow and change. When out of nowhere a mysterious empty chair appears bang in the middle of a house, its inhabitants are beyond bewildered. Why does it bring a strange, sizzling silence? Who is the tip-toeing creature full of songs and secrets that longs to help? And what on earth is a BLACK HOLE doing at the front door?

The Empty Chair unfolds through playful storytelling and irresistible music for voice, cello and piano, drawn from across the ages to include works by Debussy, Couperin, Berio and

Moondog, alongside new music by TROUPE.

Tickets: £7.00 (under 16 £5.00, £ 20.00 family ticket: 2 adults, 2 children)

The Empty Chair WorkshopSunday 6th May 1.30pmNCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL

A lively workshop run by the show's performers that explores the themes and music of The Empty Chair. There are lots of opportunities to tell your own stories, make your own music and (of course) to meet the BLACK HOLE!

Tickets: Children £3.00 (adults free, all children must be accompanied by an adult)

www.troupecollective.co.uk

NCEM Young Composers Award 2018Thursday 10th May 7.30pm NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL

Hear music composed by the finalists of the 2018 NCEM Young Composers Award presented in association with BBC Radio 3 and featuring the award-winning virtuoso early music ensemble The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble.

This award is now in its 11th year and attracts young composers from across the UK. Finalists will work with composer Christopher Fox and The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble to prepare their pieces for this public performance. The winners will be announced on the night and the winning pieces will be performed by the group at Turner Sims, Southampton on Tuesday 30 October 2018. This concert will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show.

If you are aged 25 or under and would like to find out how to enter this award, please visit www.ncem.co.uk/composersaward2018. Closing date for registration is Friday 16 February

Tickets: £10.00 (concessions £5.00)National Youth Folk Ensemble Sampler Day27Th MayNCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL

Exciting news for any teenage folk musicians out there. The English Folk Dance & Song Society is running a series of free Sampler Days across the country in late May and early June. These are an opportunity for young musicians to explore English folk music, learn from inspiring tutors and play with other musicians from their region.

They are being led by Sam Sweeney as Artistic Director, with Rob Harbron and Miranda Rutter, and the aim is to offer a positive and welcoming atmosphere for young musicians to take part in a day of creative folk music workshops and, if they so wish, audition for the

2018–19 line-up of the National Youth Folk Ensemble.

One of these sampler days will be held at the National Centre for Early Music here in York on Sunday 27th May.

To register for this free day, young musicians need to be aged between 14 and 18 (as of 1st September 2018), live in England and play confidently on their chosen instrument.

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/youth-folk-sampler-day-york-registration-42270556372

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NYMAZ IS RECRUITING A NEW DIRECTORContract: Permanent position, 0.8 FTE (4 days per week)

Salary: £38,000 pro rata

Location: York, with flexible working options

NYMAZ is a youth music charity, which champions the transformative potential of music for children and young people in North Yorkshire and across rural England. Working with our trusted partners, we deliver high quality music-making activities to those in challenging

circumstances, especially those experiencing rural isolation.

NYMAZ’s voice is heard across the creative and cultural sector on the issues of rural isolation and digital music education. We are also committed to strengthening the music education and musical inclusion sectors through workforce development, building strategic partnerships and advocating for the benefits of participatory music.

As one of thirteen current strategic partners of Youth Music, NYMAZ is delivering targeted music activities and workforce development to create a musically-inclusive England, where every child can access music-making opportunities, regardless of their circumstances. Our innovative Connect: Resound project is supporting Music Education Hubs nationally to roll out digital approaches to increasing access to music.

After a period of successful strategic development, we are seeking a new Director to lead NYMAZ into the next stage of its journey. You will be a dynamic and motivated individual, dedicated to young people’s music-making and with a clear understanding of the value of a musically inclusive England. Experience of leading arts or community engagement/education programmes is essential, along with experience of strategic planning, business plan delivery, financial management and fundraising.

Closing date: 5pm, Monday 5 March, Interviews: Monday 12 March, York

To for more information and to download an Application Pack and Form, visit http://www.nymaz.org.uk

GREAT BRITISH MUSIC CAMP CELEBRATES 5TH ANNIVERSARYNo matter their musical interests, instrument or vocal style, the Great British Music Camp is a fantastic opportunity for all young musicians this summer.

Established in 2014, Great British Music Camp has gone from strength to strength and will this summer celebrate its 5th anniversary.

This not-for-profit music camp aims to inspire participants and broaden their musical horizons, with expert tutors such as Nick Byrne, cellist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and Steve Askew, guitarist with Kajagoogoo, who explains, ‘I’m delighted to be involved with something so exciting. The Great British Music Camp is truly unique in that it offers

campers the chance to learn from working musicians and experience a real crossover of musical styles. There is just so much talent in so many different areas.’

Musicians will learn everything from classical to jazz, rock to beat-boxing and more from experienced volunteer tutors in the Congleton countryside.

During the week, campers participate in sessions based around their preferences, as well as an orchestral ensemble and many other tailored activities. Concerts take place every night, culminating in a full-scale production in the main theatre on the final Saturday afternoon.

The Great British Music Camp is a not-for-profit venture and all tutors have volunteered their time to make this an exciting and inspiring experience for the nation’s next generation of artists. All profits will be reinvested in music education. ‘I felt there was a real need to provide an all encompassing residential experience for young musicians, to harness their potential and expand their horizons,’ says Jason Tebble, creative director of GBMC. ‘We hope that this experience will encourage young people to see music as more than just a hobby – it’s a valuable skill with the power to enhance every aspect of their life.’

Great British Music Camp 2018 will take place from 12-18 August at Clonter Opera Theatre, Congleton. Applications for our final few places are welcomed from all young musicians between the ages of 11 and 17, regardless of ability or experience. More information can be found at www.gbmusiccamp.co.uk or email information@gbmusiccamp.co.uk.

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LAUNCH OF THE YORK BIG SING!York Arts Education are starting an exciting new project in 2018 called York Big Sing, a series of open, free community singing sessions in different locations around York. The aim of York Big Sing is simple: to bring as many people together as we can from across the city of different ages and backgrounds, and get them singing together in harmony. We especially want young people and children involved, so we can have different generations making music together. York Big Sing is totally inclusive; there’s no need to be able to read music, as everything we sing will be learnt by ear. Singers don’t need to have had any previous experience either - if you want to be involved, the only requirement is to turn up and give it a go. The sessions will be run by York based composer and choir leader Jon Hughes. Jon runs The Stonegate Singers, a community choir based in York, and works professionally as a composer in different media. He has written innovative and exciting work for community choirs, including Shoreline, a dance piece which toured with 100 singers and 5 dancers on the beaches of Cornwall in 2016 and 2017. So keep a look out for news about our York Big Sing sessions – we’ll be releasing info including dates and locations very soon.

STRING QUARTET ENTER 2018 HARROGATE COMPETITIVE FESTIVAL The York Music Centre String Quartet will compete at the Harrogate Competitive Festival for Music, Speech and Drama 2018. The quartet consists of Alexandra Callaghan, Annabelle Gee, Lawrence Jeffrey-Parkinson and Ella Shearer and is lead by Marcus Bousfield. They rehearse at York Music Centre at Millthorpe School weekly and play to a very high standard.

The object of the Festival is to advance the education of the public in the arts, and in particular the arts of Music, Speech and Drama in all their branches.

The Festival is an Educational Trust, as started by the Harrogate Town Council as it then was, aiming to improve and enhance the performing skills of musical, singing and

speech and drama students.

To this end, a wide variety of classes is held encompassing solo performers, duets and groups both large and small, in all of the arts of Music, Speech and Drama.

The Festival is affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech of which Her Majesty The Queen is Patron.

FUNDRAISING SUCCESS AT ST CRUXYoung musicans, with help from the Friends of York Music Centre, raised a total of £1317.89 whilst braving freezing temperatures and performing to shoppers in the run up to Christmas at St Crux church in York city centre.

St Crux fundraising daySt Crux fundraising day

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COMMISSIONING FUND 2017-18A further round of funding is available for commissioned projects for the current academic year.

The Hub is expecting to make awards of up to £1500 for school clusters and up to £1250 for

individual providers and organisations. The guidelines and application process are similar to previous years: all projects to identify a clear need, demonstrate quality and to provide at least 10% match funding.

The commissioning fund is a key development area for the hub, and as we move forward the hub is keen to support fund raising not only for but also with partners.

Timeline for 2017-18 commissioned projects

Notification Deadline Decision Project Start17 July ‘17 11 Aug ‘17 18 Aug ‘17 Sep-Jan 182 Oct ‘17 3 Nov ‘17 10 Nov ‘17 Jan-Apr 1819 Feb ‘18 23 Mar ‘18 30 Mar ‘18 Apr-Aug 18

YORK BARBICAN - MUSIC HUB FESTIVAL 2018In June 2018 we will be re-launching the annual Hub Music Festival at the Barbican and are keen that outcomes of some commissioned projects could be appropriately showcased at this event – June 23rd 2018.

The hub provides opportunities to play in ensembles and to perform from an early stage together with access for pupils to high quality music experiences working with professional musicians and venues. The Hub proposes to stage the York Music Hub Festival, celebrating the musical achievements of children and young people from across the city, drawn from schools, out of school provision and community groups.

This high profile event is expected to attract around 1,000 performers and an audience of up to 2500 (spread across 2 events – one in the afternoon and one in the evening).

For guidelines and an application form or for further information please contact:

info@yorkmusichub.org.uk

All details are available for download from the Hub website www.yorkmusichub.org.uk

This newsletter is for you to share news about your school or organisation. Contributions for the next issue are most welcome. Please send your articles and pictures to info@yorkmusichub.org.uk to reach us by the next half term holiday. Tel: 01904 293 245 @yorkmusichub

CELEBRATED PERCUSSIONIST AND COMPOSER ADRIANO ADEWALE ...is offering collaborative educational projects to schools throughout 2018

and 2019.

Adriano Adewale is an outstanding Brazilian percussionist, composer and performer, who has enormous experience as an educational leader and director. He regularly works with young people, leads workshops, and collaborates with community groups. Based in London, Adriano has made a significant impact on the global music scene. He has worked with many artists including Bobby McFerrin, Andy Sheppard, Jools Holland, Joanna MacGregor, Steve Lodder and Zoe Rahman, and performed in venues including the Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scott's and SAGE Gateshead. Find out more about him here.

School Workshops: Adriano can offer a series of workshops for all abilities and tailor workshops to fit with

requirements of the particular school. Fun, interactive, and with a focus on improvisation and self-generation, these workshops often give children their first experiences of performing jazz and trying out improvisation. Taking Adriano's new solo show for percussion and voice as a starting point, workshops can be delivered across a number of months or intensively within one week, and culminate in a performance that showcases music created during the workshops. Projects can be tailored to fit with the individual school's plans, targets and budget.

Catapluf's Musical Journey: Interactive show created and presented by Adriano for primary school aged children and their families. The show introduces young audiences to jazz and world music, and includes samba, jazz, klezmer and spoken word. You

can find further information about Catapluf's Musical Journey, including an information pack and music files here.

We do hope these projects are of interest in 2018-2019. Please email Bethany Alexander bethany@bethanyalexander.co.uk if you would like to discuss how these projects could fit with you programme plans.

best of the bands

Grand Opera House York

compere David Green (Minster FM)

www.yorkmusichub.org.ukwww.atgtickets.com/

fri 16 March 2018@7pm

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for york bands aged @@ to @(

TICKETS *£6* booking fee may apply

Guest performance by Amy May Ellis