Highnotes Summer 2015

THE MAKING MUSIC MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE | SUMMER ISSUE 2015

Crowdfund Top tips to help you run a successful campaign • PAGE 12

CLASSICAL CLUBBING

Composer Gabriel Prokofiev reveals his genre-busting approach to staging concerts • PAGE 10

EXAM FEAR?

ABRSM on the benefits of music education for adults • PAGE 8

Take a musical summer holiday in the heart of London with City Lit Summer School: 95 short courses in July & August From mid-September we have over 500 courses, from short intensives to full-year programmes There’s something for everyone, from beginners to advanced levels: singing / strings / winds / piano / ensembles / band / songwriting / musicianship / early music / jazz & pop / music history and more City Lit Music music@citylit.ac.uk (020) 7492 2630 Keeley St, Covent Garden WC2B 4BA www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music

When my voice went it was very difficult. Help Musicians UK became a lifesaver for me.

When people like Ronnie hit a crisis, we’re here for them.

Help us help musicians. helpmusicians.org.uk 020 7239 9100 Help Musicians UK is the new name for the Musicians Benevolent Fund.

We help musicians of all genres throughout their professional lives.

Registered charity No. 228089

CONTENTS & EDITORIAL

This summer we’re in the midst of our transformation projects.

CONTENTS NEWS

5 In brief 6 Around the UK FEATURES

8 Adult learning 10 Club culture 12 Crowded market

These are shaped by your contributions to the website and member engagement structure surveys, and to numerous consultation events (you can see the results at www.makingmusic.org.uk/projects-update).

FROM OUR TEAM

14 Membership and services 16 Opportunities 18 Volunteers MEMBERS

Meanwhile, I have continued to work with a number of local authorities on music libraries, trying to make a difference locally, but also leading nascent regional and national conversations about longer term solutions.

There’s an update on my regular blog at www.makingmusic.org.uk/blog, as well as more background information. Do get in touch if there are changes afoot in your area.

19 Corporate members 20 Blow your trumpet 22 Readers’ page If you have suggestions or would like to contribute to Highnotes, please contact the Commissioning Editor, George Acock, on 020 7422 8291 or editor@makingmusic.org.uk The copy deadline for Highnotes Autumn 2015 (published 1 September) is 7 July

I hope you will join us for the Annual General Meeting on Saturday 13 June (see p.14). The day will include a concert by the latest winners of our Philip and Dorothy Green Award for Young Concert Artists, available for you to book with increased subsidies. And don’t forget before the AGM there is the opportunity to stand as a director yourself, or vote for three new directors for the Making Music Board.

Any views or opinions expressed by external contributors may not necessarily represent those of Making Music Highnotes is the official journal of Making Music, The National Federation of Music Societies, 2-4 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3NW 020 7422 8280 info@makingmusic.org.uk www.makingmusic.org.uk A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales no. 308632 Registered charity in England and Wales no. 249219 and in Scotland no. SC038849

Barbara Eifler

£6 where sold, annual subscription £15 (3 issues)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MAKING MUSIC

Designed by Cog Design Printed by Gemini Press Advertising by Space Marketing: 01892 677740

Email: barbara@makingmusic.org.uk Twitter: @BarbaraEifler

Cover: ABRSM music lesson Photo: Chris Christodoulou

Photo: Damien McFadden

If you need us to make any of this information more accessible, please get in touch

Residential Courses Summer Schools Workshops Concerts Classical Early Folk/Gospel Jazz/Light

Join the UK’s largest www.benslowmusic.org T: 01462 459446 E: info@benslowmusic.org community of amateur musicians

Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9RB A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no 408404. Reg Charity no 313663

Highnotes_Summer_2015.indd 1

Join the UK’s largest community of amateur musicians Individual membership is open to everyone and costs just £15 per year

Find out more at www.makingmusic.org.uk/im Or call us on 020 7422 8280

16/03/2015 12:55:02

NEWS

IN BRIEF Left: Could you learn violin in six months?

Take our Grade 1 Challenge and find out...

Photo: Kate Carrington

Take the challenge Learn a new instrument while raising funds for Making Music with our Grade 1 Challenge It might sound daunting, but we truly believe that it’s possible for anyone to start learning a new instrument this summer, and reach grade one examination standard by the end of this year. And to prove we’re serious, we’ll help however we can to get you there.

As part of our Grade 1 Challenge, we encourage members to enter for the grade one examination at the end of the year (in November or December). To give you a bit of extra motivation,

why not encourage your friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor you along the way? We will pay the exam entry fee for all participants who try to raise a bit of sponsorship for Making Music.

The challenge will culminate in an opportunity for all participants to come to London and play in our Grade 1 Orchestra — a celebration of everything you have all achieved during the year! To take part or for more information, please email sharon@makingmusic.org.uk

Family Arts Campaign Making Music has teamed up with the Family Arts Campaign to help members think about different ways of welcoming families to their events.

The campaign brings together organisations from across the visual and performing arts sectors to think of ways to encourage family audiences to engage with creative activities.

Mari O’Neill, Family Arts Campaign Manager, is attending Information and Advice events to talk to members about the Family

Arts Standards, and to discuss how they can be developed to be as relevant as possible to amateur music groups. Forthcoming events are in London on 9 May, Taunton on 30 May and Cardiff on 6 June.

Find out more at bit.ly/1FzvH6l

“From personal experience playing in brass bands and singing in choirs, I know how enriching it can be to commission new music”

WHO DO YOU THINK DESERVES A BRITISH COMPOSER AWARD?

The call for nominations for this year’s British Composer Awards will open on 26 May, with a deadline of 7 July and this year the Making Music Award has had a change of name.

The award for ‘Amateur and Young Performers’ has been renamed to make its role clearer, and to recognise the particular skill and rewards involved in collaborations between composers and amateur musicians. Amateur music groups commission a huge amount of music each year and it’s important to celebrate what you can achieve through dedication, curiosity, and willingness to try new things with composers.

This year, making a submission will be simpler than ever, with details and the whole nomination process available online. If you’ve commissioned, performed, or simply enjoyed a new work between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2015 that you feel deserves wider recognition, then use this opportunity to shout about it. britishcomposerawards.com

Ed McKeon, Artistic Director of the British Composer Awards

Orchestra tax relief Some good news from the Budget! The government has announced a new 25% tax relief rate for orchestras, with effect from 1 April 2016. The new rate aims to support the UK’s music sector and recognises the cultural and economic benefits that orchestras bring to the country. We will bring you more detail on how this could help amateur orchestras after guidance is published.

Summer 2015

HIGHNOTES

5

NEWS

AROUND THE UK YORKSHIRE

EAST

Project in the pipeworks Colchester Town Hall unveils its restored organ with a new commission from local composer For more than a decade the Moot Hall Organ in Colchester Town Hall has stood in a state of disrepair, badly in need of restoration work to get it sounding as good as it looks.

Built in 1902 for the opening of the town hall, the organ was previously refurbished in 1973 but by 2002 it was found to be almost unplayable, so a campaign was launched to bring it back to top condition.

13 years later, after a prolonged fundraising campaign, the organ has been restored to its former glory and is set to be unveiled to the public at a grand ceremony in May. Local musician and composer Julia Usher, of member group Colchester New Music, has created a brand new work especially for the restored organ, which will have its premiere at the launch event on 21 May. The ART and INDUSTRY of PIPEWORK

6

HIGHNOTES Summer 2015

incorporates sound diffusion by composer and sound artist Duncan Chapman. It will be played at the organ’s opening ceremony and have a repeat performance three days later, which is open the public.

Work to restore the organ began in July 2014, thanks in part to a £416,000 grant from Heritage Lottery Fund. The contract to restore the instrument went to Durham based organ restorers Harrison and Harrison, who washed and cleaned each of the organ’s 3,000 pipes, and replaced damaged parts with specially built new ones.

The opening ceremony is invitation only but Julia’s composition will have a free public performance at Colchester Town Hall on 24 May at 4pm. moothallorgan.co.uk colchesternewmusic.com

Above: The stop action trundles of Colchester Town Hall’s organ undergo restoration at Harrison and Harrison in Durham.

Photo: Dr William Vicker

Swaledale Festival returns to the Yorkshire Dales this June, with an appearance from Making Music member Swale Singers.

Swaledale’s local choir will be joined by soloists Charlotte Jackson (soprano), Emma Wardell (alto), Paul Smith (tenor) and Richard Brickstock (bass), organist and pianist Greg Smith, and a small instrumental group. For more information about the festival visit www.swalefest.org.

For young musicians living within twenty miles of the Colne Mulni, the Pendle Young Musicians Bursary is now accepting applications with a deadline of November 2015. This is a great opportunity to gain substantial funding to help continue your musical education. For more visit pymb.co.uk.

SOUTH WEST

Devon’s very own Fringe Festival returns to Exeter for the fourth year running on 7 June, and there is still time to take part! The festival is recruiting musicians, visual artists and performers to show off the wealth of talent in the region. To find out how your group could get involved, email artsonthemovefestival@gmail.com SCOTLAND

Dumferline Choral Union gave its first performance in 1875 and is still going strong. To mark 140 years of achievements the group held a spring concert of choral classics in March, accompanied by internationally renowned soloists Wilma MacDougall (soprano) and Frances McCafferty (mezzo soprano), and a professional orchestra. We wish them a wonderful year of celebrations. groupspaces.com/ dunfermlinechoralunion

NEWS

LONDON

Wimbledon Choral Society turns 100 years old in 2015, but certainly isn’t showing its age. Boasting a thriving community of some 150 singers, the society took to the stage of the Royal Festival Hall in March to deliver a blockbuster performance which featured Brahms’ A German Requiem, and the ‘Organ’ symphony by Saint-Saëns. Leading soprano Elizabeth Watts and soughtafter young baritone Jacques Imbrailo joined the choir for the performance, creating a centenary celebration to remember for many years to come. Maybe it’s time to start planning the 200th? wimbledon-choral.org.uk

Did you know?

Our info sheets were viewed or downloaded 1678 times in the first 3 months of 2015

NORTHERN IRELAND

Burnavon Theatre in Cookstown was alive with the sound of music in March as Dungannon Choral Society celebrated its 80th birthday with a concert of some of the best loved showtunes from modern film and musicals, as well as other familiar favourite. Meta Bell, who joined the choir in 1981 and has served as conductor since 2001, led the singers through renditions of classics like Do-Re-Mi, June is Bustin’ Out All Over and Oklahoma, joined by soprano Gemma Prince and Coagh-based oboist Owen Lucas. Happy birthday from Making Music!

WALES

New recruits Two South Wales-based member groups had great success with their latest recruitment campaigns Two choirs, Barry Male Voice Choir and Synergy, found innovative ways to boost their member numbers this year.

Barry Male Voice Choir held a ‘taster’ evening, which was heavily publicised through local press, Welsh radio, posters, postcards and social media, as well as with posters that showed choir members singing in various situations (including at a rugby match, in the shower and singing karaoke!). The evening attracted 20 potential members with a number joining the choir as a result.

Synergy, a close harmony choir based in Abergavenny, ran a very successful six week Learn to Sing course for 40 participants, who all gave a stellar closing performance of Always Look on the Bright Side and In My Room to a packed audience of family and friends. 25 of those on the course took part in a singing competition at the Hereford Music Festival as Synergy Plus — a great step towards joining the main Synergy choir. synergysingers.com barrymalevoicechoir.co.uk

WEST

Sweet and Stour South Warwickshire-based group Stour Singers celebrates forty years with a special concert

Right: Richard Emms with Natalie Montakhab Photo: Philip Vial

South East Over 1,000 Surrey residents take part in a specially commissioned community opera at the Royal Albert Hall in May. Written to commemorate 800 years since the signing of the Magna Carta, The Freedom Game will premiere on 12 May and it is hoped sections of the opera will then be performed at subsequent Magna Carta celebrations taking place throughout Surrey in June. Find out more at bit.ly/1FrL3Mu

The Stour Singers ended 2014 in dramatic style when the soprano soloist it had booked for a Christmas concert dropped out the day before the event due to illness. Cue the group’s very panicked Music Director, Richard Emms, making emergency calls for a replacement. Luckily soprano Natalie Montakhab was able to step in at the last minute to sing like an angel and save the day.

Richard, who founded the group in 1975, will be hoping for no repeat dramas when the Stour Singers stages a celebratory fortieth anniversary concert at St. Edmund’s Church in Shipston on 9 May. From its beginnings as a voluntary community venture for 15 singers, the choir now boasts 80 members drawn from across South Warwickshire, as well as nearby Gloucestershire & Oxfordshire, and holds a policy of no auditions, with students welcome without charge.

Congratulations to Richard for leading the choir for forty successful years — fingers crossed for a less stressful event in May! stoursingers.org.uk

FEATURE

Adult learning Taking music exams in adulthood can be a hugely rewarding experience says Lincoln Abbott, Director of Strategic Development at ABRSM Making Music was the title of a research project published by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music last September; a project that brought together some of the foremost individuals and organisations in UK music education to look at trends in learning, progression and the teaching of musical instruments.

The report built on three similar programmes of research we conducted between 1993 and 1999, back when your organisation was called the National Federation of Music Societies. Not surprisingly, our chosen title brought our organisations into dialogue last year!

So who is ABRSM and what do we do? Well, we’re the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music.

We’re best known for offering graded music exams, assessments and diplomas the world over. ABRSM is a charity which invests in musical potential both in the UK and abroad, providing resources and guidance to anyone wishing to progress with music. We support a wide range of individuals through donations, scholarships and sponsorship, including students studying at the Royal Schools of Music and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Our ongoing partnerships with organisations such as Music for Youth and the National Youth Orchestra make real our commitment to supporting the next generation of performers, teachers, leaders and consumers of music in all its forms.

Music is at the heart of what we do because it’s a fantastic thing. Music has spirit, energy and discipline.

Music is fun and engaging. It brings people together.

Like Making Music (your organisation this time!), we encourage ‘all kinds of people to be part of a vibrant

8

HIGHNOTES Summer 2015

music scene’. Like you, we celebrate the musical worlds of amateur musicians and music groups, young and old. That’s why in amongst the 650,000 musicians we hear perform in exam rooms each year, we welcome plenty of adult learners; those who benefit from having their progress benchmarked or appraised by someone other than their teacher.

Above: A music lesson at the ABRSM Photo: Chris Christodoulou

“I’d always wanted to play the piano and I never had when I was young. I wanted to do ABRSM exams because I knew that the discipline and deadline of the exam was really good for learning. If it hadn’t been for the exams, I wouldn’t have made the progress I’ve made.” Ed Balls, Shadow Chancellor.

Whatever route you chose to follow, we know — through our research — that an increasing number of people of all ages are making music; more people are learning an instrument and the range of instruments they are playing is expanding; new technologies are encouraging greater engagement and government interventions have had a positive effect.

Of course the picture’s not entirely rosy and that’s why our report concludes with a series of recommendations that are intended to provoke debate, decision and action towards giving everyone an opportunity to learn, participate and make progress in and through music.

Making good music, any kind of music, is about working together and there’s clearly much to be gained by our two organisations continuing their dialogue. We look forward to that and to continuing to play a part in your musical journey.

For more information on ABRSM’s exams, products and services, visit abrsm.org

“We welcome those who benefit from having their progress benchmarked by someone other than their teacher”

Let CPS help raise your performance...

CPS has almost 50 years’ experience in providing multi-function seating and staging solutions to musical groups including two of the UK’s most well-known symphonic ensembles.Virtually any shape, size or height can easily be achieved, which are all backed by our unique and unrivalled Lifetime Warranty.

For further information or some friendly advice please contact us on one of the following methods:

01302 741888 | sales@seatingandstaging.co.uk

www.cpsmanufacturingco.com

London Symphony Orchestra LSO COMMUNITY SINGING DAY AFRICAN AMERICAN JOURNEY

‘LSO Singing Days are a fantastic opportunity to experience the magic of singing in a group, and to immerse yourself in a diverse range of wonderful music from across the globe.’

David Lawrence, Community Singing Day Director

Sat 20 Jun 2015 10.30am–4.30pm Jerwood Hall, LSO St Luke’s Come and explore with us how early traditional gospel music developed from its roots of African spirituals and European hymns. Whether you sing in a local choir or haven’t sung since school, this is an exciting opportunity to experience the joy of singing in a group. The session will be led LSO Community Choand accompanied by a professional gospel trio.

THE MUSIC Trad African I Pharadisi Trad Gospel Every time I feel the Spirit Cry Freedom / Amandla Richard Smallwood Total Praise Tickets £17 (includes music hire) This Singing Day is suitable for singers of all abilities

020 7638 8891 | lso.co.uk

FEATURE

Club culture Classical music in a nightclub? Composer Gabriel Prokofiev tells us about the Nonclassical way of presenting concerts I founded Nonclassical just over 10 years ago, driven by a conviction that contemporary classical music has an important place in people’s lives, but many don’t realise it yet! I felt that the way classical music was being presented — in formal environments, with everyone seated in rows like school assembly — was putting off a large potential audience. Performers seemed austere, programme notes offered few explanations yet some of the audience appeared to understand everything happening. I thought, ‘no wonder many people feel excluded’.

My solution was to present classical music in a ‘non’-classical way. I had played in indie and electronic bands since I was a kid, and these experiences proved invaluable. I decided to present classical music in the same way that other music is presented; less formally and in surroundings that are more familiar to most people.

At our first Nonclassical night, held at a gig venue in Shoreditch, we had an audience of about 200 18 to 40 year olds. This was compared to 80 50 to 80 year olds who attended the premiere of the same String Quartet at Blackheath Concert Halls. Nothing wrong with the traditional recital, but how strange it felt to be at the premiere of my first String Quartet, where almost none of the public were my age (I was 28 at the time). Surely young musicians and composers would expect their peer group to be at their concerts?

Of course, just transplanting a classical recital to an informal venue isn’t enough. The programme is also important and I always make sure we have a really stimulating contrast of works, rather than just pieces by composers of the same style or a cycle of works by the same composer, for the sake of academic interest.

10 HIGHNOTES Summer 2015

We use DJs as well as live acts, which helps create the right ambience. It means the public don’t enter a silent, formal space, and also prepares their ears for the performances. The DJs play a mix of electronic and classical music; often including remixes of contemporary classical music. We divide the night into four 20 minute sets, to avoid losing the audience’s engagement, and to let them reflect on what they’ve just heard. This approach allows the format of the night to be more relaxed and sociable.

Promotion is crucial to our work, particularly for reaching our target audience. We make sure we’re well represented on our website and social media, and list our events on websites that promote other genres of music such as Resident Advisor. Physical flyers and posters are still effective, but we avoid anything that looks too academic or ‘classical’.

We hold mini-festivals, with five to seven events all connected by one theme. This helps draw in public interest and encourages people to attend several events and tell their friends about the series, so interest snowballs as the festival goes on. It also gives the press an ‘angle’ to hook on to.

The public deserves to hear more classical music, but we need to reach out to them. Traditional approaches are still important, but we must continue to look for progressive ways of presenting classical music if we are to reach new audiences. Nonclassical is always keen to see more alternative classical events starting up and to consider new collaborations, so do feel free to get in touch at info@nonclassical.co.uk.

Nonclassical runs a weekly, free classical event in London and various larger events throughout the year. Learn more at nonclassical.co.uk

Above: A Nonclassical event in east London

“We must look for more progressive ways of presenting classical music if we are to reach new audiences”

Out now 2015/16

YOUTH MUSIC BROCHURE!

Featuring a wealth of international performance opportunities.

Start talking to our specialist team on 01332 347 828 to see how a tailor-made concert tour could work for your school.

rayburntours.com • info@rayburntours.com New for 20 15

Hong Kong & China CELEBRATING OUR 50TH BIRTHDAY

Enquire for your next tour to be in with a chance of winning one of three golden tickets. * Terms & conditions apply

Festival of Music 2015

YAP Artists 2015 Wigmore Hall Showcase

11-19 July 2015

Monday 7 December at 7.30pm Part of the Monday Platform series

Philip Attard Saxophone

Roderick Williams, Steven Isserlis, Elin Manahan, Amonico Consort, Lucy Parham, Joanna David, Henry Goodman, Odysseus Piano Trio.

www.llandeilomusicfestival.org.uk The Young Artists Platform scheme offers concert promoters sponsorship towards the fees of participating artists.

Luka Okros Piano

Complimentary tickets for the Wigmore concert for promoters and further details of the artists available from info@thetilletttrust.org.uk

www.thetilletttrust.org.uk

www.discovercarmarthenshire.com

FEATURE

Crowded market The future looks bright for crowdfunding; George Acock explores ways to make it work for your group Every three minutes, a new crowdfunding project is created somewhere in the world. That’s around 500 new projects springing up online every single day.

What started as a bit of an internet novelty at the dawn of the millennium has rapidly become a major industry and shows no sign of slowing down.

The UK is leading this trend. The number of crowdfunded projects grew by 600% in Britain between 2012 and 2013, and London was proclaimed the crowdfunding capital of the world in 2014.

The government is taking radical steps to make crowdfunding as enticing as possible on British soil, yet many people still find the idea of asking strangers for cash online a bit, well...strange.

The truth is, at a time of continuing cuts to government spending, crowdfunding is becoming one of the most reliable sources of investment for the arts, creating opportunities for all sorts of projects that might otherwise never see the light of day. It gives fundraisers direct access to an online community of likeminded individuals who want to support the things they love and this is great news for music groups.

Music, in fact, was what kick-started the whole thing. In the early-internet days of 1997, American fans of British rock band Marillion were demanding a

12 HIGHNOTES Summer 2015

US tour. Marillion couldn’t afford the costs so the fans went online and raised the cash themselves.

A financial revolution was born. The first official crowdfunding website appeared in 2001, with around 500 platforms establishing themselves online over next decade.

In another ten years the World Trade Organisation estimates the crowdfunding industry will become worth £216bn globally, with about £43bn of that going to arts projects, so now is the time to start honing those skills! Here’s how: Ready...

Decide whether to go for fixed or flexible funding.

With fixed you only get the funds if you reach the full total. Quentin Brown helped member group St Peter’s Singers beat its £4,000 target with a fixed funding model on IndieGoGo, and he recommends using the ‘all or nothing’ nature of the deal to convince people to donate. “If possible, manage your other funding streams to make sure you get over the line” he adds, “we had a number of friends prepared to make direct donations to the choir who we were able to hold back and then direct through the crowdfunding route near the end of the campaign to ensure we reached the

Credit: Miriam Doerr/ Shutterstock

FEATURE

“500 new projects spring up online every single day”

target”. See ‘Where Next?’ on the right for more suggestions of arts-focused funding platforms.

Get set...

Preparation is the key. Make sure you have everything in place before you go live: a great video, clear message and enticing rewards for every level of giving.

When deciding what to offer, find your group’s unique selling point and really make the most of it. Maybe you could offer tickets to a concert or access to a rehearsal, for example. Try to think creatively — including someone’s name in a long list of thanks on your website might not tempt them into parting with a fiver, but a free download of your group’s music might.

As you approach the launch date, spread the word wide and far so supporters can be ready to donate as soon as you go live. Maybe throw a launch party to help generate a buzz.

Newcomers to your page will be more likely to donate if others have already, and you’re five times more likely to hit your target if you can reach 25% of your goal in the first week.

SOME DOS AND DON’TS •

•

•

•

•

Go...!

Research suggests that email is the most effective way of communicating with supporters, followed

by Facebook, then Twitter. Send regular updates and encourage people to share your successes along the way. You could create video updates or start a hashtag to get people talking on social media. Don’t worry if the campaign loses a bit of momentum in the middle, that’s normal, it will pick up towards the end if you keep at it.

Do have a video. It doesn’t have to be a Gone with the Wind-style epic, just make it engaging, personal and to the point.

Campaigns with videos raise 114% more on average than ones that don’t.

Don’t expect your campaign to take off on its own. It won’t! Keep people updated with your progress and encourage them to share your news. Set mini targets along the way and celebrate with new content on your funding page when you hit them. Supporters are much more likely to donate to a positive, lively campaign than one which feels abandoned.

Do explain your project clearly and be realistic about the target. Being transparent about your costs will help supporters know exactly what their donations are going towards.

Don’t do it all on your own! Running a campaign requires lots of attention; it’s much easier to manage if you have a small team to help out. Statistics suggest that campaigns run by four or more people raise 70% more money than campaigns run by one person.

Do learn from others. Most sites keep all their old campaigns online so you can find similar projects to your own, and find out what did or didn’t work for them.

WHERE NEXT? •

kickstarter.com

•

crowdfunder.co.uk

•

indiegogo.com

•

sponsume.com

•

ideastap.com

•

crowdingin.com

•

culturecrowd.co.uk

•

ukcfa.org.uk

Summer 2015

HIGHNOTES 13

FROM OUR TEAM

MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICES Helping you get the most from your membership Left: This year’s Selected Artist cover stars, Retorica

Training events • Making the most of social media 16 May, London Information and Advice events • Focus on welcoming families to your events 9 May, London 30 May, Taunton 6 June, Cardiff • Helping your group to thrive 23 May, Flintshire • ACYA concert, MM Rep session and AGM 13 June, London (see below)

Selected Artists Our annual brochure showcasing the very best musical talent is now available to members The Concert Promoters Group (CPG) has been hard at work again producing the 2016-2017 Selected Artists guide exclusively for Making Music members.

The fees for all the soloists and ensembles specially selected for listing in the guide have been specially negotiated, exclusively for Making Music members, by the CPG. The booklet also includes the winners of the Philip and Dorothy Green Award for Young Concert Artists. These artists are likely to be the stars of tomorrow, and are available to you now at an affordable rate. Previous winners include; Steven Isserlis, Gerard McChrystal and Roderick Williams.

Details of this year’s winners can be found on page 16.

This year the Philip and Dorothy Green Music Trust has increased

DATES FOR THE DIARY

the amount of subsidy it offers to £150, giving you a substantial discount on the artists’ £250 fixed fees. If your chosen artist requires an accompanist then this subsidy increases to £250.

You can come and see the musicians for yourselves at the presentation concert in London on 13 June — see ‘Making Music Summer Event‘ to the right for more details.

We would like to offer our sincere thanks to all members of the CPG and the listening panel in helping to deliver this valuable resource for our members.

Making Music Reps will find the guide included with this copy of Highnotes, and all members can request a copy for themselves or download a digital version from our website at: makingmusic.org.uk/cpg

MAKING MUSIC SUMMER EVENT

“Being a part of the AYCA scheme has provided me with some of the most memorable of all my performances” Joseph Houston, 2013 winner

13 June, 11am to 4.30pm A chance to meet other members, listen to music and learn more about our plans at Making Music.

Featuring: • AYCA presentation concert: An opportunity to hear some of our best young musical talent — all of whom will be available to book at subsidised prices by members.

• MM AGM: Open to anyone but only MM Reps can vote.

• A session for MM Reps: With updates on the Membership Engagement project and the role of MM Reps (non-MM Reps may also attend and feed back to their groups).

All sessions are free to attend.

A £7.50 (plus booking fee) charge applies for the buffet lunch.

Full details and booking info at makingmusicuk.eventbrite.co.uk

CONTACTS Ben Saffell, Membership and Services Manager: ben@makingmusic.org.uk • Katie Calvert, Membership Events and Office Coordinator: katie@makingmusic.org.uk • www.makingmusic.org.uk/membership-advice-blog

14 HIGHNOTES Summer 2015

FROM OUR TEAM

MEMBER NEWS Luton Music Club has a new president this year in the form of BBC Radio 3 presenter Petroc Trelawney. The popular breakfast show host got off to a great start in February when he hosted a classical music themed quiz night. The sociable evening saw teams compete for musical glory and prizes (or consolatory drinks for the losers), while performances came from special guests including BBC Symphony Orchestra’s Peter Mallinson and Matthias Wiesner, and Luton’s Poet Laureate Mary Emeji.

Over 3,000 groups renewed their membership for 2015

The Royal Shakespeare Company celebrates the music of Guy Woolfenden OBE on 24 May, with help from a Making Music member group. Head of Music at the RSC for 37 years, Guy has written over 150 scores for the company’s productions.

This concert sees Birmingham Symphonic Winds perform all 14 of Guy’s pieces for wind band and marks a Guinness World Record attempt as the first concert to contain all the works written for wind band by one composer.

A full directory of who does what at Making Music You can also find this at www.makingmusic.org.uk/our-people. Please note that not all these staff are full-time. The best way to contact us is via info@makingmusic.org.uk or by phoning us on 020 7422 8280.

Senior management Barbara Eifler Executive Director Workineh Asres Head of Finance Membership services Ben Saffell Membership and Services Manager Sally Palmer Projects and Membership Coordinator Katie Calvert Membership Events and Office Coordinator Alexandra Scott AYCA Administrator Marketing and communications Ollie Mustill Marketing and Communications Manager Gabriella Sloss Marketing, Communications and Sales Executive George Acock Publications and PR Coordinator

Three members were awarded MBEs in the New Year honours list; Peter Holman of Suffolk Villages Festival, Colin Campbell of Aylesbury Choral Society and founder of the Melodians Steel Orchestra Terry Noel.

Congratulations to them all!

Crouch End Festival Chorus’ annual Sing Christmas! concert raised over £2,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity. Further fundraising took the final total to a fantastic £2,511, which will be put towards funding brain tumour research and patient support.

Who’s who?

Area managers Sharon Moloney Area Manager – England and Northern Ireland Abby Charles Area Manager – Wales Alicia Chapple Area Manager – Scotland Laura Shipsey Member Engagement Coordinator The membership services team in London is your main point of contact if you phone or email us. We are here Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm.

Individual Membership Our Individual Membership scheme with optional insurance was launched in April 2014. Following member feedback we have made some changes to help clarify the cost involved and make the pricing structure simpler.

Don’t worry, this isn’t marketing speak for ‘the price has gone up’! It’s still the same (very reasonable) price, we have just made it simpler to join and pay for what you want.

There are now two options: • Individual Membership for just £15 a year This gives you access to discounts on events and connects you to the biggest community of amateur musicians in the UK. •

Musical Instrument Insurance Plus Our excellent musical property insurance scheme (competitive rates and flexible cover for all your household instruments) comes with Individual Membership included, meaning you can insure your instruments and take advantage of all our other benefits and services. The exact price will depend on your level of insurance; packages start from just £40 a year.

You’ll find some Individual Membership flyers with this copy of Highnotes, please pass these on to any group members, friends, family or colleagues who might be interested.

More information can be found on our website at makingmusic.org.uk/im Summer 2015

HIGHNOTES 15

FROM OUR TEAM

OPPORTUNITIES Keeping you up to date with our national projects and programmes

Annual performance opportunities Some regular dates for your diary

Staging a performance as part of a wider campaign or festival can be a great way to introduce your group to a new audience or recruit new members. These regular fixtures offer fantastic platforms to build new contacts while also benefiting from wider exposure via the event’s publicity (many will feature performances on their website and include them in PR activity). We’ve rounded up some of the highlights here but application dates will vary with each event, so check websites for more details or see our full list at makingmusic.org.uk/opportunities. If the deadline for 2015 has passed it’s worth popping a note in your diary for 2016, as most of these events run in the same month each year.

JANUARY – MARCH

• •

• • •

National Libraries Day nationallibrariesday.org.uk Creativity Month (Northern Ireland) creativityni.org Epic Awards epicawards.co.uk National Sing Up! Day singup.org Learn to Play Day musicforall.org.uk/ learntoplayday

APRIL – JUNE

• • •

•

• •

Voluntary Arts Week voluntaryartsweek.org National Music Day musicday.org.uk Creativity and Wellbeing Week creativityandwellbeing. org.uk Get Creative (music months June and July) www.bbc.co.uk/arts/ sections/get-creative Volunteers Week volunteersweek.org Small Charity Week smallcharityweek.com

• •

“Singing not only warms the heart, but also helps you to live longer, so it was a genuine delight to share that joy in support of Sing for your Heart” Rita Hulands, GEM Connection

AWARD FOR YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS

This year, as in previous years, the Philip and Dorothy Green Award for Young Concert Artists auditions have brought to light seven outstanding musicians as winners of the award.

During the week over sixty performances were heard and the adjudicators, who always say what a pleasure and privilege it is to listen to so many talented musicians, had a hard task selecting the very best. They managed to reach a decision, however, and the 2015 winners are: Jinah Shim, piano; Ella Rundle, cello; Charlotte Ashton, flute; Savitri Grier, violin; Amy Green, saxophone and two sopranos Nazan Fikret and Joanna Songi.

Find booking details in the Selected Artists guide, included with this issue of Highnotes.

Music Therapy Week bamt.org Adult Learners Week alw.org.uk

OCTOBER – DECEMBER

•

• JULY – SEPTEMBER

• •

•

•

Our Big Gig superact.org.uk/ourbiggig Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod international-eisteddfod. co.uk The National Eisteddfod of Wales eisteddfod.org.uk Big Dance Week bigdance.org.uk

CONTACTS: Sally Palmer, Projects and Membership Coordinator: sally@makingmusic.org.uk

16 HIGHNOTES Summer 2015

Left: Member group Gem Connection perform as part of Sing for Your Heart in Derby

•

•

•

Make a Difference Day csv.org.uk/campaigns/ csv-make-difference-day Get Creative Family Arts Campaign familyartsfestival.com Trustees Week trusteesweek.blogspot. co.uk Friday Afternoons fridayafternoonsmusic. co.uk Sing for Your Heart heartresearch.org.uk/ fundraising/sing-yourheart

EMF Advert for Making Music Highnotes (88mmx117mm)_EMF Advert for Ma

nglis h E MusicFestival The NINTH

If you love to sing, are aged 9-19 and would like to be considered for our Junior or Senior choirs, we want to hear from you.

2 residential courses per year | Bursaries available Autumn auditions & Non-auditioned workshops

Join us for the Ninth English Music Festival, in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. Highlights for 2015 include the World Première of George Butterworth’s Fantasia for Orchestra, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra in a concert also featuring Finzi’s haunting Cello Concerto with Raphael Wallfisch; Roderick Williams starring in a concert of Butterworth, Holst and Boughton, and choral music by Howells, Vaughan Williams and Walton from the Elysian Singers. From British folk-songs and chamber recitals to early music and a 1930s dance band, this Festival offers a wealth of music to discover and explore.

Contact us and / or obtain application forms at:NCCGB

nccgb.com

Book at www.englishmusicfestival.org.uk/boxoffice.html or contact Festival Director Em Marshall-Luck at em.marshall-luck@englishmusicfestival.org.uk or on 07808 473889 to receive a full programme brochure.

@nccgb

The NCCGB PO Box 116 Alresford Hants SO24 0YN T: 07894 021279 E: info@nccgb.com

DORCHESTER-ON-THAMES, OXFORDSHIRE

President: Bob Chilcott, Musical Director: Lissa Gray Patrons: The Duchess of Kent, Sir David Willcocks CBE, MC & Sir Richard Stilgoe OBE, DL, Administrator: Kim Reffell

www.englishmusicfestival.org.uk

22-25 MAY 2015

Registered Charity No. 1093292

2015 1st - 8th august

summer school of music

music for people | www.m4p.org.uk | 0800 023 5631

1

Come to Music for People and study for a week in a safe, supportive, non-confrontational environment, feel that warm glow of camaraderie - its just like a “musical hug”

Music for People Summer School of Music st Sat 1 to Sat 8th August 2015 at Giggleswick School Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 0DE More than 20 courses to choose from.

First Rate Tutors Idyllic surroundings.

Call 0800 023 5631 or email admin@m4p.org.uk or see www.m4p.org.uk

FROM OUR TEAM

VOLUNTEERS Interested in volunteering for Making Music? Visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/volunteers BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

CHRIS GOODALL Trustee

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

LOUISA BELL Member Development Officer

When did you join the Board?

Summer 2014.

When did you start volunteering with Making Music? About 18 months ago.

How did you find the application process? Never having been a politician, the idea of actually putting myself forward in an election was a touch daunting.

Who would vote for me? And why? In my world of work contested elections don’t really happen, so this was a venture into the unknown. It was a secret vote so I don’t know where my support came from but I did take the precautionary measure of mentioning my candidacy to some organisations I know, and am most grateful to all the members who were willing to tick my box.

What does your role involve? I act as a point of contact for members to see where they need help. I’ll email and call groups, just to discuss any issues they might be facing which Making Music could assist with. I also help out with the Information and Advice events and lend a hand processing the renewals.

Why Making Music? It does an important job, has a good name, and should be supported. I like that there is a national champion for voluntary music making. I’m thrilled that the activity I love so much (making music!) is active and thriving and I think there needs to be an active and effective organisation leading the progress we are seeing.

What do you do outside of Making Music? Professionally, I am a lawyer. I left full time employment as a law lecturer three years ago and now have a fulfilling portfolio of daily activities that keep me very busy — certainly far too busy to contemplate returning to full time work!

Which Making Music member group are you part of? Nottingham Bach Choir (for about 30 years) and Nottingham Youth Orchestra.

Who’s your favourite composer? Mendelssohn — he goes straight to the soul. His music moves me, grounds me, invigorates me, and makes me happy to be alive.

18 HIGHNOTES Summer 2015

What inspired you to get involved with Making Music? It was a chance encounter with Making Music’s Executive Director Barbara. I bumped into her in the corridor of the Society of London Theatre, where I used to work, and mentioned I was leaving and keen to volunteer somewhere.

She gave me her business card and told me to get in touch.

So I did!

What do you feel you get out of volunteering? I love getting to meet new people and I really get a kick out of helping our members. It’s nice to be able supply an answer to someone’s problem and feel I’ve made a difference.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering? I go horse riding three mornings a week in Wimbledon. I also work two afternoons a week for a designer helping him file photographs and I volunteer for Opera Holland Park. It’s amazing how quickly time fills up.

I would recommend volunteering with Making Music because ... It is an excellent cause. I truly believe that. It’s very inclusive — whoever you are, wherever you’re from, there is someone and something here for you. And who knows, it might even convince you to learn a new instrument.

CORPORATE MEMBERS

Platinum members

Specialists in creating tailor made concert tours throughout the UK, Europe and further afield for all types of youth ensemble! Your repertoire, venues and excursions will be selected to meet both the performance and leisure objectives of your group. rayburntours.com/concert

Gold members Leeds College of Music is an AllSteinway School and Apple Accredited Training Centre, providing students with a world-class education, in world-class facilities, enabling them to be confident, versatile and creative across their chosen fields. lcm.ac.uk

Noel Music Management is a leading agency representing some of Europe’s finest professional soloists, ensembles and orchestral musicians. Their artists regularly perform with ensembles such as the RPO, LSO and BBC Philharmonic. Booking discounts are available for Making Music members. noelmusicmanagement.co.uk

Celebrating 60 years at the beautiful Dartington Hall, Dartington International Summer School offers courses and concerts for musicians and music-lovers of all ages and abilities.

Workshops for amateurs, teachers and group leaders in playing, singing, composition and conducting delivered by industry professionals. dartington.org/summer-school

OneStage is a team of musicians and travel experts providing tailormade tours for all types of choir and instrumental ensemble, and one of the few tour operators dedicated solely to concert tours. With a great reputation, their focus is squarely on the music. 0121 2402972, 020 8568 5486, tourenquiries@onestage.co.uk.

Silver and Bronze members

Mendellsohn qe:Layout 1 30/03/2015 12:09 Page 1

Sing Barbershop for a Weekend Be part of a 90 strong harmony choir Come and join other singers and attend our 37th Annual Harmony College.

Open to men and women, being part of the college chorus will give you a great introduction to barbershop harmony.

You will receive music & learning material in advance, expert tuition, and then the chorus will perform on the Saturday evening college show.

We look forward to welcoming you to a wonderful weekend of singing, fun and laughter. Visit our web site to view the College Prospectus and to book online. Don’t Delay Book Today

37th Harmony College 28 - 30 August 2015 Jubilee Campus Nottingham University

Cost £310 Includes course fees, learning materials, all meals and single en-suite accommodation.

Under 26 years - just £125.00

Bed & breakfast available on the 27th for just £50 extra.

Everyone Welcome Quality Educators Online Booking

19 to 25 September 2015 For admirers of the music of Felix Mendelssohn, or for those who love Scotland, this holiday follows the composer’s Scottish journey in 1829 which inspired him to write his Hebrides Overture and Scottish Symphony.

Starting and ending in Edinburgh, we will visit the Palace of Holyrood, Abbotsford (the home of Sir Walter Scott), Melrose Abbey (above), the Hermitage at Dunkeld, the Pass of Killiecrankie, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Lomond, Oban and Fingal’s Cave (left) on the Isle of Staffa.

We will also visit the Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry and take a trip on the West Highland Railway Line from Fort William to Mallaig, on a train hauled by the “Jacobite” steam engine.

The Holiday is operated by Travel for the Arts and is protected by their ABTA and ATOL membership. More information at:

www.babsharmonycollege.co.uk The British Association of Barbershop Singers

6 Corunna Court, Corunna Road, Warwick CV34 5HQ Registered Charity No: 1080930

Mendelssohn in Scotland Holiday

HARMONY COLLEGE

www.mendelssohninscotland.com • www.travelforthearts.co.uk email: info@mendelssohninscotland.com phone: 07730 817891

MEMBERS

BLOW YOUR TRUMPET A Man and a Brother

Young composer Eoghan McKenzie

Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society’s Carol Moran fills us in on the Making Music member group’s collaborative commission by composer John Gourlay and school pupil Eoghan McKenzie

John Gourlay was first attracted to the story of the slave Joseph Knight through James Robertson’s eponymous novel and was inspired to compose a work for Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society, in which he plays oboe. The project gained an added strand with the musical contribution of Eoghan McKenzie, a pupil with cerebral palsy at St. Columba’s RC Primary School in Cupar.

The four sections of John’s piece were composed alongside Eoghan’s compositions, which are framed within three of these movements. While Eoghan clearly knew what he wanted, he was encouraged and helped along the way by teachers and support staff. John’s colleague Erik Knussen also worked with Eoghan over some months using GarageBand and Eyegaze.

Rather than simply relating the story of Joseph Knight, the music forms the two composers’ emotional responses to it. John Wedderburn fled to Jamaica as a Jacobite refugee, becoming a slave owner. The first movement is a reflection on the background of both protagonists; John’s music echoes the desolation of Culloden, Eoghan’s concerns Joseph Knight’s capture. The second movement

ponders Joseph’s journey from Africa and his anguish and despair at the prospect of servitude.

When John Wedderburn returned to Scotland, Joseph first continued as his slave, but then demanded his freedom.

After much legal disputation, the courts ruled that Scottish law did not recognize slavery and that Joseph Knight was free.

In the finale the orchestra references Scottish songs and the American Civil Rights movement and Eoghan’s music is a celebratory dance.

A Man and a Brother was premiered at The Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy in March 2014. A second performance was given at Eoghan’s school and his father made a recording, which can be found at soundcloud.com/john-gourlaycomposer/a-man-and-a-brother

Member group Stroud Choral Society raised over £10,000 with a fundraising dinner. Gail Girling tells us how SCS wanted to raise funds to commission a piece of music and create a children’s choir, which would cost £15,000.

A group of us met with a professional fundraiser, who suggested holding a dinner with an auction, demonstrating that it could easily raise £5,000. We took it even further, adding an on-line auction and a concert. Next we asked the choir and their friends for promises and we weren’t disappointed; people were very generous and donated over 100 prizes and promises, ranging from homemade cakes to a two week holiday in Barbados.

We used our local subscription rooms as the venue, as it seats 250 and so gave us a good opportunity to make some

20 HIGHNOTES Summer 2015

money on the ticket price (more heads meant more opportunity to cover our expenses). The Sub Rooms are also very central to the choir’s catchment area. The venue management were very accommodating and let us bring in our own caterers. We made our own welcome drinks and sold some of the wine directly, which all added a little more to our coffers. More generous support came from two choir members who own a local catering company and provided finger food at cost.

We gathered together some great professional singers including James Bowman and Sarah Connolly, who all gave their time for free. We added some talented amateurs from the choir and created a programme to include a live

auction of 10 lots.

For the prizes and promises we used a website called jumblebee.co.uk, which is an on-line auction platform where bids are placed in a competitive manner rather like eBay. We raised more than £10k on the night, and were very happy with the result. I must emphasise though that this was extremely hard work and definitely not to be undertaken lightly. I, for one, know that it’s not something I’ll be repeating — I’m suffering from fundraising burnout! stroudchoral.org

Lemon House Photography

Singing for their supper

Julian Dawes QE:Layout 1 16/03/2014 21:34 Page 1

Julian Dawes Composer

Sherborne

Summer School of Music 2 - 16 August 2015

Four Choirs

Cappella Chamber Choir, Lighter Side Choir Choral Masterpieces Choir, Voices in Harmony

Mixed Chamber Music Piano and Vocal Masterclasses

Piano Course, Piano Accompaniment Course Masterclass for Singers 1 and 2

Jazz Four Conducting Courses

George Hurst Conducting Course Wind Conducting Course, Practical Conducting Choral Conducting

Composition Wind Ensemble Two Orchestras

Chamber and Symphony Orchestras

Drawing and Painting Musicians

Sherborne Summer

School of Music

email summermusicschool@btinternet.com tel +44 (0)1342 893963

www.sherbornemusicsummerschool.co.uk

www.juliandawes.com • Instrumental and Chamber Music • Vocal, Song Cycles and Choral Music • Contemporary and Accessible

Amongst his 20th century English influences are the pastoralism and extended tonality of Herbert Howells, the richness of Walton, the elegant delicacy of Berkeley and the jazzy impetus of Rodney Bennett; wider European influences include the caustic irony of Shostakovich and Kurt Weil and the rhythmic impetus of Prokofiev and Stravinsky. Yet Dawes welds from his influences an individual voice that is distinctive and refreshing, displaying assured craftsmanship and characterful invention. (Malcolm Miller 2008)

Music Available from www.tutti.co.uk

David Meacock at your service as one, or a combination, of:

 Pianist Beethoven 3

rd

Piano Concerto at St James’, Piccadilly with Brandenburg Sinfonia 2014

 Choral Conductor regular choirs,

bring & sings (for fun and charity), and workshops 1990 to present

 Tenor soloist including Verdi Requiem

alongside Welsh National Opera Members (2013), opera arias, Liszt Psalm 13 and Handel The Messiah

 Orchestral conductor founder of professional and amateur orchestras

 Reduced orchestrations

Verdi Requiem, Elgar Gerontius, Parry I was Glad (pub Novello), Blest Pair of Sirens & Jerusalem

For further information, please see www.davidmeacock.com or call 01753 886005

Contributing to the future of classical music by supporting today’s outstanding young musicians

2016 Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists Competition Piano, Strings & Wind For competitors age 16-27 Wednesday 27th April to Sunday 1st May Closing date for receipt of entries 12th January 2016

TOTAL CASH PRIZES IN EXCESS OF £10,000 PLUS RECITAL AND CONCERTO OPPORTUNITIES Details from: The Entries Coordinator TWIYCA Competition Office PO Box 10, Tunbridge Wells North, TN2 5QZ, England OR Website: www.twiyca.org Email: info@twiyca.org Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists Competition A Registered Charity (No. 278856)

MEMBERS

READERS’ PAGE This is your page and we’d love to hear from you: editor@makingmusic.org.uk.

Could you be an occasional or even our resident cartoonist? Would your group like to feature in a 60 second interview or send in an anonymous column?

North York Moors 60 Chamber Music Festival

nd secoview r e t n i

Jamie Walton, founder of the Yorkshire-based member group, chats to us about the festival’s recent highlights and what’s in store this year Describe North York Moors Chamber Festival in three words.

Passionate, soulful, affordable!

When and why was the festival set up? I had given around 50 concerts in the region over a number of years, building an extraordinarily loyal supporter base. Once the concerts began to sell out I wanted to expand on this by celebrating chamber music on a larger scale, bringing colleagues and new talent into the region so that this growing audience could really experience something intense and expansive. I also felt the need to continue with its non-elitist philosophy by making the concerts affordable, while keeping standards at the highest level. So I launched the first festival in 2009 with this aim to bring high quality chamber music into the region at affordable prices, celebrating not just incredible music but also the historical and religious buildings dotted all over the North York Moors National Park.

What does this year’s festival have in store? Each year we focus on a narrative to take the audience through a two-week journey where each concert is connected. This year we are heading towards France for a journey of colour and exoticism.

Interspersed through the programme are many of the classics, since these inspired all subsequent generations of composers.

The programmes also feature contemporary works, particularly those of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies who is our patron.

FOR THE LOVE OF AMATEURS

The corporate world is renowned for its ever changing newspeak, saying one simple thing twenty complicated times. It’s the sort of jargon that makes my toes curl. But now it seems it’s no longer restricted to big business.

Evasive wording has crept into many avenues of everyday life including, dare I say it, the arts. The word ‘amateur’ being a good case in point.

When did the word amateur become shameful? So many times I read about an amateur choir doing amazing things or an amateur theatre group putting on a show, and in place of the word ‘amateur’ we have ‘non-professional’ or ‘voluntary’. Why not use the intended word? The word that perfectly describes the activities of those who take part for the sheer enjoyment and not the money. For the love; that’s the literal French translation. Amateurs engage in activities out of devotion rather than financial gain.

Surely that is something to celebrate? To take pride in?

Let’s not forget the Olympic games were established as an amateur sporting event.

When we say ‘voluntary’ are we by default implying that professionals work involuntarily? That they’re forced to play music? Of course not. And doesn’t describing something in terms of what it’s not (like ‘non-professional’) seem counter-productive? Let’s celebrate amateur musicians for what they are – passionate lovers of music – and use the word amateur with pride!

Anon

What would be your Desert Island Disc? That’s a tough one.

I’d have to choose between Bach and Fauré, two of my very favourite composers. It would either be Artur Grumiaux playing Bach’s deep, rounded B minor Mass or Fauré’s chamber music, which is so other-worldly and fascinating. Can this be a Desert Island iPod?! northyorkmoorsfestival.com 22 HIGHNOTES Summer 2015

Credit: K J Lamb

What was your most memorable concert in the last year?

I’d always wanted to be part of Alban Berg’s monumental Lyric Suite, a rare chance since I don’t belong to a string quartet, but we formed one specifically for this work, which we performed between Beethoven Op.74 and Maxwell Davies’ Naxos No.6.

Being part of the ravenous and fiendishly challenging Berg at the centre of the concert was for me an intense highlight.

BALLADS TO BROADWAY… MADRIGALS TO MASTERWORKS… GOSPELS TO GLEE

WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE?

FREE

Choral Catalogue with MP3 CD Available on request

Tel: 01279 828960 | Fax: 01279 828961 Email: music@alfredUK.com | www.alfredUK.com Alfred Publishing is distributed to the Music Trade throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland by FM Distribution Ltd

A RIOT OF SONG 8 — 10 MAY 2015

VOICES NOW

15 vocal groups, 3 days, 1 incredible festival

Book now 0300 6789 222 roundhouse.org.uk

M

*P ri in g th ce i M e nc us co lu ic st de m of s em be rs hi p!

ak

Are your instruments safe and sound?

Our musical instrument cover is designed exclusively for amateur musicians.

Buy online today at www.makingmusic.org.uk/instrumentplus Or call us on 020 7422 8280