Making Music Scotland Newsletter

SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER Volume 27 Issue 1 December 2012

IN THIS ISSUE Page 2

25 Years behind the Conductor’s Baton

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Eight New Works!

4 & 5

Making Music LIVE for Dance with The Making Music Overture

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‘The Singing World’ in St Petersburg

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Travelling to Orkney & Back

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Making Music News from Richard Shaw

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Making Music News continued

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Student External Engagements Make the Most of the MM Website

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Host a ‘Learn to Sing Course’ Lady Hilary Groves Prize 2012 A ‘Come & Sing’ New Members

12

Farewell Maestro Celebrating 40 Years BBC Performing Arts Fund

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Advert for a Conductor Choir Robes for Sale Contact Information

Glasgow Wind Band Triumphs Again!

Glasgow Wind Band received a Platinum Award for its recent appearance in the Open Class of the prestigious National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In addition, they were delighted to accept the first ever Outstanding Consistent Achievement Award for winning a Platinum Award in three consecutive years.

This accomplishment cements Glasgow Wind Band's position as one of Britain's top symphonic wind bands.

The two adjudicators made very favourable comments, with Matthew George (Professor of Music and Director of Bands at University of St. Thomas, Minnesota) saying that Kenneth Hesketh's Masque was “…a very convincing performance…” and commented “I like what you are doing here.” multiple times in King Solomon's Mines by Nigel Clarke. Mark David (Head of Brass at the Royal Academy of Music) remarked upon their “…hugely enjoyable…” performance with “…some real top class moments…”.

CONGRATULATIONS!

SUPPORTING & CHAMPIONING VOLUNTARY MUSIC

A Celebration of 25 years behind the Conductor’s Baton The 2011/12 concert season was a year of celebration for Graham Reid of traditional music group Aberdeen Strathspey & Reel Society as we marked the milestone of his 25th and final season as lead conductor.

Graham joined the Society as a young fiddle player in the mid 1970s and in his own words, “It was one of the best things that my mum & dad ever encouraged me to do”. However, he couldn’t have anticipated just how much the Society would influence his life and not just musically - it was through the Society that he met his wife Sheila, a fellow fiddle player.

April 1986 saw the start of Graham’s time behind the baton when he became associate conductor.

This was followed by his appointment as the Society’s ninth lead conductor a year later in 1987.

!

Over the next 25 years Graham led over 750 rehearsals, hundreds of performances and put in countless hours behind the scenes, preparing and programming concerts which have been held at all of Aberdeen’s major concert venues including the Music Hall, His Majesty’s Theatre, Lemon Tree, Cowdray Hall and Aberdeen Arts Centre. In addition, Graham has led smaller groups of orchestra members at many other locations including churches, schools and sheltered housing complexes.

Graham Reid & his wife, Sheila, cut his 25th concert season celebration cake

tune by Judi Nicolson, a well known fiddler and one of Graham’s favourite composers. Graham Reid’s Silver Jubilee Reel was performed for the first time by a trio from the Society at the concert. A framed copy of the tune, signed by all the orchestra members, was also presented.

Finally, at the Society’s AGM in May 2012, as Graham passed on his conductor’s baton and picked up his bow to rejoin the ranks of the orchestra, the members presented him with a watch.

Graham’s tenure has seen the recording and self release of four albums by the Society, as well as several broadcast performances on BBC Radio Scotland and Grampian TV (now STV). In addition, the orchestras have travelled to Canada, France and Norway, as well as locations nearer home including Wick, Skye, Shetland, Inverness and Belfast.

In reviewing his time as conductor Graham said it was difficult to pick just one highlight from the many he had experienced over the past 25 years, but one that really stands out was meeting Stephane Grapelli, who performed as a guest soloist in the Society’s Fiddlers’ Rally in 1990 and also joined the orchestra on stage as well, noting that “he was a remarkable man”.

In summarising Graham’s contribution our President noted, “There aren’t enough words for the Society to express their thanks to Graham for his enthusiasm, patience, humour and commitment over the past 25 concert seasons. Traditional music in Aberdeen has thrived as a result of his contribution.”

Graham, to all the past and present members of the Society of the last 25 years you too are remarkable, and although the words never seem enough - thank you.

Ross Fowler

At our first major concert of the season - the Fiddlers’ Rally at Aberdeen Music Hall in November 2011 - we started low key with a celebration cake before the concert, but followed up during the Rally itself by presenting Graham with an engraved hip flask.

A video of the presentation at the Rally is available: www.aberdeenstrathspey.org.uk/conductors25thconcertseason

The Lady Hilary Grove Prize 2012.

To find out about this please go to page 11

To mark his final concert, held at the Lemon Tree in April 2012, the Society had commissioned a new

www.aberdeenstrathspey.org.uk

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Meadows Chamber Orchestra Commissions Eight New Works

For many years, Making Music has encouraged its members not to be afraid to commission new music to perform. It is always pleasurable to hear of the many groups who take the plunge and enjoy the experience, but to hear of a group commissioning no fewer than eight pieces of music to play in one season sounded extraordinary. This is, however, exactly what the Meadows Chamber Orchestra based in Edinburgh has done.

Whilst the orchestra was not successful in receiving support from the PRS Foundation for New Music, they were, however, fortunate to receive a grant of £1500 from Awards for All towards the project.

I was interested how the presentation of contemporary music affects audience numbers.

David told me that generally their audience members are extremely receptive to new music. As well as selling many tickets through existing orchestral members, they also list their concerts on the Queens Hall website, where tickets are also sold on their behalf.

I met the Orchestra’s chairman, David Rimer, recently to find out more about their commissioning.

He told me that the Orchestra has for many years produced a mixed programme of contemporary music, including many commissioned pieces, along with a repertoire of more traditional classical composers. They also run a Schools Composer’s Competition where the winning piece of music is guaranteed a public performance by the Orchestra.

Like many performing groups, however, finding suitable venues can be challenging. The Meadows Chamber Orchestra premièred on 6 October works

by Tom David Wilson and Oliver Searle in Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, and on 24 November works by Jacob Spence and Simon Smith in Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh. They will be performing their remaining commissions at their concerts on 9 February in Greyfriars Kirk and on 25 May in Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh. The concerts include new works by Lewis Forbes, Elisabeth Cowe, John de Simone and Alfredo Caponetto.

The idea of commissioning eight pieces of music came about when one of their regular funding sources, the PRS Foundation for New Music, stipulated that eight public performances should take place during the course of a year before an application for funding could be considered. This was not a practical proposition but in discussion with colleagues and Tom David Wilson, the Scottish composer, the idea of performing eight new works, incorporated into the Orchestra’s four-concert season, was considered. Eight Scottish composers, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh, readily agreed to contribute to the project.

Listening to David was an enlightening experience, and I wish him and the Meadows Chamber Orchestra every success with their remaining concerts this season.

I hope also that reading this will encourage many more groups to take the plunge and commission music – it is both challenging and fun to performers and audience alike!

Finance was always going to be an issue. Funding made available by the previous Scottish Arts Council is no longer available from Making Music and, whilst this was never a large amount of money, it did help to promote and encourage such projects.

Richard Shaw

www.meadowsorchestra.org.uk

Is your Group celebrating a special event or is there an interesting project it has undertaken?

If the answer is ‘Yes’, then why not share it?

The Newsletter, as well as giving information to groups, also provides the opportunity for groups to make their achievements and special events known to a wider audience. Articles of 400 to 500 words with photographs, if possible, should be sent to the Editor, jd@jabd.abel.co.uk, by the copy deadline.

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Dance House Community Company Helensburgh Orchestral Society Making Music LIVE for Dance with

The Making Music Overture “Live music made the performance more real and urgent, as anything could happen, there was a dialogue between the dance and music.”

In July 2012, Dance House Community Company and Helensburgh Orchestral Society celebrated the Cultural Olympiad and Get Scotland Dancing at Glasgow’s Merchant City Festival as part of the London 2012 Festival, creating a unique and memorable experience for their respective members and for audiences....

“It was very rewarding and challenging as we created choreography to be performed with a live orchestra. The process of creation and staging was fascinating and I learned very much about dance, music and collaborating with others.” performances were free of charge and accessible to Dance House, Glasgow is one of Scotland’s National all. Traditional Values was specially commissioned by Dance Agencies and aims to inspire and celebrate Making Music for the potential for member groups dance in everyone across the UK to by supporting the celebrate the professional dance Cultural Olympiad sector and offering and was an exciting and supported with diverse community funds from the PRS development for Music programme for Foundation and people of all ages the RVW Trust. and abilities.

Helensburgh Supported by Orchestral Society Creative Scotland was the only and Glasgow Life, Scottish based Dance House is a orchestra to play programming this fabulous partner for Get piece, whilst Scotland Dancing Dance House was - a series of events the only company which brings in the UK to dance together COMMUNITY COMPANY – gossip by GUENIEVRE MOREAUX to it! professional and amateur dancers to celebrate dance on the street, in “It was a difficult piece of music, but having the town squares and a range of public spaces orchestra allowed us to pick out individual instruments bringing dance to the people and people to dance. and rhythms.” This collaboration was an exciting and challenging process for all involved, and performing to live music was a new experience for most of the dancers in the Company. For these one off performances of The Making Music Overture the Helensburgh Orchestral Society was augmented with past players and students from the Royal

This ambitious partnership between Making Music Scotland and Dance House saw new choreography for eighteen community dancers by Dance House’ founder Rosina Bonsu to The Making Music Overture

by Orlando Gough, played by Helensburgh Orchestral Society (Conductor Robert Baxter) at two packed performances in the vibrant and unusual setting of Merchant Square Glasgow; the

Continued on p 5

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One of the performances of The Making Music Overture in Merchant Square – courtesy of Making Music

Continued from p 4

Conservatoire of Scotland, reflecting the all encompassing community nature of this event. As the music was a new commission, there was no orchestral recording available for the dancers to rehearse to which made the choreographic process and rehearsals challenging, so pianist Karen McIver accompanied rehearsals, using the piano accompaniment for the choral version of the score.

Live music was, for dancers: “more lively and dancing felt more intense and natural.” One dancer enjoyed live music as it “made the class feel more professional and in turn made the dancers feel more valued which makes everyone work harder! Live music is wonderful because it gives you more 'space' to dance in, making it alive!” Also critical to making the project a success was conductor Robert Baxter’s commitment to attending and observing dance rehearsals and an ongoing dialogue between choreographer, conductor and rehearsal pianist.

Karen, a highly experienced and respected musician for dance, was a lynchpin in assisting with identifying cues on the score and translating between musician and dancer language and counting. The dancers also attended an orchestral rehearsal early in the process and this provided an invaluable experience and learning opportunity for them. The overall creation and rehearsal process for the dancers was 28 hours spread over a three month period, and the orchestra and dancers came together properly for a tech/dress run one week before the performance at

Merchant Square, followed by a three hour detailed rehearsal in Partick Burgh Halls and a ‘walk through’ on the day of the performances. This timeframe was very tight for a new work and the venue – being a public space –also offered its own challenges, both logistic and acoustic, but with support from the Merchant City Festival technical team and a tremendously positive outlook, coupled with sheer determination from performers and collaborators alike, the performances were a tremendous success.

“This is a luxury, and an honour to work together with an orchestra. Having live music at the performance is kind of the icing on the cake from a very enjoyable process in which we all worked together.”

Dance House Community Company was formed to offer a regular programme of advanced level technique classes with a focus on devising and performing new work. www.dancehouse.org The Helensburgh Orchestral Society, under the musical direction of Robert Baxter is an established amateur orchestra that has been in existence for over fifty years and was started to allow local amateur musicians to form an orchestra and play together. www.h-o-s.co.uk Ailsa-Mary Gold on behalf of Dance House, Glasgow.

All quotes in this article are attributed to Dance House Community Company Members.

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‘The Singing World’ in St Petersburg three or four other groups from countries such as Brazil, France, Poland and, of course, Russia.

Singing in the magnificent surroundings of buildings like the famous Statkapella was unbelievably thrilling and moving. All concerts were packed to capacity and the audience response was St Peter & Paul Cathedral amazing. Of course, much of the auditorium at any time would be crammed with other singers, but all had brought supporters and there were eager members of the public ready to rush to grab seats the moment the doors were open!

We found listening to choirs and groups from across the world very interesting and moving – they might sing different styles of music in impenetrable foreign languages, but the joy of music-making with friends and performing to like-minded fellow musicians brought us all together. And we had all been preparing the Festival Hymn – which was sung (in Russian) by all the choirs together at the opening and closing concerts – it was particularly exciting for us as somehow we found ourselves at the front of the stage.

What an amazing sound!

Opening Concert - St Peter and Paul Cathedral, St Petersburg

At 3am on Thursday 2 August 2012, a party of 43 members and friends of Glasgow Lyric Choir set off from Glasgow on a journey which would take us to the International Choral Festival ‘The Singing World’ in St Petersburg.

We had been planning this venture for 18 months and could hardly believe that after all the planning, fund-raising and practising that we were finally on our way to experience what for all of us turned out to be one of the most enjoyable weeks we had ever had.

We owed much to our guide for the week, Anastasia, who taught us all about Russian history and art as we travelled around the city. Our visit to the Hermitage was probably only one highlight among many.

We had been looking for a way in which we could take our music-making beyond our normal boundaries (Scotland!) when one of our Board members spotted an item about the Festival in the Making Music magazine.

An email to the Festival organisers was speedily answered and we soon discovered that not only would we be able to participate in several concerts in prestigious venues in the city, but we would also be able to book an accommodation and excursion package which would allow us to visit all the top tourist attractions as well.

We arranged our own flights (from Edinburgh via Amsterdam) and once we had negotiated the rather tricky visa application forms, we were ready to travel.

Under the direction of our recently appointed conductor, Julian Evans, and with the support of accompanist Ed Cohen, we performed in four concerts.

Choir & Supporters at Catherine the Great's Summer Palace, Pushkin

We will all treasure our memories of this unique musical and social experience and would without hesitation recommend it to any other choirs looking for a venture which is a bit different.

Evelyn Cook President www.glasgowlyric.org.uk

The opening concert (and the closing one) involved all 47 participating choral groups performing one item.

The other two gave us an opportunity to present a varied programme of around six items alongside

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Travelling to Orkney and Back As a member of the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, I first sang Tippet’s A Child of our Time about 15 years ago, in some very large concert hall in Edinburgh, and I have never forgotten the experience. It is true to say that it was only when I sang it all the way through for the first time that I fully appreciated the emotional impact but, when I heard that members of the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union had been asked to send some members to join the St Magnus Festival Chorus in June this year, to sing that very piece with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), I was thrilled. I had sung with the RSNO before and knew two of the soloists but everything else was new, even

A Beach near Noup Head, Westray, Orkney

of singing with colleagues from another choir is always a good experience but the welcome from the members of the St Magnus Festival Chorus was outstanding, with kindness being shown to us all at every stage during our visit. We were well organised, indeed, very well organised, and our instructions for the evening very clear. Although some of us had some difficulty finding our way to the social club after the event and, I daresay some even had trouble finding their way home after the social club, but in all aspects it was a great event.

Which is all just as well because we are all getting together again, this time in Edinburgh.

On this Usher Hall, Edinburgh occasion members of the St Magnus Festival Chorus are joining us in singing the ERCU’s annual New Year performance of Handel’s Messiah under the baton of Martyn Brabbins, our Honorary President, at 12 noon on Wednesday 2 January 2013 in the Usher Hall. The Edinburgh Pro Musica Orchestra are playing on this occasion and our soloists are Mary Bevan, Madeleine Shaw, Nicholas Mulroy and Neal Davies but the joint forces of the choir should be thrilling indeed.

Pier Art Centre, Orkney

travelling to Orkney, where, I’m ashamed to admit, I had never visited.

From the rehearsals in Edinburgh with our own chorus master, Michael Bawtree, to the joint rehearsals with the conductor, Sian Edwards, both in Edinburgh and in Kirkwall, to the performance at the Pickaquoy Centre on the night, I was not disappointed. Clearly, neither was the packed audience who seemed to appreciate the performance as part of an excellent St Magnus Festival 2012 programme of events.

It is always interesting to me what one takes away from those sorts of events.

Two Chorus Members Relax Certainly the collective in the Waters round Westray, experience of rehearsing Orkney with our own members and

I hope that the visitors from Orkney enjoy the experience as much as we enjoyed the joint venture in Orkney and take away as good memories of a great experience as did we.

www.ercu.org.uk

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Libby Campbell ERCU President

Making Music News from Richard Shaw Good News from Creative Scotland!

I am very pleased to report more positive news from Creative Scotland.

Firstly, Creative Scotland has agreed to extend the support given to Making Music Scotland for the Manager’s post during 2012 to 2013 as well. This is excellent news, as it enables Making Music Scotland to look forward with more confidence to the future. The knowledge that this funding is in place will enable us to develop further the organisation in Scotland.

Making Music Scotland has also been invited to submit an application for project funds.

Whilst of course any funds will be dependent upon us submitting a soundly based application, we are confident that we will be able to secure funds to enable us to continue to develop our activity in Scotland.

Clearly, both pieces of news signifiy the confidence of Creative Scotland in Making Music Scotland to represent and develop amateur music making across Scotland.

MAKING MUSIC SCOTLAND In our last Newsletter, I explained the thinking behind how we were developing the Making Music Scotland organisation with the use of volunteers supporting the work of the Scotland Manager.

I am very pleased to report that we are now making progress with the volunteer structure, and the following people have agreed to undertake volunteer roles which are outlined:

Linda Young Volunteer Support Team Leader Responsible for supporting the volunteers working for Making Music Scotland Hilary Stokes Support Team Leader Responsible for administration support services to the volunteer team and Manager, including Equal Opportunities and Member Recruitment

Jean Renno Member Development Team Leader Responsible to the Manager for volunteers who carry out all liaison activity with member groups and also for co-ordinating development issues with all member groups across Scotland including funding advice, music genre advice I am also very pleased that Linda, Hilary and Jean have agreed to take on these roles. All three are well known to many of you, and have a long experience of volunteering with Making Music Scotland, having held officer posts on the former Scotland committee.

I am in consultation with someone who is interested in taking over the role of: Communications and Outreach Team Leader Responsible for a team of volunteers working on: Newsletter and E-bulletin publication Website and IT matters Marketing External Relations Public Relations

On the following page is a list of the roles where there are vacancies for Volunteers

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MAKING MUSIC SCOTLAND cont’d VACANCIES for VOLUNTEERS Role Title

Outline of Role

Finance Manager Responsible to the Scotland Manager to manage Making Music Scotland’s finances No specific location required Events and Projects Team Leader

Responsible to, and work closely with the Scotland Manager, to develop events and projects in Scotland, and also UK wide events in Scotland. Manage a team of event administrators No specific location required

Member Recruitment Officer

Responsible to the Support Team Leader to support the recruitment of new members in Scotland, identify new areas for recruitment No specific location required

Member Liaison and Support (8 required)

Responsible to the Member Development Team Leader to act as a first call contact for a fixed number of our groups across Scotland and to offer liaison and support services to the group.

Volunteers are required in the following areas of the country: Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire – 2 Argyle & Bute – 1 Dumfries & Galloway – 1 Glasgow – 2 Stirling/Central Scotland – 2

Future vacancies for volunteers

There will shortly be opportunities for volunteering in the following roles News Reporters to support Newsletter and E-Bulletin Editor Website and IT Officer Marketing Officer External Relations PR Adviser Further details can be found on the Making Music Scotland website www.makingmusic.org.uk/inyourarea/scotland/volunteer-with-us or by contacting Richard Shaw, Scotland Manager Richard@makingmusic.org.uk , Tel: 01786 880753 (office hours)

I appreciate that the restructuring of the volunteer team in Scotland has taken some time and believe that this has caused a certain amount of comment as to whether Making Music still exists!! Let me be absolutely clear – Making Music Scotland is alive, well and thriving and I think that as the new volunteer organisation settles down, members groups will become even more aware of our presence!

Further changes I have to announce to you all that I shall be retiring from Making Music Scotland at the end of January 2013, and this will be the last time I shall contribute to the Newsletter as an employee of Making Music.

I have worked for the organisation since 1996 and have seen many changes occur to the amateur music scene. We have increased our membership quite considerably during that period and it has been particularly gratifying to see an increasing number of groups from outside the western classical tradition becoming members.

I am pleased to say that plans are well advanced to appoint my successor well before my final day so that I can have a handover period.

STOP PRESS I am very pleased to announce that Shona McMillan has been appointed Scotland Manager to succeed me. It is expected that Shona will commence work with me on 3 January and take over completely from 1 February. Shona brings with her a wealth of experience in high level project and event management, as well as a strong background in media, communications and PR.

www.makingmusic.org.uk/scotland

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Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

WEBSITE Make the most of it!

Do you know that every member group in Making Music has its own page on the Making Music website?

Have you visited yours recently?

Student External Engagements

There’s space for a great deal of information to help you attract new members, but in too many cases that information is far from complete.

Government regulations surrounding the recruitment of international students (i.e. those from outside the European Union) to higher education in the UK have been subject to significant revision over the last year or so. This has resulted in the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) adopting a much more bureaucratic and rigorous process than previously. The recent publicity surrounding London Metropolitan University is a case in point. Although these regulations relate to international students, the Conservatoire is taking the opportunity to review the overall management of student performances at concerts, functions and events outwith their normal Conservatoire programme.

Group profiles can only be updated by certain people (Chair/ President, Secretary, Treasurer, MM Rep and Publicity Officer) who have to be registered as users and linked to the group in question, but even if you’re not one of these folk you can gently jog an elbow if you find that your group’s information is incomplete or out of date.This is free publicity, so why not make the most of it?

Following negotiations between the UKBA, Conservatoires UK and the Musicians Union, UKBA regulations have recently been amended to allow international students on a programme of study in music to undertake work placements/engagements which involve professional performance. Those work placements/engagements must be arranged through the Conservatoire and be deemed to be a valid part of the student’s learning experience. A record must be kept of the details of the engagement.

The same can be said for the Events listing where you can upload your concert details.

Your concert then becomes searchable and will even pop up on the home page once the date is close. There will also be a link to it on your group profile page. We know that our members in Scotland put on hundreds of concerts in a year, so let’s see them up there!

Interviews have been held for a new full time post of Student External Engagements Coordinator who will deal with all external requests for student performers. Fees will be agreed and written agreements drawn up between the Conservatoire and the ‘client’. Conservatoire music staff will continue to be involved in selecting those students suitable to undertake a given engagement. Contact details will be issued through the Making Music Scotland network when available. In the meantime, any enquiries should be directed to Ian Mills (Head of the Principal’s Office) i.mills@rcs.ac.uk or Amy-Beth Jordan (Conservatoire Events Coordinator) a.jordan@rcs.ac.uk.

www.makingmusic.org.uk/scotland

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Lady Hilary Groves Prize 2012 At the Making Music AGM in September it was announced that Graham Reid, the recently retired conductor of Aberdeen Strathspey & Reel Society, for his contribution to music in the community was one of the winners of the Lady Hilary Groves Prize 2012.

LEARN TO SING

The prize is awarded annually to an individual or individuals of a group affiliated to Making Music.

Could YOU host a Learn to Sing course?

Making Music is the UK’s number one organisation for voluntary music with over 3000 member groups.

The annual Lady Hilary Groves Prize was established in 2000 and is named after the wife of the renowned conductor Sir Charles Groves, a former President of Making Music. Both Sir Charles and Lady Hilary gave exceptional support to Making Music during their lifetimes.

Those who attended the recent Members’ Day in Bridge of Allan were able to learn first-hand from a member of Cumbernauld Choir what it was like to host Making Music Scotland’s first Learn to Sing course and its impact on the choir. A course participant also described what the course had meant to her. What was significant was the genuine enthusiasm of both speakers - the message was ‘If you’re offered the opportunity, grab it!’

Graham has been recognised for his 25 years of service as lead conductor of the Society. During his 25 concert seasons he led about 750 orchestra rehearsals, clocking up well over 1000 hours of rehearsal time. This excludes additional preparation time involved in selecting and programming music for the concerts.

Making Music Scotland will soon be preparing an application seeking funding for further courses and we’re inviting expressions of interest from choirs that are keen to host a course. The main requirement is that your rehearsal venue is able to accommodate both your own practice and the course in separate spaces on the same night. This is your opportunity not only to encourage new members but also to do something special for the wider community.

The award judges noted “Graham has been the heart and soul of the Society and has been a fantastic cultural ambassador, both for Scottish music and community music in Aberdeen. Due largely to his warmth and enthusiasm, he has encouraged members of all ages to join the Society and develop a love of Scottish music that has kept them playing both within the Society and beyond.”

To find out more and read the report on the Cumbernauld course visit our website www.makingmusic.org.uk/inyourarea/scotland/ what-we-do/learn-to-sing-scotland.

A representative of Making Music will present the award certificate signed by Making Music's Patron, the Duchess of Kent, at the Society's next concert at the Lemon Tree on 19 May next year.

Expressions of interest can be sent using the Contact Making Music Scotland page on the website or by emailing l.young@makingmusic.org.uk

WELCOME! To the following groups who have joined Making Music in recent months – Aberdeen Chamber Music Concerts ArtsQwest (Glasgow) Dunblane Chamber Orchestra Dunedin Wind Band Largs Community Choir RAF Music for Scottish Schools Strathchamber Trust (Glasgow) Trash Arts (Borders)

Come & Sing Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with Waverley Care in Edinburgh on 23 February 2013 For details go to www.waverleycare.org/content/home/1,483/ CarminaBuranaHoldthedate.html

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FAREWELL, MAESTRO!

Celebrating 40 years

AFTER 8½ YEARS SIMON NIEMINSKI IS LEAVING THE HADLEY COURT SINGERS

Well Done To… Dunbartonshire Concert Band…… who are celebrating their 40th anniversary by winning a BBC Performing Arts Fund – Community Music 2012 Award. The award has been given to enable them to commission a piece of music which can be shared by the wind band community. It will provide the group with a more challenging work and give the audience a real treat – a wind band at full stretch. It is hoped that this commission will encourage more completely new compositions for wind/community bands in addition to the more usual adaptations or arrangements.

The forthcoming Christmas concert by the Hadley Court Singers at St Mary's Church, Haddington, on the 15th December will be the last to be conducted by Simon Nieminski, the choir's musical director for just short of a decade.

Simon, who describes himself as "an unlikely mix of Edwardian Japanese acrobats, Lancastrian Music Hall artistes and a Polish army veteran" has steered the Hadley Court Singers with a mix of patience, dry humour and enthusiasm since 2004. In that time the choir has gone from strength to strength, and is at the forefront of choral music in the Lothians. Simon's farewell concert on 15 December is a festive feast of seasonal music, including Vivaldi's Magnificat, Mozart's Te Deum and a smörgåsbord of carols to be enjoyed by young and old.

The Band has commissioned renowned Hollywood percussionist and composer, Steve Forman. Originally from the USA, Steve started his career as an orchestral percussionist, and quickly became established as a creative and innovative musician. His musical credits include playing on countless film and TV soundtracks and has recorded with many of today’s popular music artists. Steve moved to Scotland recently and gained his PhD in Composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he currently lectures.

“It has been a great pleasure to work with the Hadley Court Singers and I am proud to be its longest serving musical director so far” said Simon Nieminski. He continues to be a musical presence in Edinburgh and the Lothians as Director of Music and Organist at the Robin Chapel in Edinburgh, and Organist of St Mary’s Metroplitan Cathedral, Edinburgh. “We will miss him very much,…”Dominic Campanile, the Chairman of Hadley Court, told the choir when they learned of the resignation. “…not only for his excellent work encouraging the singers and helping the whole choir evolve and progress, but for his appreciation and advice to those providing the home baking in our rehearsal breaks!”

The work will be premièred at the 40th Anniversary Concert on Saturday 29 June 2013 at 7.30pm in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. www.dunbartonshireconcertband.org.uk

About the BBC Performing Arts Fund

If you would like to hear the Hadley Court's farewell performance with Simon Nieminski, tickets are available through the Hadley Court website at www.hadleycourtsingers.co.uk

The charity (formerly Fame Academy Bursary Trust) was set up in 2003 within the BBC. The fund receives revenue from the voting lines of BBC One entertainment programmes that seek to find new performing talent (including The Voice, How Do you Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Over the Rainbow).

It is also not too late* for any musical professionals who think they have the ability, stamina, enthusiasm and imagination to take the Hadley Court Singers forward in the future to apply to become their next Musical Director. Contact the Hadley Court Chairman, Dominic Campanile, through the website for further information.

To date the fund has allocated more than £4 million to talented performing arts individuals and community groups, as well as offering mentoring and advice to help them achieve their goals.

The Fund's mission is to seek out and support aspiring performing arts individuals and community groups who, for reasons of lack of existing support, personal background or circumstance, would not have been able to achieve their most ambitious goals or greatest potential without the Fund's support or intervention.

If you require any further information or material, please do not hesitate to contact:Sadie Maskery, Publicity Officer, Hadley Court Singers 5 St Anns 12 York Road, North Berwick EH39 4LX Tel: 07786128487 * Closing date for applications is 15 December

www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund

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Burgundy Choir Robes

Contemporary Music for All

Is your choir or one you know looking for choir robes at a reasonable cost?

CoMA encourages amateur musicians of all abilities and backgrounds to take part in contemporary music-making by • providing opportunities to perform new music • creating a repertoire of innovative contemporary music for amateurs • building links between professional and amateur musicians and ensembles to further these aims If you wish to become involved in CoMA or require further information, contact: Chris Shurety, Director CoMA RICH MIX, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA Tel: (020) 7739 4680 E: info@coma.org www.coma.org or Steve King, Co-ordinator CoMA Scotland T: (0131) 451 3705 E: S.King@hw.ac.uk

The Anstruther Philharmonic Society has 62 burgundy choir robes available.

These robes have cream collars and are in good condition. There is a mix of sizes, for men and women.

We’d like them to be used, so are willing to discuss price.

Please contact Jane MacDonald on 01333 310130 if you are interested. www.anstrutherphilharmonic.org.uk

CONDUCTOR COPY for the NEXT ISSUE should reach the EDITOR by 31 March 2013 The time of publication of the first issue of 2013 is to be notified

Required by the Hadley Court Singers to take up post from early Spring 2013.

This mixed voice choir of 35-40 members is based in Haddington, East Lothian, and has a varied repertoire.

For further information please contact: Hope Johnston, Secretary hopej@talktalk.net, or 01620 893396

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CONTACT INFORMATION Newsletter Editor, Making Music Scotland Miss Janet A.B. Darling E: jd@jabd.abel.co.uk Volunteer Support Team Leader, Making Music Scotland Mrs. Linda Young E: l.young24@btinternet.com Membership Enquiries, Making Music Scotland Miss Hilary Stokes E: hastokes@blueyonder.co.uk Member Development Team Leader, Making Music Scotland Mrs Jean Renno E: jeanrenno144@btinternet.com Manager, Making Music Scotland (Retires 31 January 2013) Mr Richard Shaw E: richardshaw43@btinternet.com Making Music The National Federation of Music Societies, 2 - 4 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3NW T: (020) 7422 8280; F: (020) 7422 8299 E: info@makingmusic.org.uk www.makingmusic.org.uk Making Music Scotland www.makingmusic.org.uk/scotland Making Music, the National Federation of Music Societies.

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© Making Music Scotland 2012