Autumn 2016

Welcome to the Buckinghamshire Learning Trust Music Newsletter! Inside, you will be able to read about some of the exciting things our young musicians have been up to this term, together with news of some of our forthcoming events. As a service, we pride ourselves on having the flexibility and capacity to offer a range of regular and one-off activities for all young people across the County. Whether your child has never learned an instrument before and is interested in giving it a go, or they are already learning and looking for their next challenge, there will be something for them through BLTM. To see and hear what we have been doing, please do come to one of our Christmas Celebration concerts, the details of which can be found at the end of this newsletter. Alternatively, simply come along next term for a free trial session or to look around. Dan Francis – Head of Music Services

MUSIC FOR MUNCHKINS – This music group for 4-6 year olds runs as part of our regular activities at four of our five Music Centres each week. Our team will engage your child in lots of musical activities to develop their language, listening and communication skills. For more information, please contact your local Music Centre (details at the end of this newsletter). These sessions can also be delivered in schools and early years settings to support staff in using music to help children at this crucial stage of their development.

FIND YOUR SOUND - Music tuition can seem expensive and be a barrier to children trying out an instrument for the first time or progressing on from Whole Class Practical Musicianship which is paid for by their school. We now have a group tuition rate where children can learn an instrument in a group of four to six students. They can apply for this at school or use it as one of the two activities they can access through Music Centre membership (subject to instrument and location). See below for how this might work in conjunction with other groups at our Music Centres:

Whole Class Practical Musicianship

Group lesson + Prep Band

Never Played an Instrument Before

Beginner sessions + Group lesson

Beginner sessions + Choir

Music Centre membership costs £70 per term (that’s just £3.50 per group per week) and our team are able to advise parents on the best combination for your children. Visit www.bucksmusic.org/downloads to view our range of groups either by instrument or by Music Centre, located in Aylesbury, Amersham, Buckingham, High Wycombe and The Ivers.

Creative Composition Workshops with the RPO - October In the week before October Half-term, students from three primary schools in the North of the county were given the opportunity of working with musicians from one of our partner orchestras, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to create an original composition inspired by Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. The workshop leader and his team worked with students who had never played an instrument together with those who had just started learning to create a completely original piece of music. Featuring singing, percussion and orchestral instruments, the piece was based entirely on ideas composed by the children. This

was then followed up by a day’s workshop at the Waterside Theatre, another of our partners, where children and student leaders worked together with professional musicians to create yet another original composition which was performed in the foyer as a pre-concert performance to parents and concert-goers. This was the first of what we hope will be a number of exciting projects with the RPO and the feedback from parents and students highlighted what a worthwhile and enjoyable day was had by everyone.

Energise Aylesbury – November Students from every school in Aylesbury took to the stage to take part in the inaugural Energise Aylesbury. This event, run by the Bucks Area Educational Alliance and supported by BLTM, was inspired by the Energise events that have been taking place at the Swan Theatre for a number of years and highlighted the desire of a number of teachers to nurture and develop singing in their schools. The performances, directed by Jane Smith, demonstrated the positive impact music can have on young people and it was a joy to see so many smiling, enthusiastic faces all working together to create a stunning musical performance.

Year Two Come and Sing - November Over the last fortnight, a team of tutors have visited four schools to deliver exciting Come and Sing workshops to over 600 children in Year Two from 14 different schools across the County. Led by our singing excellence advisor, Glyn Murphy, our team took the children and their teachers through a range of warm-up activities and fun songs which developed their ability to learn by ear, listen to each other, work as part of a large team and to sing beautifully in harmony. These workshops served as an introduction to the singing opportunities available to children in KS1 at the Music Centres and as effective CPD for primary colleagues when delivering whole class and school singing.

Marlow Music Festival Success - November th

On Tuesday 15 November 2016, the High Wycombe Music Centre Guitar Consort took to the stage at the Marlow Festival of Music and Dance and were then followed in quick th pursuit by the High Wycombe Music Centre Sax Ensemble on Thursday 17 November. Both groups performed brilliantly and were both rewarded for their efforts by gaining Distinction and winning the Gold Medal in each of their categories. The Sax Ensemble were also awarded the trophy for Overall Promise and Achievement in an ensemble. We would like to congratulate Gareth Holwill (Guitar tutor) and Katie Brown (Sax tutor) and their students for this outstanding achievement. ON

The National Concert Band Festival – December th

On Sunday 4 December 2016, the High Wycombe Concert Band and BB1 (Senior Big Band) are travelling to the Cardinal Vaughan School, London, to take part in the National Concert Band Festival regional heats in the hope of progressing through to the National Finals, held in Birmingham in March. This is a prestigious festival, attracting the UK’s leading amateur and professional Jazz and Concert Bands and so we are delighted to be able to send two ensembles to this festival and wish them the very best of luck!

Buckinghamshire County Youth Orchestra – Saturday 8th January 2017 The BCYO are busy preparing for their Summer tour to Reykjavik, Iceland in August and, as part of their Winter course, are getting the unique chance to work with five professional musicians from our newest partners, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Our top classical musicians from across the County will not just get together to play amazing music and to socialise but will also create a unique composition and be given great insight into the life and work of a professional orchestral musician.

Musicate – a Music Education Conference st

On Tuesday 31 January 2017, BLTM are holding a Music Education Conference at the Gateway Conference Centre, Aylesbury. This conference is part of our commitment to supporting high quality music in and out of schools and is designed for anyone with responsibility for the development and delivery of music for young people aged 0-18. The conference will feature practical workshops and discussion groups under the title of ‘Keeping Creativity at the Heart of Learning’ and I am pleased to announce that our guest keynote speaker will be Jem Shuttleworth, CEO of Musicmark – the National Organisation for Music Education Hubs. More information can be found at www.bucksmusic.org/BMEH/musicate

Battle of the Bands III – Saturday 18th March 2017 @ The Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe Bands and Singer-songwriters from across the County are preparing for the next round of auditions to be held in January 2017, hoping to try out for a place in the Grand Final of our Third Annual Battle of the Bands competition. Each band will perform to a live audience and panel of industry professionals, while the winners get the chance to record their own EP in a professional recording studio and to perform on stage at a local Bucks Festival. Visit www.bucksmusic.org/botb for more information.

Echoes 7 – Monday 20th March 2017 @ The Royal Albert Hall th

Our biennial primary music festival will take place on Monday 20 March 2017 at the Royal Albert Hall and will feature nearly 2000 primary school children from across Buckinghamshire, performing a range of music for choirs and Whole Class Practical Musicianship instrumentalists, as well as a specially commissioned piece by the well-known composer, Scott Stroman. Children and their teachers from over 50 schools are warming up for rehearsals as we speak!

Natasha Marsh joined the BLTM tutor team in 2015, delivering whole class singing in primary schools across the county. As a professional singer, she has given many critically acclaimed performances across the world and recorded a number of albums, including Howard Goodall’s ‘Eternal Light’ and her debut classical number one album with EMI and the London Symphony Orchestra. Her opera work has included performances with Glyndebourne, Opera North, the Welsh National Opera and Opera Zuid (The Netherlands) and she has sung with all the leading orchestras including the RPO (London), CBSO (Birmingham) and the Halle Orchestra (Manchester). Natasha has toured the UK and Europe extensively, performing regularly at live events at the Royal Albert Hall, The Barbican and the Carling Cup final at Wembley Stadium and as a special guest for global stars Jose Carreras, Il Divo, Russell Watson, Paul Potts and many others. You may also have seen her on the TV shows ‘Loose Women’, ‘Children in Need’ and ‘The One Show’ or as a judge on ‘Songs of Praise Choir of the Year.’ In addition to her teaching, she continues to teach, adjudicate and run vocal workshops across the South of England.

Ralph Wyld joined the BLTM tutor team in November 2015, teaching Percussion and Jazz Improvisation at the Aylesbury Music Centre. Ralph is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music Jazz course, playing vibraphone and percussion and currently plays a range of original, contemporary music with groups such as Sulzmann’s Neon Orchestra and Yazz Ahmed’s Family Hafla. He also plays with the James Taylor Quartet and recently joined them for residencies at London’s world-famous jazz club Ronnie Scott’s and the equally famous Blue Note in Milan. Ralph is also a talented composer and, in 2015, celebrated the double success of winning the Dankworth Prize for Jazz Composition and the Kenny Wheeler Jazz prize. The latter resulted in the release of his debut album

‘Subterranea’ on leading European Jazz label, Edition Records, which was launched with a gig at the Cadogan th Hall on 18 November 2016, as part of the London Jazz Festival. This album features music composed and performed with his own band, Mosaic, whose music is inspired by everything from the artist Paul Klee, composer Steve Reich and Aldershot Town Football Club.

BLTM are busy this term with Christmas Celebration Concerts across the County so please do see below and our website www.bucksmusic.org for more information:

Friday 25th November – Chesham Christmas Lights Amersham Music Centre led a community choir through some festive carols at the Chesham Christmas Lights festival on Friday evening. The Amersham Intermediate and Adult Rehearsal Orchestras also performed to help everyone get excited about the forthcoming festivities!

Saturday 26th November – The Jazz Lounge @ Millbrook School, High Wycombe High Wycombe Music Centre’s renowned BB1, BB2 and Jazz Cats performed a range of Jazz favourites to a packed audience. The hall was transformed into a jazz café, complete with candles and bring your own!

Sunday 27th November – Santa’s Parade The Aylesbury Music Centre Concert Band helped Santa get into the Christmas spirit at his parade in Aylesbury town centre from 1.30-2.30pm.

Thursday 1st December 2016 – Arts4Every1 The award-winning High Wycombe Music Centre Classical Guitar Consort are joined by the Senior and Junior Guitar Ensembles from High Wycombe for a fabulous concert of calming classical guitar music. Escape the Christmas rush this week for a couple of hours from 7pm at Arts4Every1, Desborough Road. Free entry with a retiring collection.

Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December – Sainsbury’s, High Wycombe The High Wycombe Music Centre ensembles will be performing throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday at Sainsbury’s, Oxford Road, High Wycombe. So, instead of online shopping in your PJs, don a Santa hat and come and experience some fine performances by our beginner, intermediate and senior groups.

Monday 5th December 2016 – Iver Heath Music Centre BLTM’s newest Music Centre will be opening its doors for a Christmas celebration to end its fourth ever term of ensemble rehearsals. Come along from 5 – 6pm to hear the orchestra, choir and clarinet group perform some seasonal favourites and to find out what is on offer in this South Bucks centre. Free entry with donations gratefully received on the door!

Friday 9th December – Amersham and High Wycombe Music Centre Christmas Concerts Amersham Music Centre will be holding their annual Christmas Concert at the King’s Church, Raans Road, Amersham from 7pm. Come and see the range of burgeoning talent coming out of this vibrant Music Centre. Free entry with a retiring collection th High Wycombe Music Centre will be opening its doors on the evening of Friday 9 December for you to come and see their ensembles perform as part of their informal Christmas celebration. Free entry with donations gratefully received on the door! See website for more details

Saturday 10th December – Amersham, Aylesbury and Buckingham Music Centre Christmas Concerts 3.30pm – Claydon House. The young musicians of Buckingham Music Centre will be performing as part of Claydon House’s Christmas celebration events. Come along to the courtyard and enjoy the musical delights as you peruse the Arts and Craft stalls at this beautiful National Trust house and grounds. 3pm – Aylesbury Music Centre Christmas Sparkle 1, 7pm – Aylesbury Music Centre Christmas Sparkle 2 Aylesbury Music Centre have so many groups performing this Christmas that they are holding TWO concerts for your delight and delectation. Both will feature a range of beginner, intermediate and advanced groups from Strings to Saxophone, including the renowned Aylesbury Big Band. Free entry with a retiring collection. 7pm – Amersham Music Centre and the Joyful Company of Singers will be performing a range of seasonal music at the King’s Church, Raans Road, Amersham. Adults £10/£6 concessions

For regular up-to-date information about BLTM: Web: www.bucksmusic.org Facebook: BucksLTM Twitter: @BucksLTM

Director of Music – Mr Paul Guenault Head of Music Services – Mr Dan Francis Business Support Lead – Daniela Worman Our Music Centres:

Aylesbury and Buckingham Music Centres [email protected] 01296 383243 Walton Road, Aylesbury, HP21 7ST

Area Leaders: Penny Hale and Fay Hayhurst Business Support Officer: Julie Platt and Lynda Lown Buckingham Music Centre [email protected] 01296 383243 Hosted at Buckingham Primary School, Foscott Way, Buckingham, MK18 1TT All enquiries and correspondence via Aylesbury Music Centre

Area Leader: Fay Hayhurst

Amersham Music Centre [email protected] 01494 586530 Stanley Hill, Amersham, HP7 9HH

Area Leaders: Fiona Jacob and Catherine Buczak Business Support Officer: Phil Bouwman High Wycombe Music Centre [email protected] 01494 475166 Millbrook Combined School, Mill End Road, HP12 4BA

Area Leaders: Kersten Luts and Carolyn Sewell Business Support Officer: Netty Purchase Iver Heath Music Centre [email protected] 1494 586530 Hosted at Iver Heath Junior School, Iver, SL0 0SG

Area Leader: Catherine Buczak Business Support Officer: Phil Bouwman All Music Centre and Teaching Starts again in the New Year on

Welcome to our New Staff Sue Snell (Woodwind) Claire Humphries (Woodwind) Emily Roe (Violin) Valerie Pearson (Violin) Melissa Davies (Double Reed) Suzanne Poulter (Flute) Netty Purchase (High Wycombe Music Centre) Lynda Moorcroft (Central Team)

Farewell to our Staff leaving at Christmas Lorna Morton (Violin)