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The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) survey highlights the importance of music education...
A survey by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) has revealed that 74% of ISM corporate members rate music education as the most important issue facing the whole of the music sector.
Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the ISM said: ‘We know that 91% of adults in Britain believe all children should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument at school, and over three-quarters of the public think the cost of central government funding for music lessons in England is reasonable.
‘These results now demonstrate just how critical music education is to the entire music sector.’
The ISM is calling on the government to ensure music education continues to be sustainably funded, especially during these difficult times. Sustainable funding is vital to ensure music continues to play an important part of the British economy, with the creative sector currently generating 10% of the UK’s GDP. It is also estimated that for every £1 of public investment in the arts, £2 is generated.
As one respondent said: ‘Fewer trained musicians equals fewer music teachers and fewer performers.’
Sue Sturrock, Director of Communications at the Royal College of Music, one of the ISM’s corporate members said:
‘Being an ISM corporate member is essential for any music organisation, especially during these challenging times. The ISM supports the interests of everyone engaged in the music profession through its lobbying and campaigns work, and corporate membership is also a great way of keeping informed about what is going on in the music world.’
Animation Workshop with St Josephs RC Primary School
Thursday 1st July saw Music, Arts and Study Support’s Apple RTC link with the Howzat Learning Centre to give students from St Josephs RC Primary School an opportunity to take part in a Stop-Motion animation workshop.
Apple Distinguished Educator Oscar Stringer worked with the students over 2 hours to produce short animations. The students created their own figures from plasticine and used them to make their own animation videos. Throughout the session they learnt simple stop frame animation techniques and were shown how, when coupled with Apple’s iLife suite, the results can easily be shared through online blogs and podcasts.
If you would like more information about our FREE Apple training sessions for schools, including students and teachers, please contact sarah.miller@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
Music Summer School in Full Swing
Our 2010 Music Summer School is underway. More than 500 children and young people have applied to take part in a wide range of activities including songwriting, digital music, popular vocals and a variety of instrumental courses.
Congratulations are due to the 70 Yr 4 – 6 children who performed superbly to a packed audience at the Sallis Benney theatre at the end of the junior music theatre course and members of the Summer Strings Orchestra who took advantage of the good weather to stage an outside concert at the end of their course.
The 2010 summer school continues until July 20th.
MAS Learning Platform Highly Commended by UniServity
Brighton & Hove Music Arts, & Study Support launched their Learning Platform in November 2009 and was certified Highly Commended in this years UniServity Awards. Podcasts, instrumental tutorials videos, pictures and study support activities are all available for students who attend Soundmakers and our Playing for Success centres. The project has been lead by Gary Holmes, ICT Development Officer and a growing team of MAS teachers and staff providing more online content for Brighton & Hove young people to download and to share with parents/carers and the wider school community. www.maslearningplatform.org.uk
Brighton GAK (Guitar , Amp and Keyboards) saves the day...
BYO travels to Switzerland with an outstanding piano soloist, Gabriel Jones, to perform both the Grieg Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue. Great BUT we realised that there were not a lot of concert pianos in the venues. So we started a frantic search and GAK came to the rescue in lending us an absolutely top of the range Roland Piano (weighted) keyboard with fabulous sampled sound. They also sourced us a pair of much needed clash cymbals at a very good price and very quickly
Thank you especially to Ian Stephens at GAK
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/
76-81 North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD
Infant Violin Workshop
On Friday 25th June, 50 violinists from year 2 came to MAS from schools across the city to join together for our Infant Violin Workshop. This annual event is always an exciting and lively occasion as for many of the young musicians it is the first time that they have ever played as part of such a large group.
Working with MAS violin teachers, the young violinists rehearsed a selection of pieces from Fiddle Time Starters before performing to a packed audience of parents/carers and friends. It was standing room only for an appreciative audience who generated a real buzz during the performance.
Congratulations to all the young violinists who took part – if you enjoyed the experience why not apply to join a violin group at Music Centre, where you will get more opportunities for playing and performing as part of a larger group? Please ask your violin teacher for more information.
Leavers concert at Downs Park (special needs school) with BYO String ensemble.
BYO String ensemble played a supporting role to the talented leavers on Friday 25th June 2010
What a special collaborative event – the young people at the school had worked so hard and produced consistently good music. It was put together in just one hour’s rehearsal followed immediately by the concert. It was very moving and we all just wished we had a chance to do it all again. The range of music was wide: from drumming to rounds, calypso to Annie Lennox, improvisation to a special piece by the Director of Music at Downs Park – Teresa Newnham. Bravo to Teresa , Downs Park leavers and BYO String ensemble
Brighton & Hove Youth Percussion Ensemble Invited to Perform at the East Sussex Annual Percussion Festival
Brighton & Hove Youth Percussion Ensemble are delighted to have been invited to perform as part of the East Sussex Percussion Festival. The annual event which this year takes place on Monday 21st June at Ratton School, Eastbourne hosts a wide range of percussion groups including samba bands, school percussion groups as well as city and county wide percussion ensembles. The event not only provides the ensemble with an exciting performance opportunity but it gives the players a chance to see and hear a wide range of other percussionists and percussion music being performed.
Music Summer School 2010
It’s not too late to sign up for one of our many summer school courses. Whether you already play a musical instrument or are interested in trying an activity for the first time why not sign up, join in and have fun? The closing date for all courses (except Junior Music Theatre) has been extended until Friday 18th June. Please see our Summer School guide for details about the range of courses on offer. If you would like to apply please use the attached application form .
FMS confirms Brighton & Hove Music Service to be 'Outstanding' for second year
Brighton & Hove’s reputation as a top breeding ground for young musical talent has been confirmed by government inspectors.
The Federation of Music Services, which carries out inspections nationally, has rated the city’s music service – part of Brighton & Hove City Council – as ‘outstanding’ for the second year running.
The opportunities schoolchildren had for creative music were a particular strength, said inspectors. They described two concerts they attended as outstanding, and singled out the quality of vocal work, composition and improvisation.
Over the past year a focus on improving attainment in guitar and drums has resulted in more young people reaching levels 2 and 3. Inspectors also praised the service’s collaborative work with other council services to reach out to vulnerable young people.
The council’s cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Vanessa Brown, said: “I’m particularly pleased that the inspectors have recognised the effort we put in to reaching out to young people of all backgrounds and at all musical levels, from gifted and talented to underachieving groups.”
• The Brighton Youth Orchestra will be performing with Sir John Tomlinson, Grammy winner and probably the world’s greatest Wagnerian Bass, at a concert on Sunday 9 May at St Bartholomew’s Church in Brighton.
• Mercury Prize nominees The Go! Team recently invited the Brighton & Hove Big Band’s saxophone and horn sections to play on their third album, which was recorded recently at Brighton Electric Studios.
• The city’s youth big band performed at the Birmingham Symphony Hall last July as part of the prestigious National Festival of Music for Youth.
Brighton Youth Orchestra (BYO) Perform at Brighton Festival - Sunday 9th May (Review)
St Bartholomew’s Church was the venue for an official concert of the Brighton Festival featuring BYO with one of the greatest singers in the world, a world premiere, and a didgeridoo!
Feedback from various members of the audience has been high in its praise. One member of the public said that Sir John Tomlinson – (Grammy Winner, probably the greatest Wagnerian Bass in the world) was “awesome” as he sang excerpts from Boris Godunov and a world premiere ‘Midnight Skaters’ with BYO. Certainly he inspired the orchestra to perform magnificently.
A lot of the audience were particularly struck by the power of Peter Copley’s ‘Midnight Skaters’ referring to it is as “accessible and very powerful”. Others still were bowled over by the mixture of raw animal sounds emerging from Steve Heath’s Didgeridoo mixed with the power of an orchestra in “Earth Cry”.
The orchestra set the scene with a fine performance of Bernstein’s ‘Candide’ overture.
John and BYO were joined by the Brighton Singers and friends from four other Brighton choirs. The choir were also fulsome in praise of the orchestra.
A unifying part of the appreciation seems to have been for the orchestra who despite being in the middle of exams rose to the occasion and performing a very varied, unusual and eclectic programme with flair. They no doubt, were highly inspired by the incredible voice of Sir John Tomlinson whose own daughter Ellen used to be a member.
Arts Development Officer (fixed term to November 2010)
Kings House, Hove.
37 Hours per week
M11 £29,236 - £31,754 pro rata .
Brighton & Hove has one of the most highly arts-engaged populations in the UK and this role is to help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate, attend and engage in the highest quality arts and cultural activity. The role has a particular focus on developing arts and cultural strategies, initiatives and targeted projects for children and young people, within arts and health and to facilitate social inclusion.
All of the above activity and initiatives are delivered in partnership with the city's vibrant arts and cultural sector.
The arts development officer also provides advice and support to the arts sector in the city and for non-arts organisations seeking to engage with artists and arts practice.
Please note: The post is for a fixed period ending at the end of November 2010 to cover existing post holders' sabbatical
Ideally available to start immediately
We welcome applications from two candidates job-sharing.
Closing Date: 9am Tuesday 1 June
Interview Date: Friday 4 June
Job Reference: CUS0024
jobs.brighton-hove.gov.uk
Musicians Benevolent Fund - Young Talent Award 2010
Do you know of any outstanding young musicians in your Music Service who need financial help to fund their lessons or with purchasing an instrument?
The Musicians Benevolent Fund has over £100,000 available for the up to 18 year olds this year who display outstanding talent and have financial need. The application process is simple and can be found on our website along with further details of the funding criteria: www.mbf.org.uk/awards The deadline for applications is Friday 11 June 2010.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Awards Department on this email, or by phone on 020 7239 9119.
Please also see the attached e-flyer
Brighton based band The Go! Team discover our Big Band
The Brighton based band and mercury prize nominees The Go! Team recently invited our Big Bands sax and horn sections to play on their 3rd album to be released later this year. Ian Parton, The Go! Team’s founder member, discovered the Big Band last summer at a gig on Brighton beach and was so impressed by the standard of the playing he invited the players to record at Brighton Electric Studios over two days last term.
Recording in a professional studio, working with an internationally acclaimed band, learning new music by ear then recording it was an excellent experience for all the players. As a thank you The Go! Team have provided a separate recording session for the whole Big Band which has resulted in a 4 track EP to be released soon! The player’s names will also feature on the cover of the forthcoming album.
Many thanks to The Go! Team for offering such an exciting and valuable experience to the Big Band players.
BYO perform at Brighton Festival
BYO at Brighton Festival perform with two of the greatest singers in the world and a didgeridoo!!
Sunday 9th May, 7.30pm at St Bartholomew’s Church
Sir John Tomlinson, Grammy winner and probably the greatest Wagnerian Bass in the world is singing with BYO. He will sing parts from Boris Godunov and the world premiere by Peter Copley.
Those who want something different and are perhaps new to orchestra music will love “Earth Cry” - for didgeridoo and orchestra by the great Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe – a haunting and evocative work with Steve Heath on didgeridoo.
Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions) from http://www.brightonfestival.org/Event_Details.aspx?eid=3563 01273 709709 or in person at 29 New Road Ticket Office.
BHYP and BHYCB Tour to Belgium
During the Easter holiday 65 students from BHYP and BHYCB toured to Belgium, giving concerts at prestigious venues in Leuven, Verviers and Wavre. Both ensembles played a variety of repertoire ranging from Gershwin to Brahms and also came together for several combined items. The students received an incredibly warm reception from the hosts and audiences at all three concerts and also enjoyed a visit to Brussels.
Haiti Quake Fundraiser at Music, Arts & Study Support
In March Music, Arts & Study Support took part in a fundraising Soundmakers session.
Brighton & Hove has a thriving community of young musicians who participate and engage with a wide range of musical styles and genres. Building on this dynamic environment, MAS have developed a new and exciting programme in Brighton & Hove called Soundmakers which aims to widen opportunities for children at Key Stage 2 to engage in music.
The Soundmakers programme engages a whole class in creative music making designed to develop instrumental, ensemble and compositional skills. Working with rhythms from genres such as hip hop, funk and samba reggae, the children compose their own lines, learn about structure and are introduced to solos and improvisation.
The Soundmakers team delivered a one-hour lesson for the staff at MAS who took part in call and response games using djembe and also had a taster session at learning guitar, djembe or trumpet.
We are pleased to say that through this session, MAS raised £112 which has been sent off to the DEC to help with aid for the Haiti earthquake.
Brighton & Hove Advanced Brass Ensemble perform in Brighton Early Music Festival
Brighton Early Music Festival has commissioned the eminent composer Orlando Gough to compose a work for this year’s festival in November. BREMF were so impressed with the Brighton & Hove Advanced Brass Ensemble that we formed especially for a concert in last year’s festival that they have asked Orlando to compose a section specifically for us. The work will have its first performance in Hove Town Hall on Sunday November 7th. More details nearer the time...
Hit the Ground Running!
Students from Hove Park School have been taking part in Hit the Ground Running!, a project designed and delivered by MAS to explore local urban spaces, free-running and film-making.
Hit the Ground Running! has offered opportunities for students to experience free-running, parkour and athletic movement sessions in and around Brighton’s Cultural Quarter as part of Performing for Success, a national scheme to support the development of literacy and numeracy skills through increased participation in the arts. Throughout March 15 boys (who had never previously taken part in extra-curricular music or dance activities) have also been filming their progress to create a short documentary and dance-for-camera film. In addition to recording their performances the boys have also edited the film and composed the soundtrack.
Watch this space for details of the first public screening…
Seagulls Learning Centre Graduation: March 29th 2010
84 students accompanied by parents, carers, teachers and siblings attended our end of term graduation on Monday night. It was the highest attended PfS graduation held at the Football Club.
All students received certificates and some were awarded Albion shirts or a signed football as an extra prize for achievement and development. Albion players Tommy Elphick and Colin Hawkins kindly gave up their time to award the prizes to the students. All students had their photos taken with the players and most also received autographs.
Aside from exceptional attendance this term; the highlight of the term has to be the success students have made in their punctuation. All students have focused on punctuation in Literacy, incorporating punctuation ‘Kung Fu’ into the sessions. This is an exciting way to make punctuation practical. To compliment the ‘Kung Fu’ we had football related activities to improve all areas of punctuation.
We tested the students with an unpunctuated match report in the first couple of weeks and then we tested them again with the same report in the final session. When tested the first time, 15% of students achieved the 50% pass mark. When retested in the final week, 87% of students achieved 50% or more. The average improvement score was 37 points, which is a 67% increase. This shows students weren’t just passing, they were achieving excellent results. This has provided us with very useful information to report back to both the schools and the DCSF.
Sounds from the City, Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 March - 19.30
Pavilion Theatre, Dome, Brighton
Sounds from the City will showcase the talents of 20 bands and solo performers as it returns to the Pavilion Theatre for its 10th successive year. Since its launch in 2001 Sounds from the City has provided a platform for over 200 young acts, some of which now enjoy national and international success. If you want to see what’s up and coming on the south coast’s music scene then the place to be is the Pavilion Theatre on March 29th and 30th.
Please click here to view a poster for the event
Brighton & Hove 'Singing City' Conference, Wednesday 31 March - 9.00 - 4.00pm
Brighton Dome and Festival
* There are still some places available for the Brighton & Hove ‘Singing City’ Conference on 31st March 2010 *
Places are limited so if you haven’t already booked please complete the attached application form and return to Brighton & Hove Music, Arts and Study Support, County Oak Ave, Brighton, BN1 8DJ by Friday 19th March.
Please click here to view an E-flyer