SINGPOSIUM 2008

o       Tuesday 8 July
o       CBSO Centre, Birmingham

Singposium 2008, a singing, conducting and choral day aimed at anyone who works with young singers will take place on 8 July, 9.00am – 5.00pm at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham.  The event is part of the National Festival of Music for Youth and is organised by Music for Youth, in conjunction with the Association of British Choral Directors (ABCD).

Celebrating singing and vocal activities covering a range of styles and genres, Singposium focuses on young singers and their training and aims to help young singers to sing with ease and enthusiasm. 

The event will provide practical advice on finding repertoire and opportunity to observe others rehearsing, share ideas, initiatives and effective practices.

The course comprises a series of keynote addresses, workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations from leading practitioners including: Lin Marsh, a vocal coach and composer with a special passion for music theatre, Helen Smith vocal coach for Solihull and Birmingham Music Services, Ben Lamb, founder of Sarum Voices, David Lawrence, Principal Conductor of The Sage Gateshead’s youth choir, Quay Voices, Jeremy Dibb, area manager with Warwickshire Music Service, Jenevora Williams, young voices specialist, David Leeke, Organist and Director of Music at St. Chad’s, Shrewsbury, Douglas Coombes, one of the county’s most prolific composers.  National singing initiative Sing Up whose aim is to put singing at the heart of every primary school in England by 2011 will also run one of the sessions.

The cost of the course is £50; completed registration forms should be sent to Music for Youth. 

For more details, contact Luke Johnson on 020 8870 9624


The Association of British Choral Directors (ABCD) is the only UK organisation which is devoted entirely to supporting choral music leaders, both amateur and professional.  It is committed to promoting, improving and maintaining opportunities for the professional development of all those leading singing of any kind, whether in the classroom or in the community.  It runs an extensive programme of national and regional courses, workshops and seminars as well as publishing a regular journal.

To find out more about ABCD, email: rachel.greaves@abcd.org.uk

TOP DRUMMERS FOR CHARITY GIG

On 28th February, Reading’s Rivermead Centre will rock to the beat of some of the UKs greatest drummers, all of whom have given their services absolutely free for charity.

The event is called ‘Rock of Ages’ and has been organised by DrumWright Managing Director Chris Wright, who is one of the driving forces behind the new charity Music For All.  Chris explains:
‘Music For All is a charity which has the simple aim of getting more people –from every age group – to play music.  Rock of Ages aims to bring together some of the most successful drummers in the UK for a one-off fund raising event to raise funds to help today’s aspiring musicians to take up an instrument.”

The careers of some of these drummers span more than six decades.  They include:

BRIAN BENNETT – legendary drummer with The Shadows for nearly 50 years – and one of Britain’s top conductors, arrangers and composers.
CLEM CATTINI – drummer with ‘The Tornados’, the first British band to top the charts in the UK and USA simultaneously, 1962.  The drummer on no less than 47 chart topping singles, Clem is widely regarded as one of Britain’s finest session drummers.  He will be accompanied by ‘The Rock Masters’ featuring record-producer and one-time member of The Springfields Mike Hurst; Colin Farley (Cutting Crew) and Ray Fenwick (Spencer Davis, Ian Gillan).
BOB HENRIT – One of the UK’s most respected rock drummers (Adam Faith & The Roulettes, Argent, The Kinks) –and – he will be bringing ex- Argent guitarist John Verity and ex-Matthew Southern Comfort and Shadows bass player Mark Griffith with him.
RIC LEE  – drummer with Woodstock veterans Ten Years After with other members of TYA.
BOBBY ORR – In his 80th year, Bobby’s playing credits include Shirley Bassey, Pat Boone, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis, Billy Eckstein, Benny Goodman, Ted heath & Tommy Steele.  One of the finest jazz and session drummers the UK has ever produced, and Bobby will be performing with some excellent young players from the Berkshire Maestros.
NIGEL SHIPWAY – one of the UK’s top percussion players – a man with a CV that reads like a Who’s Who of the UK music scene.

Also playing will be top Deep Purple tribute tribute band ‘The Purple Project’, featuring drummer Johnny Marter, who has played with or supported many big names in rock, including Meatloaf, Status Quo, Barclay James Harvest, Queen, Tom Petty, Journey, Marillion, Black Sabbath, Kiki Dee, Paul Young, Annie Lennox , Peter Gabriel, Ronan Keating and Keith Richards.

It was hoped that Deep Purple’s drummer, Ian Paice [who lives near Henley], would sit in with the band, but he will be on tour in South America.  However, Ian has kindly donated a masterclass with himself, which will be auctioned at or shortly after the event.

To boost funds still further, there will be a spectacular raffle, the first prize of which will be a Mapex Saturn drum kit as used by Will Calhoun of 90’s rock band ‘Living Colour’ on his 2007 UK tour.  The kit comes in Canary yellow and comprises 20” & 18” bass drums, 8/10/12 mounted toms and 14” and 16” floor toms.  The kit has a retail value of £2500, but its value is greatly enhanced by the fact that Will has personally signed the inside of the shells.  Other prizes include:

• Yamaha DTXplorer Electronic drum kit
• Sabian AAX Stage cymbal set
• Ian Paice/DrumWright Limited Edition snare, signed personally by Ian (one of these recently sold at auction for £1200!)
• A Zildjian 10” gong.

Notes for Editors
1) The charity Music For All was launched in November 2007.  Its patrons include Aled Jones and Rick Wakeman .
(for more information, see www.musicforall.org.uk)
2) Chris Wright is Managing Director of Thames Valley Drum and Percussion retailer ‘DrumWright’.  He is also a volunteer director and honorary treasurer of the Music Industries Association and a member of the Management Board for Music For All. That Board is chaired by John Booth of Roland, and other MI members include Rob Castle, Rob Wilson, Gordon Raison, Bob Thomas and MIA Chief Executive Paul McManus
3) The last event Chris organised at Rivermead in January 2006 attracted over 1000 people  raised £10,000 for charity and received extensive press and TV coverage.
4) Picture sent shows:
Back Row: (left to right) Ian Wright (son of Chris Wright and Operations Manager at DrumWright)’ Nigel Shipway, Ian Paice, Ric Lee, Chris Wright.  Front row: Bobby Orr, Clem Cattini, Brian Bennett, Bob Henrit  at the MIA’s annual awards ceremony at The Savoy in October, at which Chris Wright made a presentation to Brian Bennett in recognition of his outstanding services to music over fifty years. (Please credit photo to OK Magazine).
5)    Chris Wright can be contacted on 01189 402372/07703 548967.

 TV CHOIR FEATURE IN MUSIC FOR YOUTH CONCERTS

• ‘The Choir – Boys Don’t Sing’, sequel to the BAFTA winning series, sees 100 boys aiming to sing at the Music for Youth Schools Prom

• Four part series, 9pm, BBC2, begins 1 February

The series follows choir master Gareth Malone as he tackles the task of teaching choral singing in Lancaster School – a large boys only state school in Leicester.  Gareth’s goal is to lead a 100-strong all boys choir to perform at the Music for Youth Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. 

The Music for Youth Schools Prom features talented young musicians and singers from some of the country’s best young musical ensembles over three nights at the Royal Albert Hall.  Music for Youth’s aim is to encourage young people to get involved in music. With the goal of progressing from local Regional Festivals, to the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham and finally the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, young people are inspired by each others’ music-making and have a real sense of achievement.

Episode 3 of the series on 15 February features the choir performing in public at Singposium 2007 during the National Festival of Music for Youth, where they get valuable feedback from music education expert Leonora Davies.  Episode 4 of the series on 22 February features the choir working towards performing at the Music for Youth Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. There was added pressure on the night as key members of the Music Manifesto and Lord Andrew Adonis were in the audience.  Afterwards Gareth said of the Music for Youth Schools Prom ‘I thought the whole thing was fantastic.’  Most importantly the boys at Lancaster School still do sing, the choir is still going strong and they will be performing at the Music for Youth Regional Festival Series in April 2008. 

For further information and photos, please contact:
Samantha Weitzel at Music for Youth
Tel: 020 8870 9624
Email: sam@mfy.org.uk
www.mfy.org.uk

About Music for Youth
Music for Youth is an educational charity with a world-wide reputation for its work in music education.  It provides free access to performance opportunities for all kinds of young musicians through its annual programme of festivals and concerts.  Music for Youth believes that performing in front of live audiences is a vital element in spurring on young people to greater achievement.

The Music for Youth Schools Prom is the culmination of the Music for Youth year where 3,000 outstanding young musicians and singers are invited to perform in three evening concerts at the Royal Albert Hall – a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Singposium is organised by Music for Youth and the Association of British Choral Directors – a one day course designed to provide stimulating and interesting ideas for everyone working with young singers. www.mfy.org.uk/singposium.asp

Taking part - any young musical group can take part in Music for Youth events.  Entry to the annual programme opens in September each year for groups performing any type of music and of any standard.  Groups are invited to perform at their local Regional Festival on a first come first served basis with the possibility of progressing to the National Festival of Music for Youth and then even the Schools Prom.  More information can be found at www.mfy.org.uk or 020 8870 9624.

Music for Youth is funded by:
Major Sponsors: National Union of Teachers and The Times Educational Supplement
Sponsor: John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd.
Founding Sponsor: Music Industries Association
With funding from: Youth Music and Department for Children, Schools and Families
Media Partner: Classic FM

Charity Registration No: 285831
Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No 1611491. Registered office: 102 Point Pleasant, London, SW18 1PP. VAT No: 341017406

MUSIC FOR YOUTH APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Music for Youth, the educational charity that runs the Schools Prom and nationwide festivals for 100,000 children each year, has appointed Lincoln Abbotts as its new chief executive.

Lincoln, who has devised and run dozens of music programmes for young people and their families for the BBC Proms and BBC Symphony Orchestra, replaces Larry Westland, the charity’s founder, who is retiring after 37 years.

Lincoln, who is 38, is joining the charity that helped inspire his enthusiasm for music 25 years ago when he played the flute at the Schools Prom.  He said: “The opportunity to perform in a major venue was a significant early influence and I can still remember the excitement and thrill of it all. With its national programme and huge creative ambition, Music for Youth is a unique organisation.
“I am delighted to be joining and look forward to continuing and developing the opportunities that it offers young musicians across the UK.”

He has 18 years’ experience as manager, musician, consultant, instrumental tutor and workshop leader. At present he is learning consultant for BBC Proms and learning manager for the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

He has devised the Family Orchestra and Chorus programmes for the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Proms and was the driving force behind collaborations which brought together musicians of all ages and experience to work with performers from Indonesia, Africa, Iran and South America. His most recent project for the Proms was Brass Day, which involved Uzbek trumpeters, the Coldstream Guards and brass players aged eight to eighty.

Larry Westland, who was awarded the CBE for his work with Music for Youth, will become Honorary Life President and will continue to advise Lincoln. He said: “I am excited that Music for Youth has been able to attract someone of the calibre of Lincoln. Everything has to move on and I look forward to seeing Lincoln build on the firm foundation we have built over many years.”

For further information, please contact: Chloë Faulkner: 020 8870 9624    Email: chloe@mfy.org.uk

MUSIC FOR YOUTH PROUDLY ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF ITS
NEW FULLY INTERACTIVE WEBSITE

Music for Youth, the world’s largest youth music charity, announces the launch of its new fully interactive website. Produced by digital production agency SceneStealer, the site features comprehensive details of all MFY events, user friendly donation pages and even an updated logo. Scenestealer’s new design brings a vibrant and colourful edge to the site and is designed to inform and attract performers and funders alike.

To contribute to the growing awareness of MFY events around the UK, a specially commissioned short show reel has also been incorporated into the new site that encapsulates the spirit of the charity and provides useful information about its work. The show reel is intended to be placed on other relevant sites, such as MySpace, Classic FM, sponsors’ and venues’ websites, as well as providing a helpful summary to first time visitors to mfy.org.uk.

When asked why the site needed updating, Luke Westland, MFY Development Manager, said: “More than ever, the Music for Youth website is the first point of reference for young musicians and music teachers across the UK. As such, we felt we needed to provide a more up-to-date design and an improved user experience to reflect this.”

The new Music for Youth site will aid fundraising efforts and provide a more attractive showcase for sponsor branding. Mr Westland went on to add: “As a charity we rely on the goodwill of individuals and businesses throughout the United Kingdom. We believe the new design offers an even greater incentive to be associated with our organisation.”

SceneStealer is a digital production company in Brighton. Two friends, Dan Gleeson, an experienced television producer, and Tim Langley, who helped set up CitiPages, one of the early internet companies, put their skills and experience together to form the company in 2005 to explore new uses for the ‘web’. SceneStealer works with advertising agencies and leading brands to produce high quality interactive video for the ‘web’, working, in particular with Townhouse Brand Solutions. Tim and Dan are directors of the company and work with a small team – a lead designer, editor and a small team of coders.

The new website will go live on 23 April and can be found at: www.mfy.org.uk

Contact Luke Westland for more information about Music for Youth: 020 8870 9624

To contact Scenestealer: Tel 01273 328963, Tim Langley: 07766 91500 and the new website for the company goes live on 15 May: www.scenestealer.co.uk

10,500 of the Best Young British Musicians invited to perform at the World’s Largest Youth Music Festival
THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC FOR YOUTH
in Birmingham from 9-14 July 2007

The National Festival of Music for Youth goes from strength to strength. This year over 300 groups of young instrumentalists, singers and dancers (314 to be precise) have been invited to perform at the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham – this is more groups than ever before in the thirty-seven year history of Music for Youth. Holding the Festival in Birmingham has proved to be an enormous success, and it has proved possible to invite many more groups to perform in Symphony Hall Birmingham, Adrian Boult Hall (Birmingham Conservatoire), CBSO Centre and Carling Academy 2 this year. Once again the centre of Birmingham will be buzzing with the best young British musical talent from 9 – 14 July, not only in the concert halls but also outside in Chamberlain Square.

On Monday 9 July, the youngest performers open the Festival in Symphony Hall at 10.30 am. The Infants who are all aged eight years old or under are then followed on stage in Symphony Hall by the Juniors (all under 13 years); meanwhile, more groups of Juniors start to perform in the Adrian Boult Hall at 11.00 am; with the Chamber Music groups also starting at 11.00 am in the CBSO Centre. Tuesday 10 July is the day to hear forty-seven of the best choirs from across the country in both Symphony Hall and the Adrian Boult Hall, whilst singing teachers and choral directors gather in Birmingham Rep for Singposium – Towards a Singing Nation, an ideas exchange day with workshops and exhibitions. Howard Goodall, Music Manifesto Singing Champion, welcomes this event as it “looks set to be a thoroughly invigorating day of shared ideas techniques and approaches. If we are to realise a vision of getting our young people into the habit of singing, then sharing ideas and learning from each other is what is required of vocal leaders.” Later that evening from 5.30 pm the emerging talents of the rock, pop and urban world have the opportunity to perform, probably for the first time, in a bona fide rock venue, the Carling Academy 2.

Orchestras from individual schools and String and Chamber Orchestras from individual schools, music centres and counties take over Symphony Hall on Wednesday 11 July, with an exciting mix of instrumentalists in the Ensembles 2007 category performing in both the Adrian Boult Hall and the CBSO Centre. The noise level and excitement reaches even greater heights on Thursday 12 July, when the Brass Bands bring their gleaming instruments to Symphony Hall and the bongos and bodhrans of the Traditional and International Category will have the audiences in the Adrian Boult Hall tapping their feet and clapping along to the infectious rhythms. Friday 13 July blows in with the Wind Bands in Symphony Hall and Jazz groups in the Adrian Boult Hall. Jazz is one of the most popular of the categories at the National Festival with forty-one bands, so the groups spill over into a second day on Saturday 14 July in the Adrian Boult Hall, whilst the full splendour and majesty of the Youth Orchestras from Music Centres and in the Open Category fill Symphony Hall with glorious music to bring this uplifting and inspiring week, possibly the UK’s best kept secret - its thriving young music scene – to a fitting finale.

Music for Youth, the national music charity, provides young musicians with their first and formative performance experiences in a supportive and non-competitive atmosphere. Each group performing at the National Festival receives a certificate as well as feedback on its performance and the adjudicators have the chance to award Outstanding and Highly Commended Performance Awards for special performances on the day. After the Festival, thirty groups will be invited to perform at the Schools Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, London on 12-14 November 2007.

Listings Information:
Day Tickets: £7/£4 from Symphony Hall Box Office: 0121 780 3333 or www.thsh.co.uk
Rock, Pop & Urban Festival Tickets: £5/£4 from 0870 771 2000 or www.ticketweb.co.uk

Musical magic at School Prom 2007

• The Royal Albert Hall hosts Music for Youth’s School Prom
• 3,000 inspiring young musicians come together to celebrate Britain’s impressive musical talent

The world’s most famous concert hall, the Royal Albert Hall, will be brought alive by Britain’s pure young talent between 12th–14th November with the acclaimed 2007 Music for Youth School Prom.

This incredible concert brings together over 3,000 inspiring young musicians, singers and dancers from every corner of the country and celebrates the outstanding breadth and quality of the youth music scene in the UK today.

With 4,900 tickets available for the School Prom*, audiences will be treated to performances by 34 carefully selected groups who have proven their talent earlier this year at the National Festival of Music for Youth. The breathtaking line-up includes talent ranging from near professional orchestras, jazz bands, music theatre groups, steel bands, soul singers and many more, representing nearly every possible genre of music.

Every day a magnificent massed choir will perform, bringing together 500 stunning voices a piece – a feat not to be missed. In addition, each concert will climax with a spine-tingling finale of fireworks, balloons and a rendition of the passionate and patriotic “Land of Hope and Glory”.

The events will be hosted by acclaimed lyricist Richard Stilgoe, composer Howard Goodall and Classic FM presenter Lisa Duncombe who will join the audiences in supporting the future of Britain’s music industry.

For further information please contact:
Paul Joseph/Anna Dufty at Republic PR:
Tel: 020 7379 5000
Email: paul@republicpr.com / anna@republicpr.com

*Tickets are available from www.royalalberthall.com or by calling 020 7589 8212
Prices are as follows:
• Loggia Box (8 seats): £230.00
• Second Tier Box (5 seats): £100.00
• Stalls (per seat): £21.00
• Circle (per seat): £12.50
• Restricted View Circle (per seat): £5.50
• Arena (per seat): £6.50

(A booking fee of £3.50 per transaction is applicable for phone, posted and online bookings but not for personal callers to the box office)

The world’s largest youth music festival:

THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC FOR YOUTH

IS COMING TO YOUR TOWN IN 2008

AND THERE’S STILL TIME TO ENTER YOUR GROUP!!!!

Music for Youth, the charity dedicated to promoting music in education, is organising 60 regional music festivals all over the country from Devon to Northumberland and from Jersey to Cumbria, including six Festivals in London and six in Wales in the Spring of 2008.    Every kind of musical group is invited to enter these festivals from full symphony orchestras to duos, from jazz and folk groups to samba bands and steel pans, as well as choirs, folk and international music groups, chamber groups, brass and wind bands– see list attached for dates and venues.  Now is the time for musical groups from across the country to decide to take part in the world’s largest youth music festival as it is the first step on the way to performing at the Schools Prom in the Royal Albert Hall.  There are no entry qualifications or fees, with classes for all styles of music at all levels of accomplishment and the emphasis is on access, inclusion and opportunity.

The Regional Festival Series, the first stage of the National Festival of Music for Youth, is presented in collaboration with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and starts at the end of February 2008.  Over 40,000 young instrumentalists and singers aged from 3 to 21 years old are given the opportunity to perform in front of music education experts, who give each group encouraging and constructive verbal and written reports on the day, and also to play for all the other young musicians at each Festival.  Entry forms are now available from Music for Youth or online (www.mfy.org.uk), closing date Monday 3 December 2007, but recorded entries (especially those for youth orchestras and rock and pop groups) can be accepted up to 3 March 2008.  (See bottom of release for contact details.)  Entries are dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis so don’t miss out on your chance to take part in your local event!

At the end of April 2008, invitations to perform at the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham (at Symphony Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire & Town Hall) are issued to approximately 300 groups from across the country.  The National Festival of Music for Youth takes place over six days from 7-12 July 2008. There is also a training course for choral teachers and conductors, Singposium, on 8 July 2008.

The final stage of the Music for Youth year is the Schools Prom held in London, when thirty groups that have performed at the National Festival are given a once in a lifetime opportunity, an invitation to play at the Royal Albert Hall on 10, 11 and 12 November 2008.

Entry forms are available NOW from Music for Youth, 102 Point Pleasant, London, SW18 1PP
Tel: 020 8870 9624, Fax: 020 8870 9935, Email: regionals@mfy.org.uk  or enter via the website: www.mfy.org.uk 
Entries close on Monday 3 December 2007

For further information, interviews and photographs, please contact:
Tim Spires, Regional Festival Series Manager on 020 8870 9624
Email:  tim@mfy.org.uk

The 2008 Music for Youth Regional Festival Series is presented in collaboration with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

Successful Schools Prom lived up to musical magic

The world’s most famous concert hall; The Royal Albert Hall, was brought alive this week by Britain’s pure young talent at the acclaimed 2007 Music for Youth School Prom.

This incredible concert featured over 3,000 inspiring young musicians, singers and dancers from every corner of the country celebrating the outstanding breadth and quality of the youth music scene in the UK today.

Highlights included The Lancashire Little Uns, a group of forty-five children between the ages of six and eight, Pimlico Steel Band, a multi-ethnic inner city comprehensive school in Westminster, About Time, a soul and funk band from Egglescliffe Comprehensive School in Stockton on Tees, Tribe ‘Ull, a trio of percussionists from the City of Hull Music Service and Soul’d Out, a powerful, energetic young soul band from Bingley in West Yorkshire.

The events were hosted by acclaimed lyricist Richard Stilgoe, composer Howard Goodall and Classic FM presenter Lisa Duncombe.

A magnificent massed choir performed every night, bringing together 500 stunning voices a piece with an ultimate climax of a spine-tingling finale of fireworks, balloons and a rendition of the passionate and patriotic “Land of Hope and Glory”.

For further information and images from the night please contact:

Paul Joseph/Anna Dufty at Mandate Communications:
Tel: 020 7379 5000
Email: paul.joseph@yourmandate.com / anna.dufty@yourmandate.com

About Music for Youth
Music for Youth is an educational charity with a world-wide reputation for its work in music education.  It provides free access to performance opportunities for all kinds of young musicians through its annual programme of festivals and concerts.  Music for Youth believes that performing in front of live audiences is a vital element in spurring on young people to greater achievement.

Executive Director: Larry Westland CBE
Charity Registration No: 285831
Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No 1611491. Registered office: 102 Point Pleasant, London, SW18 1PP. VAT No: 341017406