This site uses cookies. close ×
+

Tag : young people

Hackney Scholar of the Month: Shania

This month, we continue with our new feature, Hackney Scholar of the Month, shining a light on some of the amazingly talented young musicians in Hackney. This month we continue with Shania – read her feature and interview below….

Shania first came to HMS’s attention when she joined the Hackney Borough Youth Choir when she was in Year 4.  She was a fantastic singer, and was also we discovered making really good progress as a recorder player in her classroom music lessons at primary school.  She had also started to learn the violin, and by the time she reached Year 6 and was getting ready to move to secondary school, still singing, playing the recorder and also the violin, she was showing all the signs of being a really talented young musician.  She already had a really good basis for learning to play a wind instrument with all her singing and recorder experience, so she tried the oboe out and, as you will see from her interview, the rest is history!

 

(Photo of Shania featured on the front of the ABRSM’s ‘Libretto’ magazine, taken during her time as a London Music Fund scholar)

 

What made you decide to play your instrument?

When I was initially presented with the opportunity to play the oboe by Hackney Music Service, I must admit that I didn’t actually know what it was as I had quite a limited knowledge of music at the time. I had been playing the violin for a few years and although I really enjoyed it, I was excited to try something new. I had a “taster” lesson on the oboe and enjoyed it immensely which prompted me to make the decision to start learning it.

What do you love most about it?

I love the fact that the oboe is quite a rare instrument and it is fun to play. It is always a joy to meet other oboists as well.

How often do you practice?

My practise times vary as I am usually very busy, but on average, I practise about 4-5 hours a week.

Do you play in any ensembles – orchestras, bands, in or out of school, or with HMS?

Yes, I play with the Hackney Borough Youth Orchestra and I am in the senior school band at my school.

What has been your most exciting musical experience so far? (any particular performances that you have taken part in that really stand out, or a particular music lesson that really changed things for you)

My most exciting musical experience so far has been the London Symphony Orchestra concert at Trafalgar Square last year. It was a lot of fun to meet other musicians (and oboists) it was also very exciting to play the music with the composer (Kate Whitley) so nearby and invested in the deliverance of the piece. However, I think that my first performance at the Hackney Music Service Gala at the Hackney Empire is what really encouraged me to invest my time in studying music.

What musician would you most like to meet or perform with?

I would love to meet John Clayton.

If you could travel anywhere in the world to listen to / learn more music or even travel back in time to a different musical era, where would you go and why? 

I would travel to New Orleans between 1920-1950’s when Jazz was most popular. Personally, I think that Jazz represents cultural diversity and hope. Despite the stigma surrounding people of colour and the problems happening in the rest of the south during this time period, Jazz continued to develop and change the expectations of what music “has” to be like and who can play it.

How does being a musician / performing music make you feel?

Whenever I finish learning a new piece or whenever I play something well, I feel a sense of accomplishment. With music, you can hear that all of your practice and extra hours are paying off.  When I think back to when I had first started my instrument, and think of the progress that I have made, I feel like I have really achieved something. Music is one of the most liberating forms of expression and it is always interesting to learn about the way that music ties in with the historical context that we are taught at school.

Any words of advice to someone just starting out on their instrument now?

I would advise the person just starting out on their instrument to get involved with as many ensembles and group performances as possible. It is a great opportunity to meet likeminded people, make lasting friendships and learn more about other instruments. I would definitely encourage the individual to continue with their instrument for as long as possible. Music opens so many doorways and it is never boring because there are so many styles, genres and interpretations. Music is freedom, and although it takes a while to master your instrument, it is most definitely worth it.

 

More about Shania’s story...

After making a cracking start with her oboe playing Shania was originally awarded a scholarship from the Mayor of London (now known as the London Music Fund).  She was also given the chance to put her singing to good use during her time as a Mayor’s Scholar as she was invited to Southwark Cathedral to sing a solo for the Mayor’s Carol Service, which she did absolutely beautifully.  Once graduated from the Mayor of London’s award, it was clear that Shania was fast becoming quite a serious player and was about to start her Music GCSE course.  She received further support, this time from the Mayor of Hackney, to continue with her lessons.  Now in the middle of her Music A Level course at a sixth form in a Hackney school, Shania is receiving some assistance from both the National Youth Arts Trust and also from the fantastic singer and songwriter Kwabs HMS is lucky to have a very special relationship with this extraordinarily talented, generous and resilient young man. Shania is one of a number of Hackney young musicians Kwabs has supported over the last few years.  As a result of this generosity from both Kwabs and the NYAT, Shania now has an oboe of her own and continued support with her oboe tuition this year.

 

 

Share : facebooktwittergoogle plus

LSO On Track: Music in the Classroom Programme

LSO On Track 10th Anniversary 05072018
Photo Copyright: Doug Peters
Photographer – Doug Peters
doug@dougpetersphoto.com
m.07778 358182

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LSO On Track brings you – Music in the Classroom is a year-long hands-on programme for Primary teachers and pupils in East London, regardless of musical or teaching experience. Primary school teachers and their pupils will have the opportunity to explore classical music in engaging new ways, develop musical skills, learn hands-on games and warm-ups, work collaboratively, and create and perform group compositions.

Music in the Classroom is open to Primary schools in East London (in the boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest) and is targeted at Key Stage 2 teachers and students. We are unable to offer places to independent schools.

Led by Rachel Leach, LSO Animateur, Julie Sharpe, Teacher trainer, London Symphony Orchestra musicians

For more information please contact Beth Kershaw, LSO On Track Projects Manager, on beth.kershaw@lso.co.uk or 020 7382 2538 or visit the LSO website here.

Share : facebooktwittergoogle plus

Opera in Schools – Laika the Space Dog

Laika The Space Dog – English Touring Opera
Music: Russell Hepplewhite
Design: Jude Munden
Cast includes Abigail Kelly, Emma Watkinson, David de Wynter and Maciek O’Shea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The English Touring Opera (ETO) – Autumn Opera in Schools – Laika the Space Dog

ETO is reviving its award-winning opera for children Laika the Space Dog, which tells the story of the Russian dog that was sent to space as part of the Soviet space programme.

 The opera’s thrilling story is told in many diverse ways by nine professional performers – and also includes archive film, filmed animation (created with children) and puppetry. The characters include the idealistic young student Mikhael, the great scientist Korolev, the dog-hating Valentina, and of course the little dog herself. The piece features also a specially made theremin (the original electronic instrument), along with percussion, clarinet, cello and bassoon.

The action takes us from an apartment in Moscow to Gorky Park, to the Kremlin (where we meet President Khrushchev), and finally to the Cosmodrome in Baikonur, brought to life with stunning design, and from where we launch the famous Sputnik rockets. The piece is highly interactive and includes songs for everyone. A comprehensive teachers’ pack and CD support the project

Location: Each performance will take place in the school who books the show

Cost per production: Cost 290+VAT

Dates: Bookings date depending on the school and ETO availability.

For more information and to book please email: Daniel.coelho@englishtouringopera.org.uk

For more information about ETO visit: http://englishtouringopera.org.uk/

Photo Credit: Robert Workman 

Share : facebooktwittergoogle plus

HACKNEY MUSIC SERVICE ANNUAL GALA 2017

Taking place at the Hackney Empire, this concert celebrates the achievements of some of the most gifted and talented musical pupils and students in our schools and community. It features a diverse range of ensembles including, bands, choirs, soloists and school groups, as well as our jazz ensemble, combined borough orchestras, dancers and drummers. Over 350 young people from Hackney’s primary, secondary and special schools will take to the stage, all of whom have excelled in music in their respective schools and borough-wide ensembles.

The Music Gala incorporates the Mayor’s Music Awards for the fifth year. The MMA is a fund, established by the Mayor of Hackney, to help and support aspiring young musicians to develop their musical skills and to recognise the quality of the music education offer in Hackney’s schools. There are three categories: Pupil Award for Musical Achievement; Instrument Fund for Ensemble Development; and an award for Excellence in Music Education Practice.

Ticket Information: please see the Hackney Empire website Here

 

Share : facebooktwittergoogle plus

Music, Songwriting and Theatre making Opportunities for Young People

Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning has a number of fantastic opportunities for young people coming up this academic year. See below for more information.

Young Jazz Big Band – open to 14 – 18 year olds

If you play trumpet, trombone, saxophone (soprano, tenor, alto, baritone), drums, piano, double bass or guitar and are inspired by Duke EllingtonCount Basie, Billie Holiday and other sultans of Swing this is your opportunity to work with musicians from London and New York, develop your big band playing skills and perform at the Barbican Centre.

Application link here https://www.barbican.org.uk/education/young-people/young-jazz-big-band

 Young Songwriters – open to 14 – 18 year old

The Young Songwriters is a programme that will get your melodies and lyrics out of the bedroom and in front of professional musicians who will help you craft and shape your work by exploring new sounds, instruments, genres and approaches to writing music. We’d love to work with you whatever you put together, be it Grime, EDM, Jazz, Folk, Classical or something completely different.

Application link here https://www.barbican.org.uk/education/young-people/songwriters-collective

Barbican Box Music – secondary school music teachers

The Barbican Box is a portable box filled with the ingredients for making and creating original theatre, visual art or music inspired by our world class arts programme. Curated and designed by composer and musician Max Richter, this year’s Barbican Box Music will contain an array of inspiration for teachers to create new music with their secondary school students. Teachers will benefit from world class training days exploring new ways of composing in the class room. All participants will get to perform at the Barbican with Max and will receive free tickets to a Barbican Contemporary Music Concert.

Application link here https://www.barbican.org.uk/education/schools/barbican-box-secondary

All deadlines on Sunday 1st October 

Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning is a member and a partner of the Hackney Music Network. All enquires about the above opportunities should be sent to them directly. 

Share : facebooktwittergoogle plus

Hackney Schools Music and Dance Festival – 20th Anniversary!

It is hard to believe that the schools singing festival has been running since 1997, but it has! It was established to support primary teachers (specialists and non-specialists alike) in delivering curriculum music through the use of accessible and inclusive resources in the form of a song bank, and a platform to participate in the joy of massed singing alongside other Hackney schools. Over the last 20 years, the festival has grown from three schools participating in one singing event, to a whopping 69 schools taking part in a fortnight of singing, instrumental, dance and partnership day events. So there is much to celebrate!

To mark the 20th Anniversary of the Schools Music and Dance Festival, in addition to the songs performed on the day, at this year’s festival, we are providing a songbook with further bonus tracks for use across your school; in all there will be 20 songs celebrating 20 years, many of which have been suggested and put forward by our primary teachers as school favourites!

In addition to the established events, in consultation with the Early Years team, we are introducing a new EYFS singing festival, which will be led by, music lead and nursery teacher at Kingsmead School, Ben De Sausmarez. Ben has been a conductor of the Infant Festival supporting Yvonne Packer for some years and we are delighted that he has agreed to lead this new EYFS event. This completes the suite of singing events from nursery through to secondary school singing.

As this is the 20th Anniversary, we will also take this opportunity to celebrate our various partnerships with local and regional partners with a festival launch event at the Barbican Centre on 26th June – further details and how to obtain tickets for this event will follow shortly. The main festival will follow at the wonderful Round Chapel in Lower Clapton from 29th June to 7th July 2017.

This will be a special year of festival events with invited guest conductors and performers. For Hackney Schools who would like to participate, you can email lisa.davies@learningtrust.co.uk who will provide you with instructions on how to take part, and a festival registration form.

Share : facebooktwittergoogle plus

1 2