Latest News
Tories announce plans for nationwide school music competition
16 April 2010
The Conservative party has announced that it will launch School Stars, a music competition for schools, if it wins the election. David Cameron visited a school in Nantwich with Take That front man Gary Barlow to make the announcement. ‘Nothing brings people together like music,’ said Cameron. ‘With School Stars, we’re going to see kids practising together in the corridors, forming bands, getting together in lunch breaks to sing and dance.’ He went on to say that the competition would bring the ‘magic’ of Saturday night talent shows into schools.
‘It will be an annual nationwide competition starting in the autumn term this year,' he continued. 'Then there are local heats and regional heats before a big national final in June 2011.’ He added that commercial music unions BPI and UK Music had given their support, and that the first prize would be ‘something that people would kill for – the chance to record a song with Gary Barlow.’
Amateur pianists wanted to take part in Kemble Chopin e-competition
13 April 2010
Piano manufacturer Kemble has launched a competition for amateur pianists with a prize of a special edition Kemble Chopin upright piano. Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth, the Chopin Piano E-Competition is open to anyone over the age of 18. Entrants must submit videos of themselves performing any of Chopin’s works via a dedicated YouTube channel. The organisers are keen to encourage non-professional pianists to apply; Classic FM magazine editor and competition judge John Evans said, ‘We’re not just looking for technical ability, we’ll be looking for passion and performances that move us.’ Another of the judges, pianist and top prize winner at the International Chopin Competition Kevin Kenner, will give the winner and the runner-up a series of lessons as part of their prizes. Christopher Elton, head of keyboard at the Royal Academy of Music, will also judge. Entries close on 1 August; the Kemble website has the complete rules and regulations.
www.kemble-pianos.com
Tech Music Schools appoints its first principal
12 April 2010
Tech Music Schools (Drumtech, Vocaltech, Guitar-X, Bass Guitar-X and Keyboardtech) has announced the appointment of new principal, Andrew Bates. This new role has been created to optimise teaching and education for students and tutors alike, in response to the current rapid changes in Higher Education.
Andrew Bates possesses what TMS believes to be all of the essential qualities to take its educational programme and teaching methodology to a new level. This will greatly benefit current and prospective students by adding to and supporting the learning approach defined by the contemporary music school.
Mr Bates began his academic career as a lecturer at the University Music College of Scarborough, before being appointed as Head of Higher Education at Leeds College of Music where he later became Deputy Principal and Professor of Music.
'TMS sees a bright future ahead with opportunities expanding for current and prospective students,' according to a statement from director Francis Seriau and his colleagues. 'Andrew Bates brings with him a whole list of contacts which will help to forge new relationships with the right people, opening up a whole list of study options for students. This will include an increase in courses available, new and exciting study pathways and massive scope for every student’s diversity, hence broadening TMS’s working portfolio.'
‘I am delighted to be joining TMS and to have the opportunity to play a part in the next stage of itscreative development,' said Mr Bates. 'TMS has an international reputation for providing innovative and high quality contemporary music training and is well placed to build on its success within an increasingly competitive higher education market. I am very much looking forward to taking up my new role in June and working with my new colleagues and students.’
Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust is recruiting for 25th anniversary celebration
12 April 2010
Patrick Doyle, prolific composer of film music including Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, has recently completed a commission for the Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust's 25th anniversary residential activity holiday. The first performance of this piece, entitled Tam O'Shanter, will be given at the end-of-course concert in Stirling on Sunday July 18th. Applications to take part in the orchestral course, from young musicians between the ages of 9 and 15 playing at a level from Grade 3 to Grade 8 plus, are still welcome. www.sscot.org.uk
Last chance to bid in Youth Music's Rankin charity auction
9 April 2010
Youth Music is auctioning the remaining artworks created as part of last year's tenth anniversary Rankin/Destroy project. Artists such as Jarvis Cocker, U2, Debbie Harry, Little Boots, Kylie and visual artists including Damien Hirst 'destroyed' a Rankin photographic print of themselves or a musical hero and turned the image into an original piece of art. £92,000 has already been raised for Youth Music finds through sales of the images and related events. The remaining works feature artists such as Joss Stone, Jamelia, Dub istols and Natalie Imbruglia. Details are available on Youth Music's Destroy/Rankin website: www.youthmusic.org.uk/rankin. Bidding is open until 4 May and the artwork will go to the highest bidder. To place a bid email info@youthmusic.org.uk. The aim is to reach a total of £100,000 to support Youth Music projects.
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