We are delighted to report that the Isca Linea Senior Strings directed by Mr Peter James have been invited to perform at the highly prestigeous Schools Prom Concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 10th November at 7.00pm.

 This is the first time for the Isca Linea Strings to be invited to perform at the Schools Proms, and congratulations to all the young musicians of Isca and Mr Peter James on such a fantastic achievement.

Congratulations to all the ensembles who performed so well in Birmingham in July and we now look forward to a super concert on Monday 10th November.

To see a full list of performers on the three days of the Schools Proms Concerts, please follow this link.

Like previous years, we will be looking at organising a Supporters Coach where there will be a combined ticket and coach package priced at approximately £37. For us to purchase tickets in advance, if you are interested in taking up this concert package, can you please email Mrs Hilary Alford on hilary.alford@newport.gov.uk indicating how many package tickets you would like.

080806Rehearsal_Schedule_for_Poland.xls

As the Concert Tour to Poland by the Greater Gwent Youth Orchestra, Choir and Brass Band fast approaches (Monday 18th to Friday 29th August 2008), please find attached the updated rehearsal schedule, indicating where players have to be at certain times if you are in more than one ensemble.

Please note also, that an extra day's rehearsal has been put in place for the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band for Tuesday 12th August at Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School from 10.30am to 4.00pm.

Also, the Informal Concert for all parents and friends will take place on Friday 15th August at County Hall, Cwmbran from 5.00pm to 6.00pm and not 6.30pm as previously stated.

We look forward to seeing you there.

June was a very busy month for our Music Centres, with various Prom Concerts and Open Days. The open days are included in our programme of activities not only for current students to show parents and other students what they have been playing throughout the year, but also an opportunity for new students and parents to come and see for themselves and what they could be doing on a Friday night or Saturday morning in September.

Last month, there were open days at South Monmouthshire Music Centre in Chepstow (13th June), Blaenau Gwent Music Centre in Abertillery (28th June), Newport Music Centre in Bassaleg (21st June) and Newport Caerleon Music Centre based at Caerleon Comprehensive School (28th June). All were well attended both by students and parents, and all the ‘Friends Groups’ did a terrific job in providing refreshments and other activities for everyone to enjoy.

We now look forward to seeing more students at music centres in September, and here are the music centres available and the start date in September. Remember, if you play a musical instrument, then come along to you local music centre and join in the numerous activities. We look forward to seeing you. Please check the calendar on the website for further information regarding dates and other activities. The dates for September will be updated in the next two weeks.

Saturday 13^th September : Caerleon Music Centre (Caerleon), Newport Music Centre (Bassaleg), Blaenau Gwent Music Centre (Abertillery)

Friday 19^th September : North Monmouthshire Senior Music Centre (Monmouth), South Monmouthshire Music Centre (Chepstow), Torfaen Music Centre (Croesyceiliog) 

Saturday 20^th : North Monmouthshire Junior Music Centre (Monmouth), Torfaen Music Centre (Croesyceiliog)

Here are some photographs from the various music centre open days and the Blaenau Gwent MC Theme Park Trip to Thorpe Park.

The end of the years activities at Torfaen Music Centre were again marked with our Summer Prom concerts. These were held in Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School East Hall on Friday 20^th and Saturday 21^st June 2008 . These concerts have proved to be very popular with a full audience at both concerts and they provide an opportunity for family and friends to hear the work that has gone on at centre during the term.

The Senior Prom concert took place on the friday evening. The concert opened with our music centre Brass Band under the direction of Chris Turner. Next were the Senior Strings under the direction of Frances Knott and Michael Dooley. The Big Band under the direction of Ceri Rees had everyone’s feet tapping next and the Senior wind Band, under the direction of Chris Turner and Ceri Rees, brought the evening’s entertainment to a rousing conclusion. It also gave us a chance to say goodbye and make a small presentation to those pupils who have attended centre for years and are now going on to further education.

Saturday morning saw an even larger audience for the Junior Prom concert! The Junior Strings started the proceedings and, due to the fantastic numbers of pupils in this group, took up the entire performance area! This group is directed by Hannah Jeans and Stacey Alford. This performance was followed by the Guitar Orchestra under the direction of Craig Webb whose performance got the audience’s feet tapping and Mr Webb’s son moving to the music! The concert concluded with a performance form the Junior wind Band under the direction of Sarah Jones. The audience enjoyed their selection so much that the band played an encore for everyone as they started to leave.

This was a fantastic end to the year at Torfaen Music Centre and not only was it pleasing to see such high numbers and such a high standard of music making, it was also wonderful to see so much enjoyment on the faces of our performers and the audience. Thank you to the staff for their dedication and hard work, to Croesyceiliog School for allowing us to use their facilities throughout the year, to the ‘Friends’ group for their support and hard work, and most importantly, thank you to the pupils and parents who support our activities!

P.S. Don’t forget to book your places for our Tour to Ireland next year!

The annual Celebration Concert presented by the Caerleon Music Centre took place at the University of Wales Sports Hall, Newport on Friday 4^th July 2008 .

The concert featured all the ensembles that meet at the monthly music centre at Caerleon Comprehensive School and various awards were also presented during the evening. These varied from the most improved boy and girl, presentation of grade 8 certificates to gifts to students who are now moving on to University. Gifts were also presented by the children to the hard working ‘Friends of the Music Centre’ who like all our ‘Friends Groups’ give up their time so freely.

The first half featured the Isca Linea Junior Strings directed by Mair West, Nathan Stone and Michael Dooley, Isca Linea Intermediate Strings directed by Michael Coultas and Valerie May and the Isca Linea Senior Strings directed by Peter James.

Following an interval to change the stage from separate groups to the 200 strong Isca Linea Symphonia, the Symphonia started the second half with Lord of the Dance. Following excellent performances from the Isca Linea Harp Ensemble and the Isca Linea Percussion Ensemble, the concert finished with the Isca Linea Symphonia performing the Great Gate of Kiev. Thank you to everyone for a wonderful concert and we look forward to hearing the Isca Linea Symphonia again at the Christmas Extravaganza at the Newport Centre on Friday 5^th December 2008 .

The annual Greater Gwent Summer Showcase took place at St David’s Hall, Cardiff on Monday 7^th July. The event was again a great success and all groups performed superbly in front a very appreciative audience.

The first half featured the Greater Gwent Youth Symphonic Winds, Youth Choir, Celtic Band and the Youth Brass Band. Awards in the first half were presented to Emily Humphries (Highest Mark Grade 5, Musicians Union Trophy) by Mr Graham Murphy, Headteacher of Archbishop Rowan Williams Primary School and to Eluned Williams (Greater Gwent Junior Young Musician) by Mr Eddie Hutchinson, President of St Woolos Rotary Club, Newport .

The pre-concert music was provided by the Greater Gwent Schools Brass Ensemble (outside) and the Greater Gwent Steel Pan Ensemble (level 3) and the interval music on level 3 by Cajun Spice.

The second half featured the Greater Gwent Big Bang (Percussion Ensemble), Youth Big Band, Combined Schools’ Choir featuring children from Primary Schools in Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen and the grand finale was the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky performed by the Greater Gwent Youth Orchestra, Youth Choir and additional brass. This finale brought the audience to its feet and everybody was full of praise for all the fantastic performances throughout the evening. Awards in the second half were presented to Gareth Hansford (Highest Mark Grade 8, Brian Watkins Trophy) by Mrs Judith Child, High Sheriff of Gwent and to Lewis West (Greater Gwent Senior Young Musician, Horace Gamlin Trophy) by Mr Horace Gamlin.

The concert was professionally compered by the Head of Service, Mr Alun D Williams. The date of next year’s Showcase is Monday 6^th July 2009 .

National Festival of Music for Youth

Background

Following their performances at 60 Music for Youth Regional Festivals this Spring, up to 300 groups of the nation’s most talented and exciting young musicians and singers were invited to take part in the week-long celebration of their achievements. The National Festival of Music for Youth, the largest of its kind in Europe, took place in Birmingham at the Symphony Hall, Adrian Boult Hall and the Town Hall from 7-12 July 2008. Groups performing included full symphony orchestras, choirs, chamber groups, brass, wind, jazz and rock bands, as well as ensembles of every shape and size. Performance awards are presented by the adjudicators during the Festival and 30 groups are subsequently invited to play at the Music for Youth Schools Proms on 10, 11 & 12 November at the Royal Albert Hall, London

Report of the week

What a fantastic week we had at the 38^th National Festival of Music for Youth held in Birmingham. Over 10,000 performers attended this year’s Festival of Music for Youth, the biggest Festival of its kind in the world!

On Tuesday the Greater Gwent Youth Choir conducted by Mr. David Davies took to the stage in the recently refurbished Birmingham Town Hall, which has just won a prestigious architectural award, conferred by the Duke of Gloucester on Friday. The choir sang beautifully and the adjudicators commented on the exceptional quality of their sound, with particular mention to the male voices. The choir sang: O Danny Boy in an arrangement by Chillcott, Ar Hyd y Nos, The Lamb by John Tavener and finished with a rousing arrangement of Buffalo Gals by Chilcott.

Wednesday saw the arrival of the Greater Gwent Youth String Ensemble and the Greater Gwent Cello and Bass Ensemble. The Youth Strings performed at Symphony Hall to a large appreciative audience. These youngsters gave a mature performance of the Shostakovich Chamber Symphony, which belied their youth. The conductor Mr Peter James was so overcome by the emotional intensity of the performance that he cried on leaving the stage! The group was awarded the Highly Commended award for their moving performance.

The Greater Gwent Cello and Bass Ensemble gave a tremendous performance at the Adrian Boult Hall. These youngsters brought the roof down with their performance of Bachianas Brasillieras No. 5 with solos by Simon Brown and Gareth Hansford. This was followed by an arrangement of Rhosymedre by Mrs Archer and a grand finale of Misirlou arranged by Mr Stone.

Thursday arrived and with it an air of excitement and expectations – Brass Band day at the Festival. The Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band arrived for their rehearsal with Philip Harper in good spirit and he was very excited about the prospect of conducting these excellent musicians in Symphony Hall. Their performance of Fanfare Prelude by James Curnow and Renaissance by Peter Graham drew extactic praise from the 3 adjudicators. “Ebullient, effervescent and spine tingling” from Eric Tebbit, Chair of the panel. There were screams of delight when they were announced the recipients of the Outstanding Performance award.

On Friday it was the turn of the wind and chamber groups to descend on a rather wet and windy day in Birmingham. First up were the Newport Music Centre Senior Wind Band conducted by Mr Paul Hornsby. They opened their programme with an exciting performance of Spirit of the Falcon in which the woodwind soloists excelled. They followed this with a stunning performance of Robert Sheldon’s Metroplex. A difficult and challenging work which they met with aplomb and rightly deserved their Outstanding Performance award in this category.

Over at the Adrian Boult Hall there was much excitement as the North Monmouthshire String quartet coached by Mrs Emma Archer took the stage to perform the first and final movements of Dvorak’s String Quartet from the New World. These young musicians gave a mature and polished performance that had the audience captivated. This was a large class with 20 chamber ensembles taking part and you can imagine the delight when these able musicians were given the highly commended award.

Meanwhile back at Symphony Hall the Greater Gwent Youth Symphonic Winds were getting ready to take the stage in the Open Wind Band class. They had chosen to perform a very emotive piece by the American Composer Timothy Mahr entitled Mourning Dances. This most complex work was delivered with technical and musical mastery and musical director Paul Hornsby was overjoyed with the adjudicators highly commended award for the ensemble’s sympathetic performance.

Saturday arrived heralding the last day of the Festival. Five groups taking part had an early start as the Youth Orchestra were appearing first with a 9.30 am call in Symphony Hall. The 110 members filled the stage and with their Director, Mr Peter James gave a stunning performance of Tchaikovsky’s epic 1812 Overture complete with off stage Brass, directed by Mr Sean O’Neil, played from a balcony high above the stage and canon effects and peal of bells from Moscow which earned the musicians a standing ovation from the audience at the end of this magnificent performance. There was great excitement when the adjudicators announced that they orchestra was to be given the Highly Commended award.

Over in the Adrian Boult Hall the Newport City Big Band under their director Paul Hornsby were performing Jack Sticks by Stan Sulzmann featuring Rob Sherwood on guitar and Alfredo by John Paracelli featuring Ethan Redmore on Trumpet. The adjudicators, Jeremy Price, Issie Barratt & Trevor Tomkims gave the group a very favorable adjudication.

Waiting to go on stage at the Symphony Hall were the Isca Linea Senior Strings directed by Mr Peter James – so many excited performers (and conductor!) had the chance to play the Vaughan Williams (5 variants on Divas and Lazurus) on the stage at Symphony Hall with it’s amazing acoustic. The adjudicators commented that the group brought with them a very special full rounded sound, creating an atmosphere on stage at the end that they will remember for a long time to come. The strings went wild when they were presented with the highly commended award – their first major award for 16 years in this category.

In the dressing rooms in their best prom attire were the North Monmouthshire Senior Strings. They looked fantastic! Mrs Emma Archer, their director was just giving them their final team talk before taking to the stage to perform Autumn from the Four Seasons – soloist Kirsty Brown and the famous Czardas by Monti. They were fantastic – they played with such commitment and brought a very special flavour to the stage. The adjudicators commented on their energy and enthusiasm for music making, it was a treat to see such a wide range of ages performing in this group.

The final group to take the stage in this year’s Festival was the Greater Gwent Youth Big Band. They treated the audience to some really fantastic and exciting playing. The performances featured Robert Sherwood on guitar and Ellis Reed on trumpet. The two numbers played were Count Bubba by Gordon Goodwin and Some Skunk Funk by Randy Brecker arranged by M Taylor.

The group received rapturous applause from the audience and excellent feedback from the adjudicators.

Two groups from Caerleon Comprehensive School were also invited to the National Festival from the Regional Festival held in March at County Hall, Cwmbran. The School Orchestra performed superbly on the Wednesday morning and were presented with an Outstanding Performance award for their very polished performance of the Danse Infernale, Berceuse and Finale from the Firebird Suite by Stravinsky. The adjudicators were amazed that a school orchestra could play repertoire of this stature and play it well. On Friday afternoon, the very professional and accomplished School Trad Band gave three excellent performances of The Ash Grove, St Louis Blues and the Royal Garden Blues. There were 23 groups in this National School Jazz Festival, and the School Trad Band really gave the audience and adjudicators something to talk about and tap their feet!

I cannot believe the week we have just had – the quality and consistency of the performances were outstanding from all. A big thank you to all pupils, parents, staff and musical directors for making this such a memorable week for everyone. (Peter James, Senior Assistant Head of Gwent Music Support Service)

Gwent Music Support Service, in association with Sinfonia Cymru and Independent Ballet Wales were delighted to present the 2008 Primary Schools project ’Carnival! ’ on Monday 14^th July in Newport . The morning started in the Newport Centre and involved children from six primary schools sharing the music composition and dance work that they have done with both GMSS and Independent Ballet Wales over the last few weeks. Children had spent time in school listening to Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals, and had responded creatively through Dance and Music Composition based on animal movements. The standard of composition and dance work was extremely high, and all schools that participated gave fantastic performances! The six schools participating were Gaer Junior School, Llanmartin Primary, Maindee Primary, Millbrook Primary, Ringland Primary and St Woolos Primary.

In the afternoon, these schools were joined by pupils from Alway Primary, Duffryn Junior, Pillgwenlly Primary and Somerton Primary at the Riverfront Theatre to see Sinfonia Cymru give a live performance of Carnival of the Animals, narrated by Gary Meredith from Gwent Theatre and including dancers from Independent Ballet Wales. Additionally, pupils’ wonderful artwork was displayed on a backdrop behind the orchestra depicting many different animals.

Sinfonia Cymru and Independent Ballet Wales are both professional arts companies with outstanding reputations and a strong commitment to their education and outreach programmes. We were delighted to have been involved in this unique education project and a memorable event. What a fantastic opportunity to see children from Newport schools working creatively with professional arts companies based here in South Wales.