Beverley Heard, Lead Officer at Essex Music Services, managers our thirteen Essex Community Music Centres. Beverley provides a brief summary of concerts in December 2019 and also outlines new and innovative opportunities for young musicians.
“It was fantastic to see so many children enjoying music-making at our December concerts. Performances ranged from those making their concert debut to confident recitals from students who have been taught by our expert tutors for a number of years. As always, it confirms that music is such a great way for young people to express themselves, make friends and build life skills.”
Colchester Community Music Centre 2019 has been a busy year for our 13 Music Centres. We have been lucky to receive funding from Ronnie Scotts’ Charitable Foundation to bring Jazz to schools in Colchester, promoting Jazz Singing and culminating with a performance backed by our County Jazz Quintet. From this, we now offer Jazz scholarships to attend Colchester Community Music Centre which include 1-2-1 Vocal or Instrument tuition plus Jazz Singing and Bands.
Tendring Community Music Centre In May, students from this centre had the great opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra in the premiere of “Between Emoticon” by Ollie Howell. Tess Greene, Teacher-in-Charge said “It’s been a very interesting and inspirational Summer term for us at Tendring. We were lucky enough to be invited to take part in a wonderful concert with the London Chamber Orchestra on Monday 27 May at Frinton Free Church which involved 17 of our young musicians playing with this amazing professional orchestra.”
Braintree Community Music Centre Our Inclusion ensemble based at this centre went from strength to strength creating high quality accessible music for any young person using music technology and a range of musical instruments from Improvisation and creative composition. During 2020 we aim to launch another Inclusion ensemble in Harlow Community Music Centre.
Benfleet, Maldon, Harlow and Wickford Community Music Centres This year we launched new programs for Key Stage 2 children which include learning a new instrument from scratch, learning theory through games and singing. In Benfleet – a new Toot-Band (beginner flutes), in Maldon – a Fife-Club, in Harlow – a Scratch-Band (introducing orchestral instruments) and in Wickford – a Dood-Band (beginner clarinets). These programs are excellent value for money at just £40 per term which includes the free loan of an instrument. Our usual discounts for families on a low income apply to all our packages: https://www.essexmusichub.org.uk/site/parents-carers/tuition-discount/ As Teacher-in-Charge, Fiona Hill said “These programs are a great way to spark an interest in music in a fun way. They get to experience learning an instrument with other young people and quickly advance onto other instruments”.
December Concerts December was packed with concerts across the centres featuring more than 60 ensembles from rock bands, vocal groups to orchestras, playing Christmas classics and their own song-writing compositions. These concerts displayed the talent of the young people inspired by the excellent tuition received at each Music Community Centres.
There will be plenty of opportunity to take part these kinds of activities in 2020, so if you have a young person who would like to take part in music, get in touch will us at beverley.heard@essex.gov.uk or check out our website https://www.essexmusichub.org.uk/site/parents-carers/music-centres/
