Autumn 2004 - The Lancashire Grid for Learning Website

Lancashire Music Service. Serving You Right
TUNE IN
The BBC Singers
come to Preston
to perform with the
Music Service and
over 600 singers for
Children In Need.
Drakensberg Boys’
Choir, Lancaster Music
Centre and LSJO play
Lancaster Town Hall.
♫ BBC AT PRESTONS’ GUILD HALL
♫ WIDER OPPORTUNITIES
♫ BURNLEY MUSIC CENTRE
Volume 8, Issue 1
1
1 January 2005
TUNE IN WINTER 2005
CONTENTS
NEWS IN BRIEF
The Lancashire Music Service
has spent just short of £90,000
setting up the initial pilot scheme
of the Wider Opportunities
Scheme. Thirteen primary schools
across the County have had a
whole raft of instruments loaned to
them under Wopps. More schools
will be coming on stream next
September.
3.
News In Brief.
Various bits and pieces
4.
Music Centre Spotlight.
We take a look at Burnley Music Centre
6.
Wider Opportunities.
The first term
10.
Drakensberg Boys’ Choir.
The Boys’ Choir in concert with Lancaster Music Centre and the
LSJO
13.
How Others See Us.
A musical piece by Anne Snowden
13.
Lancashire Music Service Welcome New Teacher.
Keith Sagar joins the Service
14.
Weaving The Future.
World Premier for Children In Need
20.
Concert Corner
More info on up and coming events
20.
Next Issue.
A taster of our next issue
20.
And Finally.
Some light hearted snippets
Primary Pupils Success
Many congratulations to 14 pupils of The Harris Primary School
in Preston who gained exam success last July:
Rebecca Phillips (grade 1 comet)
Peter Mooney (grade I cornet)
Holly Nicol (grade I cornet)
Carl Fletcher (grade 2 comet)
Kieran Hambridge (grade 2 cornet)
John Rainford (grade 3 trombone)
James Barnes (grade 3 trombone)
Edward Thorpe (grade 3 Eb horn)
Mark Harding (grade 3 comet)
Sam Mitchell (grade 4 comet)
Philippa Brazier (grade 4 comet)
Hannah Smith (grade 4 cornet)
Abigail Harwood (grade 4 comet)
Louise Walker (grade 4 comet)
Website Now On-line
Keith Sagar joins the Service p13
The LMS website is now up
and running, although there are
sections still being worked on, why
not check it out at:
www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/ music
Drakensberg Boys’ Choir p10
Guitars Do Play Jazz
Both the LYJO and LSJO have
been without a Lead Guitarist for
some time now; this part is really
missed in a big band. If you can
play, read chords and like jazz or
you know someone why not ring
Stuart Grills on 07850 025783.
All correspondence to:
Mr. S. Grills (Editor)
Lancashire Music Service
The Woodlands Centre
Southport Road
Chorley
Lancs.
PR7 1QR
A
s I write this welcome note
for the latest edition of ‘Tune
In’ I cannot believe we are a third of
the way through the year. It really
does seem only a couple of weeks
ago that we all came back after the
summer break, or am I getting old?
(Office staff in a resounding voice
shouts, “yes you are!”) Not funny.
Once again there are a great
many things happening, possibly the
three major events last term was a
huge concert at Preston’s Guild Hall
given by the Music Service, over 600
children and the BBC Symphony
Orchestra with the BBC Singers.
The finale of the concert was the
world premier of Weaving the
Future that was specially commissioned for the Music Service and the
BBC, for information turn to page 14.
Our Wider Opportunities pilot has
started in thirteen primary schools
across the length and breadth of
Lancashire, we have some pictures
for you to see how the youngsters are
coping after the first term and last but
certainly not least we extend a very
warm welcome to Keith Sagar who has
taken over from Steve Brodie as Area
Coordinator of Region D (District 8).
Lancaster Music Centre and the
Lancashire Schools’ Jazz Orchestra
entertained the Drakensberg Boys’
Choir. The choir is internationally
known for its incredible standard
that was very evident when all three
groups gave a superb concert in Lancaster Town Hall back in September.
Our website is now up and running it is still being worked on but
even at this early stage there is a
great deal of information available.
We aim to give up to date information
on everything the Music Service is
doing such as concerts, courses
and so forth. More and more info is
being added all the time so why not
check it out; you can find us at www.
lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/music
You may also have found a survey
I have enclosed asking to give us your
comments on our newsletter. I know
this type of thing can be a pain but
I am always asking myself whether
the articles I put into the publication
of any interest to teachers around the
county? Or are there things people
would like to see included that are not
at the moment? Please feel free to be
as candid as you wish, I’ll probably
be in the depths of despair for the
first five seconds but I’ll soldier on!
Finally I hope you all had
a very happy Christmas and
here’s to a great New Year.
SOON BE SNOWING IF IT’S
NOT ALREADY!
Why Not Play With Us?
If your school would like to
put on a concert but you haven’t
enough material, why not combine with one of our Music Centre
groups. We would love to play with
you.
BBC Singers come to Lancashire p14
Tel. (01257) 234450
email: lancs.music@ed.lancscc.gov.uk
www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/music
2
WELCOME
TO
TUNE IN
Wopps To Date
For more information contact
our office on (01257) 234450.
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3
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SPOTLIGHT ON
BURNLEY
MUSIC CENTRE
Left: Members of the Samba Group
Bottom: Part of the strings at the
centre.
by Christine Holye
B
Above: Karen Driver with members of the choir.
Below: The Brass Band rehearse in the hall.
urnley Music Centre is based
at Habergham 6th Form
Centre, Kiddrow Lane Burnley and
is open 4.00-8.00 Tuesday and
10.00-12.00 on a Saturday. The
centre caters for pupils from East
Lancashire and offers a wide range
of tuition and ensemble opportunities.
Tuition is currently both
individually and in groups and is
available on upper and lower strings,
woodwind, brass and voice.
Ensemble playing is vital in the
development of all musicians and is
also a great opportunity to perform;
ensemble opportunities are very
varied at Burnley Music Centre and
cater for all abilities.
•
String Ensemble is directed
by Christine Hoyle and meets
4.30pm-5.15pm. The group caters for
pupils at the earliest stage of tuition
up to Grade 2.
•
Woodwind Ensemble
directed by Sue Wall meets 6.30pm7.30pm and is open to all abilities.
•
Samba Band is a relatively
new ensemble but is already being
invited to perform at fund raising
Ensemble playing is vital in the
development of all musicians
and is also a great opportunity
to perform
senior ensembles and has its own
concert schedule performing in the
Burnley area. There are vacancies
in all areas of the band, but cornet
players would be particularly
welcome. Rehearsals are 6.30pm8.00pm.
Saturday morning is the
opportunity for players throughout
East Lancashire to perform
orchestral music. A wide range of
music is rehearsed and any player
of Grade 3 is welcome to join the
East Lancashire Youth Orchestra.
The director is Alan Simpson and the
string section is tutored by Gareth
Williams, who was the leader of the
orchestra before studying at Music
College.
For less experienced players we
have introduced a Junior Orchestra
to prepare pupils for the senior
ensemble, this group rehearses from
11.00am-12.00pm. Gareth directs the
group and it is particularly gratifying
to see a former pupil progress from
student to teacher.
If you are interested in any of
the activities at Burnley Music
Centre or would like further
information please contact
Christine Hoyle on 07887
830993
events in Burnley and has performed
as guests at the Pendle Schools
Festival. The group meets
at 5.30pm-6.00pm and is
an excellent opportunity
for all pupils to develop
their rhythmical skills. Abby
Blackledge enthusiastically
leads the group.
•
Choir rehearses
5.00pm-6.00pm and is now
growing in number and is
directed by Karon Driver.
Everyone in the choir
was very excited at being
involved in Weaving the
Future that took place in
The Guild Hall, Preston.
The age range is 7-13 and
an enjoyment of singing is
all that is needed!
•
Burnley Youth
Band has been in
existence since 1972 and
is directed by Edward
Hoyle. This is one of the
4
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5
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WIDER OPPORTUNITIES
THE FIRST TERM
By Stuart Grills
O
ur Wider Opportunities
pilot scheme of thirteen
primary schools throughout the
county has been running for just
over half a term since the beginning of September. Year 4 and 5
pupils have been selected for this
scheme working with not only their
class teacher but also the visiting
in the white paper ‘Schools —Achieving Success that remarkable results
in Literacy and Numeracy have been
achieved in the Primary sector but
they also realise that ‘high standards
in the basics are essential for unlocking opportunities but are not enough
on their own’ ‘we need to widen
opportunities for primary children so
that they all benefit
It should be stressed that this is a from a broad and rich
major curriculum initiative and not curriculum. A wide
just a bid to get more young people variety of instruments
are being used from
playing musical instruments.
brass, woodwind,
strings, keyboards
specialist teachers from the Service.
and
guitars,
even
the humble recordThis way of delivering curriculum muer
is
being
used
successfully
in two
sic is a total culture change for these
of
the
schools
selected
youngsters, never before has class
The schools taken part in this first
music been structured around the
session
are:
use of specific instrumental families.
1.
Scotforth
St. Paul’s
It should be stressed that this is
(viola
&
woodwind).
a major curriculum initiative and not
2. Caton CP,
just a bid to get more young people
(keyboard & woodwind).
playing musical instruments. It is
3. Christ Church Lancaster
part of the government’s strategy to
(percussion).
broaden the curriculum on offer in
4. Garstang CP
schools and to raise standards even
(brass).
more. The government acknowledge
continues on page 8
6
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7
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continued from page 6
5. Carleton Green
(wind band).
6. Fulwood & Cadley
(wind band).
7. Eccleston St Mary’s
(wind band).
8. Tarleton CP
(woodwind).
9. St. Richards Skelmersdale
(strings).
10. Wellfield Burnley
(strings & woodwind).
11. Mount Pleasant Accrington
(wind band).
12. Haslingden CP
(recorder).
13. Barnoldswick CE
(recorder).
More schools will come on stream
next September; Jim Grisdale (Head
of Service) will be arranging meetings for interested parties as part of
the LMS network meetings across
the County during the Autumn term
but if Head Teachers, Music Coordinators wish to register an interest or
have some questions
that just
and Sandy Blair.”
Mrs Jane Kelly (class teacher at
Fulwood & Cadley Primary School),
“Wider Opportunities music has
given us a chance to
work together as an
equal group where
we can all ‘shine’.
It has raised self-esteem and confidence
of some children who
find learning difficult.
With an exciting
delivery from Rachel and
Stuart, we have a lot to look
forward to every Monday.”
say:
Yasemin Cevik: “Over the
summer holidays I have been looking
forward to a new class and teacher
and when I found out about the music lessons, boy! I was pleased! This
is my whole world. Give it a go!”
can’t wait
please do contact him
through the Chorley office 01257
234450.
However for now here are one or
two photographs and some comments on Wider Opportunities so far:
Frank Berry: “It’s a great opportunity for Class 7. It’s great fun. The
notes are easy and how to blow in to
it - that’s easy too. We started from
great to greater to greatest!”
Bill Mann (Head Teacher at St.
Mary’s Eccleston) says “thank you for
all the input from the Music Service
in helping launching the Wider Opportunities Project in School. All the
children in YEAR 4 are really enjoying the experience of learning a new
instrument with Mrs. Guenault, Mrs.
Hesmondhalgh, Brendan Cleverley
8
This is what the children
Chloe Hayes: “It’s great that our
class has been chosen to learn musical instruments. I am enjoying it very
much - it’s great fun!”
More next term.
TUNE IN WINTER 2005
9
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LANCASTER EXPERIENCES
THE
DRAKENSBERG EFFECT
by Anne Snowden
Left: The Lancashire Music Centre
Ensemble with period musicians.
Middle: Close up of some of the senior
musicians.
Below: The Boys’ Choir clearly having
a great time!
T
hey arrived, they rehearsed,
they performed, and they left
us in a happy daze.
From the moment the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir from South Africa
arrived at Lancaster Ashton Hall
on the afternoon of Friday the 24
September it was clear to everyone
present that this visit was going to be
something very special. “Have you
had a good journey?” I enquired of
one member. “Yes thank you, Ma’am”
came the reply as a little group of his
friends gathered round us, eager to
make contact in their new venue; this
was clearly not to them just one more
concert at the tail end of their two
week tour that had included London,
Oxford, Manchester and Cambridge,
but this was the moment for meeting new people and for the important task of setting up a new stage,
energy that each syllable
seemed to spring from the
choristers’ mouths and simply roll across the stage.
After rehearsing, our
visitors retired for refreshments within the Victorian splendour
of the Town Hall, while Lancaster
Music Centre Ensemble rehearsed
“Themes in Time and Space”, in
the form they had presented at the
Queen Elizabeth Hall in July. By this
time in the proceedings, some of our
members had met members of the
Boys’ Choir and heard their rehearsal
we all felt there was happy anticipation in the air.
The evening’s concert opened
with Lancashire Schools’ Jazz Orchestra, directed by Paul Rigby, Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish”, proved to be an
excellent opening item, together with
a selection of their current repertoire
including two delightful vocal solos
from Faye Duxbury, “Fever” and “Girl
from Ipanema”. This was very a good
opportunity for our younger members
This choir, as well as working
very hard, clearly enjoy a good
joke!
already brought to life with sets of
African percussion instruments,
ready for another inspirational performance for which these boys are so
well known.
On meeting the director and
seeing him in action it was clear to
recognise the driving force behind
this choir. Christian Ashley-Botha,
known to the boys as Maestro, with
an assistant director, two pianists and
a technician proceeded with a short,
carefully timed and exacting rehearsal, producing a sudden array of
rich and exciting sounds: just a hint
of what was to follow in the evening.
John Bertalot, ex-organist of Blackburn Cathedral, and who has been
associated with the choir for some
years, rehearsed HoIst’s setting
of “Turn Back, Oh Man” with such
10
from Lancaster to see Music Centre
friends in action at county level.
The Drakensberg Boys, by now
dressed in their blue and white formal
attire, followed the Jazz Orchestra
with a selection from their programme, starting with a wonderfully
energetic and percussive performance of Carl Orff’s “0 Fortuna” from
Camina Burana, causing a number
of the audience to visibly jolt in their
seats. After the more familiar sounds
of jazz, younger ears in the audience
were now experiencing quite new
sounds and it was at this point of the
proceedings that it became difficult
for the Lancaster staff at the back
of the auditorium to watch what was
going on the stage and at the same
time enjoy the captivated expressions on the faces of our
pupils on the back few rows
who were by this time riveted
to their seats. To describe
what we experienced for the
next twenty minutes is almost
impossible but we remember
listening, watching, clapping,
laughing and cheering.
The sound and spectacle
seemed to ebb and flow with
sacred and secular music
and to comment on just one
piece is now hard to do. On
entertainment value alone,
however, the one that will
always lodge in our minds
has to be the most satirical rendition imaginable of
Above: Drakensberg Boys’ Choir in
their distinctive miners gum boots.
Below: Faye Duxbury, singer with the
Lancashire Schools’ Jazz Orchestra.
continued on page 12
TUNE IN WINTER 2005
11
TUNE IN WINTER 2005
continued from page 11
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Concert
Celebration” that caused mirth from
the audience. This choir, as well as
working very hard, clearly enjoy a
good joke!
Now thoroughly immersed in
the spirit of the occasion, Lancaster
Music Centre Ensemble members
opened the second half of the concert with their now familiar mixture of
improvisation, dancing and singing.
The audience, including our visitors,
enjoyed the final official performance
of “Themes in Time and Space” and
happy and relaxed after their success
at Music for Youth, our players gave
one of the best performances we
have heard.
The Drakensberg Choir, now
attired in most striking costumes
representing a cross cultural section
of South African society, took to the
stage for the remaining performance,
“African Kaleidoscope”.
Seeing
the boys’
white
miners’
gum
boots
and
reading
12
How Others
See Us
I
Some of the Lancaster Music Centre group looking
splendid in their costumes.
through the programme notes, we
the “Kaleidoscope” and like a little oawere reminded of not just South Afrisis was a piece called “Night Sounds
ca’s troubled history but also it’s rich
from an African Veld” in which boys
and varied
imitated click
traditional
frogs, crickets,
After a standing ovation, our painted reed
cultures,
visitors left as they came, with frogs, African
each with
their own
night-jars,
grace and charm,
music,
spotted owls,
dance and
zebras and a
stories. Again, the performance
lion roaring in the distance, followed
simply flowed and beautiful singing
by the welcome sound of rain. Maybe
enthralled us. Nestled in the centre of the most striking aspect of this whole
second performance was the fact
that the Director spent most of the
time at the back of the auditorium,
directing only occasionally and with
minimum gestures, displaying the
choir’s extraordinary level of ensemble.
After a standing ovation, our visitors left as they came, with grace and
charm, ready to drive to Manchester
where host families would greet them
for a well earned night’s sleep before
their last two performances in this UK
tour and finally their return to Central
Drakensburg. It is no wonder that
these boys have been described as
the “Singing Ambassadors of South
Africa.”
TUNE IN WINTER 2005
am married to an economist
whose knowledge of music
is limited as severely as is mine of
economics. Only occasionally do
our two domains meet, or collide as
they did last week, when he showed
me the following that came to light
while rummaging through an elderly
issue of an economics journal. The
reference is to a report:
“By a well-known firm of
management consultants
commissioned to advise on the
commercial difficulties of a famous
symphony orchestra.”
It cites a performance by the
orchestra of Schubert’s Unfinished
Symphony and recommends as
follows:
by Anne Snowden
be reduced and their work spread
over the whole of the orchestra, thus
eliminating peaks of inactivity.
b) All twelve violins were
playing identical notes. This seems
to be unnecessary duplication and
the staff in this section should be
drastically cut. If a large volume of
sound is really required, it could
be obtained through an electronic
amplifier.
c) Much effort was absorbed
in the playing of demi-semi-quavers.
This appears to be an excessive
refinement and it is recommended
that all notes should be rounded up
to the nearest semi-quaver. If this
were done it would be possible to use
trainees and low-grade operators.
d) No useful purpose is served
by repeating with horns the passage
that has already been handled by
the strings. If all such redundant
passages were eliminated, the
concert could be reduced from two
hours to twenty minutes.
e) Finally, if Schubert had
attended to all these matters, he
would probably have been able to
finish his symphony.
The World Economy (June 1984,
p.143-4).
a) For considerable periods,
four oboe players had nothing to do.
The number in this section should
your first point of contact.
As well as taking over as Area Coordinator from Steve Brodie Keith is also taking on
the role as Musical Director for the Lancashire Schools’ Concert Band, he is looking
forward to carrying on the sterling work
started
by Sam
Moody
who carries on as
By Stuart Grills woodwind
tutor for the
band.
Once
he Lancashire Music Service would like to extend
again
we
hope
Keith
a very warm welcome and many congratulations
has
a
happy
and
to Mr Keith Sagar who has joined the team from the befruitful time with the
ginning of the year.
Music Service, we are
Keith has come to us from Bolton Music Service and
all looking forward to
he brings with him a wealth of experience gained over
working with him. If
many years of teaching both for Bolton Authority and
you need to contact
previously for Sefton. Keith a brass specialist and a very
fine French Horn player takes over from Steve Brodie as Keith you can reach
him on 07850 025785.
Area Coordinator for (District 8).
Obviously it will take a little time for Keith to familiarKeith Sagar who is taking over the
ise himself with his new area but any instrumental staff
Ormskirk Area.
working in Region D or any schools in District 8; Keith is
Lancashire Music Service
Welcomes
A New Member
Of The Team
T
13
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Weaving
The
Future
by Mike Thomason
Top: close up of the BBC Singers rehearsing in the morning.
Bottom: Bill Connor conducts the massed choirs, BBC Singers
and orchestra in the performance of Weaving The Future.
T
here is something very special
about the atmosphere on the
day of a big concert, a combination
of excitement, anticipation and a
little apprehension. These emotions
were heightened by
the knowledge that the
‘Weaving the Future
Concert’ was the
culmination of months of
planning, creating and
rehearsing involving
hundreds of children and
scores of adults. The numbers of
performers involved was exceptional
but when you consider that the
Ronald Corp rehearsing the childrens’
choir in the afternoon.
Stella Jackson (Teacher Advisor) was the
driving force behind Weaving The Future.
14
Ronald Corp with the BBC Singers, childrens’
choir and orchestra.
into place. Percussion instruments
and boxes of BBC illuminated music
stands that had been delivered
the night before were moved onto
the stage. Dressing rooms were
musical aspects are supported by
a small army of teachers, planners,
administrators, technicians, transport
staff, parents and
helpers it is perhaps
The Youth, Junior and Adult
understandable that
Choirs all produced magnificent
seeing all the elements
performances
come together on the
day is a remarkable
allocated and Stella Jackson’s
experience.
specially prepared signs posted on
When I arrived at the Guild
every conceivable wall and door to
Hall at 8.30am lighting and
ensure that none of the performers
sound technicians were
would get lost backstage.
already busy setting up
Participants for Ronald Corp’s
their equipment. As the
master class were directed
day progressed each
piece of the jigsaw fell
continued on page16
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15
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continued from page 14
The sound engineers making sure the
recording is spot on. Now I wonder what this
lead is for?!
to the appropriate room.
produced magnificent
Rehearsals and technical
performances directed
checks were ongoing in
by Ronald Corp, one
the grand hall throughout
of the country’s leading
the day. Colleagues arrived
choral composers and choir
during the morning to help
trainers. The twenty four members
with registering and directing
of the BBC Singers, Britain’s only
the school
choirs to their The quality of the performance was
dressing
a tribute to everyone involved, a
rooms and
doing last
triumph of teamwork, co-operation
minute tee
and mutual respect.
shirt swaps.
The BBC
full-time professional chamber
singers, who had been
choir, demonstrated why they are
working with children in
recognised internationally as a
Lancashire schools for three
choir of the highest quality as well
days, arrived later in the
as an inspiring provider of singing
afternoon and by the time
workshops.
the final members of the
The live broadcast by Radio
adult choir had checked in
Lancashire and televised links from
everything was in place for
the Children in Need studio in the
the performance.
Guild Hall foyer gave the concert an
I took my seat in the
added dimension as did a personal
audience just before the
appearance by Pudsey Bear who
lights were dimmed and
was on hand to meet and greet the
Dianne Oxberry, as poised
audience during the interval.
and elegant as ever,
Dianne Oxberry ‘s introduction
welcomed us all
to the second part of the concert as,
and introduced
‘the world premier of “Weaving
the first item. The
the Future”, composed and
Youth, Junior and
conducted by Bill Connor with
Adult Choirs all
words by Marilyn Floyde’ impressed
upon me the significance
of the event. From the
very first note-evoking
continued on page 18
Members of the orchestra getting
to grips with the music.
16
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Weaving The Future:
The Story
T
he story takes place between
sunrise and sunset. From
the top of Pendle Hill we can
see all the people and places in
Lancashire’s history and relate
them to the present and future.
The two ‘baddies’ of the piece
are the Boggart and his wife Jinny
Greenteeth — vile swamp creatures
that emerge from Martin Mere and
prey on we ‘Forkeypeds’. There
are many accounts of the doings of
Boggarts in Lancashire. Some are
very humorous and others downright
evil. I chose to make our Boggarts
revoltingly evil so that they could
be blamed for almost everything.
They travel through the piece with
insatiable appetites for human
flesh, feeding off poverty, war and
persecution. They chivvy hysteria
and encourage superstition during
the Pendle witch trials; they pour cold
water on innovation and reforms. They
travel on the railway from Preston
to Fleetwood hoping to dampen
the spirits of the poor people out
on their excursion. (The excursions
were segregated in the beginning.
On the ‘Females’ Cheap Trips’, men
dressed up as women so that they
could go too — this was obviously
a popular Lancashire activity even
in those days!) But the Boggarts’
days are numbered in Lancashire
as their habitat is being drained and
their strength is seeping away. This
ultimately means they have to leave
and go in search of “Bloodshed,
Ignorance and Hate” elsewhere
— and we say good riddance.
The opening refers to the Equation
of Natural Days after the ‘time tryalls’
that Richard Towneley helped the
Astronomer Royal complete in
Burnley in I 675.They discovered
that although days were shorter in
September, over the year the earth
rotated around the sun at a constant
speed — thus Greenwich Mean Time
was born. This presented me with a
17
poetic possibility for dealing with the
Lancashire spirit. Measuring time as
a series of moments suggested a
continuing present — not just over a
week of days, but also over a decade
or century of years. If times are often
bleak in Lancashire then the natural
spirit of its people compensates and
corrects. The opening is all about
the enduring spirit of Lancashire.
Part 3,The Battle-Go-Round,
draws on the central image of a merrygo-round to describe the early wars,
battles and conflicts in Lancashire.
It suggests the idea of invasion
followed by settlement — wave after
wave of invaders who then become
inhabitants ready to fight off the next
wave of ‘foreigners’. It’s a description
of how Lancashire was originally
populated, and the surprises that
many might find if they traced their
ancestors back to, for example,
the Sarmatians who, as part of the
Roman garrison at Ribchester, were
given lands in the Forest of Bowland
to raise their horses when they had
finished their tour of duty. Or to the
farming families in the Fylde who
were once warlike Norsemen who
invaded via Ireland. The bloodshed
became the new blood of Lancashire.
We’ve called The March of
Progress an ‘Industrial Tapestry’
because it is a blend of songs,
sounds, chants, music and rhythms
that together form an impressionistic
sounds cape. It is about the profound
changes that happened in Lancashire
during the Industrial Revolution and
the rise of the textile industry. Hear
the rhythms of the looms, the urgency
to build the roads, railways, canals,
bridges, factories and drains. The
people came from all over the world
in their millions with their own stories
and histories, all of them searching
for the golden dream on the shores
of progress. Listen to the perpetual
rain falling, the reason for the
industrial explosion, the reason for
the wealth that was created and that
gave rise to the saying, “England’s
bread hangs by Lancashire’s thread”.
The finale looks to the future.
Since Celtic times beacons have
been lit across Lancashire — in
times of trouble and in times of
celebration. A message could travel
60 miles in 11 minutes. Throughout
history people of all origins and
all classes have watched for the
beacons. They are lights in the
darkness that bind us together and
remind us of our interdependence.
Like the Pharos of Fleetwood,
they offer security. They are the
symbols of unity and community.
Solists Jennifer Adams Barbaro: Jinny Greenteeth and
Stuart MacIntye: The Boggart
TUNE IN WINTER 2005
continued from page 16
sunrise over Pendle Hill we were
transported through time and space,
introduced to the
intimidating Boggart
and Jinny Greenteeth,
given a ride on the
‘battle-go-round’
and drawn into the
wonderful world of witches.
Just as the mood was becoming
almost too sinister we were off to
Fleetwood and ‘golden dreams
in the land of windmills’. With the
‘march of progress’ we celebrated
our recent history and the Boggart
and Jinny Greenteeth realised that
their days were numbered. As the
music evoked sunset over Pendle
Hill ‘fiery beacons’ across the length
and breadth of Lancashire
celebrated the past and
illuminated the future of the
county and it’s people.
Our musical journey
that had started with the
initial idea eighteen months
ago was over but not without
leaving a legacy of educational
opportunities and memories of a truly
unique and outstanding performance.
The quality of the performance was
a tribute to everyone involved, a
triumph of teamwork, co-operation
and mutual respect.
SCHOOLS, YOUTH
AND ADULT CHOIRS
TAKING PART
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Members of The Young Lancashire Brass
Band.
Thoughts
From Bill
HIGH SCHOOLS
H
ere I am, in a Travelodge
north of Chorley. Tomorrow
I go to the offices of the Lancashire
Music Service to extract and print
out the vocal parts of Weaving the
Future, a choral and orchestral piece
I’ve just finished to accompany words
by Marilyn Floyde.
There is such an emotional pull
here. Over the hill not two miles away
is the village of Wheelton where I
played as a child in and around the
becks of Noblett’s farm, and down to
“As Leader of the County Council,
I am fortunate to hear and see
things every day that give me
pride in our wonderful County.
To hear almost 700 adults
and children giving life to
our wonderful history and
heritage was both a moving and
inspiring experience. It was an
unforgettable evening.”
Hazel Harding
(Leader of Lancashire County
Council)
18
Brookside Primary School
Kirkham St. Michael’s CE
Kirkham & Wesham Primary
School
Medlar-With-Wesham CE
Singleton CE
Ridge & Skerton Primary
School
St. Anne’s Ormskirk
St. James CE
St. Michael & St. John’s
St. Veronica’s Helmshore
the canal locks at the bottom of the
village.
“Don’t go near t’ water or Jinny
Greenteeth’ll get ya!” My Nan’s rusty
voice rings out strong and clear over
the gap of 50 years, shouting her
warning to keep me away from the
slippery green algae that clothe the
stones at the lip of the canal.
My Dad was born and brought up
in Wheelton; my Mum comes from
Preston where family still live. I am a
Lancastrian by birth and Lancashire
is in my blood. So here, via Mal’s
words, I try to paint a picture of our
county, from the hilts of northeast
Lancashire around Barnoldswick,
Colne and Trawden (where I lived in
the I980s) to the flat lands around
the coast. From the sea to the sky
we trace a mythological, historical
and geographical path. We sing the
county, the people, the buildings, the
landscape, the past and the future it’s
all part and parcel of my life.
This piece has been fashioned
for the performers, the children, the
adults of Lancashire and our guests
the BBC Singers, a weaving of sound
in response to my county, my spiritual
and ancestral home.
TUNE IN WINTER 2005
Glenburn Sports College
Haslingden High School
St. Christopher’s CE
LANCASHIRE YOUTH
CHOIRS
BBC SINGERS
“Splendid”, “magnificently sung”,
‘superbly sung”, “wonderful” - these
are recent critical plaudits for the
BBC Singers: Britain’s only full-time
professional chamber choir is an
ensemble internationally-recognised
as belonging to the first rank, and its
breadth of repertoire and range of
activities are unsurpassed anywhere
else in the world. Established in
1924, the versatility of this virtuoso
24-voice ensemble is second-tonone and this flexibility makes
the Singers both an important
resource in the broadcast music
making of the BBC and a significant
presence in British musical life.
The BBC Singers’ breadth
of repertoire is unsurpassed by
any other choral group, singing
everything from Renaissance music
to the latest contemporary scores,
and their unrivalled expertise
with the latter has brought about
creative relationships with some of
the most important composers and
conductors of the twentieth and
twenty-first centuries. At home on the
concert platform as much as in the
recording studio, the BBC Singers
regularly work with the BBC’s own
orchestras, a wide range of period
instrument and contemporary music
ensembles, and with a host of
internationally-renowned conductors.
With a public profile that takes
in concerts and broadcasts across
the whole of the United Kingdom,
a repertoire that embraces music
ancient, modem, and all points in
between, and a rapidly expanding
education programme without equal
on the British choral scene, the BBC
Singers enter their 80th season as
a unique presence in the musical
life of the UK: a world-class choral
ensemble committed to sharing their
enthusiasm and creative expertise
with audiences and performers,
amateurs
and
professionals,
young and old, throughout the
nation and across the whole
spectrum of the choral community.
For more information about the
group, visit www.bbc.co.uk/singers.
Burnley Junior Choir
Hyndburn Junior Choir
Lancashire Youth Choir
Rossendale Music Centre Choir
YOUTH & ADULT
COMMUNITY CHOIRS
New Voice of Youth Choir
The Good News Singers
The South Pennine Singers
The Valley Singers
19
TUNE IN WINTER 2005
CONCERT
CORNER
And Finally
Have you any daft music jokes?
Then send them in:
The Lancashire Youth Jazz
Orchestra have a number of
concerts this term, on Saturday the
29 January they are performing with
Lee Gibson at the Blackpool Jazz
Festival contact Neil Simpson on
01253 316093.
On Friday the 11 February they
are at Oswaldtwistle Town Hall
contact Mr. Mike Hindle on 01254
234833 for ticket details and finally
on Saturday the 12 March they
will be at St.. Michael & All Angels
Foulridge contact Mrs. Wood
Headteacher on 01282 861338 for
further details.
Ensembles from the Fulwood
Music Centre are performing with
the Lancashire Schools’ Brass Band
on Sunday afternoon of the 6 March,
for more information contact S. Grills
on 07850 025783.
Would you like either one of our
Music Centre groups or one of our
County Ensembles to give a concert
at your school, or maybe you would
like to put on a joint concert with us,
if so contact Peter Read (Ensembles
Manager) on 01257 517111.
We will be pleased to perform
with your school groups, after all if
you play an instrument you need to
be a member of a band and if you
are a member of a band you need to
perform.
If any school would like to include
their own concert in this slot send
your information to me Stuart Grills
(Editor) at the Music Service Office.
Look out for more concert
information in the next issue and
don’t forget if you want to include
your concert send me the details.
TUNE IN
Next issue...
In the next edition of ‘TUNE IN’ we move
onto the Chorley Music Centre.
After looking at the County Brass
Bands we treat you to the Lancashire
Symphony Orchestras.
slows down.
How do you know
when a drummer is
knocking at your front
door?
The knock always
And now something a little different this term. These are exam
answers by pupils in the State of
Missouri:
•Agnus Dei was a woman famous
for her church music.
•Refrain means don’t do it, a refrain
in music means you better not try to
sing.
Spotlight on Music Centres
County Ensembles Feature
Jacques Thibault, the violinist,
was once handed an autograph book
by fan while in the greenroom after
the concert. “There’s not much room
on this page,” he said. “What shall I
write?”
Another violinist standing near by
offered the following helpful hint: “Write
your repertoire.”
•A virtuoso is a musician with really
high morals.
•John Sebastian Bach died from
1750 to the present day.
•Handel was half German, half
Italian and half English. He was rather
large.
•Beethoven wrote music even
though he was deaf. He was so deaf
he wrote loud music.
He took long walks in
the forest even when
everyone was calling
him. I guess he could
not hear so good.
Beethoven expired in 1827 and later
died from this.
•Henry Purcell was a well-known
composer few people have ever heard
of.
•A trumpet is an instrument when it
is not an elephant sound.
20
TUNE IN WINTER 2005