In Tune April 2008 - Southern Education and Library Board

Summer School1st - 4th July, 2008Lismore comprehensive,Craigavon andPortadown Music CentreFee: £65 (£60 per person if 2 or more from one family)Lunch & main route transport providedNon-music Service students are welcometo apply for Summer SchoolEXCITING NEW OPTIONS FOR 2008 - FLUTE CHOIR(Minimum requirement - Grade 5 +)An opportunity for advanced flautists to explore new repertoire and developtheir skills as ensemble players. The course will cover sound production,technique, articulation and breathing as well as the use of alto and bass flutes.Dates for Your DiaryEnd of Season ConcertsFriday 2 nd May:South Ulster Youth Orchestra & South Ulster Big Band,Craigavon Civic Centre @ 8pm.ORCHESTRA & BAND AUDITIONS 2008/09 SEASONThursday 8 th May - Newry Music Centre12.00 – 4.30pmTuesday 13 th May - Dungannon Music Centre12.00 – 4.30pmFriday 16 th May - Portadown Music Centre12.00 – 4.30pmSaturday 17 th May - Portadown Music Centre9.00 – 12.00 noonIn Tu eIssue 13 • May 2008 www.selb.org/music www.friendsassociation.co.ukPhoto GalleryString Project Plays for PresidentCHRISTMAS CONCERTFRENCH HORN FOR COMPLETE BEGINNER & FRENCH HORN WORKSHOPWould you like to learn the french horn and also play in a Beginner Wind Band atour Summer School? Well you can - just come along and we will provide you withan instrument for the course. (french horns are not to be taken home.) Frenchhorn players with one years experience or more (or pupils who have recentlytaken up the instrument but who have been playing brass for one year or moreare welcome to attend the workshop and you will also have the opportunity toplay in the Wind Band. (Please bring your own french horn for this workshopoption).SELB MUSIC SERVICE ANNUAL PRIZENIGHTFriday 30 th May - Craigavon Civic Centre - 7.30pmSELB MUSIC SERVICE SUMMER SCHOOLTuesday 1 st July – Friday 4 th July - LismoreComprehensive, CraigavonBrass MasterclassYoung Musicians Hit the High Notes!Congratulations to all the young musicians who took to the stage for the firsttime in the recent Junior Ensembles Concerts in Portadown, Dungannon andNewry.The young musicians, who range in age from Primary 5 up to Year 8, meetand rehearse weekly at their local music centre in preparation for the bigevent! Their dedication and commitment to the task in hand is displayedthrough their excellent attendance through the year and their enthusiasticperformances on the night. In addition to their musical contribution they alsomanaged to raise a superb amount of money for charity.This year the charities supported were: Sargent Cancer Care for Children£1094.80 & Newry and Mourne Diabetes Group £575.00.For further information on Junior Ensembles contact:Darren CanmoreArea Co-ordinator Portadown Music CentreTel: 028 38 332371Uel FaulknerArea Co-ordinator Dungannon Music CentreTel: 028 87724379Krista GallagherActing Area Co-ordinator Newry Music CentreTel: 028 302 531694 in tuneS.U.Y.B. Concert TourLake Garda, Italy 2009As you may already know fundraising for the tour is wellunderway with some very successful busking days atChristmas and the upcoming Belfast Marathon.I would like to encourage all Music Service students(not just SUYB members) to lend a hand and help withfuture fundraising efforts.It’s not too late to enter the Marathon Fun Run!!!If anyone has any fundraising ideas or would like toorganise a fundraising event, please contact DarrenCanmore at Portadown Music Centre – 028 3833 2371Saturday 2 nd February saw the welcome visit toBelfast of International Cornet/Trumpet virtuosoRoger Webster.Roger currently plays with Grimethorpe CollegeBand, Brass Band Battle (Kellogg’s) and has justfinished a period as guest Principal Trumpet of theBBC Philharmonic Orchestra.Two SELB students Stephen Murphy (Trumpet inSUYO and UYO) and Gemma McKee (Cornet inSUYB) took part in the afternoon masterclassesled by Roger at Sydenham Salvation Army in EastBelfast.In the evening both students were invited to stayand enjoy a concert sponsored by Besson MusicalInstruments Ltd and World of Brass, featuring RogerWebster, accompanied by Virtuoso Brass Group ledby Mr J Corry, featuring the Ulster Orchestra andfreelance brass players.EDITORIAL TEAM: Nuala Curran. Krista GallagherIf you have any news items, photographs or informationyou would like to share with us, please do not hesitate tocontact me at Newry Music Centre: 028 302 53168 or email:nualacurran@gmail.com.We welcome your comments & ideasfor future issues.Thanks, Nuala Curran.Southern Education and Library BoardContact us, or get information about us, on our websites:www.selb.org/music www.friendsassociation.co.ukDesigned and printed at Dungannon Teachers’ CentrePresident Mary McAleese visited St. Patrick’s Primary School, Hilltown, thismonth to celebrate the schools 150th anniversary, and was entertained by someof the S.E.L.B’s many ensembles. The school’s string project, which has beenrunning since September 2007, under the direction of Teresa McArdle and ClareMcEvoy, performed the WasherWoman and Olga Square Dance. Also present,were the music service’s Brass ensemble, led by Seamus Dinsmore, who alsoperformed a selection of Irish traditional melodies. Not least, the school’s choir,who have gained a reputation for their excellence, also performed. They wereunder the direction of Mrs Una Lawless and accompanied by Mr. Daniel O’Neill.The President was unsurprising overwhelmed by such an array of musical abilityfrom St. Patrick’s and the S.E.L.B music staff.TROMBONE DAYThe hugely successful BTS Trombone Dayis now into it’s 5 th year and continues toattract large numbers of professional andamateur brass players. Trombonists fromacross Ireland and the UK met in Bann Housein February to participate in Master classes,perform in the mass trombone choir andlisten to superb soloists.SCHOOLS DAY CONCERTThis year the Annual Schools Day Concertwas held in St. Mark’s HS, Warrenpoint,where members of the South UlsterAcademy Orchestra, South Ulster AcademyBand, South Ulster Saxophone Ensembleand Samba Band brought their livelyprogramme to 700 pupils from localschools.This years Christmas Concert returned tothe Island Arts Centre, Lisburn. Pictured aresome of the young musicians who providedsome of the festive cheer!NEW START RECITAL EVENINGSA huge ‘round of applause’ to all the studentswho participated in last terms New Startrecital evenings. The capacity audiences inall three venues enjoyed lively, entertainingperformances from musicians ranging from 8to 18 years.CHRISTMAS ROADSHOWSELB Music Service staff took to the roadagain at Christmas bringing their immenselypopular Christmas recital programme to anumber of local schools. Pictured are thestaff and students of St Mary’s PS, Cabraenjoying the performance.in tune 1

Double Reed DayThe SELB Music Service in association withthe Ulster Youth Orchestra held it’s secondannual Double Reed day on Sunday 9 Marchin Bann House.Oboe and Bassoon players from all overNorthern Ireland came for a day of Masterclasses, recitals, reed-making classes andshopping at the Howarth’s stands!The guest tutors were Ruth Bolister(Principal Oboe, English National Opera),John Orford (Professor of Bassoon at theRoyal Academy of Music), Colin Stark (Oboe/Cor Anglais Ulster Orchestra), and JulianPartridge (Bassoon/Contra Bassoon UlsterOrchestra).The Master classes proved extremelyinformative and enjoyable with a friendlyand relaxed atmosphere. Thanks to all thestudents who were brave enough to get upand play!The day ended with a group performancewhere all the bassoon and oboe players inattendance of all ages and standards joinedtogether to play a few fun pieces for theaudience, conducted by John Orford.A great day was had by all and we are alla little more informed and inspired aboutdouble reed instruments!Ulster Youth OrchestraCongratulations to Peter Harris, PortadownCollege, and percussionist with the SouthUlster Youth Orchestra on winning aprestigious Composition Competition.“In September of 2007 I received an emailfrom the Ulster Youth Orchestra offeringme, along with ten others, a place in acomposition workshop with Brian Irvine,the resident composer with the UlsterOrchestra. Composition is one of myfavourite aspects of music next to playing,so I had no hesitation in accepting myplace.The course would take the form of fourworkshops with Brian Irvine, with a finalschools day event, where our compositionswould be played by a small ensemble madeup of members of the Ulster Orchestra andUlster Youth Orchestra. The best of thecompositions would go on to be performedat the Waterfront Hall in Belfast prior toan Ulster Orchestra concert by the sameensemble.The workshops were interesting andchallenging, and aimed to expand theexperience and musical knowledge of theyoung composers. Our first challengewas to compose a piece of music inless than 45 minutes; challenging, butrewarding. Over the next three workshopsin Belfast, we worked on the piece thatwould be played by the somewhat unusualensemble of violin, cello, double bass,french horn, clarinet and percussion. TheCongratulationsCongratulations to the following present and past members of the Music Service who willbe representing the SELB area when they take up their seats in the 2008 Ulster YouthOrchestra.Laura-Jayne Hughes, Carolyn Kelly, Alison Mathers, Caoimhe McKearney, Danielle Rogan,Emer Tumilty, Louise Bell, David Clarke, Stephen Murphy, Orla Rice, Sean Rooney, RosieFerguson and Aileen Henry. Well done everyone!This year’s residential course will run for ten days in the summer from Wednesday 30thJuly – Saturday 16 th August. As an added bonus this year the Orchestra has been invitedto participate in the 2008 Young Euro Classic Festival in Berlin. This prestigious festivalbrings together young musicians from all over the world to perform in Berlin’s beautifulKonzerthaus.Under the baton of TakuoYuasa the orchestra will perform Shostakovich Symphony No 5 and anew commission by Northern-Irish composer Deirdre McKay, they will also be joined by youngpianist Michael McHale to perform Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini.2 in tuneunusual instrumentation made composingthe piece all the more interesting andunusual. However, Brian Irvine helped theyoung composers grasp effective soundsand methods of orchestration with ease.It was fantastic to hear my piece playedlive by a group of talented musiciansat the schools day. I was delighted tohear that my piece was one of the fourto be performed at the Ulster Orchestraconcert. The chance to conduct my ownmusic in a great concert hall was quitean experience, and one that I relished.The workshop has proved invaluable inexpanding my knowledge of orchestrationand composition. In the future, I hope tobecome a film and television composer,and this workshop served to fuel myappetite.”The Music Service would like to congratulateoboist Carolyn Kelly on being awarded ascholarship to study at the Royal ScottishAcademy of Music in Glasgow.Carolyn is in her final year at Portadown College.She is principal oboe with the South Ulster YouthOrchestra and a member of the Ulster YouthOrchestra.We would like to wish Carolyn lots of successin her future studies.ConcertsDerry- GuildhallThursday 7th AugustBelfast - Venue TBC,Friday 8th August‘Practice Makes Perfect’DO YOU KNOW THAT AURAL TESTS ARE WORTH 18 MARKSIN YOUR ASSOCIATED BOARD MUSIC EXAM?All students entering for Associated Board Practical Examinations areencouraged to attend classes in the term of their examination, wherethe tests for each grade will be explained and demonstrated. Students willbe given useful practice and advice on answering the examination questions.Classic Jam!WEEKLY AURAL TRAINING CLASSES IN PREPARATIONFOR ASSOCIATED BOARD EXAMINATIONSDUNGANNON MUSIC CENTRE:TUESDAY - 7.00 – 8.00pm. Grades 1 – 5. Mrs M BatchelorNEWRY MUSIC CENTRE:THURSDAY - 4.00 – 4.30pm. Grades 1 – 3. Mr D O’Neill4.30 – 5.00pm. Grades 4 – 5.PORTADOWN MUSIC CENTRE:WEDNESDAY - 5.00 – 6.00pm. Grades 1 – 5. Mrs M BatchelorWhilst channel hopping during the EasterHolidays my attention was caught by afamiliar face on RTE 2! Michael McCaughley,a senior viola student of Mrs Brigid Waltonand pupil of St Patrick’s GS, Armagh wasone of the lucky finalists in this years“Classic Jam” series.“Oh my God I’m on tv!!!” - I just couldn’thelp shouting when I saw myself on the Denlast week taking part in an RTÉ production:“Classic Jam.” There were twelvemusicians between the ages of thirteen andeighteen taking part to see who could winthe prestigious ‘Jam’ title.The auditions had been interesting - theywere as keen to know about your hobbiesas they were your musical ability, and Ihave to say the question about your: “mostembarassing moment” stumped me. Twelveof us gathered in Castletown House for thefour days of shooting and practising endingwith the final performance.On the first day we were divided into ourgroups - Group One (my group) was thestring quartet. We were given Haydn andPhilip Glass to practise and prepare for thefinal concert and our mentor was renownedviolinist Darragh Morgan. Group Two wasthe trio: an oboe, flute and violin, theirmentor was oboist Sheila Daly and theywere given a Baroque piece by Bonportito play. The last group was the quintetincluding: a violin, viola, harp, piano andtrumpet and they were asked to play a newwork written for them entitled ‘The SilentClown’ by Brian Irvine, their mentor. Unlikethe other groups their music was totallycontemporary.There was a surprisingly relaxedatmosphere throughout the weekend andit was really good craic because I knewsome of the other players from the NationalYouth Orchestra. But the combinationof long days of filming and playing wereextremely tiring.Over the four days we practised reallyhard and by the end the quintet were thebookie’s favourite to win - their piece wasdifficult but had an animated side to it. Thetrio coped really well with their piece andplayed a good final performance. We did thebest we could to fit together the lines andphrases of Haydn after our mentor had tornus apart!On the evening of the final performancethe nerves started to take hold. We wentfor it - and played really well as a group.The judges: John O’Connor, FionnualaHunt and Seamus Crimmins said that weperformed as one and made a great team.The other groups did really well but therewere some problems with rhythm in thequintet’s piece. Time for the result - thejudges decided we (the quartet) werebest! After that it was interviews galoreand celebrations for the rest of the night.I really enjoyed playing the Haydn quartetand appearing on the Den - hard to beat!Marks of DistinctionCongratulations to all those whosuccessfully passed their AssociatedBoard examinations in November2007 & March 2008. Distinctions weregained by 46 students who enteredin these sessions. An additional 158merits and 238 passes were alsoachieved. Unfortunately the list is toolong to publish, but special mentionmust be made to the followingstudents who passed with Distinction!Anna Annett, Flute Grade1, CallumMagill, Cornet Grade 1, ChloeHenning,Trumpet Grade 2, ConorMasterson, Violin Grade 6, DominiqueCunningham,Violin Grade 3,EamonnMcAteer, Violin Grade 2, EmmaMasterson, Violin Grade 6, MeabhCassidy, Violin Grade 1, NaicaiosaCunningham, Trumpet Grade 4, RyanCrozier, Alto Sax Grade 1, CormacBegley, Descant Recorder Grade 2,Kelsey Cubitt, Trombone Grade 2,Rosie Ferguson, Violin Grade 8, DavidGoodwin, Clarinet Grade 1, SarahHenning, Clarinet Grade 3, GraceKennedy, Flute Grade 1, Jessica Mackin,Trombone Grade 3, Amy McKee, HarpGrade 1, Aoife Monaghan Harp Grade2, Ellen Reay, Harp Grade 1, RebeccaBlaney, Double Bass Grade 1, CiaranCasey, Violin Grade 2, Victoria Flavell,Trumpet Grade 1, Rachel Gamble,Violin Grade 4, Danielle Gibson, OboeGrade 2, Clarissa Ingham, ClarinetGrade 1, Jessica Kernaghan, TrumpetGrade 1, Amy McAlpine, TrumpetGrade 1,Darren McCann, Violin Grade1, Calvin Poon, Cello Grade 3, DervlaPower, Flute Grade 1, Rachel Vogan,Eb Horn Grade 1, Leah Wylie, FluteGrade 3, Michelle Hamill, ClarinetGrade 1, Carolyn Kelly, Oboe Grade8, Anthony Marsden, Alto Sax Grade8, Sarah Matchett, Violin Grade 1,Grace Buchanan, Trumpet Grade 1,Cara Dinsmore, Violin, Grade 2, CaraChristie, Violin Grade 2, RebeccaMcCrory, Violin Grade 6, Sarah Boyle,Violin Grade 1, Andrew Adams, TubaGrade 3, Jack Hoy, Violin Grade 1,Rachel McGarrity, Violin Grade 6,Ronan Stewart, Violin Grade 3.in tune 3