Will Hay

Author: Will Hay

  • Britten – War Requiem

    Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the start of World War Two, the University of Manchester Chorus and Symphony Orchestra will be performing this momentous work at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on Sunday 3rd May, 2009 at 7:30pm.

    The performance will feature renowned soloists including Amanda Roocroft, Alan Clayton and Roderick Williams as well as choristers from Manchester and Chester Cathedrals. Having sung with the university chorus as a student a number of years ago I can guarantee that this will be a performance not to be missed.

  • Blue Autumn ¦ Podcast Episode 6

    This week: Daniel, Winnie and Jacob perform in my first video enhanced podcast which looks at Eddie Harvey’s Blue Autumn from the Grade 1 ABRSM Jazz Piano Syllabus.

    In conversation we look at the challenges the piece poses along with sources of inspiration for the solo section and possible embellishments for the recapitulation of the head section.

    [powerpress]

  • Charity Piano Concert – 15th March 2009

    Charity Concert PosterThis term’s piano concert will take place in just over two weeks time. As mentioned already in the newsletter, the concerts this year will be supporting the Kampala Music School in Uganda with the aim of providing a piano lesson bursary.

    Our piano concert this term will feature the seven movements of Bach’s Fifth French Suite played by myself with performances from my students in between movements. Technology permitting, the concert will be streamed live below on Sunday 15th March, 2009 at 13:15 GMT!

    The date has been chosen to align with the music school’s annual anniversary concert.

    KMS 6th Anniversary ConcertLast year, the concert featured singers from numerous choirs in Kamapala performing a popular programme of choral ‘gems’, including Feel the Spirit, an arrangement of well-known Spirituals  by John Rutter, Cantique de Jean Racine by Faure and David Fanshawe’s setting of the Lord’s Prayer from African Sanctus.

    A suggested donation of £3 per audience member will be requested upon entry to the concert with proceeds providing a piano bursary for a student at the music school.

  • Piano Points Leaderboard – February Half Term

    Piano PointsHalf way through the first term of running piano points,
    Total points leaders on February 19th are as follows:

    1. Sophia from St. Werburgh’s,  Alice from Tattenhall Park, Rebecca and Huw from CCHS are all on 20 points
    2. Katherine from Upton Heath and Lucie from CCHS are both on 18 points.
    3. Alison from Upton Heath and Emily from Tattenall Park are both on 17 points.

    Average points leaders (all on 4 points) are Mollie from St. Oswald’s, Sophia and Bella from St. Werburgh’s and Alice from Tattenhall Park.

    42% of the 62 students are on 14 or more points which is half of the target number of points for the term.

  • Piano Points Rewards updated v1.1

    Piano PointsI have decided to update the piano points awards system slightly to take into account that students at some schools may have had fewer lessons through no fault of their own. (pantomimes permitting – thanks to Mollie for pointing this out!)

    In respect of this point I will publish a league for average points per lesson as well as total points and there will be prizes for both the highest average points and the highest total points.

    All students who achieve the termly points target (28 points – based on an average of 2.3 points per lesson over 12 lessons) will get a certificate.