Will Hay

Tag: newsletter

  • Summer Newsletter 2011

    Now that the summer term has wound down, it’s a good chance to review some of the activities which have taken place. I was pleased to receive a great set of exam results last week which included six merits and a distinction. “Share one, comment two” week  has increased active participation on the Noteflight Studio. Why not take the opportunity to do some composing over the summer holidays? I am planning to have another composition competition in the Autumn Term, so watch this space for details!

    The TWO concerts this term were well attended and offered a wide variety of performances from piano solos and duets to ensembles and choirs. One of my piano students was even brave enough to sing a solo. We welcomed the Chester Music Society Youth Choir and Preludes at “Ludus Cantiones” with their conductors Helena Thomas and Katie Wilkes. Proceeds from ticket sales raised another £200 towards Betina’s Bursary fund. Unfortunately, Betina wasn’t able to take her Grade 1 exam this session but hopes to continue her violin studies in September and maybe take it next time. Feedback would still be welcome on the “Ludus Cantiones” concert held on 25th June.

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    Have a great summer and don’t forget to keep practising.

     

  • “Share one, Comment two” week

    Noteflight Studio

    Now that the pressure of exams is relaxing for many students I am encouraging everybody to explore composing more. The Noteflight Studio is such a powerful tool and I would ask all my students to share at least one of their compositions (enabling commenting) even if it is still a work in progress.

    Browsing the scores which other students have shared is a good way to get ideas of what might be possible in your own compositions. Try to add useful comments as this aids your own critical thinking as well as helping the person whose score you have just viewed, even if it’s only just “dropping by” and telling them that you enjoyed listening to it.

    The new features in version 2.5 including MIDI input and video/audio sync really add value to the resource. See the example below from the last concert.

    Tickertape

  • The importance of scales

    There’s little chance of escaping the fact that scales aren’t the most exciting thing to practice, especially when you have a piano exam coming up in the next few weeks.  However they are the building blocks of much music and being able to play them fluently is fundamental in the ability to play any instrument.

    My students have been incorporating “musical curve” into their scale technique. Playing duet scales helps focus on the rhythm with some lovely arrangements  in “Get Ready for Major Scale Duets”

    This collaborative performance of Twinkle Twinkle Little C from the book demonstrates some of the “musical curve” technique they have been exploring. With thanks to Amelia, Kathleen, Lauren, Beth, Mattea, Shea, Alice, Emily, Grace, Ruth, Felicity, Izzie, Emma, Kirsten, Jacob, Oliver and Sylvia for their contributions to the video.

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    Scales are also a useful tool to experiment with in composition. This 12 bar work by Beryl looks at the relationship between relative major and minor scale.
    “Major and Minor Creativity” by Beryl

    Why not have a go at making your own composition using scales? Log in to your noteflight account to get started.

  • Summer Charity Concerts

    This term there will be two charity concerts taking place:
    “Playing Together” on Saturday 18th June, 2011 at 10:30am at Upton Village Hall, and
    “Ludus Cantiones” on Saturday 25th June, 2011 at 11am at St. Columba’s Hall.

    At “Playing Together” you can expect a programme of piano and instrumental solos, piano duets and other small ensembles.

    “Ludus Cantiones” translates as play sing, reflecting the vocal and choral content of the programme alongside piano solos and ensembles. We are looking forward to welcoming the Chester Music Society Youth Choir and Preludes to sing in this concert.

    Both concerts should last no more than an hour.

    Watch the Chester Music Society Youth Choir and Preludes in rehearsal for “Ludus Cantiones”

    Funds raised from the concert tickets will continue to support a lesson bursary for Betina, a student at Kampala Music School, Uganda

    Tickets are £3/adult and £1/child for either concert. A special price of £5/adult for both concerts is also available. They can be purchased either directly from Will Hay or via paypal

    Ticket type

     

  • CMS Youth Choirs Eastertide Concert

    Next Saturday 2nd April at All Saint’s Church, Hoole starting at 7:30, Chester Music Society Youth Choir will be presenting their Eastertide Concert.

    They are pleased to welcome special guest choir, ‘Cantabile’ from Overleigh St. Mary’s Primary School. The programme will include popular anthems by John Rutter along with excerpts from Chilcott’s ‘Little Jazz Mass’ and Pergolesi ‘Stabat Mater’.

    By way of a preview of an item in the concert, see the video below which was recorded while the choir were rehearsing on residential back in October 2010. This is an excerpt of one of the piece which will be performed on the night.

    Badgers and Hedgehogs excerpt video