There’s much to be concerned about relating to music education. But let’s not forget to celebrate and share positive stories and new opportunities for musicians and music teachers. Here’s our latest Good Music News round-up:
- National Youth Choirs of Great Britain auditions,
- PRS Foundation’s Composers’ Fund,
- Help Musicians UK Transmission Fund: latest recipients and next round deadline,
- Belfast’s bid for approval as a Unesco City of Music,
- Classic FM launches “Revision Hour” to sooth studying students,
- Jeremy Huw Williams is new ISM President,
- Next issue of Y Me newsletter with music career advice for young people.
Do you know of any talented young singers? If so, tell them about the auditions taking place for four choirs of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB).
The choirs offer coaching, classes, participation in live performances and opportunities to take part in television and radio broadcasts, in recordings and music videos.
Auditions for the National Youth Choir will take place during May at venues in London, Birmingham, Manchester and the North East. The deadline to book these auditions is Monday 29 April 2019. Full details here.
Applications are currently open for the PRS Foundation’s Composers’ Fund, which offers a contribution of up to £10,000 to composers “who are already making a significant cultural contribution in the UK and have the potential for greater impact in the UK and overseas.”
Support is available for up to 15 composers per year. Previous projects have included recordings, the promotion and performance of existing works, international co-commissions and development, performer collaboration, residencies, sabbaticals or childcare costs and project or promotional support.
The next deadline is 28 May. Application guidance, FAQs and other details are here.
Help Musicians UK has announced the first set of professional development projects to be supported by its Transmission Fund for 2019. 15 UK artists will each embark on a short-term developmental activity of their choice. The list of recipients is here.
The application deadline for the next round of The Transmission Fund, which provides grants of £500 – £1,500 to fund opportunities that focus on developing musicians’ creative practice and furthering their professional development, is 8 July. More information on how to apply and the full criteria.
Belfast’s new city strategy, A City Imagining, which is undergoing public consultation, includes a bid to be approved as a Unesco City of Music by 2023, the BBC reports.
Radio station Classic FM is launching a new series, Revision Hour, to help students with exam preparation and revision tips alongside classical music. The station notes that for the past three years it has experienced a significant increase in 16-25 year old listeners who are in full-time education during exam season. Sam Jackson, Classic FM’s managing editor, said students:
“often tell us that classical music helps them concentrate during revision and keeps them more relaxed before an exam. We know students can feel under pressure, so we are looking forward to launching our first ever series just for them, with the help of our friends at The Student Room.”
The programme will be broadcast on Classic FM between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday nights from 27 April to 15 June.
The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) has announced the appointment of Jeremy Huw Williams, the baritone singer, as President 2019-20.
He will lead the ISM “at a critical time of great change, both within the music sector and in the broader national and international context as the UK awaits its departure from the EU.”
Jeremy said:
“The eminent Welsh composer William Mathias was President of the Incorporated Society of Musicians during my student days. As a Welshman I am humbled and honoured to follow in his footsteps as the new President of the ISM.”
Jeremy Huw Williams made his debut with Welsh National Opera as Guglielmo (Così fan tutte) and has since appeared in more than sixty operatic roles.
We’ve previously covered Y Me? – Music Mark’s newsletter which “hopes to provide young musicians and music enthusiasts with guidance on how to continue their music studies and advice for future music careers.” The second edition is due out on 30th April; to ensure you get a copy, sign up here.
What next?
- Read earlier editions of Good Music News
- If there’s something you would like us to cover in Good Music News, please email us.
- Here’s some good news for music teachers: our free 29 tips for a thriving music teaching business will give you things you can do immediately to boost your music teaching business. They’ll also make you smile.