Friday, August 24, 2007

Food for thought.


I have recently met up again with a friend from Music College. He is another bassoonist and was a couple of years ahead of me. We met again out of the blue when we discovered that our children were practically best friends at school!.

We were with him and his wife recently and found out that we had in our youths both failed grade five theory of music exam. We both went on to be professional musicians ........etc...

It got me thinking about so many amazing musicians I know who have a real chip on their shoulders because they never got any "grades".

Many of the most natural musicians of my acquaintance are either self taught or just didn't go the traditional route. Some of them are apologetic and say " of course I'm not a real musician because I didn't do grades".

Music exams do form a bench mark and give a pupil something to aim at, but but should passing them give the recipient the "musical superiority" it seems to?.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Razz 2 on its way!!


I have had the first lot of backing tracks for the new Razzamajazz books today, and am really pleased so far. The backings are much better with a choice of speeds and generally more ziz.

Its been nice to hear new compositions ( inc. "Shrimp Circus" and "biscuit tin waltz"). Am really looking forward to the new books being out especially bk 3 for recorder, and book two for flute, clarinet and sax.

Hard to imagine


Thought this picture may be of interest. Music camp before Milton keynes!. The photo was taken outside the mess marquee which was in the top field ( where the camp used to be). The marquee was pitched just about where the audience sit in the new theatre now!. The picture looks down to the present camp field. Notice the lack of Milton keynes in the distance, the picture would be very different now!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

National Youth Music Camp







Roger sent me some more pictures of Junior camp. I thought they were too good not to share!

Friday, August 17, 2007

This is a MUST!


We recently heard Antonio Forcione live, it was amazing. I have just found this clip of him on "You Tube". If you have never heard him, or are intrigued this is a MUST!! (listen all through) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njh5_uhZlJU

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Avril Dankworth.







I was looking through old photographs, and found this black and white picture of Avril. It was at my first junior camp in 1971, and the first time I met her.



She really was an inspiration. I have met so many people who attended her teachers courses and said what an impression they made on them. I went to a few to help Avril when I was at college, and I have to say they were not only informative, but FUN.



Avril was always "Up for anything". She would travel all over the world to music conferences or to adjudicate. The sheer fact that she had the idea of starting a music camp and actually making it happen shows what sort of person she was (is). I don't think people realise how respected she was musically in her own right. Most people have known Avril as "John Dankworth's sister"



Avril had a passion for providing musical opportunities for ORDINARY kids. She loved camping, and music making, and wanted young people to be able to experience both of these things together.



The second picture is of Avril and Les (her husband)at camp. He often joked that he had married a music camp.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

New toy!




I am trying to get my head around a new "printer/scanner". I have never had a scanner before, so am scanning everything in sight. I bought it to prepare some PowerPoint presentations for some teachers conferences I am speaking at in September and October. I have always taken someone with me in the past to do the computer bit, but I thought its time I leaned to do it myself. Its so much better to put pages of my books or book covers on a screen rather than taking copies for everyone plus music stands. I think it would benefit me to get into the twenty first century!.


Anyway, back to scanning!. I have found some "scanworthy"articles etc. This one is interesting, its a write up of the first Music Camp in 1970. Click on the picture to read it.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

More Music Camp!














































A few more photos from Junior camp before normal life is resumed. These were too good to miss.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Striking camp.




The final concert today of the junior camp was wonderful, but can't believe its all over for another year. Before the final presentation has started the striking team has arrived and half the tents are down. Its a horrible feeling, you feel like shouting "stop! those are our homes".


Avril Dankworth's husband Les used to be fascinated that the last thing to be put away when camp went down was the big white fridge. The mess marquee would be dismantled, and the fridge would just stand there like a tomb stone to what had gone before.


Its odd to stand in the empty field when everyone has gone. No people, no voices, no music.


All the tunes and faces from the three weeks replay in your mind. Quite emotional really.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

National youth Music Camp Juniors.















































































After two teenage camps the juniors all look so small when they arrive, but don't disappoint with their musicality, creativity, and enthusiasm. I have listened to a few sessions and the standard is excellent (despite our no grade of entry policy). The tutors have done some fantastic arrangements, and it is exciting seeing the young people inspiring each other as well as being inspired themselves. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Its a sign!!!







I did a post on April 28th about the old North Bucks Music centre and the sadness at seeing it all overgrown. It was housed in an old cricket pavilion, and is about to be demolished.



I was speaking to the man who owns the land now and was telling him a little of its history.



Yesterday I found the sign from the music centre gate on my doorstep!!.



I'm really thrilled to have it ( crazy isn't it!), but its an odd feeling.



I remember going through those gates with trepidation to a violin lesson each week that I dreaded. I remember the feeling of arriving there with sheer terror for Associated board exams when I didn't know my scales!, and only being able to whisper when you went through the door, and the smell of wood floor polish.



I think having the sign in my garden is therapy , a kind of trophy. I am very willing to share it with anyone else who needs it.

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Saturday Feedback
















The camps always seem to stretch out through the summer, but already we are on the last week. We had lovely weather for the T2 feedback yesterday. A real blessing after having dug a trench through the food marquee to clear the flood before the first lot of campers arrived.

Friday, August 3, 2007

National Youth Music camp. Teenage camp 2 nearly over!!














































I can't believe T2 is nearly over and I haven't had chance to put pictures on here yet. Its been another brilliant week. Really different from last week but just as good. Portia has been a great director and has injected the camp with so much enthusiasm and musical creativity I have walked around all the groups and workshops, very exciting.
Click on the pictures to enlarge them.