Hampshire

Music

Education Hub

HUB Newsletter 3 Summer 2013

Welcome Since the last Hub newsletter in the spring, the Hampshire Music Education Hub has continued to develop at pace. Numbers of partnerships have grown from the 30+ established partners who supported the bid to become a Hub, to almost 100, with whom we now have ongoing working relationships. It is through partnerships with schools, colleges and musical organisations from across Hampshire and beyond, that the Hub can provide valuable opportunities to children and young people. Music Education Hubs have been described as “a way of working” and the focus of this newsletter is on the highly successful partnerships at the heart of this “way”.

Jill Larner

Head of Hampshire Music Service

What does the Hub do? As the Hub concept and “way of working” becomes more established the Hub: delivers, signposts, brokers, commissions, lists, partners, advocates, negotiates, networks, mentors, promotes, monitors quality, finds the ‘cold’ spots, collects and shares information and draws people together to bring musical excellence to children and young people.

“Snippets” Every three months the Hub reports to Arts Council England (ACE) on Hub activity. This information has become known as “snippets”, brief descriptions across a wide range of activity. They have grown through the year as follows: Sept/Oct 28, Nov/Dec 49, Jan/Feb 52 and Mar/Apr 99. What will the final number be for this year?

Hub Expectations

Take any of the partnership projects described in this newsletter and the four core and three extension aims of the Hub run through the work. First access, ensemble provision, progression routes and a vocal strategy make up the core aims, whilst instrument hire, continuing professional development and large-scale events are the extension aims.

COMING SOON: The final version of our Hub website will be launched soon.

This will provide a focus for Hub activity and communication as well as linking to

partner websites where organisations can flag up their activity.

You will also be able to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

www.hants.gov.uk

The Rite of Spring To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first performance of The Rite of Spring, landmark performances were given in The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth and The Anvil, Basingstoke. An expanded Hampshire County Youth Orchestra accompanied dancers from Bay House, Cowplain and Portchester schools, South Downs College and the Misspent Youth Theatre Company, choreographed by Jamie Roberts of Jamjar Dance Company. Composer Fraser Trainer coached composition students from Brune Park and Henry Cort schools and composer Francis Pott produced a new piece entitled “Re-Rite” for the occasion. Other performers were Peter Symonds’ chamber choir, and dancers and musicians from Alton College who played “The Right Offspring” inspired by Stravinsky’s interest in jazz. ”Stunning concerts such as this would not happen without the daily groundwork that they provide.” (Basingstoke Gazette, April 2013).

The Big Sing

Children from five schools in the Alton area, the choristers of Winchester Cathedral and pupils from The Pilgrims’ School gave a captivating performance to a delighted audience in the Cathedral this term. Led by staff from this well-established Hub partnership, the repertoire ranged from classical to pop. One of the teachers said: “I am so proud of the children - I never thought they would be singing songs like this in this wonderful cathedral”.

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Rock My World On 10 May The Tower Arts Centre in Winchester rocked with the music of pupils from secondary special schools.

Altonality This spectacular in The Anvil on 26 March featured 10 schools from East Hampshire with an orchestra of 100 and a choir of 350.

Certificate of Participation So many hub events involve joint partnership working that gives young people the chance to be involved in something unique and life-changing. We have developed a certificate to thank individuals taking part and to commemorate these wonderful events.

Friday Afternoons “Friday Afternoons”, the title of a set of songs by Benjamin Britten, written to be sung in schools on Friday afternoons is set to gain a record if at least 100,000 singers from schools across the country join in singing on the afternoon of 22 November (the centenary of Britten’s birth). In a national initiative spearheaded by Aldeburgh Music, Hampshire Music Hub is joining forces with Southampton and Portsmouth Hubs along with Turner Sims Concert Hall to join Hampshire schools together in live streaming and singing from Turner Sims on the big day, led by David Owen-Norris.

Putting Performance into Partnerships A round-up of our recent Hub partnership events across Hampshire

“Bebopalula” comes to Hedge End

Singers from six schools and their supporters crowded into The Berry Theatre at Wildern School for a toe-tapping performance of “Bebopalula” in June. Dressed in 1950s-style costumes and accompanied by a live rock band, the pupils “Rocked Around the Clock” and “Did the Locomotion” in this partnership with The Berry Theatre, the D.@rt Centre, Wildern School and its feeder primaries. “A big thank you to the Hampshire Music Hub folks, and to all the staff from the schools who were so clearly proud of their pupils’ work! Didn't the children all look wonderful” (Alison Neasom, Wildern School). Down in the Forest, “Magic of the Movies”, the follow-on from “Bebopalula”, will be showcased in the autumn.

Partnerships across Hub borders

In June, schools from Hampshire and West Sussex joined forces to sing an especially-composed piece by Alexander L’Estrange of “Zimbe” fame, to celebrate 60 years since the Queen’s coronation. The Hanover Band and South Downs National Park commissioned “Zadok Rules – Halleluia!” which was performed in Arundel Cathedral by primary school children, Ambassadors from Hampshire County Youth Choir and Alresford Community Choir. “I was really thrilled with the performance and the whole educational process.”, Alexander L’Estrange.

Music in the Great Hall Hub partners showcased their talents on 11 May in a concert for the Chairman of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Andrew Joy. Panjazz from Portchester and Alton College’s jazz band were among the performers alongside young musicians with outstanding musical talent from around the county.

From South East to South West

In common with others in our area, we have ‘moved’ within ACE’s administrative areas and now join with Hubs and arts organisations in the South West. However we have still been able to attend the south east’s discussion groups on Hub development, and in June we joined with 118 other Hubs at a conference in London run by ACE to look at the future of Music Education Hubs.

Hampshire Welcomes the World - Legacy

“By just attending the two-hour session each week I have been able to develop my playing skills as well as learning about tuning, rhythm, musical notation, time signatures and structures.” Just one participant’s view of the new ukulele ensemble piloted at CODA since Christmas. For teenagers and adults, this project has become self-sustaining and a regular fixture in New Milton, after some pump-priming Hub funding. Their first gig is at the Milford-on-Sea Music Festival in August.

Putting Performance into Partnerships A round-up of our recent Hub partnership events across Hampshire

Special Guests to Hampshire Hub

Ewan Easton, Alison Turiff, Russell Keable, James Rae, Red Zebra and Mnozil Brass are some of the musicians who have all visited the Hub recently to contribute to workshops, masterclasses, events and performances across the region.

Honeypot Children’s Charity

Since 1996 Honeypot has been working to enhance the lives of vulnerable children and young carers aged 5-12 years by providing respite breaks and ongoing outreach support in a safe, nurturing environment at Honeypot House on the edge of the New Forest. Most of the children are young carers who juggle school and growing up whilst performing a surrogate adult role at home. Some will have been in a caring role from as young as five years old, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Working in partnership with Honeypot House, we are providing 10 workshops throughout the summer to encourage children to take part in group activities. There is a choice of samba, African drumming, tabla and global drumming workshops with instruments and expert tuition provided. Through informal play and organised activities, children are encouraged to interact socially with their peers and develop personal skills that will support them throughout their lives.

Music Leaders of the Future

In February and March, 24 students from Hub partners the Education Faculty of the University of Winchester, did placements in schools with Hub teachers. “I feel much more confident in my ability to plan, teach and assess music.” (3

rd year student). It is also a

great opportunity for the next generation of teachers to see Hub possibilities for the future.

Starting in September will be a pilot teacher development programme for secondary school music teachers, also with the University, leading to masters-level credits. This will be action learning research-based, with tutorial support from university tutors. Discussions are ongoing with SOCO to develop these qualifications for the informal sector too.

“Hubby Birthday!” To celebrate our first birthday and to bring many of our partners together, we will be holding a Hub event on the afternoon of Wednesday 4 September. This will be an opportunity to share Hub news and look forward to our second year. Invitations will be sent by email.

Making Music Together – Participate, Enjoy, Achieve!

Tel: 023 805 2037 Fax: 023 8061 8241 Email: music.service@hants.gov.uk

www.hants.gov.uk/hms

More Hub partnership news and forthcoming events