Keryn Tatman, 17, from Beverley Grammar School,was one of six Yorkshire finalists who took part inthe finals at the NCEM in May and has had hispiece performed by the acclaimed vocalensemble,The Tallis Scholars, in Beverley Minsteras part of this year’s Festival.

The competition was judged by Peter Phillips,Director of The Tallis Scholars, who was extremelyimpressed with the overall standard of the youngcomposers. He commented: “The winning piece,‘Stabat Mater’ was exceptionally good and was quitedifferent in complexity to the other compositions. Ithas been beautifully written for the acoustics ofBeverley Minster and The Tallis Scholars were thrilledto give Keryn’s work its first public performance."

Delma Tomlin, Director of the NCEM, whoco-ordinates the Festival added: “We wereabsolutely delighted with the standard of all sixfinalists – it is just awe-inspiring to be reminded ofwhat fantastic talent we have in our teenagers.Weare planning to run a similar competition next yearwith The Tallis Scholars inYork as part of the summerYork Early Music Festival and look forward todiscovering more young talent.”

Keryn - an ex-chorister of Beverley Minster - wasvery excited to have won this prestigious prize.His family were equally thrilled as they havebeen ardent supporters of the Festival since itsinception and have stewarded at concerts overthe past 21 years – long before Keryn himselfwas born! Keryn said: “I am ecstatic to have wonthe competition as it was the first thing I have everentered. It was a great learning experience and onethat will hopefully open doors for me in the future. Iam hoping to study composition at either BrunelUniversity in London or the Royal Northern College ofMusic in Manchester.”

The other finalists were: Ben Horrigan fromSt Mary’s College, Hull;Tom Armitage fromWolfreton School, East Riding of Yorkshire; NatalieClarke from Fulford School,York; James Woodrowfrom St Peter’s School,York and Ruth Eaves fromHuntington School,York. All took part in a finalists’workshop day at the NCEM with The EborSingers, the American composer Aaron Cassidyfrom the University of Huddersfield and studentsfrom the University of York.

intune

A Beverley teenager has won the first Beverley& East Riding Early Music Festival’s YoungComposers’ Competition organised in associationwith the National Centre for Early Music.

www.ncem.co.uk

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Welcome to the NCEM’seducation and communitynewsletter – the space foryou to find out more aboutevents and activities.

a chance for you to get involved!

ISSUE 4

INTERNATIONALYOUNG ARTISTSCOMPETITIONThe York Early Music Festival has now takenover the running of the bi-annual InternationalYoung Artists Competition, previously held inassociation with the Early Music Network. Itwill take place from Thursday 16 to Saturday18 July 2009 as part of the York Early MusicFestival.

To enter this competition, you need to beaged between 17 and 30 years (35 forsingers); part of an ensemble with a minimumof three persons (the group can beinstrumental or vocal, or a mix of both);playing repertory from the Middle Ages tothe nineteenth century (using periodinstruments as appropriate).

The winners will receive a prize of £1,000and a major boost to their professionalcareers, including the possibility of a UK-widetour and a professionally produced CDworking in association with Linn Records.

For details of how to apply for the 2009competition, please visit the NCEM website atwww.ncem.co.uk/youngartists or ring 01904632220.The closing date for applications is5 December 2008.

The Competition is supported by the NCEM,BBC Radio 3, Arts Council England,Yorkshireand Linn Records.

BEVERLEYYOUNG MUSICIANWINS PRESTIGIOUS PRIZE

SING UP FOR YORK

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The young people, along with the NCEM’scommunity musicians, taught each other some ofthe songs they had composed themselves overthe past few months and sang extremely well.They had grasped the concepts and enjoyedsinging, dancing, clapping and skipping totraditional and new songs that will continue to beenjoyed in their own playgrounds for many years.

Sing Up, the Music Manifesto National SingingProgramme, produced by Youth Music withAMV-BBDO, Faber Music,The Sage Gatesheadand supported by the Government was launchedin November 2007 with the aim to raise thestatus of singing and increase opportunities forprimary school-aged children throughout Englandto enjoy singing as part of their everyday lives.The £10 million government investment aimed toensure that good quality singing is central toyoung children’s lives, in primary schools, in thehome and in the wider community.The NCEMwas one of 19 organisations throughout thecountry who were granted a ‘Hearts and Minds’award to run a singing programme which theyled in association with the City of York Council’sArts Education Service and North YorkshireBusiness and Education Partnership.

Hopscotch aimed to encourage enjoyment,singing experience, confidence, leadership, socialskills and healthy exercise within children andhelp schools to benefit from a boost toplayground, social activity, new play ideas andmusical resources.Tim Brooks, Music Consultantfor the City of York Council felt it had succeeded:“This Hopscotch project has been absolutelyfantastic in encouraging children not only to sing butto have ownership over their singing. It also hits the‘being healthy’ agenda because it has involvedoutside play.”

Similarly, the teachers were delighted with theproject. Stephen Kenwright, from Naburn PrimarySchool, said that the school had really embracedit and was delighted that Hopscotch was helpingto transmit and preserve the playground culture.He added: “The project has offered more than justlearning old and new songs, it has helped thechildren grow in confidence and has been allinclusive, which has been very useful for someof the more reserved children.

“Some of the games have also been quite physicallydemanding and those who have taken part havehad to demonstrate a high level of fitness anddexterity which also encourages a bit of healthycompetition.The boys have taken part in theseactivities – particularly the skipping which they havereally enjoyed and done very well. They have alsocome forward to share their raps and street musicsongs with other children.”

Fiona McCallion, a teacher from Tang Hall PrimarySchool, added: “This project gives us the opportunityto step away from the systemic approach ofteaching. It fulfils all the criteria but gives that extrapizzazz factor, which the children really enjoy.”

Educationalist, Jo Glover, who co-ordinated thisproject for the NCEM was delighted thatHopscotch had reached so many people andprovided so much enjoyment. She explained: “Thisproject seems to capture the imagination of youngpeople because playing singing games in theplayground is something that is traditional.They findthe songs and games very compelling.

“Singing is high on the teaching agenda in someschools but for many schools singing is an issue,partly due to unconfident staff and also many otherpressures.We hope that this project has helped toraise the profile of singing in schools.”

The NCEM has produced a short film relating tothis phase of the Hopscotch project and this willbe shown to educationalists and music specialistsin the autumn.

Children from Fishergate,Tang Hall, Naburn, Haxby Road,Wheldrake and New Earswick Primary Schools were invited to acelebratory singing day at the NCEM in March to mark the end ofthe first phase of Hopscotch, a Sing Up Project which was run in25 primary schools across York last term.

The performance, which will take place onSunday 14 December at 3.00pm, will includetraditional Christmas music that wasperformed during the period of the MiddleAges to the mid-eighteenth century acrossthe globe.

Sue is an experienced singing leader who isdirector of the Training Choir of the NationalYouth Choir of Scotland, Music Adviser toNorth Lincolnshire LEA and Project Directorfor the Voices Foundation.

The Minster Minstrels Vocal Ensemble meetson five mornings during term time at CanonLee School.The rehearsal dates for the autumnterm are: 4 Oct, 15 Nov, 29 Nov,

6 Dec and 14 Dec.They will be joined for theconcert by the Minster Minstrels InstrumentalEnsemble who is now a well established groupwithin the City and continues to meet everySaturday at Canon Lee School, under thedirection of recorder player Ailsa Reid.

The Minster Minstrels is run as a partnershipbetween the NCEM and the City of YorkCouncil’s York Arts Academy (formerly knownas the Performing Arts Centre) with supportfrom the Mayfield Valley Arts Trust.The YorkArts Academy offers a range of experiencesfor young people and adults. For more detailsplease contact Donna Fox on 01904 554266or email donna.fox@york.gov.uk

NEW SINGINGEXPERT FORMINSTER MINSTRELSSinging expert, Sue Hollingworth, will direct theMinster Minstrels Vocal Ensemble next term inpreparation for their performance in the YorkEarly Music Christmas Festival at the NCEM.

Hannah Plowman, aged18, has been a MinsterMinstrel since thegroup formed inSeptember 2003 andleaves this year to goto University.

Why did you decideto play the recorder?When I first startedschool, I saw older pupilsplaying the recorder and

decided I wanted to play it too. I joined the recordergroup and practised right through primary schoolthen gave up for a while and returned to playingwhen I was a bit older.

What sort of music do you enjoylistening to in your spare time?I usually listen to the radio but I also enjoy a rangeof different music and my ipod ranges from Vivaldito 80’s rock bands including French pop music anda South African choir.

Has playing in the Minster Minstrelschanged the way you listen to music?I now listen to more early music and, particularly,live performances. I have become more aware ofhow musicians play as an ensemble and the waysin which they choose to interpret the music.

What are you learning from the musicianswho are teaching you at Minster Minstrels?I have learnt a lot about early music and thevarious styles and playing techniques this canincorporate. I am also learning how to play moremusically by varying articulation and dynamics.

Does it help your musical skills beingpart of a group?Yes, as well as learning how to listen to and playwith other musicians, we share ideas on how wewould like to interpret pieces.

What do you want to do when you leave school?In September, I am hopefully going to study Classicsat St. Andrews University, where I intend to join theearly music ensemble, but I have no plans for afteruniversity.

creative learning

MINSTREL profile

The web-based resource ‘Renaissance’ has beenresearched and created by Cathryn Dew, theNCEM’s Education Consultant, and containsinformation and teaching resources about Alcuin,Charlemagne and the Carolingian Renaissance.Some of the information and activity sheets aresuitable for children in upper Key Stage 2 and KeyStage 3 plus there are additional resources forteachers.

The resource includes downloadable PDFinformation sheets, sheet music and audio filesdivided into the following categories ‘Music andMusicians’, ‘Renaissance and the Rebirth ofLearning’ and ‘Calligraphy and Creative Writing’.

The resource can be found atwww.ncem.co.uk/renaissance

ALCUIN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCEA new resource for teachers has been launched by theNCEM with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

latest news

For further information about any of the activities, events or resources mentioned in this Newsletter pleasecontact the NCEM on 01904 632220 or email info@ncem.co.uk

To book tickets for events, please contact the Box Office on 01904 658338 or visit www.ncem.co.uk

National Centre for Early MusicSt Margaret’s ChurchWalmgateYork YO1 9TL

All details are correct at the time of going to press but we reserve the right to amend the published programme if necessary.Promoted by York Early Music Foundation Registered Charity No. 1068331

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Following on from an extremely successful latelearners jazz workshop led by jazz musician RobLavers as part of the May Jazz Weekend, anothersession is scheduled for Sunday 23 Novemberfrom 10.00am – 1.00pm.This workshop is aimedat people who have dabbled with music in theiryouth or taken up music later on in life, perhapsdeveloping the interest when supporting a child.Those who take part enjoy being part of anensemble and benefit from first class music tuitionand the backing of a band.The workshop costs£35.Tickets are available at www.ncem.co.ukor by ringing 01904 658338.

Saxophonist, Alan Barnes, will be running amasterclass on Saturday 22 November from10.00am – 1.00pm. Alan will be playing with hisTrio that evening as part of the November JazzWeekend. More information is available on-lineat www.ncem.co.uk or by ringing 01904 658338.

Tickets for both workshops will be availablefrom 1 September 2008.

DEVELOPINGJAZZ SKILLS

COMES TO YORK

JOGLARESA SHARETHEIR MUSIC

The workshop, which is taking place on Saturday12 July 2008 as part of the York Early MusicFestival, offers the opportunity to learn some ofJoglaresa’s most popular songs and participantswill also gain an insight into the music and cultureof the Jewish, Muslim and Christian world ofmedieval Andalusia.The workshop will beaccompanied by an array of Arabic and Europeaninstruments.There will be the chance to hearJoglaresa in concert that evening at 9.30pm atSt Olave’s Church, Marygate.

For more information or to book a place, pleasering 01904 658338 or visit www.ncem.co.uk

The renowned early music ensemble Joglaresa isinviting people of all ages to join them for a whirlwindtour of songs from Spain to the Balkans!

RECORDINGYOUR CONCERT ATTHE NCEMThe NCEM has updated its recording equipment and is now able to offer schools and community groups

the opportunity to record their own concerts or workshop sessions. If you are interested in this facilityand would like more details, please contact us on 01904 632220.

Following on from the success of the ‘Funky Grooves, Jazzy Beats’ Aim Higher workshops which have beenrunning over the past two years with eight schools across North Yorkshire, the NCEM received some extrafunding to run a special one off workshop for a York secondary school.

Music students from All Saints’ RC SecondarySchool had the chance to work alongside theinternationally acclaimed trombonist DennisRollins and University of York final year musicstudents, Philip Merriman and Raphael Clarkson,in an innovative improvisation workshop which isintended to encourage young people from Years10, 11 and 12 to consider continuing on to highereducation.

Music teacher, Catherine Birch, whoco-ordinated the trip at All Saints said thestudents had been really excited about theopportunity. “We rarely get the chance to workalongside professional musicians and thisinspiarational workshop gave us some valuable newmusical skills. It was also brilliant for the students tospend the day at the NCEM where so muchfantastic music takes place.”

The National Centre for Early Music is hoping tocontinue its relationship with Aim Higher andinvolve professional musicians and students inmore music projects in the future.