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The official newsletter of the lead organisation of Coventry Music Education Hub.
Follow us on Twitter and check out our website for all the latest news.
Included in this update:
For all the latest news visit our news page on our website.
As I am writing this introduction, it is amazing to think how much has happened in the past half term and what is still to come in the whirlwind that is Autumn 2021.
We are moving into our new home at Drapers’ Hall, working with council colleagues and the MOBO Awards, hosting our first gig night at The Empire as well as teaching 4000+ students a week!
Read on to find out about all of this and much more...
We are really excited to announce that our move to the fabulous renovated Drapers' Hall will be happening during November. We can't wait to welcome you all to our beautiful new home for rehearsals, performances and much more. Watch our website and social media for updates on this exciting news, and find out how you can get involved with us at our new home.
Read more about Drapers' Hall.
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We hope you are all enjoying your music lessons with us.
Please share your feedback and stories with us.
Here is what the parent of one of Kevin Stannard's pupils; who is learning keyboard at Coundon Court; said about her lessons:
"Lois has had a renewed love for piano since starting her lessons and keeps coming down with music she finds on the internet, some sea shanty tune and London Bridge have been this last week's favourites. She is actually listening to basic tunes and trying to recreate them as well as finding the music and learning them that way."
The deadline to sign up to music lessons for this term has now passed but you can still register for a January start.
All new registrations will be placed on a waiting list ready to start in January 2022.
If you require any assistance with registration or have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at music@coventry.gov.uk
We are really excited that the MOBO awards are coming to Coventry this year. We are going to be involved in the fringe events happening as part of the awards and will be in touch with our schools, partners and young people closer to the time with more details.
Find out about this year's MOBO and get tickets.
Coventry Music are very proud to finally release the resources for the City of Culture Vocal Programme “Cultural Cantata” by Kevin Stannard and Rebecca Thompson. This is a musical celebration of famous Coventry people and places as part of the City of Culture celebrations.
Please visit our MoM page for more info.
We would like everyone to enjoy these songs in their schools and would love to see any videos or photos that you do while practising. Pleas tag us on our social media pages.
For full details of this and other projects visit our website http://www.coventrymusichub.co.uk
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String players from our staff and students are having an exciting term working with the ‘Stringcredibles’ on the ‘Power Up!’ project. The staff quartet (Cathy, Mafalda, Carla and Sara) took part in a training day hosted by Birmingham’s Services for Education (pictures below) and gave concerts at Stivichall Primary School and Our Lady of the Assumption RC Primary School. We had a wonderful time performing and meeting lots of children who were really excited to find out more about the instruments we play and hear all the cool things they can do!
Our wonderful Apprentice Quartet (students from year 8-10 from Bishop Ullathorne, Coundon Court and Cardinal Wiseman schools - pictured above) recently did their training day with the Stringcredibles and are busy rehearsing for their own schools concerts near the end of this term. The Apprentice Quartet will be performing at Frederick Bird, St Mary and St Benedict and St Thomas Moore Primary schools in December and we’re hoping there will be more opportunities over the rest of the year to hear both staff and student quartets perform.
Please contact Cathy at Cathy.ScottBurt@coventry.gov.uk to find out more about having a string quartet performance in your school.
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Our Inclusive Soundabout Choir has now had the chance to meet face-to-face twice as well as meeting online every fortnight.
Everyone is welcome and there is chance for a cup of tea, some cake and a chat after the music making has finished.
This is what one of the parents said about the first Coventry Meeting:
"We went to Soundabout's inclusive Choir for the first time last week. My son doesn't always enjoy music as he is very sensory with noises and sounds, but we thought we would give it a go.
From the moment we walked in we were made to feel so welcome. The girls made such an effort to include us all at whatever level we felt comfortable. My son loved exploring all the different kinds of instruments. Karen and Vicky had such a great way of keeping the children engaged and all joining in with the signing and singing.
When my son had had enough, he went to the corridor and had some time away from the group but it wasn't a problem. Vicky took him an instrument out and had a few minutes of 1:2:1 time with him. It was so lovely to be in an environment where the children were free to express themselves with no judgement, which as a SEN parent is priceless. It was a wonderful morning and I cannot wait for the next session."
The choir currently meets on zoom on alternate Saturdays from 11am-12pm. In the autumn the choir will also begin offering face to face sessions in Coventry.
See the choir’s most recent recording
For more information visit our website or sign up at https://www.soundabout.org.uk/inclusive-choir-west-midlands/
choir@soundabout.org.uk 01235 797 474.
In this edition we talk to Mark Steele - the main man behind Coventry Music...
I joined Coventry Music in September 2017 and it has been such an exciting journey. I fundamentally believe music is a right for all. I’ve worked tirelessly over the past few years to diversify the musical genres and expand the access to music programmes across the city. Both directly at Coventry Music and with our Music Education Hub Partners and the wider Music Education sector.
This article however is meet the team and how we got into music, so I’ll take you back a few years….
I initially began my musical journey in the folk scene with my parents, my Dad plays the accordion and leads Ceilidh bands, so I have memories of being at Ceilidhs in barns, halls, and all over listening and enjoying music. During camping meets I learnt the recorder as well as in school before settling on learning the violin when I entered year 3. I carried on with violin lessons for the next 10 years, however my big musical leap happened at the end of year 7 when I took up the tuba.
Playing the tuba opened so many additional doors and already having musical reading skills, I took to it instantly - joining bands and groups across many styles. Some of my tuba highlights include; playing with the Silhouettes Marching Band at the World Championships in Bournemouth, touring with University Bands across Europe - notably, Poland, Germany, and France. Alongside all this musical studying and playing, lasting friendships have been created - which really highlights the power of music to unite.
My inclusion and musical opportunities enlightenment moment stems from my 2nd year teaching in Sheffield. A new charity had been established: Orchestras for All, and I took two students from Sheffield along and worked on the residential programme at Warwick University. Working with children from across the country, from inner city and deprived areas, highlighted to me what can be done to inspire and promote music education. My first concert with NOFA (National Orchestra for All), in the Butterworth Hall at Warwick Arts Centre, was so powerful and 3000 future teachers packed the audience from the Teach First Summer Institute. Proof of how amazing and powerful music can be.
I’ve continued with my passion for inclusive and accessible music, playing in community bands in Sheffield and Doncaster, before conducting "Eclectica Coventry" when i moved to Coventry.
My musical journey has helped shape me as a musician and educator. Like all of the team I have a massive commitment to developing, diversifying, and widening the genres, styles and access opportunities for children and young people across music education.
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In recognition of Black History Month last month - this edition's recommended song has to be: "Redemption Song" by the Kanneh-Masons - https://youtu.be/k_LmRcr8Mm4
Absolutely magical and such fabulous and inspiring young talent.
 If you would like to apply to sing with the Live on Stage Project contact us
Keep an eye on our website for events and exciting news coming soon, including our annual winter showcase, Christmas Concert and Live on Stage Gig Nights.
Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook or Watch us on YouTube
Visit our website for news, information and to find out more about what we offer.
If you would like these monthly updates to include what your organisation is doing for the children and young people of Coventry, please sign up or contact amy.randall@coventry.gov.uk.
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