Huntingdonshire Music School Association - Public

Welcome to the Huntingdonshire Music School and Huntingdonshire Music School Association (HUMSA) - one of the Internet’s best kept secrets!

Whilst we may not brag very much, the school is very much a place of musical excellence where adults and children can learn an instrument and play with others in a relaxed and friendly setting.

We have an ‘open door’ policy so why not come in to see us on a Saturday morning and see what a few hundred people get up to in the name of music. We can’t promise that it will make you more attractive to the opposite sex or provide superhuman powers. We can, however, promise you fun and the ability to take up something that might very well change your life.

Sit back, relax and explore…

• Instruments Taught
• Groups, Ensembles & Orchestras
• A Typical Saturday Morning
• Travel with us and have fun

A snippet of the calendar

Following the tradition of BBC’s Play It Again, and The Choir, the BBC have set up a series of events aimed at providing opportunities for the public to find their voice:

In Over The Rainbow, BBC1 is searching for a new Dorothy for The Wizard of Oz. To accompany the series, we’re holding free singing events to give you the chance to find your voice with a little help from I’d Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger, the BBC Singers, and some of the ex Dorothys.

Whether you’re an enthusiastic amateur or an absolute beginner, this is your chance to be part of a special musical masterclass. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never sung in a group or in public before - the events are aimed at beginners and open to everyone. We’ll give you all the help you need to find your voice and sing along as part of a mass chorus.

Come on your own or bring a friend - no previous singing experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. No one will be judged or have to sing on their own.

So if you’re feeling inspired to have a go at singing, sign-up for your chance to be part of the Over The Rainbow live events…

• Date: Saturday 1 May 2010 Venue: Leeds Town Hall, Leeds
• Date: Sunday 2 May 2010 Venue: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
• Date: Monday 3 May 2010 Venue: Shaftesbury Theatre, London
• Date: Tuesday 4 May 2010 Venue: Shaftesbury Theatre, London
• Date: Sunday 9 May 2010 Venue: St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Due to the popularity of the show we are operating a random draw. To apply for a place, click here and complete the registration form. When you’ve submitted your form you’ll receive an email acknowledgement. If you are successful you will be sent a confirmation e-ticket after the closing date – you’ll need to bring this e-ticket with you to the venue. You can apply for a maximum of two tickets per household. The closing date for registering is 4pm on the 19 April.

For more information and to download the free Over the Rainbow Step-by-Step Guide to Singing go to www.bbc.co.uk/dorothy

Good luck with your application.

Please note that tickets to the live events do not give entry to the recording of the live BBC1 television programme.

During 2007 the BBC ran a series (Play It Again) following the fortunes of 6 adult celebrities as they took on the challenge of learning a new instrument and then performing in public. The BBC also laid on events all over the country giving the public the opportunity to play with a BBC orchestra no matter what level of musical ability or, as we found out, the instrument!

Some of the adults and teenagers from the Huntingdonshire Music School took part in the event at Comberton (see photo) and had a brilliant time. Some of us missed this opportunity because we were busy promoting the school at the accompanying exhibition and instead took part at the event at the Watford Colosseum. The recordings taken formed the basis of a couple of episodes of the HUMS Aloud podcast.

All in all a brilliant opportunity and very inspirational.

The BBC have been very good at keeping in contact with attendees and we’ve received an email stating that another Play It Again style event, their Fabulous Family Music Day, will be held at Watford on Saturday 20th June 2009. It also features the very same Tim Steiner who did such a good job encouraging a motley collection of musicians and all abilities to play alongside their professional counterparts in the BBC Concert Orchestra.

As the BBC say:

Come & Play 10am - 1pm

Members of the BBC Singers

BBC Concert Orchestra

Tim Steiner animateur

Christopher Warren-Green conductor

This free event is aimed at people who would like to, literally, Come & Play with professional musicians. So whether you’re an absolute beginner, a seasoned performer or just haven’t played in a while, there’s no need to worry because you’ll get lots of help from the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers. Dust down your instruments, loosen up those vocal chords and come and join the BBC Concert Orchestra for a morning of music-making.

Led by composer Tim Steiner and conductor Christopher Warren-Green, we will be creating our very own piece based on Bizet’s much-loved opera Carmen. Open to everyone, no matter what your musical ability or experience.

If you have an instrument, you can bring it along to play, and if you haven’t, then you can play the percussion instruments provided or sing. The sessions will be led by acclaimed musician and composer Tim Steiner.

Further information and ticket applications can be found on the BBC website.