Huntingdonshire Music School Association - Public

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.

Taster Day, Saturday 23rd May

The music school are holding a taster day on Saturday 23rd May between 09:00 to 13:00 at the Huntingdonshire Regional College in Huntingdon.

Come and find out what happens. Have a try on various instruments and see if we can [pair you up with one. Ever fancied trying and instrument but never quite summoned up the courage? Don’t be put off - don’t let age or anything else stop you - just come and have a chat.

There will be lots of students of all ages and teachers to talk to you. You can listen to a band rehearsing (we’ll be practising for our Norfolk tour this summer). You can find out about the different ways of begging, borrowing, leasing or buying an instrument (and we should have some local suppliers on hand to provide expert advice). Come and see what we get up to when we’re not in the college - either by way of performing outside (e.g. 14th June at the Riverside Park in Huntingdon between 14:30 and 16:30) or travelling elsewhere.

It’s good fun, it’s very sociable and you’re never too old or too young to have a go.

Don’t put it off. This isn’t a dress rehearsal and it’s no good wondering ‘what if’ later on!

Encouragement

• BBC Play It Again - where famous celebrities, not exactly in their first flush of youth, learned to play an instrument and performed in the public eye
• Fun education site - good guide to instruments and learning music

Huntingdon Community Radio has been broadcasting for short periods of time under temporary licenses for 13 years now. In fact during the run up to the Big 4-0 (the 40th anniversary of the Huntingdonshire Music School) two of us were interviewed on air about the music school and the musical daftness we get up to.

They will be applying for full-time license from OFCOM - the last time a full-time license will be advertised for this area for some time. They need support to be able to apply for this additional capability for Huntingdonshire.

There’s a public meeting on Wednesday 1st October 2008 at 7pm at the George Hotel in Huntingdon to try and get support. Please turn up and show support as this benefits not only us in the music school but everyone else in the area covered (St. Neots, St. Ives, Godmanchester and Ramsey). If you can’t attend then you can listen live online through your browser if you point it at the home page for the radio station (below).

See the Huntingdon Community Radio website.