http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/index/ Anything and everything to do with the happiest music school in the UK - and a lot else besides! en madmusician@mac.com Copyright 2010 2010-07-29T17:00:53+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/welcome1/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/welcome1/#When:20:00:03Z 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   Activity, Enrol, Learn, Organisation, HUMS, People, Public, Qualities, Help 2008-05-25T20:00:03+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/hums_classical_guitar_interview_-_bbc_iplayer_until_2nd_august/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/hums_classical_guitar_interview_-_bbc_iplayer_until_2nd_august/#When:17:00:53Z The interview of the HUMS Classical Guitar Ensemble with BBC Radio Cambrigheshire’s Sue Dougan is can now be listened to on BBC iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p008zh1y/Sue_Dougan_in_the_Afternoon_29_07_2010/. It will be available for 7 days (usual restriction) which means something like the 2nd August. I wouldn’t leave it that late mind! The interview starts at around 1h 15mins into the programme. Enjoy. The interview of the HUMS Classical Guitar Ensemble with BBC Radio Cambrigheshire’s Sue Dougan is can now be listened to on BBC iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p008zh1y/Sue_Dougan_in_the_Afternoon_29_07_2010/. It will be available for 7 days (usual restriction) which means something like the 2nd August. I wouldn’t leave it that late mind! The interview starts at around 1h 15mins into the programme. Enjoy. PS The Interview features music from the recent CD, ‘El Huertos de los Olivos’ (The Olive Grove). A sample of the tracks from the CD can be heard on the Music Alley site (used to be the Podcast Music Network). Perform, HUMS, Public, Student, News 2010-07-29T17:00:53+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/interview_-_bbc_radio_cambs_-_thurs_29th_july_3pm/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/interview_-_bbc_radio_cambs_-_thurs_29th_july_3pm/#When:17:50:06Z The HUMS Classical Guitar Ensemble got interviewed by Sue Dougan at the BBC Cowley Road studios in Cambridge today. This was the product of an initial cheeky email following the concert the ensemble gave in Old Hurst church and quite a bit on communication in the meantime. The representatives of the ensemble were Sandra Buckenham (ensemble director) with students Peter Maylor, Terry Schooling and Lorena Serna. The interview lasted for something like 30 minutes and ranged far and wide not only about the guitar ensemble but also the music school itself. We always hit the problem of ‘school’ being associated with youngsters so often folks don’t realise that the music school is open to all ages. This has surfaced before when talking with the BBC but apparently Sue hadn’t even heard of the school. Well she has heard now and there’s a tentative suggestion that an future feature might be made on the music school itself, perhaps in September. For those who’d like to listen to the interview it will be broadcast at around 3pm on Thursday 29th July on BBC Radio Cambridgshire. The schedule for Thursday is available here. You can always listen live from the BBC Radio Cambs website. It will be available via the BBC iPlayer for up to 7 days after the interview. The photos have been added to the Huntingdonshire Music School group on Flickr. The HUMS Classical Guitar Ensemble got interviewed by Sue Dougan at the BBC Cowley Road studios in Cambridge today. This was the product of an initial cheeky email following the concert the ensemble gave in Old Hurst church and quite a bit on communication in the meantime. The representatives of the ensemble were Sandra Buckenham (ensemble director) with students Peter Maylor, Terry Schooling and Lorena Serna. The interview lasted for something like 30 minutes and ranged far and wide not only about the guitar ensemble but also the music school itself. We always hit the problem of ‘school’ being associated with youngsters so often folks don’t realise that the music school is open to all ages. This has surfaced before when talking with the BBC but apparently Sue hadn’t even heard of the school. Well she has heard now and there’s a tentative suggestion that an future feature might be made on the music school itself, perhaps in September. For those who’d like to listen to the interview it will be broadcast at around 3pm on Thursday 29th July on BBC Radio Cambridgshire. The schedule for Thursday is available here. You can always listen live from the BBC Radio Cambs website. It will be available via the BBC iPlayer for up to 7 days after the interview. The photos have been added to the Huntingdonshire Music School group on Flickr. Travel, HUMS, Public, Student, News 2010-07-27T17:50:06+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/hums_classical_guitar_ensemble_to_feature_on_bbc_radio_cambridgeshire/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/hums_classical_guitar_ensemble_to_feature_on_bbc_radio_cambridgeshire/#When:21:25:52Z Next Tuesday 27th July the HUMS Classical Guitar Ensemble will be travelling to the studios of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire to record an interview with Sue Dougan to be aired on either Wednesday or Thursday on her weekday afternoon programme (12:30 to 16:00). We will let you know when it is to be aired when we find out! The BBC have said that the interview will be available through the BBC iPlayer. Next Tuesday 27th July the HUMS Classical Guitar Ensemble will be travelling to the studios of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire to record an interview with Sue Dougan to be aired on either Wednesday or Thursday on her weekday afternoon programme (12:30 to 16:00). We will let you know when it is to be aired when we find out! The BBC have said that the interview will be available through the BBC iPlayer. Perform, HUMS, Public, Student 2010-07-22T21:25:52+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/bursaries_for_young_students_-_help_with_tuition_fees/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/bursaries_for_young_students_-_help_with_tuition_fees/#When:14:07:15Z Huntingdonshire Music School Association work to raise funding for bursaries for Music School students.  We are fortunate in having a number of benefactors, including the Huntingdon Freemen’s Charity. Each year we encourage students, and parents/guardians of students under 18, to apply for a bursary.  This is usually the cost of one term’s tuition.  However, we cannot guarantee that funds will always be available.  Each application is treated in the strictest confidence and the details are only know to the Chairman and the Treasurer of the association, and the Director of the Music School.  Application forms are available from the office and we advise students of the details for each year, via the internal music school Leger Lines newsletter…. Huntingdonshire Music School Association work to raise funding for bursaries for Music School students.  We are fortunate in having a number of benefactors, including the Huntingdon Freemen’s Charity. Each year we encourage students, and parents/guardians of students under 18, to apply for a bursary.  This is usually the cost of one term’s tuition.  However, we cannot guarantee that funds will always be available.  Each application is treated in the strictest confidence and the details are only know to the Chairman and the Treasurer of the association, and the Director of the Music School.  Application forms are available from the office and we advise students of the details for each year, via the internal music school Leger Lines newsletter. Please note that some of these benefactors apply restrictions on access to a bursary, for example based on age or home address e.g. for Freemen’s bursaries.  For students who do not fall within the access requirements we are also consider the availability of Association funds to provide bursaries. Enrol, Learn, HUMS, HUMSA, Student, Help 2010-07-22T14:07:15+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/minor_changes_to_abrsm_aural_exams_from_2011/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/minor_changes_to_abrsm_aural_exams_from_2011/#When:19:10:30Z From the ABRSM: Minor changes made to ABRSM aural tests 24 June 2010 The aural tests that are part of all practical ABRSM graded music exams will be slightly altered from 2011. There will be one different test at Grade 1, and a small number of minor modifications across the grades that streamline the requirements following feedback from teachers and examiners. Examples of the new tests will be made available online, and new support materials for teachers and candidates will be published from July 2010. ABRSM exams taken in 2010 will continue to use the existing aural tests, and the revised tests come into use on 1 January 2011. Reviewing the tests The aural tests syllabus has been reviewed in detail, with a small number of areas identified for revision to allow the tests to run more smoothly and become more approachable for the candidate. The test descriptions and examiner rubrics (the form of words used in the exam) have been re-evaluated to make sure that they are as clear and unambiguous as possible. Particular attention has been given to making the rubrics as clear as possible for candidates whose first language is not English. The new 1C Test At Grade 1, it was felt that a slightly different 1C Test would provide a better starting point and more even progression to Grades 2 and 3. At present, candidates are asked to identify a change in the rhythm of a two-bar phrase. The experience of our examiners, combined with feedback received from teachers, is that identifying the change is problematic for a proportion of candidates, particularly the very young, even when they have clearly heard the difference. From 2011, the 1C Test will ask candidates to simply identify whether a change of pitch affecting one note occurs near the beginning or near the end of a two-bar phrase. This is a more approachable way of assessing the aural skill, and provides a better step towards similar tests at Grades 2 and 3. A practice set of new 1C Tests can be found online at http://www.abrsm.org/aural. Other minor modifications There are a few further minor modifications that will have relatively little or no noticeable impact on candidates, as they simply streamline the requirements. These small changes to Tests 4C, 5C(i), 6C, 6D(i), 7C(ii), 7D(i), 8A(iii) and 8C are listed online at http://www.abrsm.org/aural. Support material for teachers and students Five volumes of Specimen Aural Tests will be published in July 2010. These resources cover all eight grades, and include a wide range of tests, syllabus descriptions of each activity and answers to tests (where appropriate). They will also feature the examiner rubrics, allowing teachers and students to prepare thoroughly for the exam experience. Each volume will be available with or without CD recordings of all tests, which are designed for use in lessons and for students to use for personal practice at home. To coincide with the publication of Specimen Aural Tests, a single set of mock tests for each grade will be made available as free audio downloads at http://www.abrsm.org/mockauraltests from July 2010. This resource is intended to provide practical introductory support by mirroring how a student would encounter the tests in their ABRSM exam. In January 2011, three volumes of Aural Training in Practice will be published, with entirely new text and musical examples. These will include an ‘overview’ that sets out the educational and musical purpose of each test; a summary of the requirements for each grade; teaching hints and strategies for each test; and a set of practice exercises with answers to enable students to gain confidence with the activities. Ref: http://www.abrsm.org/?page=press/pressReleases/item.html&id=643 There is also an ABRSM podcast that you can listen to which provides more information. Learn, Teach, HUMS, Student, News 2010-07-10T19:10:30+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/classical_guitar_concert_-_3rd_july_old_hurst/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/classical_guitar_concert_-_3rd_july_old_hurst/#When:20:23:49Z The HUMS Classical Ensemble will be giving a concert at St. Peter’s Church, Old Hurst on Saturday 3rd July starting at 18:00. Entrance is free but there will be a retiring collection to help raise some funds for the PCC and say thank-you for allowing us to use the church in March for recording purposes. The ensemble will be playing music from their recently released CD (see related article). This isn’t a crack team of jewels thieves who broke in to discover that someone had left a pile of classical guitars but rather the guitar ensemble from the Huntingdonshire Music School. This was at the end of a long - nearly 5 hour - recording session in Old Hurst at St. Peter’s Church. Perform, HUMS, Public, Student 2010-06-23T20:23:49+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/el_huerto_de_los_olivos_-_cd_release_on_behalf_of_humsa/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/el_huerto_de_los_olivos_-_cd_release_on_behalf_of_humsa/#When:20:20:43Z The classical guitar ensemble from the Huntingdonshire Music School spent nearly 5 hours recording in Old Hurst at St. Peter’s Church one weekend in March. There’s not much you can do in gloves! Anyway the end result was worth it and we now have a CD for sale (£5) with the proceeds going towards HUMSA and therefore future music-making at the music school. The tracks include: Boureé (Mozart arr K. Marx) The Olive Grove - 1) Il Pensieroso 2) L’allegro (Peter Nuttall) Contradanza (Ian Gammie) Jeux Interdits (Narcisio Yepes arr. Remi Laredo) Beginners’ Rag (Susan Sharp) Ashokan Farewell (Trad.) Arena y Sol (Ian Gammie) Sarabande Varieé (G.F. Handel) Jamaica Farewell (Trad.) A sample of the tracks from the CD can be heard on the Music Alley site (used to be the Podcast Music Network). Perform, HUMSA, Student 2010-06-23T20:20:43+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/bbc_singing_events_-_companion_to_bbc_over_the_rainbow_tv_series/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/bbc_singing_events_-_companion_to_bbc_over_the_rainbow_tv_series/#When:14:12:40Z 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…. Read the full article on the HUMSA site. 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.   Learn, Perform, Public, News 2010-04-12T14:12:40+00:00 http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/hums_end_of_term_christmas_concert_-_4th_december/ http://www.humsa.org.uk/index.php/site/hums_end_of_term_christmas_concert_-_4th_december/#When:20:05:53Z The end of term Christmas concert starts at 19:30 on Friday 4th December at the Huntingdonshire Regional College. The order of playing is as follows. All welcome.   Rock Band               Purple Ska                           arr. S Spall Intermediate           Troika                                     Sergei Prokofief         Concert Band           Don’t stop the cavalry               Jona Lewie String Ensemble         Eine Kleine Nachtmusik               Mozart                         (1st movement) Carol Mills &            Messiah                             Handel Marie White                           Prep Concert Band     The Little Drummer Boy               Katherine K Davis                         Fum Fum Fum                       Catalan Carol                         We Wish You a Merry Christmas             Traditional   Senior Orchestra         The Pastoral Symphony               Beethoven                         (1st movement)                Interval                       Interval (sax ensemble playing) Rock Band               Change in my pocket                 Georgia Satelitel Brass Ensemble         Christmas Joy                       Erik Leidzén                         Snow Waltz                         arr. D Jacobson                         Rock around the Christmas Tree           Johnny Marks Guitar Ensemble         Grandfathers Clock                         arr. Power                         Bouree                             Mozart                         Sans Day Carol                       arr. Hasted Senior Concert Band     Christmas Calypso                   Peter Graham                         The Symphonic Beatles                                       Sleigh Ride                         Leroy Anderson Big Band                 Hayburner                           Sami Nestico                         The Christmas Song                 Torme and Wells Perform, HUMS, Public, Student 2009-12-03T20:05:53+00:00