blog

LMM Intern Rhuti takes Painting Music to Bridge Fest

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:14:09 -0600

Part of my life involves visiting a wide variety of different schools across the country to give workshops with my group, Painting Music. But I can safely say we have never been invited to anything quite as vibrant, exciting and enjoyable as Bridge Fest 2010, held at Jessop Primary School on 9 July. The day opened with a whole school assembly, where everyone got a taste of just what was in store during the day. As well as Painting Music there were brass players from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, singing workshops with the incredibly enthusiastic Jess and Aidan, RCM clarinettists brought in to entertain the nursery children, and, to top it all off, some West African Drumming!...

...My group worked all morning with some brilliant Year 1s, who produced some amazing paintings which were later put up in a huge display covering the whole front wall of the hall for everyone to see.

During the afternoon we, along with a string quartet from the LPO and the West African Drummer Adesose Williams, formed an impromptu (and fairly unusual!) band to accompany the Year 5’s performance of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and then it was back to a very full, very loud, VERY hot hall for the final concert.

It was great to see everyone perform the amazing variety of things they had been working on all day as well as hearing violinists from Ashmole Primary, who made a guest appearance, and a performance of Song of the Wind given by the Jessop Primary School teachers who have been learning the violin – a firm favourite with the kids!

The whole day ran so smoothly and was enjoyed by everyone - not just the children who took part, but also the workshop leaders, LMM staff, teachers and parents. There was such a strong sense of community that day, built upon the enthusiasm for and enjoyment of music. This really brought the whole experience to life, enabling the day to be such a resounding success. Bring on Bridge Fest 2011!

Rhuti Carr

Bridge to the community

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:12:14 -0600

As part of Bridge Fest 2010, two small groups of Year 1 and 2 students from Ashmole Primary school took part in our first community performances, taking their violins to Stockwell Good Neighbours and Vassal Elderly Peoples Project to showcase their skills...

After the short walk to Vassal, the children arrived to find the audience nice and relaxed after their weekly Tai Chi class!

The children peformed for about 10 minutes, playing pieces that they had been learning throughout the year, including Pop, Twinkle Variations, Song of the Wind, Allegro and many more.

The performances at both groups went fantastically, and the people at Stockwell Good Neighbours celebrated afterwards with a lively game of bingo!

The children really enjoyed the chance of a performance in small groups and to practice their pieces in front of an audience. The community groups were so impressed by how professional and talented the children were and said they'd love to have us back again to see how the children were progressing. One lady commented that the children were an absolute cedit to their teachers.

These performances are a fantastic way of linking the work that London Music Masters and the Bridge Project does with the local community, making important connections with people around us and hopefully working together on joint projects in the future!

Let's hope this is the first of many community performances!

LMM Internship programme launches!

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:54:52 -0600

Read what Alice, Katherine and Matt have to say about their summer work experience at LMM...

MATT
(Matt was with LMM in the week of Elena Urioste's recital given at a private Kensington residence)

Monday 14 June

I just had my first day at London Music Masters, and not being too big headed but I think it went rather well.

So I arrived on time (always a good start) I checked in at the Citigate Dewe Rogerson/London Music Masters reception and then waited to be summoned or collected. After a few minutes Hannah arived and we made our way to the LMM office, where I was introduced to some of the team Charlotte, Rachel, Robert and then I was given a table of tasks and a structure of the days to come.

Now it was time to get down to my first task which was to look at classical music events that I may want to go to while at LMM. After looking through many different music events I settled on the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Hall on the 16th of June at 7.30pm. Next I created a table to take down email addresses and whether or not if anyone was interested in receiving the LMM news letter for the Elena recital on Thursday. I then started on one of my ongoing tasks of researching where classical and pop music have worked well. Afterwards, I sat down with Hannah to look at what needed to be budgeted for when organising an event, before leaving for the day.

Tuesday 15 June

I got into the LMM office with my newly acquired key, now looking like I had been working here for a while. I sat down at my newly assigned desk, before starting on today's tasks, which involved making adjustments to the table from yesterday. Once I had finished that, I started on creating name badges for the recital on Thursday before going for lunch.

After a great jalapeno chicken wrap I took down some more notes for my research task from yesterday of classical and pop music, before making up the information pack, which took a little longer than I thought.

Wednesday 16 June

Today was the earliest day for me; I had to meet Rachel at 8.45 at the Oval Tube Station to go to Ashmole Primary School to see the Bridge Project in action. We arrived at the school and made are way to the classroom to see and listen to how it works. It was weird for me to see year 2 students playing the violin THEY WERE REALLY AMAZING even with a couple of student disruptions. I found this experience fascinating, because I had never seen a music lesson in a primary school that was focused on one instrument, unless it was an after school event. So after listening to the music, it remained fresh in my head while I made my way back to LMM office.

I found myself back at the desk starting on today's tasks which was to create one more badge for the recital which didn't take to long. I also typed up the quotes from the Boris Johnson speech for Rachel. After my lunch I put the programmes in the information pack from yesterday, before writing down events for this blog and also finding information about the London Symphony Orchestra tonight.

Wednesday evening at the Barbican Hall

The London Symphony Orchestra was really amazing to watch and listen to. This was the first time I have ever been to a classical music event. The first piece was my favourite only because I loved the piano in it. But overall it was a fantastic experience and something I would definitely like to be going to again.

Thursday 17 June

By far the most challenging day; THE RECITAL.

I left the office with some of the LMM team at 3.00pm to begin on setting up and organising the food, drinks, flowers and anything else that needed sorting. Before helping transport everything to the recital.

I was set with the task of running the drinks table at the intervals which was slightly hectic at times, because drinks were going left, right and centre. The music I thought was really good, and that was easily seen from the audience response. Cleaning up seemed a bit daunting, but really wasn't at all especially with loads of the LMM team there which meant everyone was out just before 10.30pm, even if I had to make the journey home.

Friday 18 June

Where did all the time go? This was my last day at LMM.

I went to Ashmole Primary School with Hannah, Rachel and Rhuti (LMM Assistant) to attend the musicianship assembly. Which was really fun because I had sort of forgotten what primary school life was like. So I spent most of my time today writing up the rest of my blog to be put on the website. I had a debriefing of how yesterday went with the recital, just talking about what went well and what were areas of improvement. After that I got back to typing up my blog before getting some feedback from Hannah and Robert, which was really helpful to see the areas of improvement. I also found out that I'm interested in events management, so that is definitely an area of interest that I will have to look into when I get back home, so I'm really happy to have had such a good work experience, I'm also sad that I have to leave.

So thank you everyone at LMM for putting up with me.

KATHERINE
(Katherine was with us when our Bridge Students and Elena Urioste performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of the BrightSparks Family Concerts)

Day 1
Monday 21 June Monday

My first day on the job. Unfortunately I got into the office a little late because the Circle Line was delayed that morning. But the day improved significantly. My first task was to look into some classical music events I might want to see during the week. I spent a while looking at different orchestras I might be able to hear. Finally I came to operas. First on the list was Carmen, one of the most famous operas of all time. After speaking to the team and calling the Box Office I had my £13 restricted view ticket.

The rest of the day was composed of doing odd jobs around the office. I helped out when I could and researched the differences and similarities between Musical Theatre and Opera. The day came to an amazing end. I left at 4 o'clock and made my way home. I only had time to change before I made my way to the Opera. I had always been more interested in Musical Theatre but I was pleasantly surprised when I came to realise that there were more similarities between the two than I had thought. While they have two different kinds of energy they still both require the same passion and devotion.

I was absolutely blown away by the performance of Carmen that night. When the opening music started I felt chills go up and down my spine. It was an all around amazing experience. Although the story is filled with tragedy and heartache the overwhelming sense of happiness and freedom was clearly shown.
That night I went home and knew that this week was going to be completely worth it.

Day 2
Tuesday 22 June

On Tuesday I met Hannah at Borough tube station (a place I had never been to or heard of). We walked to the LPO rehearsal hall where the sound of instruments tuning filled the space. At first there wasn't a lot to help out with but once the kids were getting ready to rehearse with the LPO, Hannah and I went up to the balcony to watch them perform. After watching the In Harmony children I was blown away by the Bridge Project students. They all stayed very focused and well behaved. As they walked out of the main rehearsal hall they were flooded with compliments and their little faces lit up.

After the kids had lunch and cleaned up I helped the teachers and other helpers take them back to school. It was a long and hot walk back from the bus and the kids were slowly fading. We dropped the kids off and Kate and I made our way back to the office.
When we finally escaped the hot air we were sitting back at the desk and getting on with the rest of the day.

Day 3
Wednesday 23 June

On Wednesday I met Rachel at Oval, another station I had never been to nor heard of. We went to see the children in their classes at Ashmole Primary School. It was really interesting to see the way the kids learn and the way they interact at school after seeing them at the rehearsal. They were in fact still very well behaved while in class. When I looked around the room I could see some children that were very devoted to impressing their teachers and getting all of the notes right. In the second class there were three kids who were so good that they were able to be the helpers at the beginning of the lesson.
When we went down stairs Agata, and LMM artist, played for the kids and they were so excited most of them couldn't hold it in. It was funny to see the way they reacted and remember when I used to be that age when things were so funny and so outrageous. It's nice to see though that these kids can in fact be so mature and focused on their music.

Day 4
Thursday 24 June

On Thursday I arrived at the Royal Festival Hall with my brother, who I asked to help film the performances. When I arrived that morning I met Charlotte at the Artists entrance. We got our passes and went to the stage where Brendan set up the camera. As I watched the parents it was clear they were thrilled to see their children up on the stage.

After the performances I went to the dressing rooms to help collect the t-shirts. In the dressing rooms the kids were very pleased with their performances and excited to talk about it. Along with the children another LMM artist, Elena Urioste, played along with the LPO. Elena was the soloist in for two songs that the LPO played. I had heard about her before the week but it was a whole other experience to see her play.

On the way back to the office Hannah and I tried to take the tube but of course it was closed. So we took a cab, there was a lot of traffic so we had to get out and walk. Hannah carried the t-shirts which was not as easy as it looked.

For the rest of the day I helped out around the office until the meeting about the upcoming events. From the outside it seemed like a simple task but as we sat around the table I realized how many factors there are when thinking about and planning these events.

Day 5
Friday 25 June

Today is my last day at the office. This day will be about reflecting on my week here at LMM. It has definitely been a great learning experience and one that I will always remember.

At first I thought this would be an office job, getting coffees and making photo copies. But I was pleasantly surprised when the job had me go to Carmen and the Royal Opera House and watch the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. I really enjoyed watching the children play and knowing that they were happy doing that made everyone smile.

Even though this was the week that every one said would be the busiest it all seemed to pay off in the end because the children did a great job and everyone was very impressed.

ALICE
(wih us when Agata Szymczewska played violin with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of the BrightSparks Family Concerts)

Day 1
Monday 28 June

Who ever said work experience was boring!? It’s only my first day here and I’ve already seen a concert at the Royal Festival Hall and met the amazing violinist Agata Szymczewska.

I started my day at the artist’s entrance of the Royal Festival Hall (Southbank Centre) at quarter past nine, and was followed by Rhuti and Charlotte who lead me to the reception to receive our backstage passes.

After finding our seats, the school children started to pile in and the atmosphere became very exciting. As the kids got more excited, so did the noise level ! However , throughout the concert they were transfixed with the music-making, and made a very appreciative audience.
The concert had a great selection of pieces to keep the young audience hooked; from ‘Hoedown’ by Copland to the 3rd movement of the fantastic Jean Sibelius violin concerto, played by Agata. It was also very impressive to see the year 2 pupils from St. Stephen’s Primary School in Lambeth up on stage and playing along with the orchestra in one of the pieces. They looked like they really enjoyed their moments of fame.

Overall, I found the concert very inspiring, and it was great to see LMM’s work in action.

After the concert, we all went into the maze of the backstage area to meet Agata in her dressing room. She was a genuinely lovely and bright person, and I know that she will be a huge success one day.

Day 2
Tuesday 29 June

So, today I helped with various tasks; one of them consisting of researching London photography colleges who might be interested with helping LMM.

Later, Hannah suggested I should start a project on ‘Conductors’ as it has always been an area of the music world that has interested me. So I started the research, and decided to look into whether conductors are really needed in orchestral playing or not. This was very interesting as most of my questions were answered, and it was very satisfying looking into a topic in detail. In this project, I discovered that in some music (like Mozart and Beethoven) conductors are not essential. This is mainly because the composers composed their pieces without a conductor in mind. However, for more romantic composers and opera, conductors are essential as the players have to change tempo or keep together with the singers.

After a leisurely lunch in the park, I returned to do some more of my project and to do this blog.
Overall, today has given me a real insight into doing an office job in the city. The tasks range from copying up meeting notes and shredding paper, to making promotional material using YouTube.

Day 3
Wednesday 30 June

This morning I met Rachel at Oval tube station and we made our way to Ashmole primary school. When we arrived, a lesson had already started but we hadn’t missed much.
As I sat and watched, I was amazed at how quickly the children picked up the finger patterns, and how much enthusiasm they had.

After a taster of a typical violin teaching session, Rachel and I made our way back to the office. Even this was useful as I was able to talk to Rachel properly about the background of Bridge project. As we talked I became more and more fascinated with the project, and I became more aware of their promising plans for the future.

The rest of the day was spent doing errands in the office, and my day finished with a detour to Kensington on my way home to drop off some important letters to Victoria Sharp (Chief Executive).

Day 4
Thursday 1 July

After a leisurely start to the day, Hannah and Robert invited me to a meeting they were about to have, discussing upcoming events. This was a chance for me to think creatively and realise just how much detail and factors are considered when planning an event.

The rest of the day was spent doing more errands around the office, and unfortunately I had to leave early, so sadly my day was cut short.

Final day
Friday 2 July

So, I ended my week at the same place I started; Southbank Centre. The LMM team were having a meeting about their progress and upcoming events. This was my first proper professional meeting, so it was a very exciting. To add to the experience, Hannah asked me to takes notes and write down the ‘action points’. At the start it was hard to follow what everyone was saying as the meeting was very fast moving; however I soon got into the swing of things and by the end of a busy two hours I had plenty of notes on hand.

After I returned to the office and had lunch, I started to copy up the meeting notes and do next week's agenda. It seemed a daunting task, but Hannah was very helpful with her feedback and soon the notes were completed. The rest of the day was spent finishing this blog and reflecting on my time at London Music Masters.

I have really enjoyed my week here, and am truly sad to see it come to an end. However, I have met some great people who have inspired me for the future and who have given me a great idea about what’s out there; which for me, is what work experience is all about. On top of that, I have learned new skills and had fun.

So thank you to LMM for giving me this opportunity, and for giving me a fantastic work experience!

Bridge students impress Boris Johnson!

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:58:00 -0600

Well, the big day we have all been working towards finally arrived and the children from Jessop and Ashmole finally got the chance to perform for the Mayor,of London ,Boris Johnson. This visit, which took place on Monday 7 June, was hugely significant for the pupils and their teachers. It gave the Bridge Project an enormous publicity boost, but more importantly, the event reinforced all the positive musical attitudes which the students have been building during the past two years.

One of the most exciting elements of the day was not only the large number of people present, but the large variety of people in attendance with whom both the Mayor and the children engaged. About 200 schoolchildren made the event memorable with their contributions to a delightful question and answer session with the Mayor. The Bridge Project teachers playing alongside their violin pupils also made a positive impression, as did the wonderfully large parent turnout. Capturing the action was a large press team, to whom we owe our thanks!

The Mayor was lucky enough to be given a private tour of Jessop and see some behind the scenes musicianship classes, including participating in a violin lesson, before being escorted into the assembly hall. Here, all present were dazzled by the confident and accomplished concert given by the students. Rather than being intimidated by the prospect of performing for a high profile guest, the children seemed to relish the challenge. The Mayor further promoted this mood by giving a homourous and enthusiastic speech on the merits of musical education, within which he created an excellent rapport with all children present, including those in the audience.

According to one of the teachers who spoke at the event, the experience of learning the violin has built confidence within the students not only musically but across all academic subjects and also in terms of personal self esteem. The Mayors’ of London's visit not only showcased the fruit of this process, but also added momentum to it and created a huge feeling of pride in the Jessop, Ashmole and Lambeth community.

The Mayor's new clothes...

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:06:00 -0600

Last term we held a “design a t-shirt” competition for the year one students at the two Bridge schools, Ashmole Primary and Jessop Primary. We were overwhelmed with responses and in the end had to combine four separate images in the final design!

Bridge Project co-ordinator Rachel Wadham expanded her job description to “in-house designer” and pulled together a triumphant image which will feature on t-shirts at future events.

The first outing of the new design will be the performances for Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, on Monday 7 June. The Mayor is coming to visit the Bridge Project in action at Jessop School and our year two students from both schools will be performing in a special assembly for the Mayor… more photos to follow!

LPO interviews Elena as she prepares for debut

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:00:00 -0600

Later this month Elena will be playing with the LPO for one of the orchestra’s Brightsparks schools concerts. In anticipation, they sat down for an informal q & a session to get to know each other a little better:

»Please could you tell us a little about your background?

I am 23 years old, and have been playing the violin since the age of five.

I am an only child, and despite coming from a non-musical family, my parents have been incredibly supportive and encouraging of me over the course of my musical life. I was raised in the Philadelphia area, and moved to downtown Philadelphia to attend the Curtis Institute of Music at the age of 17, where I studied with Joseph Silverstein, Ida Kavafian, and Pamela Frank. I now reside in New York City (I did a year of graduate studies at the Juilliard School with Joel Smirnoff), which is a dream come true. My life consists of a lot of travelling, both within the United States and abroad, and I couldn't be happier with knowing that my childhood dream of becoming a violin soloist is coming true! I adore working with children, so outreach is an extremely important component of my career.

»Why and when did you decide to learn to play the violin?

My love for the violin began at the age of two, when I saw the very famous violinist Itzhak Perlman featured on the children's television show, Sesame Street. Mr. Perlman was talking to Elmo and playing his violin, and I was instantly captivated. I don't come from a musical family, so my parents must have thought my infatuation was somewhat strange! They encouraged me to wait a few years, and so when I was five (after three years of relentless nagging on my part), I began taking violin lessons in my public school.

»How do you feel about playing with a whole orchestra at the concert?

Standing in front of and collaborating with an orchestra is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Having this wave of sound wash over me is a truly indescribable sensation - I distinctly remember that during my first time rehearsing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with an orchestra, I literally burst out grinning at the sound of the heroic trumpet calls in the first orchestral tutti. I'm very comfortable (delighted!) with the notion that, while having the freedom to concentrate deeply on the solo line and make spontaneous musical decisions, I am fully supported by a lush bed of sound. I love the collaborative element of performing with an orchestra - I definitely do not view it as a truly "solo" endeavour, but rather like making chamber music with many musicians at the same time!

»Please could you tell us about the music you are going to play at the concert and what we should particularly listen out for?

I think that the most important job of a musician is to make the audience feel something vivid, and bring each character within the music to life.
For instance, while Scheherazade (Rimsky-Korsakov) is an extremely colourful work, filled with sweeping oceanic moods and exotic harmonies, the third movement of the Sibelius violin concerto is an almost sinister dance, where the violin charges to the end in a near-frenzy. These different moods and colours can positively transport a listener, and I hope I do my part in helping the audience get lost in each composer's world!

Links:

Although the brightsparks event is not an open event, if you would like to see Elena while she is in London this month come to this! http://bit.ly/ajAZow
Check out Elena's profile on the LMM website or her appearance in the LMM promo video
LPO Website
Brightsparks webpage
SAMNYC

LMM according to Dilys: the second commentary on our Internship Programme

Tue, 04 May 2010 07:28:00 -0600

I arrived at the Ashmole Primary School a little nervous and also a little late, having got myself lost on route! On arrival I was introduced by Charlotte to a number of people whose names and roles I instantly forgot! (You would think as a teacher I might be better with names!) I then stood with Charlotte, and the person I now know to be Rachel, at the back of the school hall and watched as the room gradually filled up with parents, students and teachers, an activity accompanied by the sounds of a last minute Bridge Project rehearsal. As the yr 1 and 2 performance began, I looked on in fear, remembering the horror of a chorus of beginner violins from my youth with the local music service. But instead I looked on in amazement as the year 1 and 2 students played, not only in tune but as an ensemble and with confidence and skill! They finished with a slightly clumsy and very cute bow and were given a huge applause from the audience.

This was the beginning of my first day as an intern with London Music Masters, providing me with an instant understanding of the positive and outstanding musical outcomes of the Bridge Project. It also made clear the number of lives LMM is impacting through music and education. It was also really good fun!

Through the following weeks I have been mainly office based as the schools have been on holidays. This has given me opportunity to learn about the way in which LMM is run and make some contribution to the work going on. In addition to my work in the office I have also had a very exciting opportunity to attend an evening performance by LMM award winner Agata Szymczewska at Victoria’s house. The evening was fantastic and very successful; it was an amazing opportunity to see such a talented violinist performing in such a small, personal environment.

In the next few weeks I’m looking forward to spending some time getting involved in the Bridge Project, taking part and observing some of the lessons, helping me learn exactly what the ‘Bridge Approach’ is and maybe use some ideas in my own teaching practice.

Play on (i)Player: Listen to LMM Artist Jennifer Pike play Bach at Radio 3 NGA Lunchtime Concert

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:07:00 -0600

Notes from a small charity: Kate Barry, LMM Assistant (LMM Internship Programme) reports back

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:10:00 -0600

When I read the advertised vacancy for the position of intern with LMM, I applied immediately. The opportunity looked too good to miss, and the most attractive thing about it was the dual nature of the organisation. The side which deals with recognising and advancing the careers of professional violinists, LMM Awards, excited me as someone who has learned the violin, and the educational programme within the charity, the Bridge Project, appealed to me due to my strong interest in education and my experience working in primary schools in the past.

After a very relaxed interview, in which I was made feel at ease and so could openly discuss my musical interests, one of my biggest hopes for the internship was that I would have the opportunity to be involved in both branches of the LMM project. After four weeks in the organisation, this wish has been fulfilled, and I have been lucky enough to attend two events which have given me a valuable insight into the workings of the charity. The first was on the morning of my first day, in March, at Jessop primary school in Lambeth. Here, some of the children were showcasing their recently acquired violin abilities at a morning assembly, with their LMM teachers in tow. It was a real privilege to witness, not only how much the pupils have mastered, but how enthusiastic they were about their progress and the lack of nerves they displayed while performing. The second occasion afforded to me to observe the fruits of this still very young charity, was the wonderful recital given by one of the LMM award holders, Agata Szymczewska, in April of this year. The talent and dedication displayed at this performance served to intensify my motivation and commitment to the work LMM does. It was also wonderful to be surrounded by so many guests who so obviously had empathy and admiration for the project.

In between these two events, I have gained some valuable experience researching and documenting not only LMM’s work, but also the rich classical music life of London and the workings of musical performance competitions worldwide. I have also been given the opportunity to make contributions to discussions regarding future Bridge Project events, including the festival which will take place at Jessop primary school on 9 July this year. This is hopefully the first of what will become an annual affair, and the idea is currently very much in its formative stages. I am eager to watch, and contribute to, the development of what will ultimately prove a rewarding event for children, parents, LMM staff, and the Lambeth community as a whole.

Conversations with an Artist: Agata sums up her week among the London Arts scene

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:35:00 -0600

We've been delighted to have Agata Szymczewska staying in London for a whole week. LMM jam-packed Agata’s week with meetings at the LPO, with the prolific violinist Robert McDuffie, a private recital, the ballet, museums and the list goes on…So, in the glow of a full, sunny week Hannah Kendall, LMM Awards Project Manager, caught up with Agata last night at the Royal Academy of Arts, at the end of her stay. Here’s what she had to say:

"I’ve had such an amazing week in London. It’s been an unforgettable experience! I¹m particularly happy that I had the opportunity to experience so many fantastic things not connected to music. Seeing the Van Gough exhibition at the Royal Academy, visiting the National Gallery and going to the ballet.

One highlight was going to an LPO concert at the Royal Festival Hall and hearing the new Phillip Glass violin concerto performed by Robert McDuffie. I’m pleased that I also got the chance to meet him and hear his experiences about being an international solo violinist. He even let me play his violin!
Speaking with Timothy Walker was also great. He knows so much about the industry and I now have lots of pointers to think about in moving forward with my career.

Altogether it’s been a very busy week, but a week that I strongly believe is going to influence my way of seeing Art. It’s a great thing if somebody can further open your mind and show you new ways of doing things. It’s made me realise that playing the violin is part of a much bigger entity, which is such a positive thing."

Agata Szymczewska, LMM Artist

Songs of Praise: Elena debuts with Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:14:00 -0600

Elena received a string of glowing reviews as she debuted with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Thursday 01.04.2010. American Ms. Urioste played the quintessentially English ‘A Lark Ascending’ by Vaughan Williams, under the baton of the UK’s own Sir Mark Elder. As a London-based organisation supporting the career of US-born Elena these pertinant connections make us even more proud!

Click on the links below to read the full articles:

Chicago Tribune
‘The gifted young violinist…charmed the audience with her lyrical sensitivity.’

Chicago Classical Review
'Urioste’s poetic performance was aided by equally idiomatic and atmospheric support by Elder and the orchestra…’

The View from Here
‘A totally poised performer…Let’s hear her again soon.’

Fantastic review of Elena's performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra!

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:30:00 -0600

LMM Artist Elena Urioste stepped in at the last minute to replace Tai Murray in a performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra on March 20-21, and received an outstanding reception! An audience member tells us there was so much applause after the first movement that the conductor finally had to turn around to quiet the audience, followed by a standing ovation through 2 curtain calls at the end of the third movement.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch gave Elena a fantastic review:

"Urioste, 24, has a confident, straightforward sound to go with her outstanding technical skill. The first movement is so large and demanding, and Urioste played so magnificently, that the audience burst into lengthy applause at its end. This didn't prevent her from immersing herself in the music of the second movement, which she played like a mother's evening song.

The third movement, "Allegro vivacissimo," calls for ever-increasing tempos. Even at top speed, each of Urioste's notes was crisp and clear. Throughout, the symphony provided sensitive support.

With what must surely be a waxing musicality and strength, Urioste is poised for a successful career. Recordings, one hopes, are in her future, but if she visits Richmond in person again, don't miss her."

Congratulations to Elena on such a superb performance!

(Photo: Elena Urioste at Sion Gala, Aug 2007. Credit: Chab Lathion / LDD)

Experiencing the Cape #4

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:36:00 -0600

The final day of the conference focused on laying the groundwork for future collaborations and looking at practical ways of implementing conclusions reached through discussions during the weekend.

There were passionate voices raised in support of greater diversity within delegates. Whilst the conference team approached musicians and leaders from the richly diverse South African classical music scene there were factors beyond their control which prevented many of them from attending. The general feeling was that for any forum on music in SA to have a strong voice it would need to be as representative as possible of the society it seeks to serve.

We closed the conference with the help of bonfire theatre (www.bonfiretheatre.co.za/index.htm) who created theatre with our stories from the conference helping us to reflect on important aspects of the journey through the highly creative and moving medium of theatre.

I left the Music Development Forum excited to have had the opportunity to share thoughts with some exceptional thinkers and to have been given the opportunity to consider "out loud" some of the issues facing the Bridge Project as it grows and develops. Victoria and I met artists and arts leaders who will no doubt feature in the artistic expansion of LMM and have made connections with Orchestras and community groups with whom we would be proud to be associated in the future.

Before I flew back to London, one of the delegates, Dr David Taylor, took the afternoon to drive me around Stellenbosch. We visited the charming town of Franschhoek, founded by French Huguenot refugees in 1668 and stopped off briefly at the beach! Finally we drove up the glorious Table Mountain before heading to the airport. Whilst we drove through the stunning landscape, we chatted about South Africa's post and pre-apartheid history which gave me an valuable sociological context to the themes of the conference. I returned to London after a long flight shared with Alan Shearer (I'm sure he mentions me in his blog too...) and rushed off to Jessop School to hear the year 1s and 2s performing in a school assembly...good times!

Experiencing the Cape #3

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:00:00 -0600

Day two brought a bit of mist and a slight breeze as well as our opportunity to present the work of London Music Masters and the specific UK context within which we operate. Victoria and I tag teamed around a slick (thanks Claire!) power point presentation (sorry Hannah!) which included dynamic photos of Bridge students eating hula hoops of the end of their bows (whoever thought Suzuki could be such fun?!). We also heard from the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre , the phenomenal Busk Aid project and many others including the Certificate Programme of Stellenbosch University which facilitates the inclusion of gifted musicians who do not have the theoretical background to support them in the pursuit of a traditional BMus degree, in accessing preparatory music qualifications. Andre Dowell of the US based Sphinx Organization also presented aspects of the exciting work they are doing in the States.

In the afternoon we formed discussion groups looking at themes to carry forward into the rest of the conference. I was interested in a group focussing on developing a strategic approach to music education in South Africa. I felt it had implications, for the UK scene and that, with knowledge of strategic initiatives like the Mayor's education Steering Committee (of which Victoria is a member), I might have something relevant to contribute. This was an exciting opportunity to engage meaningfully with some exceptional thinkers. Our group included practitioners and project leaders from around South Africa as well as the Director of music from Stellenbosch University, and Dr David Taylor, an expert in social development in South Africa. For me this short time together represented some of the most constructive and dynamic interchanges of the conference.

We prefaced dinner by watching an emotive film on the Venezuelan "El Sistema" experience followed by a Q and A session with members of the Millennium String Quartet. During dinner (brown Rice and Sole) I had a fascinating conversation with the founders of MIAGI a comprehensive youth ensemble organisation which commissions new works from South African Artists and works with high profile artists and conductors from Miriam Makeba to Maxim Vengerov.

During the day's sessions there were times when the delegates emotional connection to the projects they worked on and the communities they served, coupled with the frustrations of trying to stay afloat in a challenging financial, political and social climate resulted in palpable tension. However, the tension and conflict is part of the process of beginning dialogue between parties not used to working together. It is a healthy sign and I would have been sceptical about the capacity of the conference to bring people together had not some conflict of ideas emerged. That being said, after a long day it was nice to escape to the peace of our guesthouse! I bid farewell to Victoria who flew back to London this evening, in defiance of the BA airstrike, for a meeting with one of the leading violinists of our time who is getting excited about LMM...join the club!

Experiencing the Cape #2

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:30:00 -0600

Day one of the conference started with a fascinating introduction to 'Deep Democracy', a facilitation methodology developed by Myrna Lewis in response to the struggle facing South African society as it emerged out of apartheid and was forced to confront the racism and fear that had been institutionalised for generations. Lewis maintains that the methodology is applicable in all situations where relationships are being formed. Investigating it at the start of the conference within the context of a discussion on collaboration helped get our minds in gear for the some meaningful conversations over lunch! We are a disparate collective seeking consensus on complex issues which affect us all differently, the investigation into Deep Democracy was valuable if only to remind us of the potential challenges we would face as we attempted to scale this "Table Mountain" of a question: how do we harness music as an agent for social change?

One of the key aspects of the conference is the space created to hear about and celebrate the work of musicians and arts organisations working within the communities in which they find themselves around the world. Today we heard from representatives of the Field Band Association of South Africa who are working with children from the townships and the cities providing not only music education, genuine community, performance experience and self esteem but also medical care and HIV/aids education, training and jobs in the arts sector. We also heard from the South African National Youth Orchestra, Redefine (an orchestral education project for disadvantaged children), and an innovative classical music website: www.classicsa.co.za which is creating an online centre for classical music in the country, filling a gap in the national media. From Austria we were presented with the work of Taschen Oper ( or "Pocket Opera", I was particular impressed with their graphic design!) and a representative of the Berlin Philharmonic's Education Department: Zukunft@Bphil (future@Bphil). There was plenty of opportunity to mingle with delegates from various organisations over ice water (transferred rather hazardously from giant bowls into tiny glasses with the aid of not very water dynamic ladles...). Before dinner I made the most of the pool at our guest house... it was freezing.

The evening's entertainment was outstanding in every respect. The Millennium String Quartet - an ensemble of Venezuela's Simon Bolivar Orchestra joined forces with Norway's Trondheim Soloists as well as Zimbabwean Mbira player Ginashe Chidanyika and cellist/composer Hans Huyssen The programme took us on a journey through Sweden, Germany, ZImbabawe, Norway and the United States. It included an improvised demonstration of the international nature of music as seen through the improvisations of a jazz violist drawing parallels between the blues, north European folk music, Bach sonatas, and Romany dance music. There was also a beautiful collaboration between cellist Hans Huyssen and Ginashe Chidanyika on the Mbira (sometimes called thumb piano). If the conference has at its core the powerful potential to be found in international collaboration on the theme of music empowering communities, then the concert spoke more eloquently to that effect than a whole week of lectures could ever hope to.

Experiencing the Cape #1

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:30:00 -0600

London Music Masters' founder (Victoria Sharp) and Bridge Project Manager (Robert Adediran) attended the Cape Festival Music Development Forum in South Africa last week; the forum brings together representatives from leading international and South African music education intiatives for three days of showcase events, workshops, discussions, and debates, focusing on how participants can best make a social and aesthetic contribution to South Africa's previously disadvantaged communities through music. Robert writes about his first impressions below...

After an 11 hour flight we arrived in Cape Town and negotiated our way to the guesthouse in the wine region of Stellenbosch where we would be staying. We were driven by a friendly local - who had lived in Bristol and Wales and was keen to share his knowledge of the Welsh language with us! An hour later, showered and refreshed we headed back into Cape Town to visit the headquarters of the Amy Biehl foundation. This remarkable organisation has arisen out of the tragic death of US citizen Amy Biehl who had been working in South Africa as a supporter of Women's rights and the anti-apartheid movement in the 1990s. As she overcame the tragedy of her daughter's death, just two days before she was due to return home from South Africa, Amy's mother, Linda Biehl, sought forgiveness and reconciliation over vengeance and bitterness. Amazingly she founded the Amy Biehl foundation in partnership with one of the men who had been convicted of her daughter's death.

The foundation currently operates in schools in the townships on the edge of Cape Town as well as in Private schools within the city. The after-school programmes run by the foundation include craft, dance and sport as well as an inspiring and energising music project. We drove into Gugulethu, a sprawling township on the edge of the city, to witness the work first hand. Gugulethu is home to thousands of families living in single story houses. A new government initiative has increased the number of homes built of brick using conventional methods but the majority of the homes are made of any material that is readily available and inexpensive: corrugated iron, plastic sheeting and wooden posts prevail. At the heart of these vibrant yet challenged* communities we visited three schools and observed happy, focused children performing in marimba ensembles, a recorder group, a guitar band and several outstanding choirs. We were also treated to a gum boot dance and other dancing spectacles, which paid tribute to the commitment to traditional dance culture within South Africa. Four afternoons a week the Amy Biehl foundation runs musical ensembles for the children in the townships; at the same time they work with children at the more privileged city schools and throughout the year both sets of children come together to perform on one stage and with one voice. In the schools today we saw leaders, and team players, soloists and groupies - amongst whom we counted ourselves!

The children performed with confidence and musicality beyond their years and in defiance of their situation. If Amy Biehl first came to South Africa to become part of the process of change in the lives of its citizens then the work continued by her mother and the team she has built at the foundation is certainly fulfilling her dreams.

* The challenge embraces the whole of South African society. The townships are a physical representation of the history of apartheid and segregation which South Africa is battling to overcome.

Must we suppress our instinctive reactions to music? LMM discusses Alex Ross' recent lecture on 21st Century concert etiquette...

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:00:00 -0700

An eager audience filled the Wigmore Hall on Monday night as Alex Ross talked about the evolution of concert culture, and in particular the downfall of spontaneous applause. Ross, who writes about classical music for the New Yorker and received great acclaim for his book, 'The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century,' painted a vivid picture of days gone by, when it was perfectly acceptable to clap not just between movements but even to applaud alongside the music during particularly thrilling parts of a performance! I found his thoughts very refreshing and the LMM team pondered the issue with me in the office the following day...

Ross spent a great deal of time lamenting the fact that modern concert-going etiquette dictates we must suppress our instinctive reactions to music. It's certainly true that to start whooping with joy during a euphoric passage would be tantamount to social suicide; however, it does seem a shame that people feel compelled to retain their composure at all times, and that performers are consequently unable to gauge whether the audience members are truly enjoying the music. Ross quotes Wagner as complaining: "Now I don't know at all. Did the audience like it or not?", then subsequently slipping into a box one night to shout "bravo!" at the end of a dramatic scene - and being hissed at! But is there really anything that can be done? Our Bridge Project Manager, Robert Adediran, commented that he had been to several 'poetry slams' where people began to rapidly click their fingers when feeling particularly engaged with the reader. He says that, far from being annoying, it felt really liberating: "It's like music....there are moments of climax, it takes you on a journey. The clicking is a really nice way of showing approval, of saying: yeah, I agree, I'm with you! "

Ross stressed that he was not attempting to offer any solutions to the "passivity of modern concert behaviour", but he did imply that the atmosphere of venues themselves could be contributing to the problem, noting the "encouraging trend" of more informal concert settings like Poisson Rouge in New York, where classical music is played in a setting more akin to a jazz club. This reminded me of the monthly informal classical nights being held at 100 Club in London, featuring instrumentalists such as Nicola Benedetti and James Rhodes; they've been on my (very long) list of interesting events to try out sometime, especially as the whole ethos is very much in accordance with London Music Masters' aim to break down barriers in classical music and make it accessible for all. There will always be a need for classical music to move with the times, finding creative ways to reach new audiences.

Another facet of Ross' lecture which struck a particular chord with me (if you'll excuse the pun) was his reference to the effect of concert etiquette on children: "If you examine literature handed out by various music education associations, you notice that the suppression of enthusiasm in children is a major concern. Program booklets sometimes contain a little list of rules rendered in the style of God on Mount Sinai." It is quite heartbreaking to note how unwelcome children tend to be at traditional classical performances - I've certainly witnessed an audience's collective undercurrent of anger at a disruptive child many times - and I think it's fantastic that many venues and orchestras are increasingly holding child-friendly 'family concerts'. We bring our Bridge Project families to many of these with the Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre and the LPO, and it is fascinating to watch the children's reactions, uncensored by perceptions of what they should or shouldn't enjoy and free to express themselves in whatever way feels natural. In a rather different context, one of our LMM Artists, violinist Agata Szymczewska, visited Ashmole Primary School last year and played some Polish folk songs to the children (see our promotional video for a clip!) Some of them started dancing around in their seats, moving emphatically and totally without inhibition along to the music.....Agata commented: "I've never seen so much fun in the room when I was playing the violin....it was really brilliant!" Similarly, we were recently lucky to be able to take some of our children to an orchestral sit-in during an LPO rehearsal with conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin, where they sat amongst the players and became completely immersed in the music - Debussy's 'La Mer'. Many of them swayed with the melody, imitated the conductor or the violinists, and several were even seen hugging each other during a frightening passage. It was genuinely one of the most heart-warming things I have ever witnessed and, to me, compelling evidence that we should allow children the chance to experience classical music on their own terms at least some of the time, rather than forcing them to sit still and keep quiet from a very young age.

(Photographs by Matt Stuart)

The full text from Alex Ross' lecture is available to download here...

...or you can read his short summary for the Guardian here.

London Music Masters promotional video

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:30:00 -0700

London Music Masters' promotional video is now up on YouTube!

Take a look to find out more about London Music Masters' inspirational activities - the Bridge Project and the LMM Awards. Meet our founder (Victoria Sharp), Artistic Director (Itzhak Rashkovsky), and see excerpts from our three LMM Artists, winners of the first LMM Awards for 2009-2012: Jennifer Pike, Agata Szymczewska and Elena Urioste...

Welcome!

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:00:00 -0700

Welcome to the London Music Masters blog! We'll be updating this regularly with news on the Bridge Project and the LMM Awards, along with contributions from our violin tutors and our LMM Artists. If you'd like to be kept up-to-date with all our news, events and publications, click here to email Charlotte Hintzen and we'll add you to our contacts list!