Noticeboard: 11th April 2020
It's a much longer Noticeboard than usual, but don't be put off. It's because there is such an increase in online opportunities, from a couple of new things on this website to the amazing explosion going on worldwide. So do scan through it – there could just be something you'd have missed otherwise, and could really enjoy.
Free Streaming of Concerts
The Noticeboard usually opens with matters close to home, but this time, let's start on a global scale. Unable to get to a concert or opera? Remembering those days we could travel? Forget the dreaming - visit opera and concert halls all over the world without any risk of missed connections, bar queues or noisy neighbours. During the worldwide lock down, numerous classical music providers are streaming their performances. Some are live, some archived. And they are all FREE.
Classic FM is constantly updating an index of everything they know of, by organisation and date. There are straightforward videos of conventional performances, virtual performances by top musicians, workshops and other goodies. It's worth spending half an hour browsing the list – and checking it again in a few days for new things. At last I shall have something to put into my diary in addition to Drop In singing, NHS applause and shopping. I'm spoilt for choice – I think you will be too!
Here's the link: www.classicfm.com/music-news/live-streamed-classical-music-concerts-coronavirus/
It may well be there are similar lists to free streaming of musicals and ballet. If you know, do email, and they can be added to the next Noticeboard.
Felton Music Learning Materials
You can't be in receiver-mode all the time. Learning is good for all of us if we can find a corner of time for us. I'm thrilled that several people have tackled the first Score Reading project that went onto the website a couple of weeks ago. At least two have completed and enjoyed it. (Cake for you when we can meet again!). The second project is on the website now. It builds on the knowledge and skills the first covered. There's more variety in it (I do listen to feedback), and there are optional extras. Improve your ability to relate notation to sound, sharpen your ears, understand more about how music works, and even learn a bit of music history. You can download from the Score Reading page. If you can't print out the worksheets, I'm happy to post them to you – just let me know your address.
Sing and play along with wonderful music
In the course of planning and writing the Score Reading materials I realised there is another marvellous opportunities for people who like singing. It would suit anyone who likes classical music and would like to join in some iconic pieces of music. It is brilliant for anyone who wants to practise reading music without lots of theory – just doing it.
There's an increasing number of youtube recordings with the score (the sheet music) on the screen. It scrolls or changes to next page with the music. There's a whole project devoted to J S Bach. Gerubach, the Scrolling Bach Project aims to provide all educators, composers, musicians and music lovers with a free online library of Bach's entire collection of his compositions in a scrolling format.
Go to www.youtube.com/user/gerubach/playlists to see the index of everything they have so far. These are not computer generated sound tracks, but good quality real performances. This Easter I'm planning to sing along with at least one of the Passions – I've never sung the whole of either of them.
I haven't yet found an index of other composer's pieces with scores, but if you search eg. “Handel youtube score” you get pages of stuff. Here's “Zadok the Priest” which I found that way. It's performed by The Sixteen, and of course is in English. www.youtube.com/watch
There's a link to a longer Handel piece in the second Score Reading Project – there's a bonus! Searching for a particular piece seems to work too. I put “Mozart Requiem youtube” into Google and on the first page was this, directed by John Elliot Gardner www.youtube.com/watch.
There's quite a bit of serendipity in this process. I looked for Vivaldi's Gloria, a piece I know several Felton Musickers have sung and enjoyed. I couldn't find the whole piece with score, but in the process came across this wonderful mix by various professional choirs. www.youtube.com/watch. It starts with a bit of the Gloria, and offers you a programme of delicious music from the Renaissance to the Classical. And you have the score to look at for all of them. Copyright affecting the sheet music prevents recent compositions being available this way. If you find something good, do share.
Another exciting MOOC
Any signed up for a MOOC yet, on music or anything else? See the last Noticeboard if you are are wondering what a MOOC is, or go straight to the Learning Music With Other Providers page here on the website. Although I'm already stuck into one on Archeoastronomy - fun to do something different and it's motivating me to learn some stars, the thought of possibly weeks more being locked down has made me join another. Just too tempting. “How Music can Change Your Life”. How could I resist? It's no 14 on our list. Any one going to join me?
Matters closer to home
There are some new materials on the website, the first items on the How Music Learning Works page. Three people have kindly written about their experiences learning music things as adults. Three very different accounts. Do take a look. If you would consider writing an account of how it is or has been for you, that would be great. Email for the guidelines.
The Showboat quiz answers is going on the Felton Music Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/. Siobhan is the winner – and possibly the only one who completed it. More cake. If you know different, do say. There have been comments that it was difficult. I thought it would fill in some idle minutes, having something to research on line, but Felton Music people are very busy. If there is another, it will be much more straightforward.
Drop Inners are receiving links to youtube performances of song to sing along with on Tuesday evening and some of the group have been exploring Zoom for linking up. Community singing really doesn't work, but we've enjoyed a post-singing coffee-break together. If you'd like to join in, email.
The Better Recorder Playing group are in touch with each other and receiving their course materials online. Any other recorder players who would like to have contact with like-minded people? All Blown Outers are also in touch with each other, about music and all sorts of other things. MadriGals would have been starting their summer season of rehearsals and performances about now. Watch this space – I have a plan!
If there is any way that you feel Felton Music could help you keep in contact with others, and/or keep your musical motivation up, do email.
Until the next Noticeboard, in around two weeks' time, keep safe and as happy as possible.
Alison