www.ncem.co.uk

INTERNATIONALYOUNG ARTISTSSHOWCASE

The showcase features four talented ensembleswho were finalists in the 2011 International YoungArtists Competition. There are still tickets availablefor Les Ombres (Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate,11.00am); Den Haag Piano Quintet (NCEM,3.30pm) and a fascinating film documentary byJoseph Rochlitz, ‘Hebreo’: the Search for SalomoneRossi, featuring Profeti della Quinta, winners of the2011 Competition (NCEM, 5.00pm). Tickets forthe Borromini Quartet are now sold out.

James Toll, of the Borromini Quartet says: “Sincetaking part in the 2011 IYAC we have beenengaged by music societies throughout the UK

and joined the Brighton Early Music 'Live!' roster,which led to a performance in the Brighton EarlyMusic Festival.”

Delma Tomlin, Director of the NCEM, added: “Westrive to create opportunities for young musiciansto not only survive but to thrive in this challengingeconomic climate and are delighted to welcomeback these talented ensembles to showcase theircurrent work. The day promises to be a superblyvaried feast of music-making which we hope tomake a regular event.”

For more information go towww.ncem.co.uk/showcase2012

intunea chance for you to get involved!

ISSUE 11

A stunning line up of young musicians from around the world gathers to take part in aspecial one-day International Young Artists Showcase on Saturday 1 December.

MUSICAL PLAYIN A WEEK 2013 Aspiring young musicians and actors areinvited to book now for the NCEM’s everpopular Musical Play in A Week: Trooper Jane,an exciting adventure set during the turbulenttimes of the English Civil War. Workshops takeplace Monday 12 to Friday 16 August 2013from 10am – 4pm daily with a performancefor family and friends at the end of the week.Cost: £100.00. Book now on 01904 658338or email boxoffice@ncem.co.uk

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Welcome to the NCEM’seducation and communitynewsletter – the space for youto find out more about ourevents and activities. In this issuefind out more about the NCEMComposers Award, theInternational Young ArtistsCompetition and the new YoungMinstrels Recorder Group.

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Next year, The NationalCentre for Early Music andBBC Radio 3 present theNCEM ComposersAward inpartnership withthe internationallyacclaimed early

The biennial York EarlyMusic International YoungArtists Competition willtake place from 11 – 13July as part of the 2013York Early Music Festival. This prestigious competition invites applicationsfrom instrumental and/or vocal ensembles, in anycombination, with a minimum of two musiciansaged between 17 and 35 (born after 13 July1978). Competitors must perform repertoryfrom the period ranging from the middle ages tothe nineteenth century, using appropriatehistorically informed playing techniques,instruments and stylistic conventions.

The Competition is recognised as a majorinternational platform for emerging talent in theearly music world.

Each ensemble will present a short recital underthe guidance of the eminent singer, RichardJackson, as well as entering the Competition itself.

The finals will be judged by the conductor andharpsichordist Laurence Cummings who is MusicDirector of the London Handel Festival and MusicDirector of the Internationale Händel-FestpieleGöttingen; Bart Demuyt, Director of the LausPolyphony Festival in Antwerp and the AlamireFoundation (International Centre for the Study ofMusic in the Low Countries); Linn Records chiefclassical producer/engineer Philip Hobbs; WielandKuijken, one of the most influential pioneers ofthe viola da gamba, and the composer, performerand improviser Stevie Wishart.

The winners will receive a cheque for £1,000;opportunities to work with BBC Radio 3 andfeature on BBC Radio 3's The Early Music Show;a concert as part of the 2014 York Early MusicFestival and a CD recording professionallyproduced by Linn Records. Special prizes includethe EUBO Development Trust Prize for the mostpromising young artist(s) and the York EarlyMusic Festival Friends Prize.

For full details visit:www.ncem.co.uk/youngartists2013

Deadline for applications: Friday 25 January 2013.

Applications to: The Music Administrator;National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret'sChurch, Walmgate, York YO1 9TLTel: +44 (0)1904 632220 Email: janet.cromartie@ncem.co.uk

Competition News

This major national Award is open to youngcomposers resident in the UK in two agecategories: 18 and under and 19 to 25. Thewinning works will be premiered by Florilegiumat the prestigious Bath International MusicFestival in June 2013 and recorded for broadcaston BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show.

Composers are invited to create a new three tofour minute contemporary response to theBaroque dance suite, based on any dance-formthey wish, from the reel to the rumba, for thefour core players of Florilegium, scored for fluteor recorder; violin or viola d'amore; cello orpiccolo-cello; harpsichord or organ.

Delma Tomlin, Director of the NCEM said: “We are thrilled that this year’s winning pieces will be premiered during the Bath

International Music Festival. As the NationalCentre for Early Music, our partnership with Bathbroadens the geographical significance of thisAward for young composers across the UK andfollows hot on the heels of Durham Cathedral in2012 and Kings Place in London in 2011.”

Applicants should register their interestby Friday 8 February 2013. Closingdate for completed scores: Friday8 March 2013. The Award will bejudged in York on Saturday 27April when Florileguim willwork with the youngcomposers throughout theday and will perform thepieces in the evening at apublic concert.

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For terms and conditions on howto take part in the NCEM ComposersAward 2013 visitwww.ncem.co.uk/composersaward2013. For further information email: education@ncem.co.uk

Young Young Competition2013

International

Next year, the National Centre for Early Music andBBC Radio 3 present the NCEM Composers Award inpartnership with the internationally acclaimed earlymusic ensemble Florilegium.

Last year’s winners - Profeti della Quinta

Last year’s winners: L to R: Benjamin Rowarth, Peter Phillips,Director of The Tallis Scholars and Alex Woolf

An exciting new recorder ensemble, YoungMinstrels, has been set up for players aged 8 -11 years.

The group rehearses on Saturday mornings(9.30am – 10.45am), during term time, atCanon Lee School. Pupils receive specialisttuition to improve their technique and have theopportunity to learn treble, tenor and bassrecorders. The experience offers players a rangeof musical challenges different from thosetypically encountered in school recorder groups,and prepares them to join Minster Minstrels.

Heather Moger, Director of Minster Minstrelssays: “In September 2012 we were delighted towelcome our first members. This term we havebeen studying Renaissance dance music todevelop our ensemble skills of listening to eachother, pitch and learning to be precise andconsistent with the finer details of articulationand musical expression.”

As Christmas approaches the Young Minstrelshave been rehearsing for their debutperformance at the York Arts AcademyChristmas Fayre, Canon Lee School on 15 December 2012.

A NEWRECORDERGROUP

Heather Moger, Director of the Minster Minstrelssaid: “We chose Anna for her commitment andthe excellent progress she has made since joiningthe Minstrels, both in terms of her playing and herself-confidence. Anna is also a very good rolemodel for our younger members and she hasworked particularly hard this year to learn achallenging oboe part in a J C Bach quintet.”

Anna was thrilled about the Award: “I have alwaysloved early music. In 2011 my violin teachersuggested I join the Minster Minstrels and I havebeen playing violin with the group ever since.

I really enjoy the rehearsals because everyone isreally friendly and there's always a goodatmosphere. Although I don’t plan to carry musicon at a higher level it’s great to have theexperience and enjoyment that the group givesme as a hobby and a relief from my academicstudies!”

The Minster Minstrels is run as a partnershipbetween the NCEM and the City of York Council’sArt’s Academy with support from the MayfieldValley Arts Trust.

Anna Hughes was awarded the 2012 John MarvinAchievement Award having displayed the highest level ofcommitment, promise and achievement over the year.

Minster Minstrels News

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Janet Cromartie, NCEM Music Administrator, talksto Lizzie Cantrell about life as a Minster Minstrel.

MY STORYHow did you join the Minster Minstrels?

I started to play the recorder in primary schoolaged seven. When I was about ten, I went to anOpen Day at York Arts Academy to hear mybrother play in the Symphony Orchestra anddiscovered the Minster Minstrels there. Therearen’t many specialised music groups for therecorder, so it was really good to find one that Icould actually play in. I’ve now been with themfor seven years.

What difference has being a Minster Minstrelmade to you?

It’s developed my ensemble skills by listeningmore to the other players, and my leadershipskills, especially learning to bring each other in.We are all encouraged to help each other andto teach the younger ones. I’ve made goodfriends too. All the older members are fromdifferent schools so I wouldn’t know them if itwasn’t for the Minster Minstrels. We get to playa wide range of music, some of it quitechallenging. It’s also really good that we get toperform concerts regularly in front of anaudience. Being in the Minster Minstrels has

really encouraged my interest in the recorderand made a big difference to my playingstandard. I’ve just been awarded a Distinction inmy Grade 8 and I’m now thinking of workingtowards my Performance Diploma.

Would you like to continue playing in thefuture?

I studied Music for GCSE but after that Idecided to keep the recorder as an interestrather than a career. I want to study Bio-Chemistry but I’d like to choose a Universitythat has an early music group so that I can carryon playing.

How do you get on with the younger players in Young Minstrels?

I enjoy helping the less experienced ones todevelop their playing and their confidence. It’sbeen really good teaching experience for me.They start off being unconfident and notknowing much about the instrument and it’sgood to see a difference in them as theyprogress. The older players often lead a one-to-one session with the younger ones. I teach them

things like different tonguing patterns. It’s alsovaluable for them to know that we startedplaying at the same age as them, and to seewhat standard they could reach if they keeppractising.

Has there been any particular highlight for youin your time with the Minster Minstrels?

Going to London to play with the Orchestra ofthe Age of Enlightenment earlier this year - itwas an amazing opportunity. First we had aworkshop in York, when a couple of themusicians from the Orchestra came and helpedus with our piece. We learned technique,articulation, dynamics, how to watch theconductor and how to listen to each other, sothat the piece came together as a whole. Themusicians were very lively and enthusiastic andenjoyed working with us. Then we went toLondon and played our piece in front of loadsof other music groups and played with theorchestra. To have the chance to play in Londonwith an amazing Orchestra and to hear what allthe other groups had done with them was areally great experience. It was inspirationalworking with musicians of such a high standard.

Latest news

For further information about any of the activities, events or resources mentioned in this Newsletter please contact the NCEM on 01904 632220 or email education@ncem.co.ukTo book tickets for events, please contact the Box Office on 01904 658338 or visit www.ncem.co.ukNational Centre for Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL

All details are correct at the time of going to press. Promoted by York Early Music Foundation Registered Charity No. 1068331D

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The thrilling Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers capturethe thundering and exhilarating rhythms of Taikoand provide a unique insight into the enthrallingworld of this powerful art form. An excitingfusion of primal rhythm, choreography andathleticism in traditional Taiko pieces, which revealthe history and culture of this fascinating folk art.

The drummers will run a workshop with York StJohn University music students to develop theirawareness of rhythm and pulse, improve theirdrumming skills and increase their knowledge of a wide range of percussion styles and genres.

Tickets for this concert are now on sale atwww.ncem.co.uk or by ringing 01904 658338.

THE WAY OF THE DRUM

Don’t miss the amazing Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers onThursday 14 March 2013.

The NCEM is now available for wedding receptions,anniversary parties, dinners and musical soirées. Thevenue can accommodate up to 100 people fordinners and receptions. For further informationcontact Gill Baldwin, Events Manager on 01904632220 or email events@ncem.co.uk. Moreinformation is available at www.ncem.co.uk/events

The National Centre for Early Music, which hasbeen co-ordinating Music4U since 2001, hasstarted a new phase of life as a Musical Inclusionprovider.

Emily Crossland Music4U’s Administrator, explainsthe new set up: “The Musical Inclusion module,which is funded by Youth Music as part of theirnew modular programme, targets young peopleup to the age of 18, living in challengingcircumstances, and supports them in accessingand progressing through high quality music-making opportunities. The new Music4Upartnership works with five local authorities inYork, the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, NorthLincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire and also,the University of York and Leeds College ofMusic.”

“Music4U also celebrated by welcoming partnersand participants to the NCEM on 20 Septemberfor a mini-conference, which involved inspirationalperformances from young musicians, the launchof two new composition projects (All Aboard,aimed at 0-5 year olds and The Creativity Project,aimed at older children) and a hands-on Javanesegamelan workshop to get people in the moodfor a Music4U gamelan project due to start inApril 2013.”

For further information visit the Music4Uwebsite: www.ncem.co.uk/music4u

There are still a few tickets available for the ever-popular York Early Music Christmas Festival (6 – 15 Dec). Family highlights include:

Chalemie join forces with York’s Minster Minstrels ina costumed re-creation of Mr Fezziwig’s Christmasparty from Dicken’s ‘Christmas Carol’. Sunday 9December 7.30pm at the NCEM.

The world-renowned Tallis Scholars close this year’sChristmas Festival on Saturday 15 December with acarefully crafted programme entitled ‘The Journey ofthe Nativity’ which features music by Palestrina,Eccard and Praetorius, including Palestrina’s gloriousbut very rarely performed ‘Missa Ave Maria.’

For further information and to book tickets visit:www.ncem.co.uk/xmas

YORK EARLY MUSICCHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 2012

4musicCreative. Fun.

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CELEBRATE AT THE NCEM

Chalemie