PERSPECTIVE NOTES Chiltern Music Academy Annual Report Academic Year 2018-2019 Introduction Chiltern Music Academy is an independent centre of 2018-2019 was an exciting year for Chiltern vibrant community music Music Academy, marking the fifth anniversary of making. Our passion is the its formation. To celebrate, CMA undertook a nurture and support of the series of concerts in partnership with acclaimed developing musician in musicians and writers, showcasing existing every child, from 4-19 years. talent and inspiring future generations of young musicians. StringFest brought the Chiltern Camerata together with string players of all Contents Principal, Andy Rogers ages in wonderful side-by-side performance. p2 Core Activities BandFest featured more than 200 wind, brass and percussion “Chiltern Music Academy delivers the p4 Special Events CMA continues to be a vibrant place for children, young players. The Choral Concert saw the premiere of a newly kind of vibrant local music making that people and their families – the buzz is infectious! The commissioned work by Lin Marsh and featured performances by p6 Schools generous support of volunteers and financial donors has most regions can only dream of. It has opera stars and CMA Patrons, Jonathan Veira and Christine Rice. p8 Financials been an essential element of CMA’s journey. been a delight to support them and to watch their spectacular progress. I am Throughout the year, CMA continued to provide weekly music-making p10 Community We are now moving from a start-up to a consolidation so proud of everything they do!” activities for more than 450 children and young people aged 4-19 as p12 Perspective phase, and our desire is to develop, renew and well as outreach into schools via our Sing, Perform, Inspire and Big -Nicholas Daniel, strengthen partnerships to provide more and better Noise programmes. 77 children went on tour to the Isle of Wight in opportunities and excellence for the whole community for May, and many more were involved in partnership with the Royal Air BBC Young Musician of the Year 1980, ‘It’s vital for local, talented many years to come. oboist, conductor and CMA patron Force, RHUL Orchestra, Chiltern Music Therapy and Scannappeal. string players to be able to The charity is generously supported by volunteers through the Parent explore and develop their natural musical gifts. CMA Contact Us Partnership, at concerts and the regular weekend coffee shop, and also by those who give their professional time and skill to support provides this education Website: www.chilternmusicacademy.org young musicians in rehearsals. with wonderful creativity Email: [email protected] and passion.’ Postal address: c/o RGS, Amersham Road, The buzz that has surrounded CMA since its inception five years ago, -Lawrence Power, shows no sign of diminishing and we look forward to the next five High Wycombe, HP13 6QT viola virtuoso and years and beyond with great anticipation. CMA Patron registered charity number 1158146 12 1 CORE ACTIVITIES Leaders New to the team this year were Clarinet and Saxophone specialist Francis Mullaly, Acoustic Guitar teacher Oz Wright, Show Choir leader Tom Noyes and upper strings specialist Natasha Jashari. We Membership Mini- Bursaries Membership said goodbye to Tamara O’Brien who returned to New Zealand mid-year. 1% 7% 2018-19 saw in excess of 500 children playing and CMA Music Leader John Davie received the red-carpet treatment singing at CMA. Of these, when he was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement 484 were regular members. Award for exceptional service to music education at the Music Teachers Awards for Excellence. John has been shaping local Bursaries enabled 7 students music education for decades, and he is a worthy recipient of the to attend; CMA are keen that award. This is the second award bestowed on CMA by Music financial pressures should Lifetime Achievement Teacher Awards for Excellence, and is testament to our growing not deter children from Full Membership CMA MEMBERS reputation in only five years of operation. enjoying a musical education. 92% Springers Springers’ key activities included the Trustees Springers’ Party, which this year Micros... encouraged families to help to look RGS head master Philip Wayne joined CMA as a trustee in time for this year, bringing the number of after our oceans while learning all serving trustees up to six. Minis... about the instruments of orchestra. Springers… Patrons Music foundation for the very “Micro-Springers is the best Our patrons continue to support and encourage CMA, particularly in this fifth anniversary year. The young: 34 children aged 4-7 children’s activity for miles around!” Choral Concert was enriched by performances from three international opera singers, two of whom - Katherine, CMA mum. made up the springers were CMA Patrons Christine Rice and Jonathan Veira. department in 2018-19. Find Your Forte! FIND YOUR FORTE Guitar Oboe “We are told daily that young people are facing a mental health crisis. Music is one of the most 42 children took classes in Bassoon healing things to experience either passively, as listeners, or actively, as practitioners, and yet Upper Strings, Cello, Double Clarinet Percusion provision in schools for music education has been eroded to near extinction. Thank goodness, then, Bass, Oboe, Bassoon, Brass, for the Chiltern Music Academy, where so many experienced teachers guide students from the very French Horn, Guitar and, new beginners to the most advanced, who might themselves go on to further study and a professional life for 2018-19, Clarinet and in music! French Horn Violin/viola Tuned Percussion. As a Patron from the inception of CMA, I have been honoured to see this extraordinary family 79% of children found their Brass of musicians grow. Long may they thrive!” forte and have continued with Double Bass Cello their instruments. - Christine Rice, Mezzo-soprano and CMA patron 2 11 COMMUNITY Senior CMA Junior CMA Parent Partnership 2018-19 included the expansion of the junior department’s The core committee of 6 harnessed the willingness of over 130 volunteers in Saturday morning curriculum. More time was allowed for string 2018-19, organising them to provide invaluable support for the musical activities players, with Junior Strings extending the length of their sessions of CMA. This community of volunteers enhance weekly rehearsals, enable and moving to a larger rehearsal space to accommodate more concerts and events to run smoothly and contribute enormously to the students. Junior Orchestra had 71 members and developed well welcoming community130 feel of CMA. Thank you. through the year, proudly representing CMA on tour. There was also an increase of Chamber Music opportunities for Platinum for Concert Band Student Council junior musicians, with the establishment of a Junior string quartet CMA Concert Band took part and a Junior woodwind quintet. Chamber music significantly Ensembles represented on the Student Council, 2018-19 in the National Concert Band develops the musicians at this level, and it is hoped that funds can Festival again this year. They be found to expand provision further in the future. earned a Platinum award in stra November and a Gold award in May. Show Choir moved to a new Senior Orchestra Senior Orchestra Symphony Orchestra String Supersonic Band Wind Junior Band Wind Senior Band Concert Band Jazz Senior Choir Intermediate Youth Choir Show Choir Ensemble Recorder Consort Recorder Music Chamber Ensemble Percussion Junior Orche Junior time slot on Groovy Tuesdays, 16 students made up the council this year: a voice for the students and an energetic, organized team. enabling potential cooperation Among the issues discussed, the council suggested changes to senior CMA concert dress and with the jazz and guitar organized a student consultation on the issue; their proposal has now been adopted. departments. Senior ensembles continue to Charity Work perform with excellence. The cellos of Senior String Junior String Chamber Music Concert Band performed at the Scannappeal Christmas Concert and played carols at Sainsbury’s Chamber Music were awarded where over £1,500 was collected for the appeal. This year saw the introduction of a harp ensemble, and CMA first place and a performance acquired its first pedal harp. Fundraising continues for a set of Senior Wind Band performed at the Riding for the cup at the Marlow Festival. lever harps. Disabled Christmas Carol Concert. The Recorder Ensemble were awarded joint second place in the Members of Youth Choir entertained the residents Orpheus Festival for Young Musicians junior ensemble class. of Butterfly House, the South Bucks Hospice. CMA have several students playing in the National Children’s From Concert Band’s caroling at Sainsbury’s Symphony Orchestra invited children with Orchestra including Megan, who secured a place this year after additional needs to experience the Power of Music, in collaboration with Chiltern Music Therapy. Cello there! starting the French Horn on CMA’s Find Your Forte programme. 10 3 SPECIAL EVENTS in £143,900 Concerts 5th Anniversary out £165,000 Concert Series Junior Gala Concert Sponsored by Concerto Nov Senior Gala Concert StringFest * all string players Marlow Festival deficit £21,100 with the Chiltern Camerata Stringfest BandFest * all woodwind, StringFest Over the first four years of operation, CMA has brass and percussion players Dec NCBF (Concert Band) established a varied and Costs Christmas Informal challenging programme Choral Concert * all singers of concerts to enable with Jonathan Veira, Natasha Jan Chamber Concert each ensemble to strive ENSEMBLE LEADERS Marsh, and Christine Rice for excellence. In this, our fifth anniversary year, Hootenanny STAFF Big Party * whole community Feb the programme was RAF with Concert Band extended to include ‘Let Us Sing!’ commissioned VENUE HIRE Senior Concert celebratory concerts for from Lin Marsh, this vocal and instrumental Mar Orpheus Festival anniversary song exemplifies families: a chance to CONCERTS AND EVENTS the spirit of CMA.