Bromley Youth Music News Summer 2013 “Hub” for Music Training Norman Trotman Young Musician of the Year Competition Guy Johnston BYCO at Lavenham A busy month for BYMT Choir Getting to know Simon Sundermann April2013V1baseline.indd 1 20/05/2013 14:37 Summer 2013 Lavenham Regular items 3 Update from the Principal 5 Soundbites 10 Getting to know... Simon Sundermann 12 Dates for Your Diary Features 4 Norman Trotman Competition Stefan Beckett Trotman Competition 5 BYMT “Hub for music training” Tim Cronin 6 BYCO at Langley Park Elizabeth Oliver Fairfi eld Showcase Concerts 7 Guy Johnston Yasmeen Doogue-Khan 8 A Busy Month for BYMT Choir Grace Toogood 9 Conversation Pieces Gemma Sheppard 11 BYCO at Lavenham Elizabeth Oliver Fairfi eld Showcase Concerts Cover Picture BYCO at Lavenham Encore production team Editorial: Ruth Henry Student Reporters: Elizabeth Oliver, Grace Toogood, Yasmeen Doogue-Khan, Stefan Beckett Graphic Design: Robert Norman-Reade Photography: Martina Tierney, Vincent Oliver 2 Fairfi eld Showcase Concerts April2013V1baseline.indd 2 20/05/2013 14:37 Update from the Principal his has been a term of trying to fi t several quarts into a pint Simon Sundermann were the Tpot, but due to the wonders of modern technology, the amazing two conductors on each occasion BYMT team and our wonderful students, we achieved an array of and gave us two memorable fantastic events. In January the annual Norman Trotman Competition performances. On 28th March, took place displaying a stunning evening’s music making, won this year Big Phat Brass (directed by Dennis for the fi rst time by a percussionist – Stefan Beckett, who leaves us this Mycroft) performed at the Royal July to take up a scholarship to the RCM. Well done Stefan and all the Albert Hall as part of ‘Junior Ignite’ other fi nalists who played so beautifully! festival at the invitation of Music for Youth, a real honour. FAIRFIELD BYMT ADULT CHOIR, This was the year for the BYMT Showcase Concerts at Fairfi eld, Croydon, when all our Saturday groups plus choirs and other weekday We didn’t even stop to draw breath Mike Purton ensembles take the stage in two musical spectaculars demonstrating in the Easter holiday, the very how we develop the children’s talents from the youngest bands, choirs successful Easter Band Course BYMT Principal and orchestras through to our top groups. Bromley Youth Symphony drew in 73 young players and the Orchestra, conducted by Dennis Mycroft brought the festival to a BYMT Adult Choir, with a guest brilliant close with music by Elgar, Saint Saëns and Tchaikovsky plus choir from Neuwied (Bromley’s a wonderful group of four songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein where twin town) and soloists including BYSO were joined by BYMT choirs, and choirs from Beaverwood, our very own Ros Hind and Peter Snipp, accompanied by a small but Bishop Justus and Darrick Wood Schools. perfectly formed orchestra gave a superb and memorable performance of Handel’s Messiah. In the excellent acoustics of the Performance OPEN DAY Hall at Langley Boys Handel’s masterwork was thoroughly enjoyed by a large audience including the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, many On 16th March, we held our second Open Day of the year when Bromley Councillors and guests from Neuwied. During the weekend excited children from 250 families were able to try out a wide range of the early May Bank Holiday, 60 or so members of the Adult Choir of musical instruments. The next day, slightly older children were plus musicians travelled to Neuwied for the return match, of which able to enjoy the prizewinning Bromley Youth Concert Band in the more anon. Performance Hall at Langley Boys when BYCB shared the concert with young musicians and singers from Chislehurst (St Nicholas) CoE BYCB AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL Primary and Hawes Down Junior Schools who showed us what superb budding musicians attend these two fi ne establishments. And fi nally on 7th April, 46 members of BYCB took the stage in front of a packed Royal Albert Hall to provide the military band parts Bromley Youth Chamber Orchestra appeared in concert at Langley at the end of Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812’ Overture as part of the Royal Boys with the international cellist Guy Johnston in a programme Philharmonic’s Tchaikovsky Spectacular. Both Barry Wordsworth including Boccherini’s Cello Concerto and Vivaldi’s Gloria, (conductor) and the RPO were very, very complimentary about which included singers from Langley Boys, Langley Girls and Hayes ‘our kids’ contribution and they seemed genuinely amazed at the Secondary Schools. It was a real privilege to enjoy Guy Johnston’s youngsters’ professionalism and outstanding playing. Viva BYMT! superlative and sensitive playing and in the subsequent concert in the Comments can be seen on the BYMT website. beautiful Parish Church in Lavenham, Suffl ok on 30th March, Henry Hargreaves was an excellent and stylish soloist in the 1st movement Mike Purton of the Boccherini. The singing and playing in both concerts was a Principal BYMT tribute to both students and their teachers. Jonathan Josephs and Fairfi eld 3 April2013V1baseline.indd 3 20/05/2013 14:37 Norman Trotman Competition The fi nal of the Norman Trotman Competition is always a fantastic event, with a great atmosphere and a huge amount of talent. It was an honour to be part of it and although we performers may look cool and calm as we go on stage, just getting to the fi nal is no easy task! irstly, I had to pass through the preliminary me. My third and fi nal piece was an extremely at the Royal College of Music. A man very Fround of auditions. After months of technical snare drum piece, more of a physical well respected within the music profession practising and memorising my music, the workout than a study one could say. In the and certainly someone in front of whom I did day of my audition was upon me (way too excitement of the moment I set off at a very not want to make a fool of myself. Luckily, I suddenly in my opinion!). When I arrived ‘ambitious’ tempo, a schoolboy error. In the was not the fi rst, but second performer of the at BYMT I was given some time to warm corner of my eye I could see Lora Domitrova’s evening which gave me a chance to compose up before being called to the audition room. eyes racing down the page, trying to keep myself. After an inspirational team talk with After having a few issues getting the marimba up with the constant bombardment of semi- Sue Brown ‘from the offi ce’ it was my turn to through the door I was ready to go. demiquavers. After a brief talk to the panel, I go on. left with my head held high - Nailed it! The panel entered, led by the legendary I entered the hall to be welcomed by Michael Purton. All 6 Heads of Department Only a couple of days after the audition I overwhelming applause, cheers and shouts sat down in front of me. Even the most strong heard the fantastic news that I had succeeded from my friends, with banners and (somewhat hearted such as me, could not lie and say in gaining a place in the fi nal. I then received humorous) posters all supporting me. Not that this group of musical warriors was not my feedback from the teachers and had a talk wanting to let down my friends, family and intimidating! Nevertheless, I did not wane. If with them about how I should amend my teachers I gave it my best shot. To my great anything, their presence inspired me to play to programme for the fi nal. relief I performed as well as I could have the best of my ability. I handed over my music, and so looked forward to enjoying the rest of the atmosphere was tense, Mr Josephs tried The evening of the 30th January, the Trotman the evening. All the fi nalists performed to an to tell a joke - a bad start. And so the audition fi nal, was for me truly memorable. Arriving incredibly high standard (Bromley’s version began. My fi rst piece was on the marimba. I in plenty of time I went to my “dressing of Young Musician of the Year!), so I was began warily, but soon began to settle in and room” (the classiness of room 3) got changed both shocked and delighted to be awarded the show off my true colours, fi nishing the piece and warmed up. The audience began to Trotman Trophy. I am very proud to be the confi dently. My second piece went down a arrive and I decided to ‘mingle’ in an attempt fi rst percussionist ever to win and am really treat, with the wall of eagle eyed teachers upon to calm my excitement and nerves (to little glad my hard work paid off! avail) while other competitors relaxed and tried to reach ‘the Stefan Beckett zone’ in a quiet place. Once the audience was seated, the contest commenced. The competition was being adjudicated by Simon Channing, Head of Woodwind Finalists Stefan Beckett Louis Barclay -Trumpet 4 April2013V1baseline.indd 4 20/05/2013 14:37 BYMT ‘HUB for Music Training’ BYMT were pleased to host a very special CPD (Continuing Professional Development) day-long workshop run by Mytime Active’s music education project ArtsTrain. ytime Active has been running the work with young people. The project is a key MArtsTrain project, which works with partner in Bromley’s new music hub lead by young people across the borough in creative BYMT.