Jersey Youth Chamber Orchestra Winter Course
29th Oct – 1st Nov 2014
In a contrast to previous years, the Jersey Youth Chamber Orchestra’s winter session was held as a half-term orchestral course. Starting on the Wednesday of half-term the orchestra came together for four full days of musical activity. Led by visiting conductor Robert Roscoe, the orchestra worked on Offenbach’s Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld, Malcolm Arnold’s Little Suite no.2, and Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance.
The additional rehearsal time afforded by the extended course meant that in addition to the regular sectional and tutti rehearsals the students also had the opportunity to learn a piece of Body Percussion music led by Russell Abraham, and took part in music quiz based on the music performed. The lunchtimes and breaktimes gave the students the chance to enjoy the lawns, enhanced by some glorious sunshine.
The concert on the Saturday evening was enjoyed by a full hall, requesting an encore of Offenbach’s Galop Infernal. Next year’s session will take place in partnership with Chetham’s School of Music in February, leading towards a performance at the Jersey Arts Centre on 8th February, conducted by Chets Director of Music Steven Threlfall. The JYCO is run through the partnership of the academy with the Jersey Music Service, and supported by the Strasser Trust and Dorothy Chapman Trust.
French Horn Day
Sunday 19th Oct 2014
On October 19th 16 local French Horn players aged 6-18 met at Jersey Academy of Music, Chateau Vermont for the very first French Horn Day – organised in joint partnership between the Jersey Academy of Music and Jersey Music Service. The players split into junior, intermediate and senior ensemble groups to play horn repertoire before a well-deserved break for cake! Re-fuelled, the hornists then split into 2 groups and in what might be considered a rather musical version of hide and seek, they played horn calls to each other across the spacious grounds of Chateau Vermont.
Much fun was had outside before returning inside for a session on gadgets and a competition to find a suitable name for the newly established group! les cors jèrriais (Horns of Jersey) was chosen, inspired by Ankita and JJ who both won a year’s subscription to the British Horn Society! les cors jèrriais are excited to continue working as an established group and watch out for them at an event or too in Jersey next year!
THE GREAT CHARITY PLAYATHON
26th-27th September 2014
On 26th September 2014, the Jersey Academy of Music hosted The Great Charity Playathon, a 24 hour event in aid of CLIC Sargent (Jersey) and Tearfund.
The Playathon was organised by Claire Boleat, flute teacher at the academy, with one of her senior students Lauren Gallaher (a talented local flautist and finalist in the Jersey Young Musician of the Year 2014). The event involved hundreds of people and a huge variety of acts including Flutasia, Progressive School of Music, Beaulieu & De La Salle Big Band, Serenata Wind Quintet, Students from the Jersey Academy of Music, Keiran Brown, Alex Glendenning, B Vocal Jsy, Lillian and Grace Garnier, Eva Hsieh, Julie Robinson and Students, Sax Jam, and others too. As well as the performances, there were stalls for competitions, raffles, and a display from the music shop Broken Wind.
The whole venue was taken over with music from start to finish, with the 24hrs broken up into various themes: ‘Evening Drinks’ on the Friday, and the ‘Coffee Morning’ and ‘Family Fun Picnic’ on the Saturday, including a Samba Workshop with Alex Glendinning:
The event has raised almost £3000 for the two charities, CLIC Sargent (Jersey) and Tearfund. The Great Charity Playathon was supported by Dunells Wine Merchants, St. Peter’s Garden Centre, Le Quesne’s Nurseries, Murrays, The Fresh Fish Company, Ceri’s Cakes, Back to Balance, Adventure Diving Jersey, Chic Salon, Dye Another Day, Jersey Academy of Music, Aurum Jewellers and Harvey Music Jersey.
CLIC Sargent (Jersey) is a local charity who support the families of children and teenagers with cancer. They respond to the needs of sick children and teenagers, helping their families during difficult and stressful times with both financial and practical support. They aim to ensure that every Jersey child and teenager with cancer received the support they need.
Tearfund is a UK Christian relief and development agency passionate about relieving poverty which works in over 50 countries. In 2006 they launched a ten-year vision to see 50 million people released from material and spiritual poverty and since then more than 17 million people have been helped through community development projects. More than 175 unjust policies and practices have also been changed to deliver justice for poor communities. Lauren Gallaher (one of the event organisers) will be travelling to Cambodia in February to work for 6 months as a volunteer on one of their projects.