RSCM Sunday 2013, Haydn Quartet; Soundboard seeks; Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year 2013; Concert – Vivaldi’s Concerto in D; New UK Christian and gospel album chart
RSCM Sunday 2013
Churches throughout the world will celebrate the use of music within their worship – and honour the musicians who make it – by celebrating RSCM Music Sunday later this year. It is an annual initiative of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), which itself marks the event on Sunday 23 June 2013.
The RSCM invites churches, choirs, schools and other organisations to put on a fundraising Music Sunday event, with proceeds shared on a 50:50 basis between the hosting body and the RSCM. “Some very successful events have taken place in the past when churches raised funds for something they care about in their church or choir”, says Catherine Clark, Head of Development at the RSCM. “Music Sunday is also about celebrating and honouring the music and musicians who make worship so precious to us all.”
In 2012, many churches used their Music Sunday event as a musical celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Some churches and choirs will be commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Coronation in June this year. 2013 is also the centenary of the birth of the composer Benjamin Britten, which some churches will mark with performances of his sacred music.
Those looking for ideas and material can see a list of last year’s events and those already planned for 2013 on the Music Sunday page of the RSCM websitewww.rscm.com/musicsunday. Events ranging from special collections at services to full-scale choral concerts raised anything from £30 to £1,000, with an average of £100 shared with the RSCM. “Every contribution helps,” says Catherine Clark. “If every affiliated member of the RSCM were to hold a Music Sunday event and raised just £50, that would still be a remarkable £22,000, bringing us that much closer to our £125,000 annual fund goal!”
Details of how to take part along with ideas for events, downloads including suggested prayers, readings and music can be found on the RSCM website www.rscm.com/musicsunday.
Haydn Quartet at St Ann’s, Dawson Street
Degani presents a series of Sunday afternoon concerts at St Ann’s, Dawson Street, in association with the Italian Institute of Culture – Dublin.
On Sunday March 17 they perform Haydn Quartet in F, Op. 50 No 5 for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello and other music at 3.30 pm.
Guest artists will be Grace Bermingham and Kate Canning (soprano). The Degani
Ensemble comprises Ruby Ashley (oboe), Alan Smale (violin), John Lynch (viola) and Annette Cleary (cello).
Tickets cost €12 or €8 with concession. Children under 12 go free. Tickets are available at the door.
Soundboard seeks
The Editors of Soundboard write – We currently are assembling material for the next issue of Soundboard.
We welcome news, reports and photographs. Short paragraphs under 250 words and digital images at high resolution are what we seek.
News items should be for events taking place after 1 May 2013.
We also value your comments and views by short letter or email – we may find it necessary to shorten longer items.
We are always ready to consider including longer articles on any matter that might be of interest to church musicians. Pieces up to 800 words are particularly welcome. If you wish to send us something longer, please discuss with the editor, Fraser Wilson, first.
Please send material to soundboard@churchmusicdublin.org not later than Easter Day
Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year 2013
News Letter – Eva Richards, a 17-year-old cellist from Ballymena, is the Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year 2013.
The final in the Harty Room in Queen’s University, Belfast on Saturday 9 March featured 15 of the province’s top young musicians.
Adjudicator Edwin Gray complimented all the contestants on their excellent performances.
He said it had been a real pleasure to listen to so many young people of different ages performing such a wide and challenging range of music. He had been impressed and moved. “I would like to award everyone a prize,” he commented. “You all have proved that you have a gift for music, which is much more valuable than any prize.” The key elements he looked for were technique, interpretation and communication. Every player had demonstrated all of these but, for him, Eva’s confident, lyrical performance of Mark Summer’s Julie-O stood out as the clear winner.
Runner-up was violinist Iryna Glyebova from Lisburn (17), playing Monti’s Czardas “in an exciting and dynamic performance”. Soprano Alice Cartmill (18) from Rathfriland was third, performing Vilia from Lehar’s The Merry Widow “with sensitivity and at a beautifully measured pace”. Edwin remarked on the confidence of these two young musicians, each communicating her chosen piece with conviction and style.
Two additional prizes were awarded to the best under-15 entrants. Winners were Sam Brodison, 14, from Larne, on cornet, and Rebecca Doherty, 13, from L/Derry on descant recorder.
The other finalists were:
Calum McIntyre, piano, 16, from Belfast; Angus McCall, cello, 16, from Belfast; John Gamble, trombone, 17, from Armagh; Rachel Lutton, violin, 15, from Antrim; Cathryn Lynch, xylophone, 13, from Bangor; Grainne White, violin, 13, from Carrickfergus; Maire Gaffney, voice, 17, from Downpatrick; Andrew Irwin, voice, 17, from Enniskillen; Sarah Tennyson, violin, 17, from Belfast; and David Mitchell, flute, 14, from Belfast.
Jim Torney, president of the event’s organisers, the Rotary Club of Comber, commented:“As well as providing a valuable platform for young musicians to gain competition experience, this well- established contest, now in its 21st year, is an opportunity for the club to raise some much-needed funds for two local charities – the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust and the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.”
Sunday Afternoon Concert at St Ann’s
Degani presents a series of Sunday afternoon concerts at St Ann’s, Dawson Street, in association with the Italian Institute of Culture – Dublin.
On Sunday March 24 at 3.30 pm they will perform Vivaldi’s Concerto in D for Guitar and Strings and other music.
The guest artist will be Pat Coldrick (Guitar). The Degani Ensemble comprises Ruby Ashley (oboe), Alan Smale (violin), John Lynch (viola), Nicola Cleary (violin), Martin Johnson (cello) and Charles Marshall (organ continuo).
Tickets cost €12 or €8 with concession. Children under 12 go free. Tickets are available at the door.
New UK Christian and gospel album chart
The new weekly sales-based Top 20 chart is being launched to officially rank the success of Christian and Gospel recording artists for the first time in the UK.
The chart will be compiled by the Official Charts Company and launched in partnership with Christian child development charity Compassion.
The launch comes in response to strong growth within the market and Compassion UK is delighted to be part of this exciting new chapter for Christian Music within the UK. Among the artists set to feature in the chart are many of Compassion’s Ambassadors, who regularly speak out on behalf of the poor and the ministry of Compassion.
“Compassion UK are thrilled to be partnering with the launch of The Christian & Gospel Charts, we are honored to have many ambassadors for our ministry among Christian Music artists in the UK as we work to bring Worship and Justice together,” said Ian Hamilton Compassion UK’s CEO.
The Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart will be broadcast every week on leading Christian radio stations Premier Radio and UCB, as well as being published weekly at www.officialcharts.com, the home of the UK’s Official Charts online.
Christian and gospel music account for 7 per cent of all recorded music sales in the US, with 26 million albums sold in 2012 – more than the sales of classical, blues and jazz combined.
“This is a defining moment and changes the landscape for Christian and Gospel music in the UK. Christian music has always been a part of society in bringing hope and encouragement. With the development of this new chart it will bring significant profile to this growing genre,” said Jonathan Brown, Managing Director, Integrity Music and on behalf of Christian & Gospel Music Labels.
The chart is being launched at the St James Theatre, Victoria. Musician and TV vocal coach, David Grant will host the evening where industry leaders will be joined by artists from Christian and Gospel music, including former Delirious? frontman Martin Smith and London Community Gospel Choir.
Here’s what the labels say:
“I’m excited to see Official Chart Company recognise the importance of the Christian/Gospel genre in the UK. This information will bring more media attention and consumer awareness to our artists and songs which is at the core of our mission as a company. It will also help our distribution partners and retailers make more informed marketing and advertising decisions improving their efficiency in this ever changing and global music market.” Bill Hearn President of EMI CMG
“It’s exciting to see recognition and measurability of something that’s be under the radar for so long come to reality. The OCC charts will, I believe, make a massive contribution to profiling the real significance of Christian music.” Jonathan L Bugden, Managing Director of Joining The Dots
“For years Authentic Media have believed that a music chart, which accurately reflects what is actually being sold in Christian outlets, would benefit the whole trade and provide a core stock focus necessary to create interest and therefore drive up sales. With the launch of the OCC we finally have that opportunity and our hope is that it will provide a catalyst for suppliers and retailers alike to work together to shout about the great Christian music that is out there!” Malcolm Down, Authentic Media