William Hay

The Neston Ecumenical Singers commence their 31st season on Monday (5th September). The best thing about being their Musical Director is getting to choose the music and this season I am particularly looking forward to the fun and the challenge of Will Todd’s Mass in Blue! We plan to perform this next Easter in Neston along with John Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary. Other highlights of the season which I am looking forward to are a piece composed by my uncle (David Hay) and a carol composed by a colleague, Bryan Dadson.

Planned performances so far will be as follows:

• 6th November 2011 – Songs of Praise – Parkgate & Neston URC, Neston
• 16th December 2011 – Christmas Carols – St Winifrede’s RC Church, Neston
• 17th December 2011 – Christmas Carols – Parkgate & Neston URC, Neston
• 24th March 2012 – Easter Concert – Neston Parish Church, Neston

I will be playing at the Trafford Hall Wedding Fayre on Thursday 8th September 2011 from 5:30-9pm

Trafford Hall is excited to be hosting its first Wedding Fayre.

View the magnificent venue set up for a wedding ceremony and reception.
Meet our experienced wedding team & discuss your ideas & dreams.

FREE entry and arrival drink.

Wedding suppliers including entertainment, vintage cars and beauty therapists will be there to help create inspiration for your perfect day.

Everyone welcome.

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“Trafford Hall is an ethical wedding venue which has championed environmental policies long before care for the environment become a prominent political issue.

The Stable is a standalone carbon neutral building which provides two large function rooms; both are licensed for a ceremony. There is also a light and spacious conservatory and a late licensed bar.

The Stable closely adheres to Trafford Hall’s environmentally friendly policies by using:

• a combination of solar power and bio-fuels to provide all the heating for the building, including hot water.
• low odour, environmentally friendly paints and water based stains.
• a recycled newspaper product to insulate all walls, roofs, floors, far beyond British Building Regulation requirements
• low water systems for showers, hand basins and toilets

Our commitment to the environment will reach new heights in the future with our pledge to become a fully Carbon Neutral conference and events centre by 2012.”

Now that the summer term has wound down, it’s a good chance to review some of the activities which have taken place. I was pleased to receive a great set of exam results last week which included six merits and a distinction. “Share one, comment two” week  has increased active participation on the Noteflight Studio. Why not take the opportunity to do some composing over the summer holidays? I am planning to have another composition competition in the Autumn Term, so watch this space for details!

The TWO concerts this term were well attended and offered a wide variety of performances from piano solos and duets to ensembles and choirs. One of my piano students was even brave enough to sing a solo. We welcomed the Chester Music Society Youth Choir and Preludes at “Ludus Cantiones” with their conductors Helena Thomas and Katie Wilkes. Proceeds from ticket sales raised another £200 towards Betina’s Bursary fund. Unfortunately, Betina wasn’t able to take her Grade 1 exam this session but hopes to continue her violin studies in September and maybe take it next time. Feedback would still be welcome on the “Ludus Cantiones” concert held on 25th June.

Podcast (vodcast): Play in new window | Embed

Have a great summer and don’t forget to keep practising.

Now that the pressure of exams is relaxing for many students I am encouraging everybody to explore composing more. The Noteflight Studio is such a powerful tool and I would ask all my students to share at least one of their compositions (enabling commenting) even if it is still a work in progress.

Browsing the scores which other students have shared is a good way to get ideas of what might be possible in your own compositions. Try to add useful comments as this aids your own critical thinking as well as helping the person whose score you have just viewed, even if it’s only just “dropping by” and telling them that you enjoyed listening to it.

The new features in version 2.5 including MIDI input and video/audio sync really add value to the resource. See the example below from the last concert.

Tickertape