BBC Performing Arts Fund Feed

How we found our Fellow

2014-05-01T06:00:14+00:00

Still getting get your head around how to find a possible PAF Fellow? We asked Ric Watts, Producer with Unlimited Theatre, to talk us through their selection process for last year's Theatre Fellowship.

"For Unlimited, the BBC Performing Arts Fellowship is a great opportunity to take a proactive approach to something we see as a real issue facing the contemporary theatre sector – a lack of experienced producers to support all of the brilliant artists making work at the moment. As a company making new work that tours nationally and internationally, we’re well placed to give direct hands on experience and valuable mentoring – but often find it challenging to properly resource such opportunities given the demands of our work.

From my own experience starting out as a fledgling producer, the most valuable experiences I had were when I was thrown into the deep end (albeit with armbands on and an experienced coach standing behind me) and asked to work with experienced artists on ambitious projects that pushed me out of my comfort zone. So we wanted to use the Fellowship opportunity to invite a promising young producer to work with Unlimited as Assistant Producer for six months during the busiest point of our year – touring an existing show, while making two new ones. Our Fellow would hit the ground running, taking responsibility for key areas of our busy programme while being well supported by key members of the Unlimited team.

The most challenging part of the process of securing the Fellowship opportunity was the actual recruitment of the fellow, given the scheme asks that the potential fellow is in place at the point of application, and that you’ve gone through a fair and transparent process. We essentially had to interview for a job that didn’t yet exist – which felt unusual and a big ask of potential candidates.

We sought the advice of peers and colleagues, asking them to recommend budding young producers from Yorkshire who would benefit from the opportunity. We approached a number and asked them to informally apply for the scheme if they were interested – a CV and a short letter expressing what they might hope to get out of such an opportunity*. From seven applicants, we interviewed 3. The interviews were informal discussions – about the candidates current work, their career ambitions, their development needs, as well as the work of Unlimited. The interviews weren’t about fulfilling a set criteria, but identifying an individual who felt like they’d benefit greatly from the Fellowship, and would fit in well with our team.

After we selected Christie Hill, who was our first choice, we came across the second issue we encountered. As a fairly recent graduate trying to get a proper footing in the arts, Christie was – like most recent graduates – in need of work. Our application was made in September 2013, but the Fellowship wouldn’t begin until April 2014. This meant us asking for a real leap of faith from Christie, and to keep herself potentially free for the Fellowship while the application was assessed, despite needing to start earning income. Brilliantly, Christie managed to find a short-term maternity cover contract which allowed her to begin work in an admin role for a large organisation straight away and we rejigged the dates of her Fellowship to accommodate this new contract.

While the recruitment process itself felt unusual, and at times high-risk (what if Christie had been offered the perfect full-time role during assessment, or while waiting for the role to start?), we now feel that we’re in a strong place. Christie only begins her Fellowship next month, but we’ve had a conversation ongoing for close to a year and she’s regularly been to see the company’s work during this period. As such, it feels like she’ll start the role already part of the team. I hope this will allow her to make the most out of this unique and valuable opportunity, and use the next six months to really develop her own skills as a highly promising young producer."

Find out a little more about Christie's fellowship here.
Follow Unlimited on Twitter.
Visit Unlimited on Facebook.

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*Please note that the selection process has changed slightly from last year and you must go through an open call to find your potential Fellow. Read the Terms and Conditions of the scheme to get the full details.

Terms and Conditions, FAQs and the application form can be found on the PAF Fellowship grants page. The deadline for applications is 18 August 2014.

The 2014 BBC Performing Arts Fellowship Scheme

2014-04-09T10:28:34+00:00

This year we are excited to announce a new version of the Fellowship scheme. Over the past three years we have offered Fellowships in dance, music and theatre. Now we are opening up the scheme so that organisations from across the world of the performing arts can apply to host an emerging talent for a year.

We are looking for applications from organisations that can offer development opportunities, support and training from all genres of the performing arts. From dance, music and theatre to opera, spoken word, circus and puppetry, we are interested in hearing from organisations across the UK and Northern Ireland.

You can be a theatre, a dance company, an orchestra, a venue or any not for profit arts organisation. You may be a large institution with a host of contacts or resources to share. Or you may be a small team willing to open up your organisation to give an opportunity to someone that you haven’t worked with before. And the Fund will provide £10,000 per organisation to make this happen.

We are asking organisations to look around at creative talent that are new to your organisation. The Fellow should have a track record and be ready to make the jump to the next level, whether that is a directing, choreographing, producing, writing, composing or performing. The organisation will help them realise their ambition and provide the resource, support and opportunity to make that happen.

Find the Terms & Conditions on the PAF Fellowship grant page, where you'll also see some useful resources like tips and FAQs. You might also find this blog about how Unlimited Theatre found their Fellow for last year's Theatre Fellowship scheme useful.

Meet the Winners: ReSound Community Choir

2013-12-18T08:17:22+00:00

ReSound Community Choir are a singing group based in Ormskirk in the North West of England. Their Community Music grant was put towards staging a war-time themed performance at their local Civic Hall with audience invited from homes for the elderly. Here’s a little more about what else the group get up to!

Who are the ReSound Community Choir?

ReSound Community Choir are a group of singers in the North West of England, and were formed to provide an opportunity to meet and sing together. A registered charity, the choir is a broad mix of people, from professional musicians to people who just enjoy singing as a hobby, and contains a wide range of ages- young and older voices.

ReSound has two clear aims- to enhance the community through the enjoyment of meeting to sing, and to raise money for local charities by giving performances. We meet every week, and hold three big concerts a year, as well as numerous visits to local care homes and other community venues. We love to perform in places where a choir wouldn’t normal fit!

2. How will the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

The BBC Performing Arts grant is a unique opportunity for the choir to take a giant leap forward in our skills, our experience and our audience reach. Training will be provided at every level of the choir, from specialist software training for the musicians to a full day’s singing training with the whole choir. The money will also allow us to take the music we’ve been working on and perform it for groups of people who wouldn’t normally be able to access our concerts.

3. Tell us about the best day ReSound Community Choir has had to date?

Our best day has been as a result of the BBC Performing Arts money. In July we staged a concert at our Civic Hall for all the residents of several local care homes. The concert was in the afternoon, and we provided afternoon tea as well as the entertainment! Almost two hundred people packed in to the hall, in wheelchairs, with walkers, with carers from the homes, and for a couple of hours we sang songs from the war. The reaction from the older people was incredible- we heard story after story from the carers of people who didn’t usually communicate coming out of their shells- we even had people up dancing! The choir were absolutely fantastic pulling together to make it happen, and everybody involved was delighted with the day.

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the PAF grant?

Of course the choir were delighted, but the reaction has been a slow burn really- whilst the choir knew and were totally on board with the grant, they didn’t have access to all the little details, so over the course of the year as the training started to happen and money was suddenly available for music and costumes and other things that we’d previously had to do without, the joy just grew and grew culminating in the day at the Civic Hall. They were over the moon.

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by ReSound Community Choir

Joyful, inclusive, spectacular!

Look here for a wonderful bit of footage the group took from their war-time performance at the Civic Hall.

To find out more you can visit their website:

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Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK, that we thought you should know about them too.

Meet the Winners: Dacorum Community Choir

2013-10-29T16:02:53+00:00

Dacorum Community Choir already has a 70-strong membership since founding in 2009 who meet in Hertfordshire. Their Community Music grant was put towards new rehearsals and workshops resulting in the coming together of professional forces with amateur forces of all ages.

Who are the Dacorum Community Choir?

A community choir with no auditions; open to everyone in Dacorum over the age of 16, bringing all kinds of music to audiences right across our local area.

How did the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

It kick-started our project to bring a community opera to Dacorum, combining our adult choir with a children’s chorus and professional soloists and musicians.

Tell us about the best day the Dacorum Community Choir has had to date?

Our final performance of the opera. To a full house, with the applause telling us we had achieved everything we set out to do. It was an occasion the choir, the children, and the professionals will remember for a long time.

What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the BBC PAF grant?

The reaction was “Wow! The hard work starts now!”

Give us 3 words that describe a performance by the Dacorum Community Choir

Musical, enjoyable and fun.

To find out more, visit the Dacorum Community Choir website to see what events are coming up and how you can get involved.

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Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK, that we thought you should know about them too.

Meet the Winners: Stranraer African Drumming Group

2013-10-22T12:03:00+00:00

Stranraer African Drumming Group, based in Scotland, is an inclusive and informal group of drummers who put their Community Music grant towards workshops that would provide a range of experiences to suit all members.

1. Who are the Stranraer African Drumming Group?

Drum for Fun are an inclusive community group led by volunteers. We have been running for over 10 years and our aim is to enjoy playing and learning African rhythms in an inclusive and encouraging environment; we believe everyone can have fun drumming.

2. How has the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

The grant means that we have had some expert professional input from 3 specialist tutors. We have been introduced to new rhythm experiences and our skills and confidence have grown visibly as a result. We feel strongly about inclusion and the ideas we have been given mean that participation in drumming and rhythm has become even more accessible for all of our members.

3. Tell us about the best day Stranraer African Drumming Group has had to date?

We have had many great days over the 10 plus years the group have been running. Perhaps our best this year was our first performance following the workshops at the Wheely Good bike show in Newton Stewart. This was the first time our costumed dancers performed and they had a great reception from the public. We also performed new rhythms and some newer members of the group took the lead on some of them. The group really gelled well for this performance and it set us up for the rest of the summer performances culminating with a great day at Stranraer Park fest.

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the
BBC PAF grant?

A lot of excitement and congratulations all round, couldn’t wait to try out some of the new instruments and see what the tutors would do with us.

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by the Stranraer African Drumming Group

Loud, energetic, fun!

Visit Stranraer African Drumming Group website for more information about the group and how you could join in the drumming fun.

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Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK, that we thought you should know about them too.

Meet the Winners: Wonderbrass

2013-09-05T09:56:38+00:00

Internationally acclaimed 25 piece Soul and Funk, band Wonderbrass have used their Community Music grant towards a commission, expanding their highly eclectic repertoire. The grant allowed three new pieces to be showcased at Wonderbrass’ Summer Party back in June, but what else do these party people get up to?

1. Who are Wonderbrass?

Wonderbrass are a 25+ strong ‘explosion of sound’ from Cardiff, bringing a mixture of New Orleans jazz, ska, funk and fun to audiences nationwide. The band are led by multi-instrumentalist and composer Rob Smith and top drummer Mark O’Connor and provides an inclusive, creative and dynamic approach to making music that inspires both the musicians and audiences alike; embracing a wide variety of styles and performing in venues of every size all over the country. From the contemporary hip-hop and funk updates, the groovy township beat of Abdullah Ibrahim and even the coeval pop of Lady Gaga and Madonna!

2. How will the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

This grant means that we can continue to broaden our repertoire and advance our collective and individual musical abilities, experiencing new musical styles with a variety of professionals. We actually get to learn from and play with some of the best names in music and that’s just an incredible experience; it means we’re trying things we’d never have even thought about before and branching out into areas of music that are totally new and exciting.

3. Tell us about the best day Wonderbrass has had to date?

We’ve had so, so many memorable days with Wonderbrass – from performing with Jason Yarde as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad and playing alongside some of the biggest names in brass at the 2012 Durham Brass Festival to working with Claude Deppa, Paula Gardiner and King Django, learning to play different styles of music. Learning and sharing new music and engaging with an audience who are really into it is what Wonderbrass is all about, really. But playing specially commissioned new pieces with Capetown based community group Amampondo on a hot August evening in Brecon in 2006 has to be a memorable cross-cultural meeting of groups with similar aims, and so is probably most people’s favourite.

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the BBC PAF grant?

Everyone was pretty thrilled when the news was announced – lots of jumping and cheering all round really – everyone was really excited to see what we’d get to do!

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by Wonderbrass

Exciting; Adventurous; Engaging

Visit Wonderbrass’ website for more information on the group itself as well as how the commission was received at that Summer Party or say hello boyos @wonderbrass

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Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK, that we thought you should know about them too.

Meet the Winners: The Pink Singers

2013-07-11T09:25:02+00:00

The Pink Singers are celebrating their 30th Birthday this year and have used their Community Music grant towards a commission and a day of festivity. Written and composed by Richard Thomas, ‘The Great Choir of London’ receives its world premiere during the evening performance on the 13th July. The jam-packed day will also consist of workshops before an evening concert involving hundreds of performers from guest choirs across the UK.

1. Who are the Pink Singers?

We are Europe’s longest-running LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) choir. We were founded in 1983, making us 30 this year. We perform a very varied repertoire: from Bach to Madonna via Chinese folk music – with some choreography thrown in for good measure. We also promote a message of equality and diversity, through performances in the UK and abroad. We love to sing and spend time together. We’ve been asking choir members to describe the choir recently for our archives and this answer perhaps sums it up best: it’s just a big pink hug with some pretty serious singing going on as well.

2. How will the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

It allowed us to commission a new composition for our anniversary from Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer the Opera, Anna Nicole, Shoes). He has written us a piece all about being in a choir, which many groups should be able to empathise with. It’s light-hearted and funny, and we’re very much looking forward to premiering it at the choral festival that we are organising at The Troxy in London on 13 July 2013.

3. Tell us about the best day the Pink Singers has had to date?

Our 30th anniversary concert in January was a special day for us. We performed 30 songs from our three decades at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea. The show stretched us technically and musically, but the audience reaction made all the hard work worth it. We had a standing ovation and lots of emotion – even a member of our hired string quartet was crying!

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the BBC PAF grant?

There was a collective gasp. It was the first time we had won anything that anyone could remember. Someone burst into a (slightly altered) rendition of Jessie J’s Price Tag!

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by the Pink Singers

Eclectic, fun, family

Visit the Pink Singers website to find out more about their process of getting the new commission in place and rehearsals for the festival this weekend.
@pinksingers

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Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK, that we thought you should know about them too.

Meet the Winners: VoiceMale Folk Choir

2013-06-27T13:09:13+00:00

VoiceMale are using their Community Music grant for a vocal development project along with women’s choir Werca’s Folk. ‘The Coble, The Kye & The Coal’ is a music collection that reflects various aspects of Northumberland’s culture – be it rural, maritime or industrial. This will used as the stimulus for three full day workshops followed by evening concerts given by the two choirs and the workshop participants.

1. Who are VoiceMale Folk Choir?

VoiceMale Men’s Folk Choir, comprising of men from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life, came into being in 2001 as the result of a workshop initiative by 20,000 Voices in response to an increasing demand for a men’s folk choir in Northumberland. A similar initiative by the same organisation in 1995 had led to the formation of the women’s choir Werca’s Folk. The project, ‘The Coble, The Kye and The Coal’, is formed on the basis of a collaboration between the two choirs. Not only do both choirs share the same parentage, but Sandra Kerr, the Musical Director of Werca’s Folk since its inception, was also responsible in the formative months of VoiceMale before handing over the reins to our current Musical Director, Graham Stacy.

Werca’s Folk take their name from Werca, who was according to legend either a witch or a holy woman and after whom the village of Warkworth is named. More romantically, the name VoiceMale is derived from several pints of beer and a brainstorming session in Morpeth’s Tap & Spile pub – the choir’s favourite watering hole.

Initially VoiceMale were regarded by Werca’s Folk as something of an unruly kid brother whom they were obliged to tolerate at the occasional shared gig, but both have always operated independently and developed as different and lively entities along their separate paths. Both are independent choirs who sing ‘a capella’ and are united by the common bond of singing for pleasure whilst at the same time striving for the best possible performance.

2. How will the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

The members of both VoiceMale and Werca’s Folk will benefit from the experience of singing together as a mixed voice choir. We have done this on a few occasions in the past, but this will be an opportunity to explore a wider range of material and add more polish to the end product. Members of the choirs will work alongside workshop participants in the project and encourage others from different communities to get involved in choral singing and possibly set up their own singing groups.

3. Tell us about the best day VoiceMale has had to date?

Whilst Werca’s Folk have achieved much acclaim in the world of competitive singing, VoiceMale’s limited forays into that sphere have met with less success but at the same time provided the choir with one of its most memorable and unifying experiences. In 2005, as a comparatively inexperienced choir acting in blind optimism with almost total ignorance of what was expected, we entered the Coleraine International Choral Festival. The performance of the choir, whilst not being a total disaster, was like the festival itself, a little disappointing. But on returning to the hotel the disappointment and frustration of the competition was instantly forgotten and replaced by spontaneous singing and good humoured banter. This went on into the early hours and was only stopped by less than subtle hints from the hotel management. Highs and lows have come and gone since then, but the unique experience of that weekend will always be remembered by those who were there and will remain a foundation stone in the VoiceMale folk memory.

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the BBC PAF grant?

An assortment of ‘Brilliant’,’ Great’, ‘Fantastic’ and ‘Yessssssss!’ and one wry
‘What have you got us into this time?’

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by VoiceMale

Varied. Uplifting. Entertaining.

The first ‘The Coble, The Kye & The Coal’ workshop will be on Saturday 29th June. You can find out more from their website.

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Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK that we thought you should know about them too.

Meet the Winners: Friends of Wighton

2013-06-20T12:59:32+00:00

Friends of Wighton are due to hold a Community Music Day on Saturday 22nd June at Bonar Hall in Dundee. There will be several concerts and workshops throughout the day as well as a traditional ceilidh in the evening. Here’s a little more insight into what the group get up to.

1. Who are Friends of Wighton?

The Wighton Heritage Centre in Dundee Central Library is home to an internationally important collection of old Scottish music books, mostly dating from the 18th and early 19th centuries. The collection was donated by the Dundee merchant and music collector, Andrew Wighton.

The Friends of Wighton organises concerts and classes in Dundee, the Wighton Centre and the wider community to help raise awareness of this wonderful resource.

2. How will the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

It has enabled us to expand our guitar and concertina instrumental classes as well as adding beginner and special fiddle class for young children to our whistle, fiddle, harp and Gaelic and Scots song groups. We have been out and about sharing our music and songs in schools, baby and toddler groups and care homes and senior citizen clubs.

We are now preparing a day of concerts, workshops, sessions and a ceilidh in the Bonar Hall on Saturday 22nd June. Taking part will be our tutors, students, guest artists and community music groups from across the city - it will be fun!

3. Tell us about the best day Friends of Wighton has had to date?

We hope the best is yet to come but it was very special when our tutors gave a sell-out concert at Glasgow's Celtic Connections augmented by a Gaelic choir of primary school children, tutored by our own Wilma Kennedy, reprised for a packed audience in our own Steps Theatre!

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the
PAF grant?

“Ya beauty! Does this mean we get on the television?”

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by Friends of Wighton

Inclusive, welcoming, brilliant!

Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK, that we thought you should know about them too.

Fundraising in a 10 point tip list

2013-05-08T09:11:45+00:00

In these straitened times, there is more focus on raising money for work, whether from sponsors, trusts and foundations, individuals or public bodies such as the Arts Council or Local Authorities. We asked Julia Payne, who has nearly 20 years fundraising experience and worked with us to develop our first funding schemes, for her top 10 fundraising tips. Here’s what she said:

Picture of Julia from the hub

1. Research, research, research. Research is the key to successful fundraising. Target the right funders, and know your stuff before you pick up the phone or write an email and you’ll be better prepared for success. Head for www.trustfunding.org.uk or www.grantnet.com to find out what funders are interested in your work, when and how they give grants and how much.

2. It’s all about relationships. The higher your profile and the more you are known by funders and your peers, the more likely your chances of success. Try and get face to face contact with funders and sponsors wherever possible, by going to networking events for instance.

3. Be realistic about your fundraising targets. Only 1 in 20 applications to trusts and foundations are successful, so make sure your application to success ratio is appropriate. Even with all the experience we have at the hub, on average we assume a 1 in 5-10 success rate, and if we beat that it’s a bonus.

4. Make sure your project is eligible. Check it against funder criteria, and that it’s consistent with what the funders you’re targeting are interested in. Up to 60% of applications are rejected because the ‘fit’ isn’t right or they don’t meet eligibility criteria. If you’re not sure the fit is 100%, don’t even go there; it’s a waste of time – for you and them. Ask yourself ‘Where’s the connection with what they’re interested in? How and where do my values and aims fit with that of the funders? Then explain it clearly, so they’ll understand this too.

5. Never send a generic application to a funder. Tailor each application to relate it as much as possible to the funder’s aims and objectives. If you’re not filling in a form, ensure your proposal includes:

-a profile of your organisation/your biography
-project summary & timetable
-details about how you’ll manage the project, and any relevant experience
-balanced budget, and outline of where other income is coming from
-who will benefit from the project
-how the fit with funder’s priorities
-how you will evaluate your success

6. Think of your application as a story. Grab the assessor with a strong opening, give them the meat they need in the middle and end with a finish that will leave them wanting more. If it doesn’t make sense to you it will not make sense to them so ensure there is a through-line and that you’ve kept it simple and accurate.

7. Ask yourself ‘so what?’ As yourself is it clear what would be lost if your project didn’t happen? Does the application really explain why your work is important, why the funder must fund it? Make your case impossible as you can for them to turn you down.

8. Edit it. Come back to it fresh and from the funder’s point of view. Ask a friend to read it and to tell you what they ‘hear’. Generally speaking, I go through 3 or 4 drafts before an application is finished.

9. Budget carefully. Make sure the numbers add up. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many applications are rejected because the numbers don’t make sense or add up. I’ve worked for and advised a good few funding organisations, and know how important it is that a funder feels confident you will spend their money wisely. An unbalanced budget does not inspire confidence.

10. Not all types of fundraising are right for every type of situation or organisation so choose carefully which types you prioritise. Make sure you are making the right choices, and spending your fundraising time wisely. Back to that research I talked about again...

That’s it! You’ll win some, you’ll no doubt lose some but enjoy the journey, don’t take the ‘no, not this times’ personally (even the most experienced fundraisers get rejected) and learn from your experiences. Ask for feedback when you get a no and celebrate when the answer is a yes!

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Julia is Director of the hub, a music development practice which delivers its own creative projects and professional development programmes, as well as providing consultancy, research and training services for other organisations.

www.thehubuk.com
@juliaatthehub

Meet the Winners: Glossop and District Choral Society

2013-04-17T13:12:01+00:00

Glossop and District Choral Society will be using their Community Music grant to increase the skills and confidence of the choir and will be aiming to attract new younger members. Their project will cumulate in a performance at a local festival in 2013. What’s their story so far?

AW Photography, Glossop

1. Who are the Glossop and District Choral Society?

This friendly and inclusive 90 strong choir was founded in 1949. We perform three concerts a year, often with professional orchestras and soloists and occasionally with local school children. Rehearsals are always fun and fast paced, with a focus on preparing for the next performance. Our members are aged 15 to 87, a good mix of some who have been with us for decades and newer ones too.

We are ambitious in our concerts and often take on exciting projects to help us grow and develop. The choir has performed the premiere of new compositions by our Musical Director Chris O’Hara including ‘The Mountain’ which reflected on the Kinder Mass Trespass story and ‘The Trees Alone Remain’ which was featured on the website of the Woodland Trust and celebrated their ‘Jubilee Woods’ campaign.

The choir enjoyed taking part in the 2008 BBC One TV drama series about choirs called ‘All The Small Things’ by one of our members Debbie Horsfield. We have also been on BBC Songs of Praise.

2. How will the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

The aims of the project are to improve the skills and confidence of choir members in singing unaccompanied and to increase the choir’s confidence in performing. We are also planning a community project to offer local people a ‘taster’ experience of singing with the choir and join in a performance in the community. We hope that the whole Performing Arts Fund project leads to a raised profile for the choir, new audience members and new younger choir members.

3. Tell us about the best day the Glossop and District Choral Society has had to date?

Members’ views on ‘best day the Society has had to date’ are quite personal and varied. Many members have favourite concerts such as our performances of Verdi’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah and Coronation Anthems, and a recently composed cantata by our Musical Director ‘The Trees Alone Remain’. Many members reflect on the emotional experience of singing in concerts as highlights and mention feelings such as “I was walking on air for days”, “I was on cloud nine”, a “tingle moment”, “magical” and “exhilarating”.

Perhaps it is not easy for choir members to choose a ‘best day’ when we all have so much enjoyment on concert days, as one of our members describes:

“Concert nights are always special for me. For weeks we practice, make mistakes, have a laugh and enjoy ourselves, but when concert day comes and we have the final rehearsal with the soloists and the orchestra I get butterflies in my stomach. How can you beat the feeling when you are standing on stage and see the audience full of expectations, the conductor raising his hand, the music starts and we sing our hearts out?”

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the
PAF grant?

The bid writers were ecstatic, and the choir gave an enthusiastic round of applause when they heard the news.

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by Glossop and District Choral Society

Perhaps our audience can comment on this one?
Here are some quotes from audience members from some of our most recent productions:

“Lovely, beautiful, inspiring.”
“Astonishingly consistent high quality performances.”
“A wonderful, awesome evening!”

Glossop and District Choral Society are looking for new male voices to join them – especially basses. Email them at info@glossopchoral.org.uk. Find out more on their website too.

Meet our Music Fellows

2013-04-10T12:37:58+00:00

Congratulations to the nineteen individuals who have been selected to work with music organisations across the UK as part of our Music Fellowship scheme!

Using money raised through phone-voting on The Voice, the BBC Performing Arts Fund has been able to award nineteen music organisations a total of £190,000 for the professional development of the next generation of musical talent.

Nineteen highly motivated individuals will work under the guidance of some of the most well-respected arts and music organisations in the UK. These individuals will be given unique opportunities to develop their skills, showcase their work, and learn exactly what it takes to work successfully in the music industry.

The 19 successful organisations and Fellows are:

Baby People – Derby
Fellow: Ben Dew [Musician/ Producer]
Musician/Producer Ben will work with Baby J to develop producing, programming and event management skills.

Bristol Music Trust – Bristol
Fellow: Abi Ward [Programming]
Abi is a young events manager who will be based at Colston Hall in Bristol with the fantastic opportunity to programme one of the main spaces as well as work on festivals.

‘I am thrilled to be selected by the BBC Performing Arts Fund. The opportunity to be a fellow enables me to work with the Bristol Music Trust in supporting emerging artists of which I’m so passionate about, by giving them a platform at a first class venue such as Colston Hall. I can’t wait to get stuck in!’ Abi Ward.

Birmingham Royal Ballet – Birmingham
Fellow: James Ham [Ballet Conductor]
James will receive the unique opportunity to be mentored and trained as a ballet conductor with Birmingham Royal Ballet and its orchestra the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

'I am delighted and grateful to receive a BBC Music Fellowship, and thrilled to be joining Birmingham Royal Ballet as a Conducting Fellow'. James Ham

‘Birmingham Royal Ballet is delighted to receive support from the BBC Performing Arts Fund for a Music Fellowship with our resident orchestra, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. The grant will allow us to provide a talented conductor, James Ham, with the unique opportunity of learning the specialist skills of ballet conducting in a supportive professional environment. Conducting for dance is not taught at music colleges or universities and currently no other ballet company in the country offers the chance for young conductors to receive training in this area, so this grant will lead to new and exciting possibilities for Birmingham Royal Ballet and for James’

CC Creative Workshops – Whitley Bay
Fellow: Jordan Riley [Producer/Songwriter]
Jordan will receive mentoring and training whilst working with other artists and producing his own EP.

‘I am so excited to be have invested in by the BBC. I hope to write and produce with talented new artists who have the same passion as me, to make great music.’ Jordan Riley.

Adrian, Shiori, Andrew, Jordan, Maz, Abi, Ailie, Ryan & Ben C

Cheltenham Music Festival – Cheltenham
Fellow: Alex Wilson [Creative & facilitator]
Alex and his sextet will work with Cheltenham Music Festival to produce a new Composer Academy, featuring five days of workshops, performances and professional development sessions for early-career composers.

'I am both excited and honoured to have been selected for a Music Fellowship with the Cheltenham Festival. The fellowship will provide me with valuable experience in a number of disciplines relevant to my ongoing development as a musician and will hopefully lead to fruitful working relationships with a variety of international organisations and musicians, for which I shall always be truly grateful.' Alex Wilson

'New music has always been at the centre of the Cheltenham Music Festival, and having pianist Alex Wilson embedded into our team this year will enable the creation of a new Academy for young composers. Alex's BBC PAF Fellowship will give him enhanced skills, confidence and networks in performance, education workshops and concert promotion. We're very much looking forward to working with him - huge thanks to BBC PAF!' Meurig Bowen, Director, Cheltenham Music Festival

Drake Music – Exeter
Fellow: Bram Harrison [DJ/Musician]
DJ Eye Tech (Aka Bram) has locked-in syndrome and will be working with Drake Music to develop technologies to assist him in producing his radio show.

‘Drake Music are delighted that the BBC Performing Arts Fund has awarded a Fellowship grant to DJ/Musician Bram Harrison. Over the coming months, we will be working closely with Bram to develop his musical practice, support his career development and advocate for equality of participation and collaboration in music making by disabled and non-disabled people.’ Carien Meijer, Chief Executive, Drake Music.

English Folk Dance and Song Society – London
Fellow: Maz O'Connor [Singer]
Maz (BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award Finalist 2013) will be supported by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) over the year to develop her industry profile, have access to rehearsal and performance opportunities and be part of EFDSS' showcasing programme both in the UK and abroad.

English Touring Opera – London
Fellow: Carlos del Cueto [Opera Conductor]
Carlos will be assistant conductor, receiving mentoring and support from high profile conductors and the unique opportunity to develop as a professional conductor.
‘We are hugely grateful for this opportunity and very excited about the year ahead!’

Feis Rois – Scotland
Fellow: Amy Henderson [Accordionist]
Amy will be working with Feis Rois to develop a sustainable career as a traditional musician in the remote area of Northern Scotland.

‘I am delighted to be one of the nineteen chosen BBC Music Fellows! Working with Feis Rois and other fellows I am excited by the new opportunities, skills and experiences this opportunity will bring. I am looking forward to sharing my passion for traditional music with others, as well as creating and working on vibrant music projects in the Highlands.’ Amy Henderson

‘Fèis Rois is delighted to be awarded funding from the BBC Performing Arts Fellowship to support recent music graduate, Amy Henderson to develop her career in the Highlands of Scotland. We often find that young people move away from the Highlands to study in the Central Belt or London and it can be a challenge to attract them back to work in rural communities. This is a fantastic opportunity for Fèis Rois to support Amy to develop her community music skills in her own home area.’ Fiona Dalgetty, Chief Executive of Fèis Rois.

Grimsby Minster – Yorkshire & The Humber
Fellow: Ben Crick [Conductor]
Ben will be musician in residence at the Minster helping develop a programme of classical music in an area that has little provision.

'The support of the BBC will allow me to take high level classical music to areas of the country where provision is really limited whilst developing my own abilities and experience. This opportunity allows me to indulge my passion for both the art form and introducing new people to it and is a chance I intend to take full advantage of.' Ben Crick.

Haddington Pipe Band – Scotland
Fellow: Ailie Robertson [Musician/composer]
Ailie (Composer of the Year, Scottish Trad Music Awards) will work with the band to compose a new piece for pipe and drum band, a new and exciting departure for her.

‘We are thrilled to have been awarded this very prestigious grant. Working closely with Ailie Robertson, one of Scotland’s finest young composers, over the coming months will be a real delight for us and we very much appreciate the privilege of being able to build a strong creative partnership with her. We are very grateful to the BBC Performing Arts Fund for giving us this opportunity.’ Alastair Bruce, Chairman of Haddington Pipe Band

‘I am absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to work with Haddington Pipe Band. I look forward to developing our relationship over the coming year, and am excited to start working with, and composing for, them.’ Ailie Robertson

Irene Taylor Trust – London
Fellow: Adrian Harrison [Singer/Songwriter]
Adrian, (AkA Fudge) will work with Irene Taylor Trust to develop his song writing and musicianship along with facilitation skills.

‘Over the moon, excited and feeling extremely blessed’ Adrian Harrison.

Amble,Jonathan,Ben D Alex,Carlos,Bethany,Holly & James

Making Music – Wales
Fellow: Amble Skuse [Composer]
Amble will work with various community music making organisations including choirs and schools across Wales to develop new work combining traditional, electronic and community elements.

‘I am delighted to have been selected for the Performing Arts Fellowship this year. I'm looking forwards to developing this interesting project with Ty Cerdd. I'll be working with ensembles and primary schools across Wales to explore local history and develop some new site specific pieces. I'd better start brushing up on my Welsh now!’ Amble Skuse.

‘Making Music is thrilled to be included in this year's BBC PAF Fellowship, and to be working with exciting young composer Amble Skuse, and Cardiff-based Ty Cerdd. Together, we're going to be producing music for groups, schools and communities throughout Wales, resulting in some amazing, ambitious and unexpected performances.’

Moving on Music Ltd – Northern Ireland
Fellow: Ryan Molloy [Composer]
Ryan will work with Moving On Music to create new works for performance by the Danish String Quartet as well as develop a new series of late evening recitals in Belfast.

‘Becoming a BBC PAF Fellow in association with Moving On Music is the most exciting development in my career to date. The opportunities that I will explore, from writing new music and curating concerts to exploring new and inspiring collaborations with other artists, would not have been possible without the support of the BBC PAF. The step from academic study to professional practice as a composer is huge, particularly in these challenging times; this BBC PAF Fellowship is a springboard to achieving success in the creative arts industry.’ Ryan Molloy

National Centre for Early Music – York
Fellow: Bethany Seymour [Soprano (Early Music)]
Bethany will receive training, mentoring and performance opportunities through the Centre and the early music festivals that they run.

‘The National Centre for Early Music is delighted to be working with the BBC Performing Arts Fund and to celebrate Bethany Seymour as a new Music Fellow of the Scheme. Bethany is an extraordinarily fine young singer who has considerable expertise in the field of early music and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to support both her professional development as a performer, and to extend her skill base, particularly in the area of early years working. We look forward to the coming year with great pleasure.’ Delma Tomlin, Director, NCEM

National Youth Choir of Scotland – Scotland
Fellow: Andrew Nunn [Choral Conductor]
Andrew (Conductor of Les Sirenes, winner of Choir of the Year 2012) will work with Christopher Bell, Artistic Director, to conduct a number of different choirs and ensembles, gaining practical and artistic experience.

‘This award from the BBC will allow Andrew and I a lot of time to focus on a wide range of choral conducting activities, working alongside the 10-15 year olds in the National Boys and National Girls Choirs and the young adults in NYCoS and its Training Choir. Such intense work along with the high standards necessary to work with these groups will provide a challenging and rewarding experience for Andrew.’ Christopher Bell, Artistic Director of the National Youth Choir of Scotland.

‘I am really excited to be working with NYCoS in this capacity as conducting fellow and I know it is going to be a challenging but incredibly rewarding experince for me. There is some excellent repertoire and opportunities for me to get involved with and of course the expert coaching and input from Christopher Bell will be invaluable to myself and my development as a young choral conductor.’ Andrew Nunn.

Town Hall & Symphony Hall – Birmingham
Fellow: Jonathan Silk [Jazz Percussionist]
With the support of the Jazzlines team, Jonathan will develop his skills as a drummer, composer and big band leader travelling abroad to receive mentoring as well as working towards a tour at the end of the year.

Scottish Chamber Orchestra – Scotland
Fellow: Shiori Usui [Composer]
Shiori will develop her skills and experience as a composer working in community and outreach settings with SCO Connect, the Education and Outreach department of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

‘With the generous support from BBC Performing Arts Fund, I will be able to work with the SCO Connect to develop the skills and confidence that I need for working as a composer and music animateur in various education and outreach settings. This is a fantastic opportunity, and I am sure that the experience will enrich me both personally and artistically to grow as a creative musician.’ Shiori Usui

‘Everyone at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra is delighted at the news of this award. We are extremely pleased to welcome to the SCO, the vibrant and creative talents of our new SCO Connect fellow, composer Shiori Usui, for whom this will be an invaluable opportunity. It is a real vote of confidence in the work of our SCO Connect Department and the exceptional programme of education and outreach work which it has been operating and developing for many years.’ Roy McEwan (Chief Executive, Scottish Chamber Orchestra)

Urban Development – London
Fellow: Holly Smith [Singer]
Holly will be supported in developing her career as a vocalist with recording, performance and mentoring.

Meet the Winners: The Choir With No Name

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The Choir with No Name will be using their Community Music grant to record a joint EP which will be mixed from two recordings of three choirs based in two different cities. No easy feat. So who are this nameless choir?

1. Who are The Choir With No Name?

The Choir with No Name is a charity that runs choirs for people who have experienced homelessness. We have three choirs so far: two in London, and one in Birmingham. Our choir members rehearse once a week, always sharing a hot healthy meal together afterwards and we perform in public regularly too. Too many homeless people are isolated and lonely, this often being the reason they have 'fallen through the gaps' and become homeless in the first place, and we tackle this through choral singing.

2. How will the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

The grant is going to help us to record an EP in professional recording studios and release it for public sale. This will be a fantastic, confidence-building experience for our members and it will also help showcase the positivity and talents of our choir members to the general public, helping shatter stereotypes about homeless people everywhere. We're very excited about it!

3. Tell us about the best day The Choir With No Name has had to date?

We've had a lot of good days, but probably our best one was our Christmas gig, last December at London's Union Chapel. It was wonderful to bring together our North London and Birmingham choirs again in front of a large audience and we witnessed the first performance ever of our fledgling South London choir. They only had 8 (nervous) members at the time, and got the biggest cheer of the night for their only song, 'White Christmas'. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the PAF grant?

'Can we record it at Abbey Road?!'

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by The Choir With No Name

Uplifting, unique, and funny!

To find out more about the Choir with No Name and what they will be up to, you can visit their website, Facebook and Twitter page.

Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK, that we thought you should know about them too.

Meet the Winners: The Band

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Community Music grant winner, The Band, is led by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Take a minute or two to get to know them...

1. Who are 'The Band'?

The Band is a musical ensemble made up of 15-19 year olds from South London. All instruments and levels of experience are welcomed, including Western and non-Western instruments, singers and MCs, ensuring that the group is as inclusive as possible. Led and tutored by members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the group come together to create their own music for high profile community performances that happen frequently across the year. Each week the members take inspiration from blues, hip hop, reggae, soul and many more styles to create their own new tracks… with a classical twist.

Through The Band, the London Philharmonic Orchestra predominantly work with teenagers in the Orchestra's home boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham and Greenwich. Members of The Band come from a range of backgrounds, and many would not normally have the opportunity to create their own music alongside their peers, so the sessions are a unique opportunity to experience and perform live contemporary music and have contact with professional musicians and workshop leaders. It is widely recognised that being a member of such an ensemble has both musical and social benefits as well as boosting the members' self-confidence and self-esteem.

2. How will the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?

The BBC Performing Arts Fund grant will enable The Band to run at full capacity for the December to February project.

The legacy of The Band and this project is to embed the group in the communities the members reside in. Although a LPO-managed group, we want the members themselves to feel ownership over the work and activities. By taking this work out into the communities we want to raise the profile of its activities and the opportunities on offer to young people in South London, and encourage more people to benefit from membership of the group.

The grant will help deliver the project's aims of providing a nurturing and supportive environment where young people can experiment with and create music, get involved with inspirational performance opportunities and regularly work alongside LPO musicians. It will also continue to develop the valuable skills that members can use in their ongoing personal development, such as collaboration, leadership and personal reflection.

3. Tell us about the best day 'The Band' has had to date?

One of our favourite projects culminated in a performance as part of the Lewisham Live festival to celebrate the Olympics in August 2012. The Lewisham Live online blog gave us a great review of the performance:

"The Band have been building an enviable reputation for the quality of their music-making this past year after two successful gigs at Royal Festival Hall. Their music is typically a blend of influences brought to the group by the younger members and the LPO musicians, and is taking on an increasingly rich and complex character."

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the
PAF grant?

The next performance by The Band takes place on Saturday 22 February at Royal Festival Hall. The performance will be of their original collective composition titled Three Places in South London which has been inspired by American composer Charles Ives' Three Places in New England, which the Orchestra will be performing that night. At the first rehearsal session for this performance one member said:

"I am so excited that because of the grant we get to do the full amount of creative sessions in the run up to our next performance. I enjoy coming along to play with people my age and appreciate learning from and getting to know the LPO musicians."

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by The Band

Electric, exhilarating, inspirational.

You can follow The Band's progress by joining the LPO on Twitter or finding them on Facebook.

Meet the Winners: I Love Thunder

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We get so much joy from hearing from our grant winners and finding out what they are up to that we thought we'd let you meet them and share the fun.

It only takes a few minutes to Meet the Winners and to get an insight into how the grant will make a difference. Our first musical community group are 'I Love Thunder' - allow us to introduce you...

1. Who are 'I Love Thunder'?

I Love Thunder is an inclusive rock band which first got together at the end of 2009. We are a varied collection of individuals with a wide range of musical influences, which dictates the tunes we play. Our ages range from 16 to 66 with music being the jam that sticks us together! Our sets include songs from Taj Mahal, Wilson Pickett, Steve Harley, Rod Stewart, Bob Marley, Sha Na Na and Chuck Berry. Recently we have started working on our own material and 'I Love Thunder', our theme song (confusing isn't it), is now a part of our regular set list.

As the year has progressed I think people's reactions have definitely changed. When we start up there is often a look of surprise on people's faces!

2. How will the BBC Performing Art Fund Community Music grant help the group?
We are planning a series of special rehearsal sessions whereby local bands from a variety of different genres (heavy metal, country, folk, jazz, reggae, indie etc) will be invited to come and rehearse with us. The final format for this is still taking shape. The idea is to expand our musical vocabulary and open us to other ideas to help in the creation of our own music.

3. Tell us about the best day 'I Love Thunder' has had so far?
We've played at 8 gigs this year, which was brilliant. Every time we learn something new and we continue to bond musically and are relaxing into our performance more. Our favourite gig so far was probably at the Harrow Disability Arts Festival in November although the gig at the RJT fundraiser in October was a close second.

4. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the PAF grant?
I think the reactions will really start when we start the programme in earnest.

5. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by 'I Love Thunder'
Inspirational, rocking and uplifting - well something like that anyway!

Here are some audience reactions:

"I thought the band was really great - Actually they really lifted the atmosphere as so many of the other songs were quite moody!"

"Even the female leader of the band called Grapefruit commented about I Love Thunder's timing being great"

"Great set at the Remembering Julia Trust event at Elthorne. Really enjoyed it, so many thanks!"

"Well done mighty Thunderers, keep on luvin it! Fantastic show yesterday, look forward to the next one."

"I just wanted to say thank you for the performance that I Love Thunder did at the ARC last month. The feed back was very positive and I think the band has gain new followers since their performance."

"Please will you also thank all of the band members for coming and making the evening such a great success."

"You guys were amazing today! It was a real pleasure working with you. Hope to be able to see you again some day!"

"Well done for a FANSTASTIC gig on Saturday! You were all amazing! Shall look forward to the next one xxx"