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North East of Scotland Music School |
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Spring has sprung ...
... and rung in the changes here at NESMS. Kathleen Cronie finished working in her administrative post at NESMS at Easter. She is, of course, continuing to work as a NESMS singing tutor. A huge thanks to Kathleen for all the energy and enthusiasm she has brought to her post and a very warm welcome to Sophie Lewis who has now taken up the position of Assistant to the Manager.
Gráinne will be leaving at the end of May and we are delighted to let you know that her post will be filled by Louise Forbes. Gráinne and Louise will be working together for a hand-over period during the last two weeks in May. Do put your head in the office door and meet both Sophie and Louise in the coming weeks.
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Manager Designate (from June 2018) — Louise Forbes
Louise was a management accountant before taking a career break to raise her family. For the past 3 years she has worked at an Aberdeen secondary school supporting a busy guidance team with preparations for the proposed implementation of the Named Person legislation. Louise also previously held the position of Honorary Treasurer for a small local charity.
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Assistant Manager (Timetable and Events) Sophie Lewis
Originally from Kilwinning, Sophie has been playing cello since she was 7 years old, and is now studying under Aline Gow of Scottish Opera at the University of Aberdeen, where she is a member of the University's symphony and chamber orchestras
In 2017 Sophie worked at The Fresh Air Fund in New York teaching music to young people aged 12-15, and went on to study at St Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Here, she performed with the St Olaf Philharmonia and worked with founder of the International Cello Institute, Anna Clift.
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New Initiatives at NESMS
We are delighted to let you know of the success of our recent new initiatives at NESMS:
- Our first ever Musical Theatre Masterclass led by Professor Andrew Paton and our first Jazz Saxophone Masterclass led by Richard Ingham were both very well attended and enthusiastically received. Both Professor Paton and Mr Ingham have expressed an interest in working with NESMS again in the near future.
- Kathleen Cronie's Stage Skills for Musicians Workshop was such a success that she is running a similar event on the afternoon of Saturday 28th April. Sign up now if you are interested.
- Beccy Goldberg is now offering one hour, individually tailored Confidence Coaching consultations. Appointments are still available on Friday 27th April.
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Student Success
Congratulations to:
- Scottish Concert Band Festival Most Outstanding Soloist 2018: Beth Morrison (Flute); and
- Winner of the 2018 Betty Wyness Rosebowl Piano Competition at St Margaret's School: Janani Mohan
For a full list of other achievements, including success at auditions, school and other prizes, and grading and certificate awards by the national examining boards please see the special supplement which accompanies this newsletter
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| Come and support us – and enjoy these wonderful events! |
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April
Fetteresso Festival of Music
Recital by NESMS students
Friday 20th April: 7.30pm at Fetteresso Church, Stonehaven
Confidence Coaching
with Beccy Goldberg
Friday 27th April. Individual sessions are open to book now.
Stage Skills for Musicians
led by Kathleen Cronie
Performance skills, audition preparation, marketing and social media skills and programme writing
Saturday 28th April: 2-4pm at NESMS
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May
Turriff Rotary Club
NESMS students will be performing for club members.
Tuesday 1st May: 7.30pm approx.
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June
Singing Workshop
led by Donald Maxwell
Saturday 2nd June: 10am to 1pm at NESMS.
Friends of NESMS Scholarship Concert
Featuring many of our young scholarship holders
Friday 22nd June: 7.30pm at Craigiebuckler Church.
Aberdeen Recorder Day
National Youth Recorder Orchestra
Sunday 24th June 2018: 10am to 4pm at NESMS
Also planned for June is a Jazz Workshop led by Joseph Long and Ian Milne. More details to follow - and don't forget to visit our website if you would like to see a review of our latest Student Concert.
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New Arrangements for Scholarship Auditions
As many of you will know, NESMS Scholarship Auditions have, in the past, been held in November with scholarship funding commencing from the start of the next calendar year. This has proved problematic, particularly for S6 students awarded full scholarship who may be leaving Aberdeen for study or employment at the end of the academic year. For this reason, the Music Committee has decided to shift auditions from November to April. Students will then be auditioning for funding for the following academic year.
Our next scholarship auditions will, therefore, be held in April 2019. We are aware that some students may find that they have a gap in funding for the period January to June 2019. If you are concerned about covering the cost of your lessons over that period please do get in touch, in confidence, with Gráinne or Louise: NESMS will endeavour to provide financial support for students who may not otherwise be able to afford their lessons.
Any student in full time education is eligible to audition for a NESMS Scholarship. Last November 36 students secured full or part scholarships.
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Donors without whose generous support we could not exist |
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Aberdeen Bach Choir
Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
Apache
Batchworth Trust
Binks Trust
David and June Gordon Memorial Trust
Ernest Cook Trust
Fiona Kennedy's Nae Ordinary Burns Supper
Garfield Weston Foundation
Gilander Foundation
Glen Tanar
Hugh Fraser Foundation
Ina Scott Sutherland Charitable Foundation
Innes Trust
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Jennie S Gordon Memorial Foundation
John Gordon Foundation
Mattioli Woods
Meston Reid & Co
The Privy Purse
Robertson Trust
Rotary Club of Aberdeen St Machar
Shell UK
Skene Group
Thomas Primrose Trust
Turriff Rotary Club
Violet M Lessel Trust
Mrs E S Wilson Trust
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Sincere thanks to the very many private individuals who also support our work.
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