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MRF Events
News, news, news!!!
Spring '24 public events:
BOOKINGS are now OPEN
opportunities to explore contemporary music, singing & / or playing.
Ages 14 to adult.
Are you...
curious about contemporary music,
age 14 or up?
Do you sing or play?
Join our Festival Ensembles and explore accessible new choral and instrumental music.
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You are invited to:
Come & Play...
Our Performer-in-Residence;
BBC Young Musician finalist,
will lead a
Percussion Workshop.
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Our Flexible Ensemble will explore arrangements of 2 Tangos by Astor Piazzolla, and 2 pieces by our alumni: Roots - Carrot Music by Pernille Faye, and a new piece by Felix Sladen-Jewell.
All instruments are welcome.
Moderate sight-reading ability required.
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Come & Sing...
our Scratch Choir will explore pieces including Martin Read's catchy folksong: 'On the Steps of the Buttercross', and '21st Birthday Greetings' by alumnus Ella Laughton.
Moderate sight-reading ability required.
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There will be a discussion on the new pieces by our award-holders and alumni in a Composer-Performance masterclass.
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Dr Pande Shahov will direct ensembles.
Each ensemble will perform at the early evening concert.
Also in the concert, Toril Azzalini-Machecler will give a performance of each short commission for solo percussionist, by our 4 award-holders. These will have been premiered at the Royal College of Music, in March.
BRING YOUR OWN FOOD.
Tea / coffee provided.
Bar - wine / fruit juice, will be open during pre-concert picnics. Donations to MRF.
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Participants will join workshops and rehearsals from 11:00, for:
Flexible Ensemble, Scratch Choir and Percussion.
Audience are welcome from 16:00 for...
16:30 Composer- performance masterclass, with comments on the new pieces by our award-holders & alumni.
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17:30 PICNICS and bar - donations to MRF
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18: 30 Early evening Concert
19.30 End of concert
Tickets are FREE for those age 14 and up
in education. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
MRF award scheme -
young composers '24
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On March 16th, our 4 awarded composers for 2024 featured in the
Junior Department Contemporary Music Concert
at the
Royal College of Music, London.
Along with premieres of works by Junior Department composers, Cameron Sinclair premiered MRF
award-holders' commissions for percussion.
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L to R: Simon Speare - composer-mentor, Albert, Charlie, Joe & Will - award-holders, Cameron Sinclair - Head of Percussion,
Dame Judith Weir- patron, Freddie Hodkin - trustee.
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We are grateful to Dame Judith Weir - master of the King's Music, for her encouraging comments to the young musicians, and her praise of the growing partnership betwen RCMJD and MRF.
Hear the award-holders compositions at our Annual Festival, April 28th.
Dame Judith later summed up the event:
I am hopeful about the future of music education because I have the great encouragement of seeing enterprises like MRF constantly at work to keep the channels open for students of all backgrounds, hard work though it of course is. But also so enjoyable to see and hear a concert such as (this) and sense all the activity behind it.
Bravo to all who were involved - I’m looking forward to the next chapter!
And this from the parent of an award-holder...
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for everything you've done for the MRF award. My son had the most incredible experience and the concert last night will be treasured in all of our memories. Please could you pass on the biggest thanks from all of us to everyone involved - especially to Cameron Sinclair who played all of the pieces with such care and passion. It feels unbelievable that my son had his first percussion composition performed by such a renowned musician, in such an amazing venue! He feels incredibly privileged to have been given such an opportunity.
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MRF's support for young composers
is FREE.
Please consider donating or fundraising to ensure it continues.
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