MRF Events
News, news, news!!!
St Lawrence Church, Alton.
FILMS from an amazing event
featuring
Joseph Spooner - cello,
David Gibson - conductor
War was the Festival theme.
Our 4 award-holders rose to the challenge of writing for solo cello, reflecting aspects of war.
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L-R back - Simon Speare, Freddie Hodkin, Beccy Read, Ali Willis, Alex Ling - trustees; front - William Dear, Josh Clark, Joe Jolliffe, Felix Sladen-Jewel - award-holders '23.
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Our alumni Freddie Hodkin and Samby Anderson, produced new pieces for unaccompanied choir
and for flexible ensemble.
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Click the photos to access the films - with thanks to Steve Kirkby.
We also marked
Martin Read, 10 years on, with a fine performance of his highly acclaimed
Civil War cantata:
The Death of Colonel Boles
joined by Paul Sheehan - baritone,
Carl Clausen - drum.
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A huge 'thank you' for a truly amazing evening...
It was so uplifting to see the results of the work the MRF has done in nurturing and encouraging the youngsters to produce such wonderful and mature compositions. What a fantastic experience they have all had! Also, to know that past recipients are continuing to compose and are able to have their compositions performed, which is so important.
Audience member.
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...thank you for the opportunity to work with professional musicians and composers for the festival...
Award-holder.
I wanted to pass on our thanks to you and the MRF. Without this competition, Josh wouldn’t have heard of, let alone got into, the Royal College of Music Junior Department for next year. The MRF is clearly fulfilling its aim of helping inspire new composers!
Award-holder's parent.
Trustee Alex Ling raised £1,355 for MRF on his epic hike : 100 miles for Martin April 9th - 14th
Grateful thanks to all who pledged support.
Crowdfunder is still accepting donations.
Tomorrow's Composers
School-based partnership project with Hampshire Music Education Hub,
Spring Term '23.
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Tomorrow's Composers at work with MRF tutor Pande Shahov, Hounsdown School, Feb. '23.
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I signed up my Year 9 GCSE class at Hounsdown to the project this year and it was fantastic. The students not only learned a great deal about film music composition, but the value of guidance from a professional, external composer resulted in a tangibly improved focus and determination to succeed, and a markedly higher standard of composition than usual at that stage.
I can also confirm that their composition tasks following this have been to a progressively higher standard and they have gained a huge amount of confidence in their composition skills from taking part in the project. School music teacher.
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Students were aksed: In what ways has [the project] impacted on your future plans?...
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to consider composing as a future career;
broadened my mind, ideas on future projects & potential job;
create music further & aspire to improve it; considering taking music ‘A’ level;
composing music for the background of songs I plan to write;
made composing less daunting.
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MRF is thrilled to have been awarded funding by Hampshire Music Education Hub to provide a further project in schools, in Autumn '23, working with young musicians and their teachers, developing their skills and passion for composition.
MRF's support for young composers
is FREE.
Please consider donating to ensure it continues.
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LAST CHANCE to donate your Nectar points! Closes 27th June! Thank you.
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