Prepping for GSCE Music exam

J S Bach’s Badinerie from his much-loved Suite No.2 in B minor is on the syllabus for GCSE Music at Park High School in Stanmore; and Head of Music Simon Appleman sought out the Nonesuch Orchestra’s help to bring it to life for his students. We were delighted to oblige! The original piece is scored for flute and strings, but for this workshop, leader Stephanie Waite took the solo part on violin.

It was a lively and enjoyable morning - the first time we have participated in such an innovative class. The students sat in and around the orchestra while Simon coached and questioned them about the many aspects of the music on the exam syllabus. As well as performing the piece complete, the orchestra played excerpts with different styles and techniques to bring out important teaching points.

A great way to experience great music - and an approach we hope to repeat. Good luck to everyone at Park High with the exam!

Great music and great fun going hand in hand

"What a powerful evening that was...."

Thus did Cecilia McDowall, distinguished composer and member of the audience, sum up the Nonesuch Orchestra’s performance of Haydn’s Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross at Christ Church, Turnham Green during Holy Week. For this deeply moving work we were privileged to be joined by actor Joanne Pearce, who read the Bible texts that Haydn so masterfully set to music.

Nonesuch chairman James Greener introduces, orchestra members prepare…

The welcome extended to us by the Vicar, staff and volunteers of the church could not have been warmer, nor could the capacity audience have been more appreciative. As well as countless enthusiastic messages of thanks, we were favoured with a sizeable retiring collection, which will help support the orchestra’s work bringing live music to London schools.

…and Dan Shilladay conducts before the rapt audience. Joanne Pearce, who read the Bible passages, is centre at the back

"Is this real? It's like a dream...."

That was the verdict of one of the Essex Primary School guitarists during the rehearsal with the Nonesuch Orchestra for a performance before the school.

What a joy for us to spend our morning at this lively school in Newham! The children's enthusiasm added to our own, as we looked out at so many lovely, smiling faces and heard their beautiful voices, obviously well rehearsed by their music teachers.

An ensemble of six guitarists from Years 5 and 6 - seen in the photo below - accompanied us for several tunes, including a fun Batman theme. The guitar ensemble also joined us for Peter and the Wolf, and the wolf theme seemed to stick, as children conjured up images of Little Red Riding Hood, along with other fairy tales, when responding to the other music we played, with our conductor Dan Shilladay introducing motifs from Gustav Holst and Haydn, and eliciting story themes from the children. Dan literally seemed to dance between the large groups of children, the guitarists and us, as he coordinated vibrant rounds of an adaptation of Frère Jacques.

And when we played as one group exited, and they began clapping heartily to the beat, we thought we'd struck a chord! The school staff were so welcoming, and we passed exuberant children in the playground as we left, with several shouting out "bye" and waving. So wonderful to feel we reached these children. They certainly warmed our hearts. 

No dreaming here! Guitarists concentrate in final rehearsal

"The children and staff loved it..."

The Nonesuch Orchestra has just returned from a concert workshop at Stoneydown Park Primary School in Walthamstow - another new school for Nonesuch and a day to remember for everyone who was there.

We played excerpts from Holst’s St Paul’s Suite, Bach’s 3rd Brandenburg Concerto, and Stravinsky’s Concerto in D. We showed how classical music can range from beautifully simple to deeply complex, but all the time telling a story. The pupils of Stoneydown Park shared how each piece made them feel, had a conducting lesson, and came up with some wonderfully creative ideas for the stories they heard in the music.

To finish, a delightful and talented group of Stoneydown musicians joined with Nonesuch to perform “Fire! Fire!” by Tony Osborne under the experienced hand of Robin Wedderburn.

It’s perhaps best left to teacher Fay Lenner to sum up the morning:

“Please pass on a huge thank you to everyone from all of us here at Stoneydown! It was lovely to meet you all. The children and staff loved it and I had so many wonderful emails from parents whose children had gone home and told their parents all about it!”

Robin Wedderburn directs the combined fire-fighting forces of Stoneydown Primary and Nonesuch Orchestra…

…and the whole team acknowledges the Head Teacher’s vote of thanks

How heavy is a double bass? And how do you get to play one?

Good questions - and a pupil at De Bohun Primary School in Enfield found out the answer to the first one during the Nonesuch Orchestra workshop at the end of October. You could probably say - not as heavy as it looks…

It was our first visit to the school, and five students joined the orchestra on recorders and clarinets to perform Tony Osborne’s delightful Frère Jazzer. Students and staff alike were so welcoming and receptive, it was a joy to make music with them and we hope we shall be invited to return!

Nonesuch’s guest wind section brought new tones and super-accurate rhythm to Frère Jazzer

But what about playing the bass? Let’s hear from our bassist Jonny Hayward - seen in the photo below - about his journey from home to his third year at the Royal Academy of Music:

“I'm from Belfast. I started playing Cello when I was eight and picked up Bass two years later. I played in my school and local youth orchestras and fell in love with orchestral music. After stints with the National Youth Orchestras of Ireland and Great Britain, I got a full scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music! London is one of the most musical cities in the world and top-notch concerts are happening daily.

“I practice for 3 or 4 hours a day, and have rehearsals throughout the week - so I am very busy. I also jam with my cello at weekly Irish Traditional sessions in North London. Outside of music, I love to run, especially on Hampstead Heath.

“Nonesuch is one of my favourite things during the week. I learn a lot at our weekly rehearsals as the repertoire is unique and excellent. I love tackling pieces I've never played before and for me, this is what makes Nonesuch a cut above the rest. I especially love the school projects. It's so refreshing to see that kids absolutely love classical music!”

Don’t drop it! Eager student tries out Jonny’s double bass for size

Workshop day with another luminous masterpiece

Once more, Nonesuch opened its new season with a hugely enjoyable Workshop Day. This year we explored Josef Suk’s Serenade for Strings - a piece mingling joy and melancholy with beautiful lyrical melodies.

We were hosted this year by the St Mary-le-Savoy with St George German Lutheran Church - a handsome modern church within the International Lutheran Student Centre near Kings Cross. We welcomed a number of guests who swelled the orchestra’s ranks in all sections, and after some hours of study and rehearsal we rounded off the day with a complete performance. Keep an eye on our Events page - we hope to perform this superb work at a public concert during the coming year.

We are extremely grateful to Edith, Mauricio, and Sebastian - and Sebastian’s delightful Dachshund - for making us so welcome at the German Lutheran Church for our Workshop Day. Thank you!

Dan Shilladay and the Nonesuch Orchestra bring Josef Suk’s youthful masterpiece to life

Building on strong foundations

Nonesuch Orchestra’s final school workshop of the season was at Sebright Primary School in Hackney. The enterprising Head of Music, Mr George Bunn, had been teaching his pupils about the ground bass - a short foundational theme, usually in the lowest register of the music, which is constantly repeated while the other parts weave melodies and harmonies around it. In the hands of the right composer it is a powerful and compelling device - we explored Walton’s heart-wrenching Death of Falstaff from the famous film of Henry V, and Purcell’s rarely-heard Three Parts on a Ground, with three different age groups of attentive pupils.

In the final session of the morning, we had the chance to give the first performance of compositions by six students from Year 5. They were thrilled to hear their work performed by a proper orchestra rather than a computer, and we were hugely impressed by the enthusiasm and quality of the work Mr Bunn is engaged in with his young scholars. Strong foundations are certainly being laid at Sebright Primary School!

Six proud young composers

Sand Dog and the Stolen Apples

The Nonesuch Orchestra has just visited the lovely St Nicholas CofE School in Elstree for the first time, and held another exciting workshop with the pupils.

This time, conductor Dan Shilladay showed how music can tell stories by using the first movement of Stravinsky’s Concerto in D for String Orchestra - with the pupils creating the story. The music - a wonderfully vivid piece recently performed by Nonesuch in our summer lunchtime concert - got the creative juices flowing and the children’s ideas were truly enthralling!

We learned about a boy called Peter building a sandcastle, a sinister dog emerging from the sand, an episode of stealing apples, and - as the ultimate sanction - the thief’s father confiscating his phone and unplugging his laptop! Stravinsky could hardly have predicted that his abrupt ending to the movement would have inspired such a dénouement, but we feel certain that he would have heartily approved…

Musicians listen while scriptwriters get to work

The headteacher, Mrs Johnston-Grant, sent this message:

“Thank you for organising this event to inspire musicality in our pupils…It was a most memorable and inspiring experience for the pupils and staff. Please pass on our thanks to the orchestra for giving of their time so generously to provide such a lovely morning of musical appreciation.”

World Premiere at St Clement Danes

Nonesuch was back at the gorgeous St Clement Danes Church in the Strand for our summer lunchtime concert in May. This time we were privileged to give the very first performance of Robin Wedderburn’s Variations. Robin is a playing member of the orchestra with a distinguished career as a musician, teacher and composer, and the new work earned heartfelt applause from audience and players alike.

Also in the programme: our principal cellist Alistair Baumann gave a spirited performance of CPE Bach’s Cello in A, and we finished the concert with Stravinsky’s riveting Concerto in D for String Orchestra.

Once again, we are extremely grateful to our large audience of supporters who donated generously to the closing collection in support of Nonesuch’s work with London schools. Thank you!

Alistair Baumann, centre stage with the Nonesuch Orchestra

Side by Side with Twyford Schools

Imogen Holst would have loved to see this…

Never before was such a large string orchestra assembled at Ealing Fields High School! Students from four Twyford CofE Academies Trust schools, and other local guest players, joined the Nonesuch Orchestra for a special Strings Day. We worked on Imogen Holst’s wonderful Variations on “Loth to Depart” - a jewel of a piece she composed for double string orchestra and string quartet in 1962 that has not been performed for nearly 60 years. Our young friends also participated as we rehearsed Caroline Shaw’s hauntingly beautiful Entr’acte and Gustav Holst’s much-loved suite Brook Green - their musicality and responsiveness to conductor Dan Shilladay’s guidance was exemplary, and we hope they gained something from the experience of playing alongside us.

At the end of the workshop we all performed for an invited audience. But there was more to come, for on the following Sunday afternoon, fortified by tea and delicious cakes, we played the pieces to an appreciative audience at a public concert in St Peter’s Church, Acton Green. Also on the programme was Andrew Toovey’s enthralling new work Perception. Andrew has a special relationship with the Nonesuch Orchestra, as he has supported us in the past on several student composition projects.

This momentous project formed part of CoMA's 2024 Festival of Contemporary Music for All. We are most grateful for CoMA’s financial support, together with that of our loyal local sponsors: Acre Properties, Alisha Pharmacy, Priory Lettings and Management, and Simon Buhl Davis Interior Design. Finally, a big “thank you” to Mrs Felix McGonigal, the Trust’s Head of Specialist Music College, and all the schools’ music staff - it wouldn’t have happened without you!

Nonesuch returns to Merlin School

Our annual visit to the Merlin School in Putney is something we always look forward to! A couple of weeks ago we held another pair of workshops - one for the younger pupils, one for the older ones - that were great fun for everyone. Some prospective parents visiting the school enjoyed a sample when they stopped by to listen to a little of our rehearsal beforehand. The theme of the music this year was dance; and we explored some favourite pieces by Purcell, Brahms, and Holst to show how a composer (and the performers) use pitch, tempo, rhythm and volume to make you want to leap to your feet and join in the fun.

One of our young listeners got the chance to conduct us and he got a taste of the power the conductor has - directing a group of musicians with one finger and without making a sound!

Many thanks to Head of Music Erin Alexander, the delightful pupils, and all the staff at the Merlin School for making us so welcome!

Young guest conductor in charge at the Merlin School

First outing to Bermondsey

It was a packed schedule for the Nonesuch Orchestra earlier in October, when we headed to Bermondsey to visit the two schools of the Mayflower Federation: Phoenix Primary and Ilderton Primary. The Music Teacher, Josh Solnick, is doing amazing work in both these schools, and a more enthusiastic and engaged crowd of children you could not hope to meet.

At Ilderton Primary, conductor Dan Shilladay “passed the baton” over to a volunteer from the audience, and she directed the orchestra with confidence and panache - to ringing applause from everyone. After listening intently to pieces by Purcell, Brahms and Holst, the pupils joined in with the orchestra for some favourite songs. We were bowled over by the quality and energy of the singing!

All in all, a busy and immensely rewarding morning for us all.

A special guest conductor takes the applause at Ilderton Primary School

Here’s what some of the pupils said afterwards:

“It was amazing…”

“I liked how the music was intense, and went quiet at unexpected moments.”

“I really thought the orchestra was good because before the performance I didn’t like classical music one bit, but now I find it interesting.”

“You guys made me have a happy day when I was having a bad day and you made me smile.”

“I loved it!”

Workshop Day - John Adams' Shaker Loops

Nonesuch Orchestra and friends, with conductor Dan Shilladay holding the score of Shaker Loops

This year’s Nonesuch Workshop Day was held in the gorgeous St Cyprian’s Church at Clarence Gate. Our task was to learn and perform John Adam’s exciting piece Shaker Loops. As in previous years, we were delighted to welcome a number of guest players, some for the first time.

The composer penned this programme note when he composed Shaker Loops (originally for string septet) in 1978: Although, as has since been pointed out to me, the term “Shaker” itself is derogatory, it nevertheless summons up the vision of these otherwise pious and industrious souls caught up in the ecstatic frenzy of a dance that culminated in an epiphany of physical and spiritual transcendence. This dynamic, almost electrically charged element, so out of place in the orderly mechanistic universe of Minimalism, gave the music its raison d’être and ultimately led to the full realization of the piece.

Mastering the insistent, repetitive rhythms, the subtle changes of harmony, and the ethereal harmonic effects of this amazing work required diligent focus. It was hugely rewarding. The result at the end of the afternoon was an electrifying final performance to an appreciative invited audience.

Exhilarating music, studied with care, played with concentration, and shared with friends old and new. Another Nonesuch day to remember!

WARM reception at St Clement Danes Church

A sizeable and generous audience assembled for the Nonesuch Orchestra’s summer Lunchtime Concert at the gorgeous St Clement Danes Church in the Strand on 29th June. They were treated to a feast of wonderful music - opening with Telemann’s dramatic Don Quixote suite, followed by Jessie Montgomery’s dazzling short piece Starburst. To finish, the orchestra was joined by virtuoso flautist Peter Robertson for a spectacular performance of CPE Bach’s Flute Concerto in D minor.

The listeners showed their appreciation with a tremendous retiring collection - which will go towards funding the orchestra’s core work bringing music to London schools.

Heartfelt thanks to all the supporters who joined us for the occasion!

Art meets music - with sensational results

In partnership with Preston Park Primary School, the Nonesuch Orchestra broke new ground recently with a morning of workshops linking visual art with music.

You don’t have to walk very far along the corridors at Preston Park to be confronted with amazing wall displays; the art being produced by its students is truly exceptional. Guided by art teacher Helen Kolawole and music teacher Sue Joslin (who just happens to play the violin with the Nonesuch!), the students had composed graphic scores to represent an endangered animal: the elephant. The orchestra discussed and interpreted these scores to produce some wonderfully spontaneous improvisations.

Then paper and pens were laid out and we reversed the process, with the orchestra performing excerpts from Telemann’s delightfully whimsical suite Don Quixote - while the pupils created shapes inspired by hearing the music.

A very different art class

It was a fascinating morning for the pupils and orchestra members alike - highly enjoyable and thought-provoking as we all reflected on the deep connections between the visual and aural arts. We’ve had some lovely messages from the children:

“Thank you for coming to our school. My favourite part of the concert was the double bass because it was deep. I also enjoyed the violin because it was calm.” - Lucas

“My favourite part of the concert was when the violin played snap pizzicato. We would really love for you to visit again.” - Abigail

“My favourite part of the concert was writing the graphic scores.” - Anya

Special guests join the Nonesuch Orchestra at Richmond school

The Nonesuch Orchestra recently visited the Richmond upon Thames School for a workshop and concert performance of Telemann’s delightful depiction of the madcap adventures of Don Quixote. And students from the school took their places with us to get first-hand experience of orchestral playing. Let’s hear about it from the RTS Parents’ Newsletter:

“We were excited to have our first visit from an orchestra this week! The Nonesuch Orchestra are an amateur orchestra based in North London who find that sharing orchestral music with audiences who may never have experienced it before is hugely enriching for players and listeners alike. They enjoy working with schools across London. The additional honour for this visit is that they invited six RTS students to play alongside them - Huw, Shreya, Paria, and Diba (all Year 8); and Matilda and Cheryl (both Year 9). Ms Saxby also joined the orchestra with her cello. Year 7 and 8 students were treated to the orchestra playing excerpts from Don Quixote - with a small explanation of what the pieces were and what they meant; it was lovely to hear the sound echo around the school building.”

A SHOWCASE OF YOUNG TALENT

Nonesuch Orchestra teamed up with Christ’s School Richmond on 23rd March for another “From Page to Performance” Composition Workshop with students from the school.  These workshops are great fun and highly instructive.  After studying the students’ pieces and discussing the process of transforming notes on the page into live music, we performed them all to Year 7 and music students from the rest of the school. 

Alpha, Erica, Joshua, Alexander, Mattheo (who joined the workshop from a school trip to France), Reuben, Sophie and Abigail

And on 1st April, our evening concert at Christ Church East Sheen included a selection of the students’ pieces, as well as music by Rameau, Ruth Gipps, and John Ireland.  A GCSE Music student from the school also played the solo violin in the first movement of Bach’s celebrated Violin Concerto in A minor with great confidence and musicianship – congratulations to him, along with all the talented young composers! 

Heartfelt praise for a wonderful performance of Bach

 “It was a privilege and a joy to have you all with us, encouraging our talented composers in playing their pieces live, and performing to Year 7….It was wonderful to see the composers taking in the experience of having their compositions come to life in front of them in the workshop sessions, and impressive to see the interactions between them, Dan and the orchestra during these sessions, exchanging ideas, excellent feedback and comments in a brilliantly supportive atmosphere. This was a very, very valuable, inspiring, impactful and memorable learning opportunity for students, both when their own pieces were being workshopped, and for those observing other students' pieces.

I know the composers were thrilled and proud to have their pieces performed in the concert, and it was great to be able to bring this live music to Year 7, some of who will be new to such music and live performance…

 I know our GCSE Music violinist, also, is thrilled to be working with the orchestra, and the encouragement, opportunity and support being given him by you all is very special…”

 Christ’s School Music Department

An elephant, a swan and a donkey making magic at Merlin's place

It was a miniature “Carnival of the Animals” at the Merlin School at the beginning of February, when the Nonesuch Orchestra made its annual visit to perform to the pupils and staff. To the great enjoyment of everyone, we explored how music can vividly describe the characters of different animals - in this case featuring three well-loved excerpts from Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals”: the Elephant, the Swan and the People with Long Ears (donkeys).

Saint-Saens composed this piece for private enjoyment, and prohibited public performances until after his death - worried that its frivolity would damage his standing as a serious composer. Of course it’s a brilliantly clever work and is now hugely popular. Playing the part of the elegant swan we had Ali Baumann, our principal cello, and Noah Daniel on the double bass as the lumbering elephant. The children were captivated. Once again, a great welcome for the orchestra and another great workshop at the Merlin School!

Rapt attention from our young listeners

End of year concert, with guest leader

Nonesuch Orchestra recently gave its annual concert at St John’s Harrow - an eclectic programme that was much appreciated by the audience.

On this occasion we were joined by Enrico Alvares as our guest leader. Enrico was for many years a member of the world-renowned Academy of St Martin in the Fields, has played with all the major British orchestras, and currently teaches violin and viola at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. We were delighted to welcome Enrico back.

Conductor Dan Shilladay thanks Enrico Alvares

A busy new term underway

The Nonesuch Orchestra is looking forward to a busy autumn term, with workshops at schools we have not visited before, our regular winter concert in Harrow, and some exciting new repertoire.

In October we visit Saracens High School in London NW9 for the first time, and in November we will be at St Paul’s CE Primary School in London NW3. We are all eager to share the excitement of music making with pupils and students - and their teachers.

We close the term on 1st December with a public lunchtime concert at one of the orchestra’s favourite venues: St John’s Harrow - a beautiful church that has been holding fortnightly lunchtime concerts for nearly 50 years. Our programme will include Britten’s much-loved Simple Symphony, Janáček’s delightful Suite for String Orchestra, and Thea Musgrave’s Aurora. This last piece paints a picture of the coming of light - starting mysteriously, passing through moments of darkness, until the clouds finally dissolve with the dawn.