Another very succesful ceilidh yesterday evening at Porthpean Outdoor Leisure Centre.

Year 7 Pupils and their teachers spent a very energetic couple of hours dancing to ceilidh music provided my Music Cornwall teaching staff Christine Judge, Jamie Toms, Mary Ann Joys and Hudson Swan.

For many of the children this was their first exposure to folk dancing and they were helped every step of the way. The dances were all talked through and explained by caller Christine.

A very enjoyable evening which everyone enjoyed immensely!

Two years ago I had the pleasure of hearing The German violinist Rebekka Hartmann performing a concert on her 1675 Stradivarius which is worth several million pounds(!). They say lightning never strikes twice but once again I will have the opportunity to hear such an incredible instrument up close played by an international award winning violinist when Rebekka visits Lanlivery Church on Saturday the 1st of June at 7.30pm. It is also a great opportunity to encorauge younger players and pupils to attend as entry is free for young people (18 and under) in full time education.

Last Thursday St Austell Chamber Orchestra were incredibly lucky to be paid a visit by leading professional violinist Jonathan Hill. When I asked Jonathan if he had a website he modestly said that there wasn't anything on the internet about him, but if you search then it will not take long to find out that having started playing at 5 he made his concerto debut at the age of 8 at the Royal Festival Hall playing the Bach Concerti!

On Wednesday 8th May, 36 schoolchildren from year 5 at Heamoor School enjoyed an evening of Ceilidh dancing. The children were on camp at Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre when members of Music Cornwall string teaching staff took over the dining hall for 2 hours in the evening and provided ceilidh dance music for the pupils.

The children were talked through all of the dances and given a demonstration in some cases before trying out the dances on their own. Everyone had a wonderful time and lots of laughs were had when some of the dances didn't quite turn out as expected.

EPTA Cornwall are organising a free workshop on piano teaching, on 19th May, open to all, and relevant to piano teachers as well as GCSE and AS Level music teachers.

Where: Benallack Barn, near Truro

When: 19th May, 1 - 4pm

To reserve a place or for more info contact: caitlinspokes@btinternet.com (01872 279707) or paulmarksjoffe@googlemail.com

Details:

The Spring term 2013 ended with a fantastic concert in St John's Hall, Penzance where many Music Cornwall ensembles performed to a packed audience. Among them was the Cornwall Youth Percussion Ensemble, directed by James Robinson.

Truro High School for Girls has recently started a samba group supported and tutored by Music Cornwall's Andy Bilham, and their first public performance will be for royalty!
Truro High School welcomes HRH The Duchess of Gloucester tomorrow 17th April for the official opening of the brand new Piran Performing Arts Centre. As part of the celebrations the 15 members of the samba group 'Rainhas de Ritmo' (The Queens of Rhythm) have been invited to entertain the Duchess and the crowds of dignitaries and guests.

The members of Cornwall Youth Orchestra and Cornwall Youth Wind Orchestra enjoyed three days of intensive rehearsals during the Easter holidays culminating in fantastic concerts at Carnglaze Caverns, St John's Hall in Penzance and Truro Cathedral.

Music Cornwall staff and pupils from across the county saw a fantastic end to the term with a joint concert from many ensembles and a joint cluster choir from local schools.
Parents and teachers joined the audience at St. Johns hall in Penzance for an ‘out of this world’ space themed concert.
The Cornwall Youth Wind Orchestra led by Janet Elston opened the concert followed by a 100 strong cluster choir made up from pupils at Connor Downs, Godolphin, Crowan, Ludgvan and St. Erth.