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var news_display_date = new Array;
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var news_thumb_image = new Array;
news_title[0] = "EMI MSF Bursary Student attends Exclusive Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp";
news_display_date[0] = "22.12.2008";
news_id[0] = "1752672";
news_teaser[0] = "";
news_text[0] = "Matthew Cropper is an EMI MSF supported bursary student at Drumtech in London. In November he was given the opportunity to attend the Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp giving him the chance to jam with legendary rock stars, record at the infamous Abbey Road studios and play live at The Cavern Club in Liverpool. Below is Matthews diary of the weeks fantastic events.  <br /><br />Day 1 Tue 4th Nov<br /><br />Today has been great. Got up at 5:45am, got to the Marriot Maida Vale. Briefly met a few of the people at breakfast, but was introduced to all the 'councillors' and organisational staff which was nice. I then met my band, had Neil Murray (from White Snake, Black Sabbath and many more) as our councillor, which meant he played bass in our band; he is a very talented player and a pleasure to be around. Other than Neil our band consisted of 3 guitarists, David, Max and Blythe (who also sang and played keys), a singer Staci and 2 drummers Randy and Me. They all seem like very nice people and are quite talented when it comes to their instrument which makes everything easier and even more fun!<br /><br />We started off the day at John Henrys Studio in studio 5 (which is a good sized room with 2 kits in) which was great to jam in. We then left for Abbey Road Studio around 2:45pm, played for a bit, record a few songs (including Doobie Brothers Long Train Running) I played percussion for half of the time but had a great time doing so, got to meet and watch Nick Mason playing drums for Us and Them which was a highlight for me! We also decided on a band name while we were there, Rocktopussy. We watched the Nick Mason Q&A which was incredibly interesting, then jammed with some of the other campers and councillors which was great fun! Left abbey road and got to the Marriott around 10.15pm, had few drinks, got to know people a little more and then got home (just) at 1am. Got to be up for 6.45 tomorrow.<br /><br /><br />Day 2 Wed 5th- Nov<br /><br />Today I made my own way to John Henry Studio, not too hard to find at all thankfully. I arrived just before 10am and everyone else (bar Neil who was already there) followed shortly after. We spent the whole day at John Henrys today which was good as it allowed us to sort out some songs properly. We played out the Doobie Brothers Long Train Running, a couple of Rolling Stones Songs Jumping Jack Flash and Honkey Tonk Woman and some Beatles such as You Can't Do That, Hey Jude and Ticket to Ride all of which we got at least the general idea of, it was just a case of sorting them out. We had a lovely lunch and tea to break this up. We also had a guest appearance from Todd Rundgren in the morning and in the evening I watched part of Neil Murrays Q&A/Master Class and part of Mark Hudsons, both of which were very interesting and entertaining. I then did a bit more jamming with the likes of Glen Matlock who just happened to pop in and then straight back home for an early night.<br /><br /><br />Day 3 Thurs 6th-Nov<br /><br />Got to the Marriott in time to have a bite to eat and a coffee, I could get used to this. We got the bus to Abbey Road and arrived around 10am. We spent the majority of the time arranging, perfecting and recording an original song that Blythe and Max had written the previous night named Loud as Paint. We then spent the rest of the time doing a couple of takes of You Can't Do That, I felt that when in Abbey Road and recording a cover it'd have to be the Beatles. We then left for John Henrys arriving about 4pm and continued to perfect our covers and original songs ready for the gig on Friday night. We had some dinner, a bit more playing, then it came to master classes, as some of the jam rooms seemed too full I decided to go and watch Jeffrey Foskett of the Beach Boys and The Brian Wilson Band's Q&A, who answered a few questions and then proceeded to play a few songs which were just beautiful. After that I found a room which needed a drummer and played with them until we had to go. I then went back to the hotel to have a drink and mingle with the stars, I was successful at both.<br /><br /><br />Day 4 Fri 7th Nov<br /><br />Another day at John Henrys today, I started to learn the drum part for our original song, which did not take too long, ran through some of the other songs we'd be playing tonight and then played the Rolling Stones songs as Bill Wyman would be joining us later in the day. When Bill Wyman came to us, both of us drummers got a chance to play with him, Randy did Honky Tonk Woman while I played the cowbell and I played Jumping Jack Flash which was a great laugh, I wonder how all these famous people feel about us playing their songs with them. He did a talk with Earl Slick not long after that which was again very interesting, all of these people have very full and interesting lives. After Tea guests started to arrive for our gig in studio 5 my aunt came and was pretty star struck, she could not really believe that they we are just like or at least quite similar to normal people (well maybe not Mark Hudson with his multi coloured beard) and would talk to her if she did to them. So we played our songs, Long train and the original, both drummers at the same time, which was great fun, and we stayed tight which was even better! Unfortunately our original didn't get put on the songline CD but it did get a special mention which is nice. While the gig was on I got a chance to have a short chat to John Henry who is a lovely man with a great ethic about the place. After the gig was over we all headed our separate ways. <br /><br /><br />Day 5 Sat 8th Nov<br /><br />We were mixing and recording in the studio on Saturday morning, which allowed us to get the original as best as we could and left for the last time around 12pm to get to John Henry where we had a good 6 hours jamming and playing the 3 Beatles songs, we got them pretty tight. Following that we had another fantastic meal and finished off the night playing with celebs and other campers which was great but a little sad knowing this would be the last time I'd get to do it. <br /><br /><br />Day 6 Sun 9th Nov<br /><br />Had to get up even earlier today to arrive for before 8am but I managed it and the trains were very good to me. It was quite a long coach journey to Liverpool but I got to sit beside Jerry Shirley from Humble Pie who is a great guy so the journey flew by. Had another great lunch and then headed to The Cavern club while most of the others went on the Magical Mystery Tour, I couldnt really handle another hour and a half on a bus. I watched everybody setting up and chatted till they all arrived. Watched the sound check which consisted of Mark Hudson, Earl Slick, Kip Winger and Chris Slade playing a couple of songs which, of course, they did very well. Then Pete Best arrived and Mark Hudson asked him some questions on stage, he then signed everyones things and hung around for a bit chatting to campers, which was lovely. A finger buffet, then the gig started at 8pm. It was all good fun playing at The Cavern to the campers and to the internet, I only played drums on 1 of the 3 songs we played but I rocked it with percussion instead. The highlight of the night however was the councillors jam at the end, which was of course amazing.<br /><br /><br />To Conclude<br /><br />It was all absolutely amazing, but my highlights include meeting all the stars, in particular meeting Nick Mason (and getting to thank him in person), jamming with Neil Murray for around 9 hours everyday and Jerry Shirley making the long bus journey to Liverpool fly by. All of the master classes were educational and entertaining but my favourite of all was Jeffrey Foskett playing his songs in his master class as this was absolutely amazing, while the majority of the other councillors rocked out, his playing and singing were absolutely beautiful. Spending time with my band, making new life long friends and possibly the best of the bunch was watching all the councillors on stage together jamming away. <br /><br />This experience will never leave me and has taught me a lot about what it is to be a professional musician and being in an original band. I also find that due to this week my playing has improved a lot, mainly due to the fantastic confidence boost this week has given me! The only bad bit is that it did not last longer!<br /><br />So thanks again to Nick Mason and the EMI Music Sound Foundation for such an amazing experience which will stay with me for the rest of my life.";
news_thumb_image[0] = "/ms/imagerepository/newsimagespublic/1752671";
news_title[1] = "Parkwood Hall School become a Specialist Performing Arts College";
news_display_date[1] = "03.11.2008";
news_id[1] = "1749529";
news_teaser[1] = "Angela Woods report on how Parkwood Hall School, a special needs school in Swanley, have become a Specialist Performing Arts College. ";
news_text[1] = "Parkwood Hall School, a special needs school in Swanley, are pleased to announce that they have become a Specialist Performing Arts College, and would like to thank their two sponsors EMI Sound Foundation and Frankham Consultancy Organisation. <br /><br />The result of this successful bid is that the school can begin refurbishment of its performance area, including new sound and lighting equipment, a back projector to enhance performances and interactive sound and light beams. The school has always taken a pride in the students music, dance and drama performances and the new equipment and resources will enhance them and encourage students of all abilities to be able to perform. We are so pleased that the resources we have all dreamed of using can now be purchased.<br /><br />As part of the school community programme the Parkwood Hall Steel Band will continue to give performances and run workshops at local schools and youth clubs for disadvantaged youths. They will also play at local and national events. <br /><br />Following performances of Joseph and High School Musical in the summer, rehearsals have already started for the Christmas show Scrooge. We are hopeful that the new equipment will give the performance that extra wow factor.<br /><br />As part of the dance programme in school students are working on a dance to promote healthy eating. This will be performed in the schools dining room and based on High School Musical 3.";
news_thumb_image[1] = "/ms/imagerepository/newsimagespublic/1749528";
news_title[2] = "RAMBERT DANCE COMPANY ETERNAL LIGHT WORKSHOP VISITS EMI MSF SPONSORED SCHOOLS";
news_display_date[2] = "16.10.2008";
news_id[2] = "1748516";
news_teaser[2] = "";
news_text[2] = "The relationship between dance and music is always an important element in Ramberts productions and this is now being explored in the Companys Schools Workshop Programme. <br /><br />The Learning and Participation department has teamed up with the EMI Music Sound Foundation, the countrys largest sponsor of Specialist Performing Arts Colleges to develop a groundbreaking Music and Dance workshop programme around Eternal Light a new collaboration by Mark Baldwin and British composer Howard Goodall.<br /><br />With support from the EMI Music Sound Foundation, a number of Ramberts dance animateurs have worked with its new music animateur to develop a workshop programme that explores themes from Mark Baldwins choreography in Eternal Light and Howard Goodalls musical score, Eternal Light, A Requiem. The Music and Dance workshops have been created for Key Stage 3 students but are also suitable for Key Stage 4 and will be led by professional dance music animateurs. Schools can choose to run either separate music and dance workshops or a specially created combined music and dance workshop.<br /><br />To support the workshop an extensive education pack has been compiled and this will soon be available for anyone to download from both Rambert and EMI Music Sound Foundation websites.<br /><br />Many schools sponsored by EMI Music Sound Foundation have already booked workshops and the first one took place at The Swinton High School on Wednesday 1 October 2008.<br /><br />'We were delighted to host a workshop from such a prestigious company, and our pupils were very fortunate to have such experienced animateurs on hand to give them a glimpse into the demanding pace of a professional dancers daily life! The pupils have already asked me if we can perform their devised pieces in front of an audience, and I am sure we can oblige, once they have caught their breath!' Heather Talbot, Head of Dance, The Swinton High School. <br /><br />Stephen Kerns, Community Arts Director at the school added, 'For Rambert Dance Company to have premiered their new work, 'Eternal Light' in Salford, at the Lowry Theatre, and then run workshops with The Swinton High School is a great honour. I was astounded by the quality of the work produced by our pupils, guided by Russell and Marie from the company. We hope they will be touring in our area again soon.'";
news_thumb_image[2] = "/ms/imagerepository/newsimagespublic/1748515";
news_title[3] = "North Kesteven School Music Showcase 2008 ";
news_display_date[3] = "18.09.2008";
news_id[3] = "1746541";
news_teaser[3] = "";
news_text[3] = "In 2006 EMI Music Sound Foundation gave North Kesteven School a grant to further develop extra curricular music provision within the school. Three years later they now have an extremely popular and successful annual Music Showcase. <br /><br />Andrew Hird, Head of Music, developed the showcase to particularly attract those students who perhaps do not otherwise get an opportunity to belong to a music group and focus on pop and rock singers and musicians. <br /><br />It is not billed as a competition, though students know that they have to work hard if they have any chance of winning the opportunity to perform in the Grand Final event. There is a fantastic buzz of expectation and excitement now every January when Andrew first advertises for students to take part.<br /> <br />The journey helps students to become more confident about performing in public and is designed to give them structured support towards their goal. The process begins by assigning students (in solo vocal, groups or bands) to staff mentors who help them prepare for an informal concert to an invited audience in March. It is really scary for some students and an opportunity for them to experience a taste of what it is like being on stage. They are always given feedback and targets to help them improve. The teachers all watch this concert to find a series of acts strong enough to appear in a school concert with a real paying audience. A judge (Melvyn Prior, BBC Radio Lincolnshire) is invited to the school concert in May to find the very best acts who are then awarded the opportunity to take part in a series of workshops with professional musicians in preparing for the final Concert which always takes place in July in the Terry OToole Theatre. <br /><br />The Showcase not only builds confidence and skills in performing but is also an opportunity for students to mix with other local like minded students as North Kesteven always invite two other schools to take part in their own Showcase and the best acts from the three schools work together to put on the final concert.<br /><br />EMI MSF has continued to support the showcase since the first year by providing a fabulous Gold Disc as a prize for the top act of the evening. <br /><br />The Music Showcase has become a very important part of the school calendar for students and their parents. Judging by the comments received we hope it will clearly play an important part for many years to come.<br /><br />";
news_thumb_image[3] = "/ms/imagerepository/newsimagespublic/1746540";
news_title[4] = "JAZZ VEHICLE, BASED AT NORTH KESTEVEN SCHOOL WIN THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC FOR YOUTH 2008";
news_display_date[4] = "22.07.2008";
news_id[4] = "1743815";
news_teaser[4] = "";
news_text[4] = "Music for Youth invited JAZZ VEHICLE based at North Kesteven School, North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, to Birmingham to perform at the 38th National Festival of Music for Youth on Saturday 12th July.JAZZ VEHICLE played against 7 other fine bands selected from the 60 music for Youth Regional Festivals earlier this year and were presented as winners with the Outstanding Performance Award by Yamaha Music UK Ltd. <br />Up to 300 groups of the nations most talented and exciting young musicians and singers were invited to take part in the week-long celebration of their achievements.  The National Festival of Music for Youth, the largest festival of its kind in Europe, took place in Birmingham at Symphony Hall, Adrian Boult Hall from 7-12 July 2008.  Groups that performed included full symphony orchestras, choirs, chamber groups, brass, wind, jazz and rock bands, as well as ensembles of every shape and size.  Performance Awards were presented by the adjudicators during the Festival and 30 groups will be invited to play at the Music for Youth Schools Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, London.<br /> <br />JAZZ VEHICLE  were one of the bands chosen by Music for Youth  to perform at the Royal Albert Hall London in 1997 and 1998 so they are hoping that their success in Birmingham puts them in contention once again to make it happen a third time in London!<br /> <br />JAZZ VEHICLE consists of 35 students from N.K. and other local schools and colleges, playing big band jazz. The band was formed by John Crouch in 1985 to give students the opportunity to experience big band jazz. Since then, the band has gone from strength to strength and has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Music for Youth.<br /> <br />JAZZ VEHICLE has never received any funding since it started and all the proceeds from concerts go directly to various charities. The band is immensely grateful to North Kesteven School for the immense support they give and also to F.L.I.N.S.O. and Jazzpac (the Greater Lincoln Jazz Consortium which consists of: New Jazz 5, Arts N.K. and West Lyndsey District Council). They have made it possible for the students to experience working with many big names: Byron Wallen, Dave O Higgins, Abram Wilson, Denys Baptiste, Harry Brown and Dennis Rollins immediately spring to mind.    <br /> <br />The first piece performed was Musica Da Samba. This piece has been specially written for the band by Phillip Allcock, a former member of the band now studying composition at Lancaster University, this piece was given a Student Composition Award. It Dont Mean A Thing followed featuring four terrific vocalists, this was an up tempo swing number very popular with the adjudicators!  Opus One, once again specially written for us, this time by Dave O Higgins was the final piece. The whole 12 minute set was a real challenge because the band played entirely from memory!  This feat was acknowledged by the adjudicators “Fantastic, and a real example to the other bands and Musical Directors”.<br /> <br />JAZZ VEHICLE have another exciting project on the horizon, they have been invited to open a Jazz Festival in Holland on March 28th 2009! We look forward to hearing of their progress. ";
news_thumb_image[4] = "/ms/imagerepository/newsimagespublic/1744578";
news_title[5] = "SUCCESS BECKONS FOR LOCAL YOUNG TALENT";
news_display_date[5] = "16.06.2008";
news_id[5] = "1740664";
news_teaser[5] = "";
news_text[5] = "Musically gifted brother and sister, Eleni Violaris 20 and Adam Violaris 18 are set to make their mark in the world of classical and pop music, as well as in that of film and television soundtracks.<br /><br />Eleni, a singer-songwriter, ballet dancer and actress, who plays piano, guitar and flute has just recorded vocals for a major 12-part BBC television series entitled, Francescos Mediterranean Voyage. Eleni also co-wrote and performed an original song for the series together with her brother Adam. The series begins on 8 July 2008. Eleni has also just won first prize in a national competition marking the 3rd anniversary of the Quidco Cashback website, with an original song and video.    <br /><br />Adam, who last year was a finalist in the Sibelius National Young Film Composer Competition, beating over five hundred other entrants, is a finalist in the Daniel International Young Composers Competition. His entry, Daniel  A Symphonic Poem, will be performed in Ra anana in Israel on 25 June 2008. Adam, who notably has been the only successful entrant from the UK, and the youngest, is competing against other finalists of professional standing, including the head of a composition department of a major European music conservatoire. <br /><br />Both Eleni and Adam showed a natural aptitude toward music from a very early age, with Eleni composing her first piece before she was two and Adam being able to tap out the entire snare drum rhythm of Ravels Bolero before the age of four. Eleni and Adam have composed music in a wide variety of styles, including baroque, classical, romantic, modernist, ragtime, jazz, theatre, film and television, as well as pop, writing both words and music. Adam has composed and recorded a remarkable three thousand pieces of music since he first began composing three years ago, when he was fifteen. The principal of the Royal Academy of Music, Sir Curtis Price, has described Adam as a prolific and successful composer. <br /><br />Eleni and Adam are currently waiting to hear if a song they recorded and featured on in performance has made the final cut of the Hollywood movie, My Life In Ruins, produced by Tom Hanks.<br /><br />More information of both of these talented artists can be found on their respective MySpace pages:<br />Eleni http://www.myspace.com/elenilost <br />Adam http://www.myspace.com/adamviolaris <br /><br />EMI MSF is delighted to have been able to play an important role in the musical development of both Eleni and Adam and look forward to their continued success.<br />";
news_thumb_image[5] = "";
news_title[6] = "The Swinton High School is officially designated a High Performing Specialist School!";
news_display_date[6] = "21.05.2008";
news_id[6] = "1737907";
news_teaser[6] = "";
news_text[6] = "Outstanding news arrived from the Department for Children, Schools and Families to John Biddlestone, Headteacher of The Swinton High School. With effect from September the school will be officially designated a High Performing Specialist School (HPSS) in the arts, mathematics and computing. This is an invitation only made to a minority of all secondary schools across the country. <br /><br />The Swinton High School is the seventh of EMI MSFs sponsored schools to obtain such an honour. <br /><br />In order to achieve HPSS a secondary school must meet the most challenging targets in all aspects of its performance:<br /><br />Pupils must make outstanding progress when compared with all other schools across the country.<br /><br />English and mathematics GCSE results must significantly exceed challenging targets. <br /><br />The schools most recent Ofsted inspection judgement must be good or outstanding.<br /><br />The school must prove itself to have been a successful specialist school for at least four years. <br /><br />Headteacher, John Biddlestone said: Its a privilege to be asked by DCSF to become a High Performing Specialist School. Our pupils, staff, parents, governors and community deserve this. We cant wait to get started and continue to make a difference for all of our pupils! <br /><br />A delighted chair of the full governing body, Mrs Jacky Davies said: Amazing. We have come a long way to get to this point. Watch us go now!<br /><br />EMI MSF is thrilled that the hard work and dedication of everyone at The Swinton High School has been recognised and looks forward to hearing of future achievements.";
news_thumb_image[6] = "/ms/imagerepository/newsimagespublic/1737906";
news_title[7] = "EMI MSF beneficiary Peter Moore WINS the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition";
news_display_date[7] = "13.05.2008";
news_id[7] = "1737305";
news_teaser[7] = "";
news_text[7] = "The EMI Music Sound Foundation (EMIMSF) is delighted to have helped BBCs Young Music of the Year Peter Moore with funds this March towards the purchase of the trombone he played at this years competition.  <br /><br />Peter started playing the trombone aged six.  He is now in year 7 at Chethams School of Music where he plays in many groups and ensembles while also holding the position of principal trombone of the National Childrens Band of Great Britain for the last three years.<br /><br />Peter said \"I couldn't have played some of the pieces that I used throughout the competition without the Yamaha Xeno (trombone). It has really made a difference to me.\"<br /><br />2008 marks the 30th anniversary of BBC Young Musician of the Year, the UK's most prestigious classical music competition for young people.  At 12 years old, Peter was the youngest musician in the final competition held at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff.<br /><br />The Foundation is proud and delighted to be able to help music students like Peter with the vital funds they need to purchase instruments as well as maintaining our investment in KS1 Music.  Over this academic year 26 of the 34 secondary schools with which we are associated have each been working in partnership with their feeder schools in helping to deliver KS1 music more effectively.  Each secondary school was offered £5000 by EMI MSF to be spent on specialist music training for teachers from its primary feeder schools plus primary music resources.  The Institute of Education has been engaged to monitor and evaluate the impact these funds will make and will be reporting its findings in September. <br />";
news_thumb_image[7] = "/ms/imagerepository/newsimagespublic/1731521";
news_title[8] = "EMI MSF supported school Dowdales in Cumbria hosts 3rd Chamber Music weekend";
news_display_date[8] = "13.05.2008";
news_id[8] = "1737280";
news_teaser[8] = "";
news_text[8] = "The photograph below shows Michael Walton (former Cumbrian resident - now teaching violin in the North East and touring the country as a freelance player) teaching a group of string players in Dowdales 3rd annual chamber music weekend. Michael's brother Edward was also a string coach for the weekend - another freelance violinist, Edward works in London.  Players of all ages from junior and secondary school level through to adults and retired musicians, played together in this group.<br /><br />Each spring, since EMI MSF assisted Dowdales with funding in 2006, the school has brought in orchestral players from the likes of the Halle Orchestra, RLPO, and tutors from Chethams School of Music to coach at a 2 day intensive weekend of chamber music making. This culminates in a showcase of chamber music talent, and the groups which make the most progress are publicly commended. For the first time strings played in the Showcase - a credit to how much everyone at the music centre has grown in confidence since the programme started. <br /> <br />This year Dowdales enjoyed a fabulous concert at the end of the Spring weekend with performances of Bach's double violin concerto and a major romantic and flamboyant Spanish duet played by the Walton brothers, Jodi Moore demonstrating the capabilities of the French Horn, John Mellor (Head of Woodwind at Leeds College of music and freelance player for the Halle, RLPO, Opera North, Northern Sinfonia and others) showing his wizardry on the clarinet, and Mark Parkinson showing how the flute is used in jazz music.<br /> <br />All 3 groups who took part in the chamber music weekend enjoyed Easter Eggs after the Showcase for their extra efforts!<br /><br />Anastasia Micklethwaite<br />Director, Furness Music Centre, Dowdales Campus. ";
news_thumb_image[8] = "/ms/imagerepository/newsimagespublic/1737279";
news_title[9] = "EMI MSF beneficiary Peter Moore takes part in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.";
news_display_date[9] = "01.04.2008";
news_id[9] = "1731522";
news_teaser[9] = "";
news_text[9] = "2008 is the 30th anniversary of BBC Young Musician of the Year, the UK's most prestigious classical music competition for young people.<br /><br />Peter Moore was successful in applying to the EMI Music Sound Foundation for a grant in March this year which will help to fund his newest trombone that he is hoping will take him all the way in the competition!<br /><br />At 12 years old, Peter has been the youngest remaining musician in the competition since he triumphed over some 360 musicians and reached the category finals. The category finals were held in February where the musicians battled it out for one of five coveted places in the grand final. To find out whether Peter made it through be sure to watch the television coverage during the week leading up to the 10th and 11th May!!<br /><br />All Peters family are brass players and he started playing the trombone aged six. In year 7 at Chethams School of Music, he plays in many groups and ensembles but has also held the position of principal Trombone of the National Childrens Band of Great Britain for the last three years and is solo trombone player with Wingates. ";
news_thumb_image[9] = "/ms/imagerepository/newsimagespublic/1731521";