Posted on 16th May
A FIRST meeting to celebrate Newark and Sherwood’s passion for music — and look to what the future could hold for music enthusiasts — has been hosted by the district council.
The initiative and meetings also aim to promote the benefits music can offer the community.
Coun Rowan Cozens, deputy leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and portfolio holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts, who chaired the inaugural meeting, said:
“Music is so important and I wanted to organise an event that not only celebrated it, but also would act as first step towards ensuring that it is firmly placed as a focus for the council.
“We heard from many musicians or composers whose lives have changed dramatically because of music. We heard from people who were introduced to music as young children and it helped shape them into the people they are today and prevented them from being distracted by unfavourable activities.
“The power of music shouldn’t be underestimated.”
The Alive with Music evening was the first in what is hoped will be a series of inspiring evenings based around music in our lives.
During the event, attended by 70 people, Sapphie Johnson, a young local violinist who studies with the Junior Royal Academy of Music with Dr Chika Robertson, played, while guitarist Ruby Boyd sang her own composition, Of The Wild Things, inspired by her favourite children’s book.
Alongside the music performances, Boughton pianist and composer Chris Miggells talked about his innovative approach to writing and creating music, and performing it in unusual venues using acoustic quality to transcribe natural phenomena and experience.
Last year Chris gave three concerts in what remains of Clipstone Colliery.
Julie Fox, who sings and entertains in care homes, and works in supporting those with dementia alongside other areas where music can provide comfort, gave a talk about her diverse background in music and entertainment.
Her latest show, called The Memory Suitcase, uses props and songs to stir memories and start discussions to those living in care homes and those living with dementia.
Kevin McPherson, who composes and produces music for film, TV, advertising, and computer games, revealed insights into the world of the commercial composer.
“My life’s been changed by music,” he said. “I’ve seen the power that it’s had on people who would otherwise take very destructive paths, and the same way this was shown to me by two of the people in this room.
“If everyone was able to pay forward in this way we’d be living in a far better world than we’re experiencing right now.”
Dr Runa Saha, a GP and clinical associate professor of medical education spoke about transferable skills between music and medicine.
She compared the dedication required to master a musical instrument with the hours of practice needed to perform medicine.
The doctor said skills learnt through music can equip children to perform in other areas of life, simply by acknowledging these transferable skills.
“We need to highlight the benefits of a musical education to all who are in a position to provide access to it,” she added.
Lincoln Abbotts, engagement director at the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, talked about the power music has for doing good and inspiring positive change, adding:
“Having a go in music is fun. But it’s even more fun if you can keep going with it. You can’t use up creativity, the more use, the more you have, music promotes creativity. The competency of creativity is going to become ever more important.”
Coun Cozens added: “I am delighted that this will only be the first in a series of meetings to drive this agenda forward. I know that this will be the beginning of something very special for Newark and Sherwood District Council and I look forward to seeing how we can support musicians going forward.”
“My hope is that there will be people in the audience this time who will come forward to explain what they do at future sessions, not just the music makers, but also the makers of the instruments too. We want to hear from you all.”
