Live music set to bring Bolsover District alive

We have been hailed as being ‘at the forefront of music and orchestral work in the East Midlands’ by the Partnership Manager of Orchestras Live.

We have launched our new three-year Orchestral Development plan, which will involve local school children, community groups, adults and older people in developing their musical skills and talent by learning from some of the world’s best musicians and orchestra’s.

Stuart Bruce, Partnership Manager of Orchestras Live complimented the Council on its work and efforts to bring top quality orchestras to the area and said, “Bolsover District Council is, and has been, at the forefront of orchestral work in the East Midlands for a number of years now. Just because you don’t live in London, Manchester or Birmingham does not mean you should not have access to top quality orchestra’s and musicians, that’s why we are delighted that we can continue to work with Bolsover and improve upon the good work that has already taken place for the benefit of their local communities.”

The three year plan will see a number of participation projects and performances across Bolsover District involving all sections of the community, especially young people. The orchestras’ and musicians will actively engage with local schools and communities through a series of projects which will mark areas of regeneration in the District.

All the projects are funded from public art contributions through specific Section 106 agreements (see note to editors) and external funding partners.

The projects include:

• Lullaby concert and workshops within the District aimed at inspiring young children (two to five years old) and their families/carers and involving a 12-piece City of London Sinfonia (CLS) orchestra that includes specially arranged classical repertoire, nursery rhymes and other participatory material. In year 2 this project will have the theme of magic.
• A second intergenerational project in Clowne involving all sections of the local community who will make a film and soundtrack about recycling in the community. A nationally acclaimed artist will work with young people from the Heritage School along with sheltered housing dwellings and community groups to make sustainable musical instruments out of re-cycled materials.
• An innovative national tour called Invocation will come to South Normanton that brings something unique to the orchestral repertoire and melds together different cultures and art forms in a live performance.

Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Councillor Ann Syrett said, “Our music work puts us in an elite group of councils’ and the benefits a project like this offers should not be underestimated. Our children and communities have every right to experience and learn from some of the world’s best musicians and orchestras’ and this plan not only brings culture and music to the District, but helps us bring these communities together, whilst educating them on a variety of subjects.

“We want to build upon our successful partnership with Orchestras Live, so that whatever we provide in the next few years is shaped by what our local communities want, making it unique to us. The proposals in our development plan are a starting block and we hope to expand upon these over time so that more and more people can participate in and enjoy the benefits of what music can offer.”

Over one thousand five-hundred people from nursery school children to nursing home residents, plus thousands of audience members, participated in the last plan and they all thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of their comments are below:

“My mum said it was brilliant. I felt really happy when she said that. I don’t think they were expecting it to be so good, so they were surprised. They hadn’t seen anything like it before, but they‘d go and see something like it again.” Pupil at Heritage High School, Clowne.

“I felt absolutely bursting with happiness when I sang in the concert” Pupil at Creswell Junior School pupil.

 “The ideas all came from us – making up the beats from the words, like Heritage High School. One person started off with the drum then it was like a heartbeat and we played other instruments to create suspense and tension.” Pupil at Heritage High School, Clowne.

“Thank you ever so much everyone, it was one of the best few days of my life and I hope I get to do something like this with you again.” Pupil at Glebe Junior School South Normanton.

“The film was really brilliant. Everybody had their own input to make everything as good as it could be. We thought of it, we were in it, it was the children of Clowne all together.” Pupil at Heritage High School, Clowne.

“Totally inspirational! It enabled them to imagine the story in a vivid way. It brought it to life and reinforced the reality of what it was all based on.” Teacher at Glebe Junior School, South Normanton.

If you wish to get involved in the Orchestral Development Plan please telephone 01246 593061.

The decision is subject to Scrutiny Call In, who have until 20th January 2012 to challenge or question the decision.

Notes to Editors:
1. A Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows a local planning authority (LPA) to enter into a legally-binding agreement or planning obligation with a landowner in association with the granting of planning permission. The obligation is termed a Section 106 Agreement. These agreements are a way of delivering or addressing matters that are necessary to make a development acceptable in planning terms. They are increasingly used to support the provision of services and infrastructure, such as highways, recreational facilities, education, health and affordable housing.

Date issued: 16th January 2012