UTAS Community Music Programme in Launceston, Tasmania | Musician/band

UTAS Community Music Programme

Locality: Launceston, Tasmania

Phone: +61 408 343 877

Address: Newnham Drive 7250 Launceston, TAS, Australia

Website: http://www.utcmp.org.au

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25.01.2022 How BEGINNING BAND operates Times: 5.30 - 6.45 pm Mondays. School terms followed. Venue: UTAS Newnham Room A107... Beginning Band starts with a series of 6-8 tutorials with 'like instruments", so a small group of clarinets go with a clarinet tutor, trumpets with a trumpet tutor etc. Sometimes if there is only one person playing a particular instrument, they receive one on one tuition for this time. Then after the tutorials, everyone gets together for their first whole band experience - this is an exciting moment for all, as players get to hear the many different sounds. We don't assume any prior music learning, although some people do come along having some musical knowledge, with some existing players taking up a second instrument just for fun. After a year of Beginning Band, players move up to Intermediate Band. This band comprises players with one - many years experience (some players have been in Intermediate for quite a while and are comfortable staying at that level). The steps from there require auditioning to move into Concert Band and above. Other information can be found at www.utcmp.org.au

25.01.2022 We have a new YouTube channel for the programme. There isn't much content there yet, but we hope for it to grow! So, check it out and Subscribe for updates https://www.youtube.com/c/UCCqEYyikRm52Ps_yyqXgOJw/featured

25.01.2022 It's going to be a chilly one this weekend...why not stay warm indoors and play some music? Our Intermediate Band Director Jessica Borton suggests: "When you're trying to get your head around something new, use every way to learn that is best for you. Find a recording of your piece, scale, exercise. Listen to it. Read and sing it. Move your fingers while listening, while singing. If it's in your muscle memory, it will be easier to let your fingers move automatically as your breath and articulation catch up. Start S L O W and remember that perfect is not the aim. Musical is the aim."

24.01.2022 Check out two of our own in the Yamaha Wind Orchestra under the direction of Rob McWilliams. Congratulations Jessie Legge and Rebecca Jee!

22.01.2022 Great repertoire coming up with fabulous solo parts in the Middle eastern flavoured pieces. Put this one in your diary!

21.01.2022 Coronavirus Update The situation across the globe regarding COVID-19 is changing rapidly. The dynamic nature of the transmission of the virus and the corresponding responses from Governments means that we must all be flexible in order to adapt to new situations as they arise and/or are thrust upon us, at times with little notice. There are some basic precautions we can all take to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19 within the UTCMP. It is important that we, as individua...Continue reading

19.01.2022 Woodwind and Voice Masterclasses...check it out!

17.01.2022 COVID-19 Update: This evening (24 March) the Community Music Programme’s Executive met via video conference to discuss the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and how it impacts upon our wonderful programme. From the outset let me assure you that every member of the Executive along with the Conducting Team are devastated that we are unable to make music at this present time. ... However, we must adhere to the state and federal government’s instructions regarding social distancing and the gathering of people. After much discussion, it has been decided that the UTCMP will remain in recess until Monday July 26, which is the commencement of Term 3. It breaks our hearts to do this as we all love making music with our friends and colleagues. However, we deeply value our members and your health and safety will always be our priority. It is with this motivation we came to our decision. Whilst we cannot meet together to make music, I have asked your conductor to remain in contact with you and to provide information on what to practice and what to listen to. They will be in touch shortly. With a community spirit and some innovation and resourcefulness, we hope to be able to weather this crisis, find new ways to connect musically and finally rejoice once more in the beauty of music and music-making in our beloved Community Music Programme. Stay safe, practice social distancing, but stay close to your instrument and music! Kind regards, Stephen King Musical Director University of Tasmania Community Music Programme

17.01.2022 Hi Everyone, I've got some great news to share with you! The university has given us approval to return to rehearsals :) Whilst we have approval there are still a number of requirements that we must meet before we can be back making music together. These are not huge tasks, but they are ones that we must do.... First and foremost everyone who wishes to return must complete a Return to Rehearsal COVID Compliance Form. This form is to be completed before you are allowed on the university campus. The form is to ensure you understand COVID safe practices and is for contact tracing. It is a requirement of the university. There are four ways to complete the Return to Rehearsal COVID Compliance Form, they are: * in digital format (see link below) * by printing the attached PDF, filling it in and scanning/taking a photo for return email * by printing the attached PDF, completing and mailing it to CMP * by contacting Vanessa and requesting a mailed hard copy to be completed and returned by mail If you wish to post the form back, they programmes address is PO Box 242, Mowbray, TAS. 7248. Please complete the form as a matter of urgency - the sooner the form is submitted the sooner you can return to rehearsal and music making. If you are not ready to return to rehearsal, please notify your conductor as soon as possible. Your conductor will be in touch very soon to outline when your ensemble will commence rehearsing and with specific information for your band. When we return to the campus we must comply with the following: * Enter via the UTAS Heath Hub in the Sir Raymond Ferrall Building * Compulsory use of towels for brass and woodwind players to collect condensation * Entry and Exit to/from the Auditorium * Enter via the southern corridor * Exit via northern corridor Your conductor will provide you with more information and instructions to ensure that we all meet the return to rehearsal plan and the university's COVID Compliance Policy. One of the things that we need to do is prepare the auditorium for rehearsals. If you are able to assist on Saturday 8 August 9.00am until about 12.00pm we would love to hear from you. Please complete the link below. We will confirm details with you via text message. Thankyou in advance! Regards, Steve Return to Rehearsal https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx Working Bee https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx

15.01.2022 Beginning Band is in its second week as an ensemble, after weeks of getting to know the basics of their chosen instrument with their tutors. They’re already sounding fantastic!

13.01.2022 Exciting times just around the corner as a new batch of beginning players are about to embark on their music learning! We had a great information session on 26th Feb, and here are some photos showing some of our team demonstrating instruments. First tutorial is on Monday 2nd March 5.30pm A107- not too late to register so choose from clarinet, flute, oboe, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium or tuba. Email [email protected]

11.01.2022 Hi everyone, How is your practice going? I trust you are still keeping practicing for when bands recommence. Members of Concert Band are working hard on the challenges set by Heidi their conductor. Trevor (Euph) sent in this video of him working on the set rhythm exercises and scales. This video shows him combine the scales and rhythms - nice work Trevor!

10.01.2022 So many valuable practise tips from an International seasoned soloist! Most of all, to reinforce the neural pathways from the brain to the hands, SLOW, SLOW, SLOW down the tricky bits, eliminate distractions and be very measured and critical.

10.01.2022 Hi everyone, starting dates and other dates for 2020 have been sent out to players. For anyone who missed the information, here are the start dates: Beginning Band Information Session Mon 17th Feb 5.30pm Beginning Band 1st tutorial Mon 2nd March 5.30pm... Development Band - not running this year Intermediate Band - last years Beg Band and Dev band players go up to this band Tues 25th Feb 5.30pm Concert Band Tues 18th Feb 7.00pm Symphonic Band Mon 17th Feb 7.00pm Wind Orchestra Wed 12th Feb 7.00pm All in A107 Newnham Campus as usual. Contact Vanessa [email protected] for more information

07.01.2022 Friends of the TSO presents Mitchell Nissen (Principal Bass Trombone) in a 'Meet and Greet'

06.01.2022 Over the last 24-hours, I have been monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19 and as you are no doubt aware of the situation and information are constantly changing. With the current state of unknown and unrest within the wider community and the predicted increase in cases over the coming weeks, I have made the difficult decision to put the UTCMP into recess for two weeks commencing today. Your conductor will be in touch with you over the coming days to provide you with... specific practice tasks for the next two weeks. They will also inform you when your rehearsals will recommence. Our primary focus is the health and wellbeing of all of our community, and we are taking a proactive approach to ensure that everyone is safe. The programme’s executive will continue to monitor the situation and be in contact as and when necessary. Kind regards, Stephen King Musical Director University of Tasmania Community Music Programme

04.01.2022 https://youtu.be/8OzQ1lB2Jmk Oh Magnum Mysterium, played many times by us, and lovely to hear the brass version here

04.01.2022 MEET THE MUSOS: Heidi King Our Concert Band Director, Heidi King, has been involved with the programme since 1996, when she was studying for her Bachelor of Education at UTAS. "At the time I wasn't actually all that interested in teaching music, let alone being involved in a band," she says. But with some persuasion from UTCMP founder Monte Mumford, Heidi realised that music was exactly what she should be doing. "So in my second year of uni I switched from a science minor to ...a music one and joined Beginning Band on clarinet. Like many of our players who start in Beginning Band, I had never played in a band or even played any band instrument before. I became an apprentice conductor soon after. The rest, as they say, is history in my case 25 years of continuous involvement in the programme kind of history!" Heidi has also played euphonium in the programme (just don't tell the brass players!) and currently plays alto saxophone in Wind Orchestra. She believes that music is an incredible gift from God that has the power to connect people on a deep level. "Music is wonderfully transcendent. It encourages and allows people to communicate and express themselves in ways far beyond the scope of words. When that happens in a community context that crosses ages, gender and ability, it is incredibly powerful. For me it is addictive." Pictured: Heidi playing with the leather orchestra for Junction Arts festival in 2012; in Wind Orchestra; and working with Concert Band. ___________ Have you got your tickets to our Wind Orchestra concert on Saturday 3 July at St John's? Available now from Barratt's Music.

03.01.2022 While the bands are in recess, I thought I'd share some thoughts on practice. So, here is the first one. Practice Slow = Fast Improvement Fast Practice = Slow Improvement... As you practice every day do the following: 1. Plan your practice (warm-up, technique, pieces). Rhythms, scales, ensemble exercises, pieces, solos, etc. Follow the advice of your conductor. 2. Keep a Practice Journal - write your goals. What you want to achieve today, this week, this month, this year. Write a plan for today's practice and what you actually practised, why you practised it, how you practised it and what went well. 3. Use a metronome. It keeps us honest! 4. Record yourself 5. Listen back to the recording and write notes in your journal 6. Rest & reflect - a good time to write in your journal ;) 7. Listen to music for inspiration. Journal the music you are listening too (link to the clip, who is performing and how you can use aspects to improve your performance) Most of all, practise and play regularly and enjoy it :) Happy (SLOW) practise :) Steve

01.01.2022 We are excited to present our first concert for the year! Join us at the beautiful St John's Church for an evening of excellent music from our Wind Orchestra and our friends City of Launceston RSL Band. Tickets available now from Barratts Music. "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." Aldous Huxley

01.01.2022 What a wonderful initiative! Please get the word out across Australia and let's see if we can bring a smile to a few musicians' faces