WalkForCrohns Singing Competition

WalkForCrohns is holding a singing competition at a top London theatre with a capacity of 400 (Royal College of Musicians) on Sat 1st November. There will be an expert panel of judges including those from record labels.

Auditions will be held the weekend of 20th and 21st of September, one in North and one in South London.

If you are interested in auditioning please email info@walkforcrohns.org.uk with the name of your act, and the type of music. Pianos and Guitars can be used, but no full band equipment. All participants must be aged 16+ . Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested in auditioning.

There is no committment by emailing us at this stage, but it will be helpful for us to gauge levels of interest.

More information can be obtained from the website.

Chimaera Productions presents "The Showcase"

The Showcase is a regular event held at The Nicol Edwards' Pub, Niddry Street, Edinburgh. But what is it?

Well, It's about performance. Theatre, drama, Stand-up comedy, performance poetry, film, mime... basically anything that could be described as performance.

There are several 20 minute slots available at each event (but if your piece is only 5 minutes long - that's fine, and longer pieces will always be considered). You don't need any experience, you don't need a performance history, you don't need to show us proof of your award winning theatrical debut. Just ask for an application and if there's a slot available, it's yours!

We offer the chance to get new work seen in a city that is ever so competative.
Meet like minded people, relax in the late licence bar afterwards, perform in an intimate venue in the centre of Edinburgh's Old Town. Aimed primarily at 'artistes' (What a wonderfully bourgois title!) who are just starting out on their career,
people who may still be at college or University and those just graduating. Although we won't turn down a seasoned pro either. And amateur performers are always welcome.

We do not charge any performer or company a single penny to get involved. It's free. It's fun. It's a chance to network and perform with the new generation of performance artists!

More details on the website.

Musical Choir For Fundraising Needed

YOUR CHANCE TO RECORD WITH MAGGIE MOONE

Ever fancied singing? An exciting opportunity has arisen for the people of the Midlands to take part in the latest collaboration between singing sensation Maggie Moone and Matthew Jones Music…

Young musician and entrepreneur Matthew Jones has recently signed with the 80’s star of light-entertainment (best known as the resident singer on ITV’s ‘Name That Tune‘) to record an album of songs by the legendary lyricist Don Black in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Don Black, who will be celebrating his 70th Birthday this year, discovered Birmingham-born Maggie Moone some 30 years ago and is renowned globally for songs such as ‘Ben’, ‘Born Free’, ‘Sam’, ‘To Sir, With Love’ and the musicals ‘Aspects Of Love’, ‘Bombay Dreams’, ‘Starlight Express’, ‘Sunset Boulevard’ not to mention his ‘James Bond’ success.

Matthew Jones Music are looking for people of all ages, with and without singing experience to form a choir - a real ‘must’ for those who enjoy a challenge and have a passion for fund-raising.

Matthew Jones has had much experience in training ‘non-singers’ to a high, professional standard - most notably in his productions of ‘Mozart’s Coronation Mass’, ‘Faure’s Requiem’ and ‘Vivaldi’s Gloria’ staged at some of the UK’s finest venues.

Rehearsals for this large-scale, full-orchestral recording commence on Wednesday 5th March (in the Birmingham area, Venue TBC) and kick-starts a 12-week schedule prior to the recording sessions at the prestigious Ingestre Hall, Staffordshire from 23rd to 25th May.

For further information contact Matthew Jones Music on 07999 917 001 / 07969 569 576.

Voluntary Arts Survey 2008

As you may have already heard Friday 1st February 2008 marked the launch of the Department for Culture Media and Sport's first ever national survey of amateur arts groups in England. Covering music, drama, dance, literature, visual arts and crafts the aim is to get a clearer picture of amateur arts in England. The research has the potential to be very useful as a point of reference when applying for funding and for looking at how amateur arts groups could be better supported.

The survey will run from 1st-29th February 2008 and can be completed by going to http://www.artsurvey.org.uk. As a thank you for completing the survey, groups will be entered into a free prize draw. Three respondents will be selected at random and receive £150 for their group.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Voluntary Arts on 0191 281 9955 or by email.