Autumn Term Round-up

01 January 2017

From the launch of Camden's first Drumline to recording a charity single and performing at Highgate Library's 110th birthday, autumn 2016 was a busy time for Young Music Makers.

Even before the autumn term began, members of the YMM Big Band were entertaining crowds at the annual York Rise Street Party in NW5. The September sun shone over the Jazz Stage, and we met many of our Kentish Town and Tufnell Park neighbours.

This term we launched three brand new groups: Camden's first ever Drumline, for drum and percussion students, is divided into Junior and Senior classes, and is led by Box 9's Elsa Bradley. YMM Voices, taught by choir leader Dina Azzam, is a vocal group for 13-16 year olds focussing on harmony, improvisation and microphone technique.

Friends of Highgate Library invited some of our young classical musicians to perform at Highgate Library's 110th birthday celebration. Leon Butterworth played several pieces for solo guitar and the Senior Recorder Duo (Madeleine Ballay and Ariana Kerman) were accompanied by YMM's Administrative Director, Becky McChrystal, in her debut performance on bass recorder!

The highlight of November was our annual YMM Vocal Concert, featuring three children's choirs, two adult choirs and several incredible solo performances. The choirs, led by Dina Azzam and Tom Scratchley, performed a huge range of repertoire from Inchworm by Frank Loesser to Ubi Caritas by Ola Gill. Choirs 2 and 3, accompanied by Junior Jazz's rhythm section, sang four pieces from Anthony Maloney's Hullabaloo, including the world premiere of the title song.

In December, four of our brass students formed a horn section to record Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer alongside students of pianist and YMM alumnus, Rosa Ullmann. The Christmas charity video has raised over £700 for Hand in Hand for Syria. If you would like to help them reach their target, you can donate HERE.

The YMM Christmas Concert on the last day of term showcased all of our wonderful groups and ensembles, from the youngest children in Music Box all the way up to Big Band. Notable items were the collaboration between Rock 'n Pop 2 and the Adult Rhythm 'n Blues Band, and a Flute Choir, which was created especially for this concert and led by Hollie MacDonald. There were also impressive debut performances by Junior Drumline, Senior Drumline and YMM Voices. Congratulations to all involved for a marvellous concert!