A New World, by Paul Smith

5 titles newly published

Paul Smith’s ‘A New World’ has been released by Edition Peters. Available as part of the VOCES8 Singles series they join his two other publications, the VOCES8 Method and Pas de Deux.

‘A New World’ is a musical story across five movements with texts by authors from Cicero and Ovid to George William Russel; from nursery rhymes to war poets. The music and texts link to form a narrative that questions what sort of ‘New Worlds’ have come into existence, or could be created in our future, and considers how we balance human traits of fear, displacement, isolation and conflict with equally human traits of love, hope, forgiveness and unity.

‘A New World’ will be premiered in Durham Cathedral on February 7th next year as part of the Durham Vocal Festival.

The pieces are available here.

Apollo5 winners at The Music Teacher awards 2018

Best Classical Music Education Initiative at the Music Teacher awards 2018

In partnership with United Learning and long term friend and collaborator Alexander L’Estrange, Apollo5has been awarded Best Classical Music Education Initiative 2018 at the UK Music Teacher Awards. ‘Wassail’, a new work commissioned by United Learning was performed in London’s Southwark Cathedral and at the RNCM in Manchester in November 2017.

The VCM Foundation team delivered the majority of the workshops in United Learning Schools, and formed the professional choir for the two concerts, which included nearly 1,000 children from schools all across the UK.

The team members who were involved in making this project a success were Clare Stewart (Apollo5), Greg Link (Apollo5), Oliver Martin-Smith (Apollo5), Penny Appleyard (Apollo5), Lizzie Humphries (VOCES8 Scholar), Katie Jeffries-Harris (VOCES8 Scholar), Rebekah Jones (VCM Foundation), Laurel Neighbour (VOCES8 Scholar), Charlotte Brosnan (Apollo5 alumna) Charles MacDougall (VOCES8 alumnus), Harry Bennett (Apollo5 alumnus) Ann Wright (VCM Foundation), Paul Smith (VOCES8 alumnus).

‘Supporting schools with learning and performing “Wassail” took our team to rural Lancashire, Salford, Northamptonshire, South London and West Sussex to name just a few of the places. In many cases the schools had never worked with professional singers before. In some, “Wassail” was the catalyst to starting a school choir. It was such a pleasure to support so many teachers and pupils.’ (Ann Wright, VCM Education Manager)

The inaugural Gresham Centre Festival

“Sing to the City”

The Gresham Centre is home to the VCM Foundation who have launched the inaugural festival this week. The events feature the Foundation’s two performing ensembles – Apollo5 and VOCES8 – but there are opportunities to hear the VOCES8 Scholars and to work with the Foundation’s Artistic Director, Barnaby Smith, on a conducting workshop.

See more about the Festival here.

To buy tickets for the closing concert on November 14th, click here.

Paul Smith the 21st Century Musician

21CMposium talk online

During the 21CMposium at DePauw University last year Paul gave a demonstration of the VOCES8 Method, leading the audience in a series of impromptu performances. Through rhythmic exercises, improvisations and an interactive rendition of Fleet Foxes White Winter Hymnal, he revealed how the Method can make music education more inclusive and encouraging of personal creativity. Watch it here.

21CM.org is an online, professional resource created expressly to help serious musicians thrive, not just survive, in today’s modern musical landscape. The site combines a magazine focused on people, organizations, projects and innovations with live events and educational tools.

Paul’s website is at www.psv8.co.uk