Mark Lockheart to compose for 2014 Jazz Electives, Birmingham.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Award-winning saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart has been chosen as the 2014 Jazz Electives composer by Town Hall & Symphony Hall (THSH) and Birmingham Music Service.

We have received the following pressrelease from TownHlaa/Symphony Hall, Birmingham;

MARK LOCKHEART TO COMPOSE FOR 2014 JAZZ ELECTIVES

http://www.thsh.co.uk/news/press-releases/jazz-electives-2014-composer-announced

Award-winning saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart has been chosen as the 2014 Jazz Electives composer by Town Hall & Symphony Hall (THSH) and Birmingham Music Service.  Mark will write and lead a specially commissioned piece for 250 school children, to be performed in Symphony Hall at the flagship Generation Ladywood Showcase in June 2014.  He will be supported by the trumpeter, composer and improviser Laura Jurd and the Jazzlines Trio in delivering the project.

The Parliamentary Jazz Award-winning musician will also lead familiarisation sessions with Birmingham Music Service tutors and take a series of rehearsals with the young jazz musicians before leading the performance at Symphony Hall. 

Mark says, “I’m delighted and excited to be writing a piece for THSH Jazz Electives. It’s a great opportunity and challenge for me to write something that introduces very young musicians to the diversity and richness of?jazz music in Britain today.”

Jazz Electives are Ladywood children in Years 5 and 6 (aged 9-11) who have all elected to continue to learn an instrument after a year of classroom teaching.  Jazz Electives is part of Generation Ladywood, Symphony Hall’s 21st anniversary legacy project to connect young people in its immediate neighbourhood of Ladywood to music.? The ambitious project aims to offer 5,050 Key Stage 2 children the opportunity to learn to sing, play an instrument and attend concerts and gigs at Town Hall and Symphony Hall.? In its first year 2,700 children have been directly involved in Generation Ladywood and a further 1,300 through associated activity from partners Birmingham Music Service, bringing the total reached to 4,000. 

In June 2013, Jazz Electives - 250 young jazz musicians from 10 Ladywood schools - performed a specially-composed piece, led and written by eminent jazz musician Jason Yarde. ?The concert at Symphony Hall was sponsored by Service Birmingham.  A short film can be viewed at http://www.thsh.co.uk.  The concert also marked a year since the passing of the inspiring jazz trumpeter Abram Wilson who was the first Associate Artist of THSH’s new Jazzlines programme in 2012 and helped develop Generation Ladywood.?

Mark Lockheart is one of the most distinctive and creative musicians on the current British music scene. As a saxophonist and composer, his work often defies categorisation and crosses the boundaries of the jazz, new music and folk worlds. “Lockheart is a consummate saxophonist and a original and versatile composer” The Rough Guide to Jazz.
Read more ? http://marklockheart.co.uk/

Laura Jurd is a London based trumpet player, composer and improviser. A diverse musician, she plays and writes a wide variety of music, drawing upon classical, jazz and folk influences. An active member of the UK jazz and improvisation scene Laura’s ensembles have performed at some of the country’s most prestigious venues as well as performing in many UK festivals.
Read more ? http://www.laurajurd.com

Generation Ladywood is Symphony Hall’s 21st anniversary legacy project to connect young people in its immediate neighbourhood of Ladywood to music.? The ambitious project aims to offer 5,050 Key Stage 2 children the opportunity to learn to sing, play an instrument and attend concerts and gigs at Town Hall and Symphony Hall.?
Read more ? http://www.thsh.co.uk/learn-and-join-in/generation-ladywood/

Jazzlines is Town Hall & Symphony Hall’s dynamic strand of concert programming and inspirational education work from jazz producers Tony Dudley-Evans and Mary Wakelam Sloan, connecting people to jazz music. Launched in April 2012, Jazzlines is supported by a three-year funding grant from Arts Council England under the National Portfolio Organisation scheme. The programme encompasses live jazz performances at a wide variety of venues around the city, including Town Hall & Symphony Hall, and an innovative participation and learning programme.
Read more ? http://www.thsh.co.uk/jazzlines

Town Hall and Symphony Hall are managed together by Performances Birmingham Limited, a Registered Charity No 1053937.? Between them, the two halls present an exciting and varied programme of over 600 concerts and events a year, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds to music from jazz, folk, world, roots and classical, to rock and pop.? Over 500,000 people visit Town Hall and Symphony Hall annually, and almost 12,000 young people and 6,000 adults participate in the thriving Education and Community programme. 

Town Hall Birmingham re-opened in October 2007 following a £35m renovation funded by Birmingham City Council (£18.3m), Heritage Lottery Fund (£13.7m), European Regional Development Fund (£3m).

Funded by Birmingham City Council
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England

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