Newark and Sherwood is Alive with Music.

If you’re interested, then please get in touch with the District Council by calling 01636 650000 or emailing customerservices@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk to gain an invite to this fantastic event!

Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts, will again chair the meeting and said: “Music is so vital and I wanted to organise a series of events that not only celebrate it, but will also ensure that it is firmly placed as a focus for the District Council going forward. This is a chance for musicians, both amateur and professional, and all those involved in music-making in the district to network, exchange ideas and to celebrate all that music brings to our lives. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of music in people’s lives not only for health, wellbeing and a sense of identity and place, but also as a field offering myriad work opportunities in the Creative industries; a positive and successful story for our times.

“There is a huge musical movement in our district that is currently untapped and not all connected.  I want to ensure that this breaks out into the open and encourages even more people to pick up an instrument or sing a song for the first time to fully understand the incredible benefits music can bring to your life.  Therefore, I’m keen to ensure that any local people involved in music in any capacity, or those that would like to be but don’t know how, make contact with us and get an invite to this second event celebrating music.

“During our first event, we heard from many musicians and composers whose lives have changed dramatically because of music.  We heard from people who were introduced to music as young children, and it helped shape them into the people they are today and prevented them from being distracted by unfavourable activities.  The power of music shouldn’t be underestimated and we’re hoping to raise its local profile through these meetings.”

During the second evening, guest performers and speakers will include:

Newark and Sherwood Concert Band, development band. They will play and share the background of their approach to ensemble playing.

Chris Brannick – multi-instrumentalist and percussionist. Known for his work with Ensemble Bash and as principal percussionist with the Glyndebourne Touring Opera for 15 years, Chris was also Joint CEO for the Newham Music Trust and has much experience in music education, including producing educational material for the publishers A&C Black.

Jessie Furnace (AKA Jessie Dipper).  Jessie is a talented young composer and song writer who works with Tileyard Education and Confetti Nottingham.

Marcus Farnsworth. Marcus is well known in the local area as the founder and artistic director of the unique and wonderful Southwell Music Festival. He is also a baritone of renown, performing around the world.

John Wright, The Workshop Newark.  John is a local luthier (violin maker) crafting instruments that are in demand across the world by soloists, orchestral players and collectors. John also teaches at the famous Newark School of Violin Making.

Milly Lawson. Milly, is from the District Council’s Open Doors Team at the Palace Theatre and will be talking about all the exciting projects currently on offer in the district since being made a National Portfolio Organisation for 2023 to 2026.

This event follows from the huge success of its first iteration, held in May this year, which saw over 70 people attend the Civic Suite at Castle House.  With demand growing, the District Council has decided to move the evening to a bigger venue, the Palace Theatre Newark, to ensure that everyone who wants to attend, can do!

Councillor Cozens concludes: “I am delighted that this will be our second in a series of meetings to drive this agenda forward. I know that this will be the beginning of something very special for Newark and Sherwood District Council and I look forward to seeing how we can support musicians going forward.

“My hope is that there will be people in the audience this time who will get involved in future sessions, coming forward to explain what they do, not just the music makers, but also the makers of the instruments too. We want to hear from you all.”