Lucy Cavendish Singers

Since Easter 2009, I have been a member of the Lucy Cavendish Singers:
http://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/pages/news-events/lucy-cavendish-singers.php

We perform in Cambridge, often at various functions at Lucy Cavendish College (to which the choir is attached) or at public performances in venues such as the Michaelhouse Centre (http://www.michaelhouse.org.uk/), the EURC (http://emmanuel-urc.org.uk/) on Trumptington Street or the Bateman Auditorium in Gonville and Caius College (http://www.conferencecambridge.com/home/index.php?m=venues&id=10).

There are new photographs on the choir's website, above, along with some of the watercolour portraits which Lesley Fotherby has painted of the choir during our rehearsals and concerts over the last year or so. Lesley is a very talented watercolour artist, who enjoys capturing performance artists in the art of creation. Some of her other works can be viewed here: http://www.chrisbeetles.com/gallery/artist.php?art=1731

Also available on the website are lists of past and forthcoming performances as well as recordings of live choir works from the last year.

Lucy Cavendish Singers also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucy-Cavendish-Singers/114828925238309

Here you can find more photographs of the choir and details of upcoming events.

The choir are lucky to be accompanied by a talented band of musicians, notably:

Simon Marlow on piano
http://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/pages/news-events/lucy-cavendish-singers/simon-marlow.php

Nicky Haire on violin
http://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/pages/news-events/lucy-cavendish-singers/nicky-haire.php

Jon Ward on guitar and percussion
http://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/pages/news-events/lucy-cavendish-singers/jon-ward.php

and the new addition, Sarah Sharrock, on double bass
http://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/pages/news-events/lucy-cavendish-singers/sarah-sharrock.php


Jon also has his own music business, which includes his guitar tuition and mobile music system, Soul Music Nights:
http://www.gumtree.com/p/business-services/soul-music-nights-mobile-disco/81812056

The choir performs a range of music in our concerts, and audience and choir members are always complimentary of the way in which our fabulous directrice, Katharina Megli, creates a unique programme for each performance which combines music from 13th - 21st centuries, covering every musical style you can imagine! Pieces are performed by the whole choir, small groups and soloists. We have built up quite a following in Cambridge since the choir's inception in 2008 and often receive smiles and happy praise from attendees.

It is both a pleasure and a privilege to sing as a member of the Lucy Cavendish Singers. On my darkest days, a rehearsal with the gals always brings a value and smile to my experience. Here's to the future!

Facebook page

I have just started a Facebook page for my music bizz. Here it is:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zoe-Austin-Music-Cambridgeshire/122401297852228

I hope that it helps to attract more pupils.

Cly Sparken

I have recently been doing some singing with Cly Sparken. As described on www.cambridgebands.com as:


Cly: adj. [Gaelic] "heard from afar"
Sparken: n. archaic [Old English] "enchantment"

An acoustic mix of original folk and blues with strong melodies and dynamic vocals – Cly Sparken is the project of singer-songwriter Dave Neale, whose songs have been described as ‘haunting’ by NME. The name Cly Sparken was inspired by the beauty and folklore of the Peak District - also the inspiration for many of the songs on the debut album, Music for Strangers.


Here is a link to the myspace page, where you can hear some of the beautiful songs which Dave has written:
http://www.myspace.com/sparkenmusic

We performed at this year's Ely Folk Festival (http://www.elyfolk.co.uk/) on Friday, July 8th 2011. We were the opening act in Marquee 2 - the local band tent for local people. Dave is the main man on his vocals and guitar, I sang in four songs and Dave was joined by his Dad, Alan, playing a marvellous harmonica on four other songs. I really enjoyed myself - it was a pleasure to perform as part of Cly Sparken and the festival itself had a wonderful, friendly vibe.

Here is a photo of Dave and Alan performing together:

Last night, we performed as part of the Greenstage Festival (http://www.localsecrets.com/vcwhatsondetails.cfm?id=2072107~greenstage-festival-horningsea-cambridge-plough-and-fleece) at the Plough & Fleece in Horningsea. It was a cold and rainy night to be performing outdoors, and Dave joked, as we were about to start 'The Raincoat' that this was the second time we had performed in such weather conditions:

This was another very friendly gig with the welcoming Horningsea crowd. I again really enjoyed performing and many people complimented Dave after the fact on his performance and the quality of his song writing.

I'm not sure what the next event for Cly Sparken will be, but please watch this space! It is a musical venture of which I am proud to be a part and I would love for as many of you as possible to experience the group's music.

About me

I thought it would be useful for my first post to contain information about my music business.

I am a Music Tutor and Music Therapist operating a private practice in the Cambridgeshire area. Based in the Huntingdon district, I am able to visit music students in their homes of they are not able to come to me. I teach voice, violin, piano and theory of music at all levels and am happy to work with people from all different backgrounds and with different levels of musical experience and ability. I offer tuition in a wide range of musical styles - from Classical to jazz to folk. I am able to offer what you might call 'standard' music lessons as well as 'therapeutic/adaptive' lessons for people with learning difficulties, mental health difficulties etc.

I have around 10 years' experience of teaching music on a private basis. I worked for Dudley Music Services in 2004, Cambridgeshire Music 2010 - 2011 and will be working for Huntingdonshire Music School (HuMS  - http://www.humsa.org.uk/) come September of this year.

As well as being an experienced music tutor, I am also a HPC registered Music Therapist, practising to the ethical guidelines of the Association of Professional Music Therapists. For more information about Music Therapy and who it may potentially benefit, please read more on the APMT's website or contact me for more information: http://www.apmt.org/Info/MusicTherapy/tabid/69/Default.aspx

If you are interested in discussing Music Therapy or tuition with me further, please email za_music@yahoo.co.uk

Please continue to follow my blog and watch this space for future updates!