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Night Music

Andrew — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:04:21 +0000

This post features music composed by Edinburgh based music student Jamie Dunnett. He writes as follows. “Night Music was written specifically for OCA tutor and professional flautist Carla Rees to play at the composition workshop in November 2011. The brief was to write a piece, up to 3 minutes long, for unaccompanied flute. “The workshop provided a [...]

Musical highlights of 2011

Andrew — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:50:13 +0000

Just before we turn off the lights and lock the door on 2011, here are the musical highlights - as chosen by members of the OCA music team. Duncan Druce: For about a decade, each June, I’ve been spending a week (sometimes longer) in Bridgn

Learner Support Scheme launched

Andrew — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:11:20 +0000

We are pleased to announce the launch of an enhanced Learner Support Scheme. Trustees have set aside a budget of up to £15,000 in each financial year to underpin this important development. The new scheme will ensure the continuation of the e

Singalong melodies? Surely not…

Andrew — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:21:14 +0000

I was in Grange-over Sands the other weekend. In keeping with its somewhat old world charm, it has a bandstand where live music is performed on summer Sundays. It had to be relocated from a previous site near the railway station since ladies compla

The Messiah meets Purple Haze

Andrew — Wed, 18 May 2011 08:28:38 +0000

Music composition - and indeed other - students may be interested in an event on Saturday 4 June at 2:00pm in London. Harpsichordist Jane Chapman will be performing a selection of new pieces for harpsichord and electronics by composition studen

New Music course launched

Andrew — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:39:28 +0000

We are delighted to announce the launch of our exciting new music course, entitled Music 1: From the Present to the Past, developed for us by OCA tutor Carla Rees. This course starts with the present day, including contemporary ‘classical’ c

Well, it’s obvious isn’t it?

Andrew — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:00:02 +0000

You Tube has a fascinating clip of Paul Simon discussing where the melody and harmony for the song Still Crazy After All These Years should go after the initial verse and chorus. Even if you are not into music theory, do listen to this – and

It’s all about pathos

Andrew — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:55:19 +0000

Does a composer write his or her best music at a time of joy, tragedy or tranquillity? There are persuasive cases to be made for all three.

Indeed we should probably add a fourth option i.e. none of the abov

Are you sure about that?

Andrew — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:00:59 +0000

One of the vivid memories of my youth is sitting down on a chair on which my father had placed a much treasured vinyl (78 rpm) recording of Purcell’s Trumpet Voluntary. Needless to say, it was smashed to smithereens (a technical term). The key qu

A new OCA Course in music on the way!

Andrew — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:03:15 +0000

Good news for current and potential music students at the OCA! We have commissioned Carla Rees to write a new Level 1 Music course. Gareth’s recent interview with Carla gives some fascinating background on her interests, including her pioneerin