William Byrd 400 years on: celebrating the father of music

Posted on 15th June 2023 at 11:14

It’s been 400 years since his death on 4 July 1623, but the composer William Byrd’s music is still a staple of religious services today. With an enormous output that ranged from simple choral pieces to complex exhibitions of polyphony, Byrd’s music was intrinsically linked to his own Catholic faith and to the Protestant religion that dominated during his life. We look at the impact of his work for his peers, and at the legacy he left for music lovers today.

The London Music Fund: working to make music a right, not just a privilege

Posted on 31st May 2023 at 14:14

Back in 2016, the London Music Fund blogged for us about some of the opportunities the charity provides for young people in the capital to fulfil their musical potential. This month, we caught up with Georgina Skinner, the charity’s Programmes Manager, about their inspiring work helping young people access high quality music education, and the impact this work has had.

Doris Akers at 100: the ‘Miss Gospel’ who helped to bridge cultural gaps

Posted on 15th May 2023 at 17:15

Image credit: US Embassy Sweden, used under Creative Commons licence.

In May 1923, a new talent was born who would change the face of gospel music and bridge the gap between black and white musical cultures. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Doris Akers – known to many as ‘Miss Gospel’ – we take a look at her musical career and influence.

The vital cultural legacy of the BBC Singers and BBC Orchestras

Posted on 28th April 2023 at 16:02

BBC Symphony Orchestra of London rehearsing for the Last Night of the Proms.

Image credit: Steve Bowbrick, used under creative commons licence.

If you’ve been following the news recently, you may have heard about some proposed cuts to the BBC’s orchestral music provision – including changes that would see a number of its salaried musicians made redundant. The proposals would have seen the BBC Singers, the UK’s only full-time professional chamber choir, scrapped. Further proposals, which received less public attention, included a 20% reduction in funding for the BBC’s three England-based orchestras: the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the BBC Philharmonic.

The announcement sent shockwaves through the UK music world, with many organisations leaping into action to campaign against the cuts.

Here at the Music Workshop Company, along with others across the sector, we firmly believe the BBC Singers and the BBC’s orchestras are vital for inspiring young musicians.

The life and work of Ethel Smyth: a trailblazer for women

Posted on 14th April 2023 at 12:27

Photo credit: George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress), restored by Adam Cuerden

22nd April 2023 sees the 165th anniversary of the birth of Dame Ethel Smyth. Smyth is perhaps best known as the composer of the March of the Women, which became the anthem of the Women's Social and Political Union, part of the Suffragette movement.

She was a radical, outspoken character who was not afraid to go against the grain – openly bisexual in a period where society was far from accepting, and battling to gain recognition as a female composer in a profession dominated by men.

In Praise of Music Education in Primary Schools

Posted on 31st March 2023 at 14:53

This month, we hear from Nat Dye, music leader at Newham’s Nelson Primary School, which recently scooped a national award for its outstanding music provision. Nat, who alongside his role is also a youth ensemble leader, conductor and band leader, trombonist, composer and arranger, and performing jazz musician, argues the case for bringing music specialists into schools.

The Music Workshop Company Blog