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A Time of Remembrance 100 Years On – And How Our College Made a Difference

A Time of Remembrance 100 Years On – And How Our College Made a Difference

Nov 8, 2018

It is one of the most poignant dates of the year: Remembrance Sunday. And, this particular Remembrance Sunday will be even more poignant and even more important as the country comes together to mark 100 years since the end of WWI.

The day will be respectfully marked by moving ceremonies held at official war memorials in many villages, towns and cities across our Kingdom. It is a day where we remember and commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth civic and military service-men and women in both World Wars and in other conflicts since. It is an incredibly moving day and one that brings the past very much into our present.

Some months ago, whilst rummaging in a box of old programmes and college brochures found in the back of a dusty store cupboard, we discovered that our college played a significant part in supporting returning local war heroes from both world wars. The documents feel delicate and incredibly fragile, like old paper does. The first one is a concert programme dated 17th March 1917, when our college organised an event in The Albert Hall, Leeds, to aid a local hostel that was helping to support blind soldiers and sailors.

The second one is dated July, 1944 and goes into great detail about concerts held that year to raise funds for Youth Welfare and The Merchant Navy. It tells us that In May 1944 our college held a concert in Leeds Town Hall and raised over £639 (the equivalent of around £27,000 in today’s money). Then a few months later, in July 1944, they held a second concert and raised a hugely impressive £2,437 (the equivalent of around £100,000 today).

Following the enormous success of these two concerts, where over 400 voices from “massed choirs of Leeds and district” came together, along with “solo artists of national reputation,” the college received urgent calls for help from two other local charities; The Leeds Wounded Warriors Welfare and The Leeds Forces’ Hospitality Fund.

So, our college rallied again and on the 23rd and 24th September 1944, it held two more concerts to support its local war heroes.

It is incredibly touching to discover the effort our college went to, to show its support, pride and patriotism for our local heroes.  The original programme states:

“WE MUST DO MORE THAN OUR BEST FOR THE WOUNDED SOLDIERS.”

And, The Yorkshire College of Music and Drama – known back then as The Leeds College of Music – did just that.

We will be wearing our poppies with extra pride this year.

The Importance of Music in Education

The Importance of Music in Education

Nov 1, 2018

Here at the Yorkshire College of Music and Drama, we know how important music in education can be. It is the main reason behind our Primary Schools Outreach programme – to make music available to as many children in our communities as possible.  It would appear that music is no longer a priority in our education system. Gone are the days when every child would get a recorder home to torture their parents with. Gone are the days when music was regarded as an important part of a well-rounded education.

We firmly believe music should play an important role in a well-rounded education and that music should be for everyone and not just the few.

Why?

Well, one good reason is a link between learning music and higher IQ scores.

The study by E. Glenn Schellenberg at the University of Toronto (as published in a 2004 issue of Psychological Science), found a slight increase in the IQs of six-year-olds who were given weekly voice and piano lessons.

Schellenberg provided nine months of piano and voice lessons to a dozen six-year-olds, drama lessons (to see if exposure to the arts in general versus music on its own had an effect) to a second group of six-year-olds, and no lessons to a third group. The children’s IQ’s were tested before entering the first grade, then again before entering the second grade.

The results?

The children who were given music lessons over the school year tested on average three IQ points higher than the other groups. The drama group didn’t have the same increase in IQ, but did experience increased social behaviour benefits not seen in the music-only group.

Another study, published in 2007 by Christopher Johnson, professor of music education and music therapy at the University of Kansas, found that pupils in primary schools with high-quality music education scored around 22% higher in English and 20% higher in mathematics in standardised tests. This is compared to primary schools with low-quality music education programmes.

And, of course it’s not all about test scores. Music helps children develop life skills they can go on and use in other areas of their lives, such as fine motor skills, self-discipline, fortitude, dedication and perseverance.

Isn’t it about time that, as a society we started to invest in music for our children again?

Isn’t it about time music benefitted all children and not just those who can afford it?

Isn’t it right that music was put back on our education agenda?

We think so.

If you know a primary school that would love to speak to us about our outreach programme, then please get in touch. We would love to get involved in more schools and in helping more children to reap the benefits of music education.

Get in touch to find out how we can help your primary school.

Our College, Julie Andrews and The Importance of Words

Our College, Julie Andrews and The Importance of Words

Oct 31, 2018

It’s amazing what can be found, when you’re rummaging in an old cupboard!

The dusty old box looked quite ordinary – nondescript even. It was hidden at the back of a storage cupboard, here at The Yorkshire College of Music and Drama and its contents turned out to be much more exciting than its drab and rickety outward appearance suggested.

Inside were faded old documents, photographs, 100-year old concert programmes and fragile newspaper clippings; treasures that offer a real insight into Leeds’ musical past.

But, as interesting as these documents were, it was one letter which stood out. A letter dated August 1965. A letter written by our former president, Madam Stiles-Allen, in which she offers a glimpse into her close relationship with her most famous pupil, Julie Andrews.

A reminder for those who need it:

Lilian Stiles-Allen, was a world-renowned British soprano who trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She achieved fame and critical acclaim in her early years and by the 1920’s was an established, leading concert soprano. But, her glittering stage career came to an end when war broke out and she moved to Leeds to escape the Blitz and start teaching. Her move North is widely documented and her relationship with the young Julie Andrews is also well known. So, finding an old photograph of the two of them together, though exciting, was not really news.

But, what was interesting was the letter. Her words, written in her own, looping, curling hand, casually describing a trip to California in 1964, when she:

….“stayed with Julie and coached her through her songs in Mary Poppins also for the Sound of Music.”

Hang on a moment! Our president coached the biggest movie star of the day through some of the most famous movie songs of all time. Now, that was fascinating to read!

The letter goes on:

….“she really is a lovely young person and is god mother to my grandson…. Julie is quite unspoiled and so grateful for her ‘gifts’.”

What a lovely insight into their relationship, which started when Julie was just 8 years old, when she would travel up to Leeds to spend weekends with Madam Stiles-Allen at Old Farm, Shire Oak Road.

Julie Andrews has been quite open in her admiration for our former president and was even quoted as saying, “(Madam Stiles-Allen) had an enormous influence on me. She was my third mother.”

And, when we listened back to an old recording of Madam Stiles-Allen on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs from 1971, this influence seemed to stand out. For, Julie has been quoted as saying “words come first, melody second,” and certainly her clear pronunciation of every syllable in her famous songs is impeccable. In the clip of Madam’s interview, (that can still be found on the BBC’s website) she was asked about the differences between her own generation and the younger generation. She answered:

“They are definitely better musicians,” she said. “But the voices….there is something missing,” she went on: “They don’t appreciate words.”

She then quoted Richard Wagner, who apparently said:

“You can all sing my beautiful music, but who will sing my beautiful words?”

Well, Julie sang words beautifully.

And, we’d love to think it was thanks to our very own Madam Stiles-Allen.

Guitar Lessons – Grade 1-8

Guitar Lessons – Grade 1-8

Jun 29, 2018

Whatever Grade of guitar we can provide the lesson for you

At the YCMD, we have music lessons for all abilities, including all grades of guitar.

If you need tuition to further your guitar playing, then you need to contact us now at the YCMD to find out how we can help.

Saxophone Lessons

Saxophone Lessons

Jun 17, 2018

Saxophone lessons at the YCMD are for all ages and abilities.

Whether you want to begin to play the saxophone, or pursue the instrument to a higher level, we can provide the lesson for you. Whether your passion is is Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone or Bass Saxophone we have the right tuition for you.

As well as individual saxophone lessons we have some excellent group classes for the saxophone too. These can be far more cost effective, productive and also a lot more fun!

Flute Lessons

Flute Lessons

Jun 17, 2018

We provide flute lessons for all ages and all levels.

Whether you want to start to play the flute, or pursue the instrument to a higher level, we can provide the lesson for you.

Recorder Lessons

Recorder Lessons

Jun 17, 2018

We provide recorder lessons for all ages and abilities.

Whether you want to begin to play the recorder, or pursue the instrument to a higher level, we can provide the lesson for you.

As well as individual recorder lessons we have some excellent group classes for the recorder too. These can be far more cost effective, productive and also more fun!

String Orchestra

String Orchestra

Jun 17, 2018

Monday evenings 6.30pm – 7.30pm

A String Orchestra meets on a Monday evening for players of Grade 1 standard and above.

This group is suitable for people interested in the classical repertoire.

Violin Lessons

Violin Lessons

Jun 17, 2018

Music House provides violin lessons for all ages and abilities.

Whether you want to begin to play the violin, or pursue the instrument to a higher level, we can provide the right lesson for you.

As well as individual violin lessons, we have some excellent group classes for the violin too. These can be far more cost effective, productive and also more fun!

Cello Lessons

Cello Lessons

Jun 17, 2018

The YCMD provide cello lessons for all ages and abilities.

Whether you want to begin to play the cello, or pursue the instrument to a higher level, we can provide the right lesson for you.

As well as individual cello lessons we have some excellent group classes for the cello too. These can be far more cost effective, productive and also more fun!