Music Education UK tell the story behind Grand Union’s The Golden Highway show
Music Education UK tell the story behind Grand Union’s The Golden Highway show
4 March 2013
In the Music Education UK magazine 2012/13 winter addition, Grand Union’s Artistic Director, Tony Haynes shares how The Golden Highway was originally conceived to fill a significant gap in music provision in East London.
“The Golden Highway was originally conceived as our contribution to the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival and celebrations surrounding the Olympic Games. It commemorated East London’s iconic position as the focus of 500 years of migration to Britain, showcasing the diversity of musical cultures that flourish on our doorstep with performers largely descend from migrant families or themselves immigrants.”
Congratulations to Alex and Callum for achieving their Bronze Arts Award!
Congratulations to Alex and Callum for achieving their Bronze Arts Award!
7 February 2013
Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents. Grand Union became an Arts Award Centre with the aim to support and encourage GUYO members to deepen their engagement with world music and jazz, and achieve a national qualification. Young people aged 7 - 25 can gain this qualification across five levels, with bronze being the third, followed by silver and gold. Taking the Arts Award is a great way for young people to engage with cultural activities and build their confidence and interest in the art form they specialise in.
Congratulations to Alex and Callum for paving the Arts Award way within the Grand Union Youth Orchestra. Now, onto silver boys…
Recent recruit Anni Movsisyan talks about her time so far as a GUYO member
Recent recruit Anni Movsisyan talks about her time so far as a GUYO member
19 September 2012
On Wednesday 18th July, Grand Union Orchestra and friends performed their show of the year, The Golden Highway, at the Hackney Empire Theatre. Directed and composed by Tony Haynes, musicians and singers told the story of 500 years of migration and trade, celebrating the music and creative diversity different cultures have brought to East London. Melodies and rhythms from Portuguese, Gypsy, Indian, Turkish, African and Caribbean backgrounds echoed through the theatre, to name a few influences.
This day was the first time I had stepped into the venue. The romantic architecture of what first opened as a Music Hall in 1901, added an extra touch of beauty to what was a demonstration of glorious harmony. To see world-famous professionals and local, aspiring students fill the stage and perform together was certainly a wondrous and a humbling sight for me - a member of the Grand Union Youth Orchestra.
The musical process that takes place within GUO features improvisation. It is the art of experimenting with melodies within performance; adding an unplanned, individual element to a piece of music which is carefully composed and structured. However, improvisation isn’t about playing random notes. The rhythm and mode/scale are fundamental aspects that musicians play around with to improvise within a song. Style, melodies, themes and riffs can also be manipulated to create a more enjoyable improvisation. By doing this, the improvisation will relate back to the song more so than improvising using only the scale. Understanding modes from different musical cultures can give performers an additional advantage, as they can move their music into genres that can agreeably suit the song, even if the original genre seems to contrast.
GUO and GUYO mostly play jazz, Caribbean and Asian music. But recently, we have added gypsy music to our repertoire, as a result of working with gypsy musicians from East London. While it is quite musically distant to the other genres we blend, we managed to fit it very nicely with the rest of our repertoire, and have been able to include all the full variety of musicians. Having learnt some gypsy/tango music during my classical training, I have a bit of a head start on the style; it suits the violin perfectly well. But learning gypsy music with the orchestra and its friends has been of great use to me in particular, as I have experienced more about how to play the music with more authenticity.
I am very fortunate that a musical family like GUO exists so close to where I live- I have always been interested in the styles of music they play; I am surprised at myself to have only discovered them this year! Also, I am deeply grateful that they offer their time and invaluable expertise to younger, developing musicians. I will always be thanking Tony Haynes, Claude Deppa, and the rest of GUO for the knowledge and opportunities they have given aspiring musicians like myself.
Anni Movsisyan is currently reading a BA in Fine Art at the University of Westminster, and entered the world of music from a young age. Her first and main instrument is the violin; most of the music she has been trained mostly in classical music. However, she has always had a keen interest in many other genres, being influenced by the cultural offerings of diverse London, which is why GUYO has been so enjoyable and interesting.
A Summer ‘12 round-up!
A Summer ‘12 round-up!
9 August 2012
Sparks Will Fly
GUYO’s summer antics began early in May when the Grand Union Band, made up of Grand Union professional musicians and Youth Orchestra members, paraded the streets of Saffron Walden alongside an exhilarating array of performers that included Morris dancers, Nepalese dancers, bell ringers and even a skateboard opera in a mighty carnival procession entitled Sparks Will Fly. Click here to see photos of this unique carnival in action. Courtesy of Paul Tait.
Romfest World Carnival Parade
Our second street band procession of the summer took place during the Royal Jubilee weekend, in Romford Market Square on June 3rd. Working with Emergency Exit Arts, the Grand Union Band, made up of professional GUO musicians and GUYO members, paraded along side young musicians from Havering schools Gaynes, Hallmead and Rainham Village, not forgetting the human catherine wheels and fire breathing bird! Click here to see photos of the parade. Courtesy of P Whiteman and L Challis.
Trading Spaces
From 4th- 8th June, GUYO members were given the fantastic opportunity to work with other ensembles that specialise in a completely different art form. Trading Spaces brought together GUYO, Shoreditch Youth Dance, from London, and Malmo Youth Dance Company, from Sweden, in a unique site-specific pop up music and dance trail. The musicians and dancers led the public around five different outdoor locations around Shoreditch in their playful and interactive performance, which showcased the great work that goes on at Rich Mix Arts Centre, where GUYO and SYD both carry out their workshops, and the great collaborations that have come from this. Click here to see the Trading Spaces video.
The Golden Highway
The Golden Highway was Grand Union’s large-scale summer show, by with and for the people of East London, that took place at the much-loved Hackney Empire Theatre. Telling the story of 500 years of migration and trade, the show featured performers from the East End today, and celebrated the wonderful variety of music and creative vitality they have brought to London. The Grand Union Youth Orchestra played alongside Grand Union’s 20-strong professional Orchestra, as well as the Hackney Empire Community Choir, Sanctuary Voices and musicians from the Roma Support Group. Click here to see photos of this mighty participatory event. Courtesy of Charleen Raymond.
Our next show at the Hackney Empire, Liberation and Remembrance, is on Armistice Day, November 11th. For more information about this extraordinary show, and to book tickets, click here.
BT London Live
GUYO got into the Olympic spirit for their two performances at Victoria Park as part of the BT London Live Festival on Friday 3rd and Wednesday 8th August.Click here to see photos of GUYO’s performance on Wednesday 8th. Courtesy of May Wing Ting Ho.
GUYO feature in Music Teacher Magazine
GUYO feature in Music Teacher Magazine
16 April 2012
It was great for GUYO to be featured in the March edition of Music Teacher Magazine. The article discusses GUYO’s development since it was established in 2007, it’s ethic and where it hopes to be over the coming years.
Photos from GUYO’s recent performance at Trinity Buoy Wharf
Photos from GUYO’s recent performance at Trinity Buoy Wharf
16 April 2012
GU’s professional and youth orchestras united with the Water City Festival Orchestra and East London choirs to perform a very special show, What The River Sings as part of the BBC’s Music Nation weekend. The show expressed the musical character of London’s East End in it’s diverse repertoire and selection of performers, and celebrated the long history of this fascinating part of London – gateway to Britain – at the atmospheric location where the River Lea joins the Thames.
Click here for photos of the show on the GU facebook page.
Click here for more photos uploaded to Flickr, courtesy of Richard Kaby.
GUYO launch “12 for 12” fundraising goal
13 December 2011
12 for 12
Firstly, all of us at Grand Union would like to say a huge THANK YOU for your support of Grand Union Youth Orchestra. In the 4 years since GUYO was established the ensemble has gone from strength to strength.
We recently carried out a survey amongst our young musicians to find out what they enjoyed or thought could be improved about taking part in GUYO. We were thrilled with the positive responses we had, and are working on the areas suggested for improvement. We were also impressed with the number and variety of ideas GUYO members came up with for future performance and fundraising activities, and are looking to developing these in 2012.
GUYO has always had a no-charge policy for its members and we will do not plan to change this. GUYO is currently funded by a number of grant givers, however much of this money runs out in April 2011. One of the ideas suggested by the GUYO was to do more public fundraising campaigns - such as sponsored events - and encourage individual giving.
To continue to run GUYO on a monthly basis and offer exciting performance opportunities we need to raise around £12,000 in 2012. To kick start this campaign we’ve launched a text message giving campaign. If you feel that you are able to and would like to donate either £2, £5, or £10 to the 12 for 12 challenge then simply follow the instructions in the red box..
FRIENDS OF GRAND UNION YOUTH ORCHESTRA
In January 2012 we will be starting a “Friends of Grand Union Youth Orchestra” scheme. This is a way of us working with youth orchestra members, parents, family and friends to look at ways we can raise the £12,000 and to implement fundraising ideas. There are many ways you could contribute to the Friends of GUYO, such as….
- Attending and advising on a fundraising committee
- Contributing ideas for fundraising activities via email.
- Giving some of your time to attend fundraising events.
- Making or donating items to sell to raise money
- Donating Money Directly
If you are interested in being a ‘Friend of GUYO’, please fill out this quick online form to register your interest. We will then contact you with further details and to discuss your involvement.
GUYO receive rapturous applause at the Hackney Empire Theatre
8 December 2011
On Friday 11th November 2011 the GUYO performed in Grand Union Orchestra’s specially devise “date-specific” show called “11.11.11” at the Hackney Empire. See photos from the show on our facebook page
Grand Union Launch a Composition Competition
Grand Union Launch a Composition Competition
7 October 2011
11.11.11
Jazz, the music of the liberated, the most liberated of musics.
A once-only event, an auspicious date, a beautiful and much-loved theatre…
November 11th, Armistice Day in a month which sees London awash with jazz, is the ideal occasion to commemorate the linked ideas of freedom in the broad sense and artistic freedom - since jazz is both the music of the liberated and the most liberated of musics.
A hundred years ago in New Orleans – the legendary birthplace of jazz – descendants of slaves took work-songs, rhythms and chants that can be traced back to Africa and mixed them with the music of the European colonists and Latin America to create an extraordinary and progressive new art-form.
East London at the beginning of this century is not so different, where generations of migrants are creating an equally exciting cultural melting-pot, and music from all over the world mixes and melds on a daily basis.
The Grand Union Orchestra, with its renowned jazz and world music performers, embodies this spirit, joined in this celebration by a host of guest performers from East London, including a galaxy of musicians from Indian, Bengali, Gypsy, Turkish and African improvising traditions, local choirs, the Guildhall School of Music Jazz Singers and the unique Grand Union Youth Orchestra.
The event will also see the première of a brand new collectively-created 11-bar blues!
(See below for details)
Composition Competition
The 11 Bar Blues
Composition Requirements
Your theme should:
- have an 11/8 time signature.
- have a tempo of around quaver = 111.
- be 11 bars long
- explore the theme of 11.
- be accompanied by a chord sequence.
- be in concert pitch and written in treble clef.
- be written to be played on any instrument (except voice)
- be harmonised and/or accompanied by a bass line.
See Tony Haynes’ composition blog for some useful tips.
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY IN NOTATION VIA EMAIL TO:
mail@grandunion.org.uk, OR VIA HARD COPY TO:
The Grand Union Office, 76 Wentworth St, London E1 7SA
DEADLINE TUES 1ST NOVEMBER (11 DAYS BEFORE THE BIG NIGHT!)
This competition is open to anyone of any age. Happy composing!
BREAKING NEWS: Grand Union Youth Orchestra are moving to Rich Mix!
BREAKING NEWS: Grand Union Youth Orchestra are moving to Rich Mix!
8 July 2011
From September 2011 London’s pioneering jazz and world music youth ensemble, the Grand Union Youth Orchestra, will be taking up residency at Rich Mix, East London’s vibrant cross-cultural arts centre, for a regular series of free, innovative cross-cultural music workshops and performances for young people.
With their shared vision of delivering high quality artistic programmes accessible to London’s diverse communities, it is a match made in heaven, as both organisations explore creatively the cultural melting pot that is London’s East End today.
In 2006, Grand Union Orchestra - innovators of cross-cultural music-making in the UK - launched the Grand Union Youth Orchestra of East London (GUYO) with the aim of bringing together young musicians from all musical cultures to perform in a unified ensemble. Since its inception, the ensemble has gone from strength to strength, continually growing in number and range of instruments, from jazz saxophones to Turkish saz, from steel pans to sarangi, from trombones to tabla. The ensemble is regularly invited to perform at high profile events and venues across the Capital, from Paradise Gardens in Victoria Park, Shoreditch Festival and the Hackney Empire Theatre to Romford’s Romfest and the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch.
GUYO share and blend music from many world cultures (as represented by its diverse membership) with elements of jazz and blues, and make it their own. The young musicians are mentored by and perform alongside renowned jazz musicians and authentic exponents of many world musics from the professional Grand Union Orchestra.
The new workshop series at Rich Mix will introduce young musicians to a broad range of musical cultures and musical techniques – with a particular focus on improvisation. The programme is open to young musicians aged 13-25 of any level of skill from around grade 4 standard (if working to the conventional music exam system) up to conservatoire level. Any melody or percussion instrument is welcome, particularly from non-Western musical traditions; the ability to read music is useful but not essential, but a willingness to play by ear and above all an adventurous attitude towards music-making certainly is.
The workshops take place from 10 am – 2 pm at Richmix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E16LA on:
- Sunday 11th September - Introductory workshop
- Sunday 23rd October - Introductory workshop
- Sunday 13th November - Programme to be announced
- Sunday 11th December - Programme to be announced
The first 2 sessions will be held as open recruitment workshops, with the aim to welcome new young musicians into the youth orchestra. If you would like to take part, please register your interest here.
What is Rich Mix?!
Located in the heart of East London, Rich Mix is a social enterprise that offers live music, film, dance, theatre, comedy, spoken word and a range of creative activities for people of all ages and all cultures. All profits go back to support education, arts and community activities which nurture new and emerging talent. It offers five floors of vibrant creativity and excellence providing:
- three state of the art cinema screens showing blockbusters alongside a selection of Independent, Arthouse, World films and documentaries
- a performing arts venue delivering a line up of Arts and Culture programmes: theatre, dance, spoken word, music and more
- education spaces and family programmes
- four floors of affordable creative workspaces that have become hosts to a number of creative businesses
- a spectacular top venue and event space with expansive views of the City
- a huge contemporary bar space hosting events every night of the week, including free events
- an exhibition gallery space.
Free world music jam sessions announced!
8 July 2011
Free holiday workshops led by charistmatic musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra. Open to new young musicians and existing GUYO members.
Monday 25th July - 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Tuesday 26th July - 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Fun, energetic workshops suitable for musicians of around grade 3 and upwards. Open to 12-18 year olds. Please bring an instrument with you. Grand Union will provide additional percussion instruments.
Booking is through Fairkytes Arts Centre. Call 01708 456 308 or Email: Fairkytes@havering.gov.uk. Or register your interest in taking part by filling out the form below:
GUYO will perform with over 100 musicians & singers next Friday - 01 July ‘11
22 June 2011
“Raise the Banner”
Grand Union’s cross-cultural Youth Orchestra will play alongside over 100 local amateur musicians and singers next Friday in ‘Raise the Banner’. This show is the culmination of a month-long programme of workshops provided by Grand Union, with the support of the Transformers programme, aimed at empowering communities across the whole demographic of East London through participation in opportunities presented by London hosting the Games.
Led by charismatic Grand Union musicians like Claude Deppa, Louise Elliott, Emmanuel Tagoe and Kevin Robinson, and under the direction of GUO composer/director Tony Haynes, community performers include:
Hackney Voices, the Hackney Empire Community Choir, Wing-it Singers, Haringey Shed Community Choir, and Pantonic Steel Band
Click here for more info.
New phtotos from GUYOs recent performance at The Albany
24 May 2011
Grand Union Youth Orchestra perform alongside the Grand Union small band at one of South London’s favourite venues
Click to see photos of GUYO performing at the Albany, in Can’t Chain Up Me Mind, Saturday 21st May 2011
GUYO members to perform at The Albany Theatre - 21st May 2011
GUYO members to perform at The Albany Theatre - 21st May 2011
18 April 2011
We are pleased to announce that GUYO member will join the Grand Union small band at the Albany Theatre in “Can’t Chain up me Mind” on Saturday 21st May 2011. find out more
Fusion Group to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 tonight!
8 March 2011
On Sunday March 6th, the BBC Fusion group, which involved members of the Youth Orchestra and other upcoming musicians hit the grand stage of Hackney Empire as part of the one-off show ‘Trading Roots’. Presenting their specially-composed piece ‘A Piece of Silk’ which contained an extraordinary array of western and non-western instruments, the performance was a huge success and a great achievement for the young talent who put it all together in just 5 days.
If you missed the action or would like to hear it again, the entire show will be broadcast tonight on Radio 3 at 7:00pm, with the Fusion Group featuring in the second set of the first half.
Members of GUYO to perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra in “Trading Roots”, March 6th
Members of GUYO to perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra in “Trading Roots”, March 6th
24 January 2011
The Grand Union Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra are joining forces on March 6th 2011 in a one-off multicultural musical collaboration, called Trading Roots.
Nearly 100 of the UK’s best classical, jazz and world musicians will be gathered on the historic Hackney Empire stage to celebrate the power and beauty of our musical migrations across continents and through the ages. Indian and Chinese classical virtuosos mingle with African rhythms and percussion and the symphonic brilliance of Concert Orchestra strings to create a magical sonic cocktail. Four sublime singers paint revealing pictures of the rise and fall of empires, ancient and modern, and their trading routes by sea and land.
Trading Roots will also showcase the cream of young talent from the Grand Union Youth Orchestra and young stars picked by the BBC CO, performing as the Fusion Group. Concerts don’t come much more original or entertaining than this!
Grand Union Orchestra & BBC Concert Orchestra present
‘Trading Roots: a musical journey across borders’
Hackney Empire, March 6th 2011, 7pm
Imagine a journey through space and time - by land to the Orient, by sea to the East Indies and beyond – from that taken by the spice and silk traders a thousand years ago, to the high speed, transglobal communications of today, dealing in questionable commodities and uncertain futures.
Now let the music of the Grand Union Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra carry you along that route, exploring many musical cultures with virtuoso performers from Africa, India and China, with all the richness and passion that these two brilliant, but utterly different, orchestras can muster.
With a narrative driven by the power and beauty of songs ancient and modern, this one-off special, Trading Roots performance showcases the versatility of the BBC Concert Orchestra and the global spirit and exuberance of Grand Union’s unique world/jazz collaboration. The evening also offers a unique opportunity for young musicians to perform onstage at the Hackney Empire, when members of the Grand Union Youth Orchestra join forces with other young musicians selected by the BBC Concert Orchestra to form the Fusion Group, an extraordinary multicultural collective of youthful talent, performing a piece specially created for the event.
Another highlight of the night will be the première of The Golden Road, The Unforgiving Sea, a new work commissioned especially by BBC Radio 3 from Tony Haynes, GUO composer/director. Relishing the sumptuous textures that the BBC Concert Orchestra’s symphonic strings, wind and sonorous brass will add to the GUO’s own rich jazz patternings, Tony’s new work features four fine vocalists from around the world as well as the superlative musicianship of Zhu Meng Xiao on gu zheng (Chinese harp), Baluji Shrivastav (sitar and dilruba) and Yousuf Ali Khan (tabla). In combination, this host of internationally-renowned jazz soloists, classical and world musicians that make up the two orchestras will ensure it’s an evening to remember!
And where better to host it than the Hackney Empire, a theatre that carries its own indelible flavour of past imperial splendour, but now with a strong commitment to celebrating the richness and diversity of its local East London heritage. Both GUO (as Associate Artists) and the BBC Concert Orchestra have a long-established special relationship with this legendary venue. True to the Empire’s artistic mission statement, on March 6th, all of life – and all the globe – will be represented on stage.
The concert is being recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Tickets: £8, £12, £16.
Online: www.hackneyempire.co.uk | By phone: 020 8985 2424 | In Person at Hackney Empire box office
Festive Greetings from all at Grand Union
21 December 2010
Grand Union would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas.
See you all in 2011.
The first GUYO workshop will be on Sunday 23rd January. New musicians very welcome. Visit the workshops page to find out more.
GUYO featured in the East London Advertiser
13 December 2010
Check out GUYOs feature in this weeks East London advertiser, or view the article online @ http://tinyurl.com/GUYOELA
GUYO winter celebration
25 November 2010
GRAND UNION YOUTH ORCHESTRA
SUNDAY DECEMBER 5TH, 6:30 PM, BRADY CENTRE E1
The evening is an informal celebration of a year’s remarkable work by and with our Youth Orchestra, and is being arranged entirely by members of GUYO and its committee - which has done everything from devising the music for the show to organising the party catering!
It has been a remarkable year for GUYO, which culminated formally in a hugely successful concert in Stratford Circus Theatre at half-term. Along the way it has performed in a diverse range of other locations and venues, from Paradise Gardens and Shoreditch Festival to the Hackney Empire and Romford Market Place.
Next year will be even more exciting: members are joining the youth ensemble which forms part of Grand Union’s collaboration with the BBC Concert Orchestra; GUYO will be appearing on the South Bank for the frist time; and it has been invited to create a special project commemorating the 75th anniversary of the East End’s legendary Battle of Cable Street in the autumn..
We shall also continue the series of monthly Sunday morning master-classes we inaugurated this year, which give young musicians the opportunity to learn directly from Grand Union’s professional musicians, experts in a variety of musical cultures and techniques; they also put what is lazily termed ‘world music’ into its social, historical - and often political - context..
Sessions this year have been led by Yousuf Ali Khan (Bangladesh), Claude Deppa (South Africa), Carlos Fuentes (Chile), Xavier Osmir (Brazil), Gunes Cerit (Turkey) and Zhu Xiao Meng (China), with input on improvisation and general musicianship from Louise Elliott, Ros Davies and myself..
I’m really proud of what our Youth Orchestra has achieved in less than four short years - it’s an extraordinary collection of resourceful, lively young musicians of different ages and backgrounds, playing many instruments seldom or never heard in youth orchestras, and representing the whole varied society that is East London today..
Tony Haynes
Congratulations
3 November 2010
Congratulations to all thoses who took part in From Silk Road to Carnival last week! With over 30 young musicians on stage the final performance was a great success. We hope you all enjoyed taking part. Well done for all your hard work and enthusiasm.
Photo’s and video to follow soon.
Watch this space
Half-term workshops announced: From Silk Road to Carnival
16 September 2010
FROM SILK ROAD TO CARNIVAL is a one night spectacular show bringing together East London’s young musicians on a grand scale. The show celebrates the many musical styles that have come to the city over the years through trade and travel, exploding in a joyous celebration of the carnival spirit! - and we want you to be a part of it.
Link to each day of programme: DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4
WHY TAKE PART? Experience the thrill of performing in a prestigious venue and working with top authentic experts in world music. Through free workshops, explore new musical ideas and styles including: samba, salsa, calypso, soca, reggae, ska, West African chant, Arabic and Turkish dance rhythms and songs, Indian classical ragas and talas, and Chinese folk songs. Plus try your hand at improvising and mixing this all up with jazz.
PERFORMANCE - STRATFORD CIRCUS
Sunday October 31st 7.00 pm
Theatre Square, Stratford, London, E15 1BX
(rehearsals from 2.00 pm)
HOW DO I TAKE PART? Grand Union is running a series of workshops during the half term holiday to devise the show. Suitable for young musicians with a good command of their instrument and also advanced players with more experience. Reading music is not essential and non-western instruments are particularly encouraged. There is no audition process, but please book in advance. Don’t delay, get in touch to find out more about work by the Grand Union Youth Orchestra!
To find out more and have a chat about taking part contact the GUYO coordinator
Email: Hannah@grandunion.org.uk
Call: 020 7375 1122
OR simply fill in the online form below:
IMPORTANT - Change of date for the first GUYO master class
27 August 2010
The first GUYO master-class will now be on Sunday September 19th 2010 rather Sunday September 12th at the Premises Studios, Hackney Road.
This will be an open session when we would like to invite new musicians to come along and join the youth orchestra.
Please contact Hannah@grandunion.org.uk if you would like to attend.
From Silk Road to Carnival programme announced
24 August 2010
From September until the end of March, Grand Union’s projects are being united under the banner From Silk Road to Carnival, exploring the trade routes than brought prosperity to Britain and the rest of Europe – but at social, and often moral cost.
Along these trade routes – whether across land from Turkey through Central Asia to China and encouraging the spread of Islam, or by sea with the transportation of slaves from West Africa to Brazil, the Caribbean and the USA – culture and ideas also travelled, especially music.
In practice, this means that the monthly Sunday morning master-classes will explore repertoire and techniques related to this theme. Some of this will develop music and ideas already familiar to some GUYO musicians, and some will be brand new. On the Carnival side, we shall be looking in more detail at South American, Afro-Cuban and Caribbean rhythms (including reggae, ska, soca and calypso); while travelling the Silk Road gives us the opportunity to revisit and extend our knowledge and appreciation of the music of Eastern Europe, Turkey, Bangladesh/India, China and possibly the Arab world.
Highlights on this journey include performances (all Sundays) at Romford World Carnival (September 26th), Stratford Circus Theatre (October 31st), the Brady Centre (December 5th) and most exciting of all with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Grand Union Orchestra at the Hackney Empire (March 6th), a concert to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
The first master-class this autumn – Sunday September 19th (Please note this date as it has been changed from 12th September) – will kick off the Carnival theme, including rehearsing material for the Romford World Carnival the following weekend, led by Carlos Fuentes (Chile) and Louise Elliott (Australia). Further details about the Autumn schedule are laid out below and overleaf.
Grand Union in Partnership with Emergency Exit Arts
10 August 2010
From16th - 20th August Grand Union and Emergency Exit Arts will be based at Fairkytes Arts Centre in Romford to deliver a week of Carnival Workshops in the lead up to Romfest World Carnival at the end of September. Participants will have the opportunity to design and create carnival costumes, mobile art works, chants and carnival music to dazzle their local community as part of the celebrations.
New Autumn workshop series announced!
6 August 2010
The dates for the latest GUYO workshop programme have been announced! This series of workshops will be in the theme of ‘From Silk Road to Carnival’. Find out more on the Workshops Page.
Places still available on Open workshop 24th July
23 July 2010
24 July 2010 at 2:00pm
St John’s at Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Road E5 0PD.
Are you 12 years or older? Do you play a musical instrument of any kind?
Yes? Then Grand Union Orchestra invites you to bring your instrument along and try something new at this FREE world music workshop as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend. No matter your ability you’ll get the chance to work with Grand Union Orchestra’s renowned musicians, mixing up world music styles including reggae, bhangra, Indian ragas, and West African rhythms and chants! An event for young people and adults, all welcome! Young people who enjoy the workshop may want to join the Grand Union Youth Orchestra for an exciting programme of workshops and performances this Autumn.
Date: Saturday 24th July 2010, 2:00pm-6:00pm at St John’s at Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Road, E5 0PD.
For access requirements call 020 8985 5374
This workshop is completely free but places are limited.
To book email Hannah@grandunion.org.uk or call 0207 375 1122 or fill in this registration form
Venue: St John’s at Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Road, E5 0PD.
Ticket Information: FREE but places limited
A weekend with the Grand Union
16 July 2010
The upcoming weekend is set to be an extremely active one for the Grand Union Orchestra, with events running right through Friday night to Sunday evening. Read our new blog to find out more.
GUYO branding complete
29 June 2010
The GUYO now has a new logo, new postcard flyers and posters created. Thanks to all GUYO members who contributed ideas to this. If you would like any posters or flyers email Hannah@granduinion.org.uk
GUYO on BBC London News
29 June 2010
It has been reported to us that the GUYO performance at Paradise Gardens Festival 2010 appeared on the BBC London news. Well done GUYO for a fantastic performance.
New GUYO branding on its way!
21 May 2010
The GUYO have been working together and with a designer to come up with a new logo and identity that really represents the group and will help encourage more young musicians to join! This new look will be revealed later this summer, so keep checking back!
GUYO monthly masterclasses at new time of 10:30 am
4 May 2010
Having taken a vote from GUYO members and parents, we have decided to perminantly move the monthyly GUYO masterclass time to 10:30am rather than 2:00pm. Please take note of this change.
New summer performances anounced
20 April 2010
GUYO will be performing at a number of high profile events accross the capital this summer. Visit the performances page to find out more
Change of time for April’s rehearsal
30 March 2010
Please note April’s rehearsal on Sunday 18th will be at 10:30am not 2:30pm
Wonderful photographs of Grand Union workshop with Newham Academy Students
16 February 2010
Photos from a recent day of workshops with students at the Newham Academy of Music, taken and kindly donated by Anne Maningas
Monthly Youth Orchestra rehearsals start on 21st February
9 February 2010
This is the first of what we hope will be a series of monthly sessions offering GUYO members the chance to develop their musical skills in a number specific world music and jazz styles and techniques. Each session will be led by a different Grand Union musician, giving a varied experience.
GUYO members will not only get the chance to develop techniques on their own instrument, but can try their hand at number of Grand Union’s percussion instruments.
This first session will be looking at brand new pieces inspired by music from Turkey, China and South Africa. To find out more or book a place on this workshops clik here
Video highlights from Winter Celebration Concert
Video highlights from Winter Celebration Concert
1 February 2010
New video highlights from the GUYO Winter Celebration concert are now online.
Members of GUYO take you on a journey across the silk road in this short film by Alex Braun.
Click here to watch the film.
Half term workshops just announced
21 January 2010
You can now sign up to Grand Union’s half term workshops SILK ROAD CARNIVAL in Havering on 15th and 16th February
To find out more follow the workshops link
Follow Grand Union on Twitter
1 January 2010
Review of Grand Union - The Next Generation gig by Rich Mix Youth Ambassador
26 November 2009
Young Ambassador for Rich Mix (a multi-arts venue on Bethnal Green Road) Samson Ikharia, reviews the Grand Union Next Generation performance
See the review on the Rich Mix youth ambassador website or read below:
“The original world music orchestra”
If you were to pay a visit the Grand Union website (at www.grandunion.org.uk) you would sooner or later come across an online video profile regarding the background of the band and the ideals of liberation and equality that unite the 25 year old London based musical organisation – in this clip long time member Gerry Hunt describes the multicultural collective as “an amazing family of musicians from around the world, we all learn from each other…it’s extraordinary and unique.”
The Grand Union Orchestra from the very beginning of their set emanated a warm feeling of real familial respect for each other, which naturally spread onto the audience as the night progressed. Upon arrival the main stage was cluttered with a wide variety of instruments from across the world - you could instantly tell you were in the presence of consummate musicianship, and before you could say “Happy Halloween!” the night was swiftly kicked off with a bouncy brass-led Caribbean calypso number – the song felt like an impromptu music lesson by the time every member on the stage was in full swing. Long time, founding members of the band; Welsh Ros Davies (trombone) and Australian Louise Elliot (tenor saxophone) led the way through the track –igniting the Rich Mix stage in a blaze of Caribbean colour.
I found myself hypnotised several times by the seemingly effortless musical mastery of South African musician Claude Deppa and Tabla maestro Yousuf Ali Khan. Ketan Kerai - A member of the Next Generation really proved himself to be a force of nature on the Sarangi and Dhol. There were numerous times during the evening when a member of the Orchestra would switch from playing one instrument for one song then progress straight onto another instrument - from a different musical family - for the next track with an unintentional ease and slickness. The relentless musicianship within the Union is what took centre stage within the Rich Mix Bar and it is what mesmerised the crowd.
Tony Haynes, co-founder and composer behind the Grand Union Orchestra held an impressive, quiet control over the musical proceedings and humbly took to the microphone several times to explain the story behind several of the tracks heard on the night. Many of the songs were riveting pieces about devastating personal or world events - Such has “Can’t Chain Up Me Mind” which celebrates the abolition of the Slave Trade:
“Master do your best
Let the Devil do the rest
But you can’t chain up me mind!”
The track was led by another member of the Next Generation of Grand Union - Jonathan Andre. Andre (on vocals) really managed to arouse some passion and fire into the venue with his memorable rendition of this song of celebration and defiance. Besides revelling for about an hour afterwards in the joy of hearing the Union serve up their own rendition of “Monkey Man” by the reggae group Toots and The Maytals - I was really impressed but not truly surprised - by the Orchestra’s ability to integrate all of the various instruments and sounds from all over the world together. This was done completely and cohesively to form rich, forward and textured music with none of the culture or authenticity lost in the process.
I managed to corner a few members of the Orchestra and probe them a little…
I spoke with Ros Davies, and New Generation member Jonathan André...
25 years is a long time! Could you tell me a bit about the band for all the newbies and comment on the legacy of the Grand Union Orchestra?
Ros: Ooh that’s really hard! Well, we are a collection of people from all the different walks of life and backgrounds in London. The group is expanding all the time, so at first we didn’t have a Turkish member but now we do! (Gunes Cerit – another talented member of the Next Generation shyly smiles at us) We are all pulled together quite a lot by Jazz - because Jazz has a cross-genre feeling.
Does the Grand Union have an aim…a creative mission that unites you?
Jonathan: To spread cultural music all over the place!
Ros: (Laughs) ...a pretty big aim….
Tell me some more about the Next Generation of Grand Union?
Jonathan: Well I am in the Grand Union Youth Orchestra. We do some work with the main orchestra. The Next Generation, I guess consists of people from Youth Orchestra who are a bit too old to be in the Youth Orchestra and too young to be in the main one – who are in a kind of transition period…in-between.
So are they testing you out?
Jonathan: Yeah (Laughs
Ros: No, no they are testing us out! (Laughs
Jon: It’s a way of bring other people into the actual orchestra who have been doing it for quite a while – it’s a good thing.
That’s a lot of meaty experience for the younger guys –
Jon: Yeah exactly I have learnt a lot, both the Youth Orchestra and Grand Union have been great for me.
Ros: It’s a great experience for all of us, playing with musicians - experts from different fields. It’s fantastic.
So it’s not like a student/teacher relationship between the New Generation and the Grand Union?
ALL: No…Not at all…
Ros: Jonathan has his own skill, Gunes has her own skill – we each have our own skill and then we try and find a way to play together, we bring everything to the table.
So we all live in London, birthplace of the Union – what exactly does London mean to you?
Ros: Well it is home for a start, it’s fantastic - London is a place where so many different people from different backgrounds live together. The Grand Union has a lot to do with respect, for me if we didn’t have respect we wouldn’t have anything really. In London there is the potential for much respect in regards to the different cultures, which you don’t encounter in the same way when you play outside of the city. In London you can get a group of people and find a way to play together, outside London that is not so easy. The great thing is we can meet up easier because we all live in the same area! (Laughs)
GUYO winter celebration with Brady Arts and Community Centre
18 November 2009
Grand Union Youth Orchestra will be performing at Brady Arts and Community Centre on 12th December.
This will be a celebration of all the hard work put in by our young musicians over the autumn period.
For more information click here
See photos from the Grand Union - The Next Generation gig
6 November 2009
Gunes Cerit
Ketan Kerai
Jopsefina Cupido
Claude Deppa
Louise Elliot, Yousuf Ali Khan, Claude Deppa
To find out more about the show click here
Interview with Tony Haynes, by Lake of Stars
Interview with Tony Haynes, by Lake of Stars
30 October 2009
An interview with Grand Union’s Tony Haynes
Ahead of their gig at the Rich Mix on Saturday 31st October, vinspired volunteer Errol had a chat with Grand Union founder Tony Haynes ...
25 years later, Grand Union’s legacy still lives on. How as a group do you try to stay relevant?
“The things we talk about are universal. In a sense, growing and progressing in our own way. The other thing is always introducing new musicians so there are several generations now – the oldest musician is a steel pan player who is now in his seventies, but the youngest regular professionals are about 19 or 20. About three years ago, in order to make sure there was a legacy, a strong tradition of young musicians coming through, we set up the youth orchestra of East London so the principles can be passed on to them. We now have a whole range of people coming in from around 10 years old who have the potential to be very good. Obviously, you have to learn how to present music to a younger audience, and the best way is to listen to them.”
How has Grand Union Youth Orchestra’s introduction in 2007 changed your music’s target audience and/or age range of listeners?
“What’s strange is that we have always appealed enormously to younger people who are very impressed by what they hear, because it is very unusual. As the time passes, there seems to be less exposure to live, acoustic music making, so they are amazed by the combinations of musical instruments that they’ve never heard or certainly may not have seen before. The difficulty is getting them along as audiences because what we do is not seen as ‘fashionable’ music, in the sense that it’s not like rap or hip-hop – it instead continues an old tradition of acoustic music-making. So, to go back to your other question, I would say it is relevant but the difficulty is trying to convince people that it is relevant. We do a lot of workshops with young people, especially in schools, and I think having the younger musicians beginning to take part in the team is very helpful in the process because they relate to their own generation and at the same time, are part of Grand Union. It’s almost as if they are ambassadors.”
Prior to your Rich Mix performance, Grand Union is hosting a workshop for young kids and their families. How important do you reckon it is that world music is included in education?
“I think it is very, very important. But on the other hand, it is acknowledged on the music curriculum and people do study world music. The problem is that the establishment is very conservative and very few real African, Caribbean, South American, Indian or Chinese musicians are there to deliver and demonstrate their music. So, whilst it is a good idea that world music should be taught and explored, there is little effort to allow the authentic musicians to actually work with children and young people.”
How else does Grand Union try to target a young audience?
“Participation is an extension of the workshop. Most of the workshops we do are done with a view to engaging people in the performance. A few months ago, we did one of our big shows at the Hackney Empire where there were 150 or more young performers from across East London involved in that. It’s getting them involved and actually playing not just doing normal workshops and teaching them that way. The other thing is trying to find ways of reaching them through social networking sites, such as the MySpace. One of the things we’re doing now is bringing together a lot of the young people, who work with or for us, not just musicians but filmmakers and so on, to specifically establish a youth angle towards what Grand Union does.”
To find more visit the Lake of Stars website or read the Lake of Stars blog
Places still available on half term workshops next week
21 October 2009
Grand Union is running a number of workshops accross East London during half-term next week. Go to the workshops page to find out more.
Workshops happening with
Brady Arts Centre - Tower Hamlets
Redbridge Music Centre
Rich Mix - Shoreditch
GUYO asked to perform at awards ceremony
15 October 2009
GUYO were asked by Redbridge Borough Council to perform at their Safer Community Awards at Ilford Town Hall on Thursday 15th October.
Members of GUYO wowed the large audience at the Town hall including the local mayor.
Photography: Leanne Benson - Brough Photographer, Redbridge Council
Want to play with GUYO - why not fill in the new online Registration Form
17 September 2009
We now have a quick and easy on-line form to register your interest in playing with Grand Union Youth Orchestra of East London
Grand Union Youth Orchestra Online Registration Form
GUYO website Updated!!!
13 September 2009
You be glad to see that the Grand Union Youth Orchestra website has now been extensively updated. From now on the website will be updated weekly with any news and details of any new events or changes to already posted events.
You can now also ready about past GUYO workshops and performance in the performances section.
You can access GUYO’s facebook and twitter pages from the top of the screen, and can link to Grand Union Orchestras myspace page.
GUYO will be starting a monthly e-newsletter, please sign up to this in the box provided.
Don’t forget you can still join GUYO by downloading the application form on the join us page.
Follow Grand Union on Twitter
9 September 2009
Keep up to date with what Grand Union and Grand Union Youth Orchestra are up to by following us on Twitter
New Autumn Programme Announced
4 September 2009
Grand Union Youth Orchestra has exciting world-music events for young people accross East London planned over autumn, with even more workshops and performances to be announced soon.
To find out more about the autumn programme please visit the workshops and performances pages.
New summer programme
1 July 2009
Grand Union Youth Orchestra will be appearing at the following venues/events over the summer:
Spice on the Square Festival
Horniman Museum and Gardens - Refugee Celebration Week
Youth Orchestra awarded Inspire Mark!
1 June 2009
The International Olympic Committee has awarded its prestigious Inspire Mark to GUYOEL in recognition of its contribution to the Cultural Olympiad.
Find out more about the inspire mark programme, the Cultural Olympiad, and the 2012 games in general from the London 2012 website.
On Liberation Street
On Liberation Street
31 March 2009
After two months of rehearsals with a dozen different ensembles including GUYO and four choirs from East London, when On Liberation Street finally hit the Hackney Empire stage it was an utterly joyful and exhilarating event – probably Grand Union’s most exciting and most successful large-scale show yet.
Many members of GUYO performed on stage including:
Ketan Kerai - Sarangi & Dhol
Haydn Newland - Harp
Rebecca Gannon - Cello
Nirananda Chandran -Tabla
Shakeel Khan - Sitar
Gunes Cerit -Baglama (Saz) & Voice
Jonathan Andre -Voice (vocal leading) Djembe & other Afircan drums
Kome Eleyae - Bass guitar
George Kaoulas - Laouto (Greek lute)
Hannah Bacchus - Flute & Saxaphone
Patrick Kenny -Trombone
Ed Foster - Saxophone
Eirini Kotzisis - Voice
If you missed it, watch these video highlights from the show:
