Shoreditch Music and Dance Trail
4 June 2012 at 12:00pm, Free
, Shoreditch...
Each morning of the week beginning Monday 4th June until Friday 8th June, members of the Grand Union Youth Orchestra, Shoreditch Youth Dance and Malmo, will be taking the public by surprise in a site-specific music and dance trail around Shoreditch. The trail’s intention is to increase the public’s awareness of each performance location, and the space and sound that surrounds them. The trail will begin at 12pm on each day, so keep your eyes peeled for our dancers and musicians and be prepared to jump on board!
The Golden Highway
18 July 2012 at 7:30pm, £12, £6 concs
Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ
The highlight of the summer for the Grand Union Orchestras is a new spectacular show for the glorious Hackney Empire Theatre – The Golden Highway. Full details of performers will be announced in June. This show will be the culmination of a four-month project involving performers from across the whole of East London, which began in March with What the River Sings.
- Box office phone: 020 8985 2424
- Box office website: www.hackneyempire.co.uk
GUYO at Victoria Park Live
8 August 2012 at 12:00am, Free
Victoria Park
Join GUYO for their second performance at Victoria Park Live this August!
GUYO at Victoria Park Live
3 August 2012 at 12:00pm, Free
Victoria Park
Join GUYO and a range of other exciting acts at Victoria Park Live this August to celebrate the Games and all that surrounds it.
GUYO at New Voices Festival
30 June 2012 at 12:00pm, Free
Museum Gardens, Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA
GUYO are to be involved in a hub of activity at the New Voices Festival this year at their performance in June. This will include a main stage and dance floor that will feature live music, dancing and drama by arts groups from around the world and the diverse communities living in East London.
- Box office phone: 0207 749 7629
- Box office website: http://www.platforma.org.uk/events/new-voices-2012
Romfest World Carnival 2012
3 June 2012 at 2:00pm, Free
Romford, RM1 3AB
GUYO along with the Grand Union Carnival band and local participants from Havering, will perform in a carnival procession in conjunction with Emergency Exit Arts through Romford Market place.
The brightly coloured procession will be led by Emergency Exit Art’s famous mechanical elephant and will be a sight to see.
Click here to see photos of GUYO performing at Romfest 2010.
This event will be wonderful, participatory parade not to be missed!
Sparks WIll Fly
19 May 2012 at 1:30pm, Free
Saffron Walden Council Offices, London Road CB11 4ER
The Grand Union Band will open the event in a special performance outside the Saffron Walden Museum at 1.30pm, where they’ll be joined by bell ringers and dancers!
At 3.30pm a mighty procession will begin outside the Saffron Walden Council Offices. Grand Union will be joined by an exhilarating array of performers that will include Morris Dancers, Nepalese Dancers, Roller Bladers and even a Skateboard Opera!
Not to be missed!
The procession will being at 3.30pm at Council Offices, CB11 4ER and will finish at the Saffron Walden museum at 4.15pm.
For more information call 01799 510348
GU Second Generation @ Rich Mix
GU Second Generation @ Rich Mix
11 December 2011 at 7:00pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
See the all-new Grand Union Second Generation Band giving their premier performance on Sunday 11th December 2011 at Richmix. An inspiring group of exceptional young musicians drawn from across London’s cultural communities.
The evening will also include a stunning set by the thirty strong Grand Union Youth Orchestra. Featuring young musicians aged 12-25, playing an extraordinary selection of instruments including: saxophone, sitar, djembe, cello, steel pans, sarangi and Turkish saz.
Together these performers will take you on an incredible journey through Turkey, South Africa, the Caribbean and Bangladesh, playing music that will lift your spirits and have you dancing in the aisles.
11.11.11
11 November 2011 at 7:30pm
Hackney Empire Theatre, 291 Mare Street E8 1EJ
Armistice Day 2011, in a month which sees London awash with jazz… an irresistible opportunity to commemorate the related ideas of liberty and creative freedom – since jazz is both the music of the liberated and the most liberated of musics.
Friends of Grand Union Orchestra
Buy-one-get-one-free ticket offer
To claim this offer simply enter “GUO11” into the discount code box when booking tickets online through www.hackneyempire.co.uk. Alternitively say “GUO 11 Discount” if booking by phone on 020 8985 2424 or in person at the box office.
We look forward to seeing you there
About 11.11.11
The music of the liberated, the most liberated of musics
Armistice Day 2011, in a month which sees London awash with jazz… an irresistible opportunity to commemorate the related ideas of liberty and creative freedom – since jazz is both the music of the liberated and the most liberated of musics.
A once-only event on an auspicious date in a beautiful and much-loved theatre…
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 very 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, and is 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.
Improvisation and the unexpected will rule the evening, but the event will also see the première of a brand new 11-bar blues created specially for the occasion! For details of the competition to contribute a theme please click here
SOUND OUT! - A Band in a Day (2)
24 July 2011 at 5:00pm
Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London E14 0JW
Following a set of workshops musicians from the Grand Union Youth Orchestra, and other community participants will put on there will be a public performance where workshop participants will be invited to play alongside the Grand Union musicians.
This performance will be a culmination of the material covered in both the ‘African/latin’ and ‘Asian’ workshops, as part of the Sound Out programme:
SOUND OUT LONDON’S LOST FISHING VILLAGE!
Trinity Buoy Wharf stands at the point at which the River Lea joins the Thames, now called “Leamouth” but formerly known as “Bow Creek”.
200 years ago Bow Creek was a remote fishing village. Today it is home to a wealth of creative industry supported by a vibrant community of artists and musicians. Where fisherman once sat mending their nets, Trinity Buoy Wharf now hosts many different community-based projects including the twice-yearly Water City Festival Orchestra in a Weekend event supported by Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust.
But, for many people, Trinity Buoy Wharf remains an undiscovered ‘Jewel of the Thames’. This is about to change on July 23 and 24 2011 when you are invited to come down to the Wharf and take part in a weekend of FREE family-friendly music and art funded by Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust and presented in association with Water City Festival.
SOUND OUT! - A Band in a Day
23 July 2011 at 5:00pm
Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London E14 0JW
Following a set of workshops through the day, there will be a public performance where workshop participants will be invited to play alongside the Grand Union musicians.
This performance will be a culmination of the material covered in both the ‘African/latin’ and ‘Asian’ workshops, as part of the Sound Out programme:
SOUND OUT LONDON’S LOST FISHING VILLAGE!
Trinity Buoy Wharf stands at the point at which the River Lea joins the Thames, now called “Leamouth” but formerly known as “Bow Creek”.
200 years ago Bow Creek was a remote fishing village. Today it is home to a wealth of creative industry supported by a vibrant community of artists and musicians. Where fisherman once sat mending their nets, Trinity Buoy Wharf now hosts many different community-based projects including the twice-yearly Water City Festival Orchestra in a Weekend event supported by Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust.
But, for many people, Trinity Buoy Wharf remains an undiscovered ‘Jewel of the Thames’. This is about to change on July 23 and 24 2011 when you are invited to come down to the Wharf and take part in a weekend of FREE family-friendly music and art funded by Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust and presented in association with Water City Festival.
75th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street
2 October 2011 at 1:00pm
Wilton's Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB
The Grand Union Youth Orchestra will be performing at Wilton’s Music Hall - the oldest surviving Grand Music Hall in the world. This event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street. In commemoration of the people who defended Cable Street from Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts, this all-day celebration features a variety show, book launches, a performance from the Grand Union Youth Orchestra of East London, and an art exhibition, Protest & Survive.
New Voices Festival
New Voices Festival
16 July 2011 at 1:00pm
V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA
Outdoor summer cultural festival, where we be performing to thousands on the main stage.
Grand Union will also be running family taster workshops during the afternoon.
Raise the Banner
Raise the Banner
1 July 2011 at 7:00pm
St John of Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Rd, LONDON E5 0PD
The Grand Union Orchestra, in partnership with the Hackney Empire Theatre & St. John at Hackney Church is proud to present “Raise the Banner” at one of East London’s grandest historic spaces.
Led by a star-studded line-up of the Grand Union Orchetra’s renowned world and jazz musicians, Raise the Banner brings Londoners of all cultural backgrounds together to form an inspiring single voice. An evening of truly eclectic music, from bhangra to gospel, reggae and hi-life to classical, blues and township a cappella.
Also featuring East London’s pioneering cross-cultural youth ensemble - Grand Union Youth Orchestra | Hackney Empire Community Choir | musicians from Pantonic Steel Band | Hackney Voices | Haringey Shed Community Choir and Wing-It Singers plus aspiring young musicians & singers from local schools.
Tickets for the event can be reserved through the Hacknye Empire box office.
Can’t Chain up me Mind
21 May 2011 at 8:30pm
The Albany, Douglas Way. Deptford. London SE8 4AG
Members of the GUYO will perform alongside world renowned musicians and singers from the Grand Union Orchestra in a spcial showcase of the Next Generation of world music and jazz stars.
Starring some of Britain’s most renowned world and jazz musicians, as well as rising stars on the scene drawn from Grand Union’s own youth orchestra, Can’t Chain Up me Mind takes the audience on an unforgettable and energy filled musical journey around the world. Discover the pulse of Carnival from South America and the Caribbean, fuelled by West African and Cuban rhythms, with echoes of urban South African townships and the rural music of Eastern Europe, mystical North Indian classical ragas, traditional song from Bangladesh, and ancient Chinese show-pieces in an exhilarating celebration of liberation and multiculturalism.
Mardi Gras in Bethnal Green
12 March 2011 at 6:30pm
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG
Following a workshop in the day, Grand Union Youth Orchestra perform in a double bill with the professional Grand Union Sprit of Carnival Band.
NB: No booking necessary - just come along!
From Silk Road to Carnival - Stratford Circus
31 October 2010 at 7:00pm
Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford E15 1BX
STRATFORD CIRCUS - Sunday 31st October 2010 – 7:00pm
WORKSHOPS, 28TH-30TH October, Hackney Empire Theatre
East London young musicians unite on a grand scale for a musical journey from China to the West Indies with world-renowned musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra.
Imagine a Silk merchant from Suzhou, a tea trader from Assam and a carpet maker from Istanbul are travelling west when they stumble upon a drum troop from Ghana and a Trinidadian steel band. Imagine the mixture of musical cultures; imagine the sounds exploding together; imagine the excitement of creating something completely new; imagine the Carnival!
Celebrating the many musical cultures brought to London through trade and travel, From Silk Road to Carnival will showcase the astonishingly diverse young musical talent of London today. Join us on October 31st at one of East London’s most popular venues for an evening of music to lift the heart and move the feet.
Produced by the world-renowned Grand Union Orchestra, this show features the Grand Union Youth Orchestra of East London – the GUYO - which aims to harness the talents and energies of London’s most adventurous young musicians, many of whose instruments and musical interests fall outside the remit of other youth orchestras. In the GUYO saz, sitar, Sarangi, erhu, steel pan, tabla and djembe rub shoulders with harp, saxophone, violin and bass guitar creating a sound that is electrifying and exhilarating.
From Silk Road to Carnival will be devised through half-term workshops and masterclassess on 28th, 29th and 30th October 2010 at the Hackney Empire, exploring musical styles including samba, salsa, calypso, soca, reggae, ska, West African chant, Turkish dance rhythms, Indian ragas and talas and Chinese folk songs … spiced up with jazz improvisation. These workshops are open to young musicians playing any instrument from any musical culture and are completely free. Those taking part will then perform in the live show at Stratford Circus on Sunday 31st October 2010.
Young musicians can register their interest in taking part in From Silk Road to Carnival at www.grandunionyouth.org.uk. To find out more contact Grand Union’s Youth Orchestra coordinator Hannah Turner on 020 7375 1122, hannah@grandunion.org.uk.
Grand Union Winter performance
Grand Union Winter performance
5 December 2010 at 6:30pm
The Brady Centre Theatre, 192-196 Handbury Street, London E1 5HU
East London’s cross-cultural youth orchestra showcases a mixture of brand new pieces created by the young musicians, and old favourites from the Grand Union repertoire. With instruments ranging from saxophone to Turkish saz, from bass guitar to Spanish bagpipes, from steel pans to Indian sarangi, this ensemble brings a truly unique sound to the Brady Arts Centre.
Don’t miss your chance to see the GUYO in action, and find out more about the Grand Union Orchestra. Join us for a celebratory reception after the performance, looking on a successful year of work. Meet the musicians and enjoy a festive glass of mulled wine.
Important details for GUYO participating in the performance
This Sunday’s winter celebration concert is fast aproaching. The confirmed schedule is below:
Confirmed schedule - Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury St, London E1 5HU
2:00 pm. Youth committee and other volunteers arrive to set up the theatre.
2:30 pm. Rehearsal begins, please make sure you are on time.
2:30 – 5:30 pm. Rehearsal
5:30 – 6:30 pm – Bring and share dinner
6:30 – 7:30 pm – performance
7:30 – 8:30 pm – party / reception, parents friends and family welcome.
Transport
There are the following planned track closures this weekend. Please read carefully.
Circle, Part closure, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, no service between Hammersmith and Edgware Road.
District, Planned closure, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, no service between Tower Hill and Upminster and between Kensington Olympia and Earls Court.
H’smith & City, Part closure, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, no service between Liverpool Street and Barking. Trains serve Aldgate.
Jubilee, Part closure, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, no service between West Hampstead and Stanmore.
Metropolitan, Part closure, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, no service between Aldgate and Uxbridge.
Piccadilly, Part closure Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, no service between South Harrow and Uxbridge.
Waterloo & City Closed
DLR, Part closure, On Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, no service between Stratford and Bow Church due to planned engineering work.
Overground Planned closure
Please check www.tfl.gov.uk on the day to plan your jouney
Dress . Please dress as normal in bright colours. It may be best to bring your outfit for the evening and change into after the bring and share dinner. If you want to dress in the festive spirit you are welcome to do so.
Decorations We do not have a budget to buy decorations for the auditorium this time, however if you have any decorations at home that you want to bring along to decorate the theatre, you are more than welcome to bring them. You will need to arrive at 2:00pm to set these up.
Arts Award
I hope you have all looked at the information sent about working towards achieving an arts award. Catherine Mummery, who will be organising the award, will be around on Sunday. We will need to know for definite if you want to participate in the programme before Christmas, so please speak to us on Sunday about it.
1.4 Billion Reasons - Charity Concert
22 August 2010 at 12:00pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London
Members of the GUYO will be performing as part of the 1.4 Billion Reason’s charity concert organised to raise awareness of “The Global Poverty Project”.
GUYO will appear at 3:45pm but the event runs from Midday until 6:00pm featuring many musical acts and presentations.
One not to be missed!
The Global Poverty Project’s 1.4 Billion Reasons presentation at Rich Mix from 12pm on 22 August.
As part of the
1.4 Billion Reasons Summer Tour, East London will join with 15 cities across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in catalysing the movement to end extreme poverty.
This FREE event aims to inform people about extreme poverty and encourages people to take action. Hosted by Vanessa Best of Ultrasound, the event will include live music from Jack Day, Cevanne, The Dafydd Williams Bigtet and musicians from the Grand Union Youth Orchestra, with Cal McCullough DJing all afternoon. The event will also include stalls from the Fairtrade Foundation, Pants to Poverty, Newham Bookshop, Results UK and Greenpeace.
At the core of the event will be a 60-minute
1.4 Billion Reasons presentation that demonstrates that by making simple changes in our own lives, we can all find solutions to end extreme poverty. We aim to equip people with the knowledge that they can take simple steps in their daily lives that can have a huge impact for people living in extreme poverty. You will not be asked for any donations.
22nd August 2010, 12pm - 6pm
Rich Mix
35-47 Bethnal Green Rd
London E1 6LA
Beatfest @ Stratford Circus
9 July 2010 at 7:00pm
Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford E15 1BX
A small selection of GUYO members perform a foyer gig as part of Beatfest 2010 when Stratford Circus heats up the summer festival scene with three hot nights of music.
Members of the GUYO will perform a blend of Indian ragas, Turkish melodies, Latin rhythms and African drumming, with a pinch of jazz and European harmony on instruments including Turkish Sax, Djembe, Saxophone, Violin and Sarangi.
They will perform twice in the evening once at 7.00pm and again at 8.20pm.
The evenings entertainment is completely free. Stratford Circus will also have a very special 7 course menu on offer in its restaurant
Hackney Empire
17 July 2010 at 7:30pm
Hackney Empire
The GUYO have been invited by the Hackney Empire to perform as part of an exciting evening of world beats music. More details to be announced soon.
Shoreditch Festival
18 July 2010 at 2:00pm
GUYO will perform on the main stage at Shoreditch Festival 2010
Romford World Carnival
26 September 2010 at 2:45pm
Romford Market Place,
GUYO along with the Grand Union Carnival band and local participants from Havering, will perform in a carnival procession in conjunction with Emergency Exit Arts through Romford Market place, finishing in a performance on the main stage of the festival.
The brightly coloured procession will be led by Emergency Exit Art’s famous mechanical elephant and will be a sight to see.
Those performing on the day need to arrive at Wykham Hall, Market Place , Romford RM1 3AB at 1pm to prepare for the performance.
Paradise Gardens 2010
Paradise Gardens 2010
19 June 2010 at 1:50pm
Victoria Park,, Grove Road, E3
GUYO will perform at Paradise Gardens 2010.
Paradise Gardens Festival is back transforming Victoria Park into a 21st century pleasure garden. A FREE multi-art form festival presenting the best of East London and International talent and packed with activities for all ages.
Getting there
Tube: Mile End (Central Line)
Rail: Cambridge Heath & Hackney Wick stations
Buses: 277, D6, 30
For latest travel info go to www.tfl.gov.uk
Parking: Victoria Park is in a controlled parking zone.
We advise you to leave your car at home.
For general enquiries about the festival call: 0207 364 7909 or email artsandevents@towerhamlets.gov.uk
From Carnival to Silk Road - with NewVic
31 March 2010 at 8:30pm
Stratford Circus, Stratford Circus Theatre Square Stratford London E15 1BX
A performance as part of NewVic College’s Music Mix 2010 concert at Stratford Circus. The performance will culminting a month long project at between Grand Union and NewVic. Young musicians from accross Newham will perform an exciting set of music inspired from around the world.
From Carnival to Silk Road - Newham Academy of Music
From Carnival to Silk Road - Newham Academy of Music
6 March 2010 at 6:00pm
Newham Academy of Music, Wakefield Street, East Ham, London E6 1NG
Under the expert guidance of Grand Union’s world musicians including South African Claude Deppa (trumpet, African drums), Yousuf Ali Khan (tabla) from Bangladesh, gu zheng (Chinese harp) virtuoso Zhu Xiao Meng and GU’s composer/director Tony Haynes young musicians will perform a programme that spans the globe, taking in Latin-Amercian rhythms, West African drumming, township music from South Africa, bhangra and Indian classical rags and ancient Chinese folksongs.
Carnival on the Silk Road
Carnival on the Silk Road
16 February 2010 at 4:30pm
The Theatre, Havering Sixth Form College, Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM11 3TB
Featuring instruments such as the Turkish saz, Indian tabla and sarangi and Chinese harp (gu zheng) as well brass, wind and strings and a sizzling rhythm section, and exploring Turkish dances, Indian classical rags and Chinese folk music alongside samba, salsa, reggae, soca, calypso and West African drumming, this informal performance will showcase the music leaned and rehearsed during February half term workshops.
Click to find out more about these world music workshops
Winter Celebration with Brady Arts and Community Centre
Winter Celebration with Brady Arts and Community Centre
12 December 2009 at 6:00pm
Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5HU
The Grand Union Youth Orchestra - East London’s world-music/jazz ensemble for young people - will be joined by other young musicians from across London who have participated in Grand Union music workshops this autumn, in a combined celebration of music from around the world. This extraordinary selection of young musicians will take you on a journey through Turkey, China, South Africa, the Caribbean and Bangladesh– and the carnival spirit will have you dancing in the aisles.
Spirit of the Silk Road - as part of Youth Music Week.
Spirit of the Silk Road - as part of Youth Music Week.
14 November 2009 at 5:59pm
Newham Academy of Music, Wakefield Street East Ham London E6 1NG
Following the Great Silk Road, young musicians from Newham explore the music of Turkey, Bangladesh and China in the company of Grand Union musicians Gunes Cerit, Yousuf Ali Khan and guest artist Zhu Meng Xiao, gu zheng (Chinese harp) who themselves are leading performers in the Asian music traditions found along the Silk Road today.
The range of instruments alone is extraordinary – from saz, sarangi and sitar to the sweeping majesty of the gu zheng, from djembe and congas to darabouka, dhol and tabla, plus of course more familiar brass, wind and strings – but the musical textures they create together is something else again…
Under the leadership of Grand Union’s professional world musicians, an afternoon of world-music workshops ends in a presentation of the journey they have made – a joyous and colourful performance which also celebrates the tenth anniversary of Youth Music
Samba Performance at Romfest 09
Samba Performance at Romfest 09
27 September 2009 at 5:00pm
Romford Market Place,, Essex RM1, UK
As part of Romfest 09, this workshop run by Brazillian Samba expert Xavier Osmir with support from Ros Davies, Gerry Hunt and Jonathan Andre was lively and fun. It filled the venue, St Edwards Church –Romford Market place - with energy. The 14 participants ranged in age from 6-26. A few participants were regular members of GUYO, others came after Havering Music School, whilst a few came from the market square having heard the public announcement about the workshop.
The first half focussed on Samba rhythm, each participants being given the opportunity to try a number of percussion instruments instruments. After a short break, those who had brought woodwind and brass instruments were tough a melody. The melody and rhythm were then brought together and each participant was given the opportunity to take a solo. The workshop finished with an informal performance in the church to friends family and members of the public. A transient audience of over 60 was counted, with a final audience of around 20 for the performance.
Download the flyer for this workshop here
Redbridge Residency Performance
30 October 2009 at 7:00pm
Redbridge Music Service, John Savage Centre Fencepiece Road Hainault Ilford Essex IG6 2NB
Following two days of workshops, rehearsals and master classes in world music, younh musicians from the Redbridge area present what they have achieved, some of them performing with the Grand Union Youth Orchestra of East London for the first time.
Under the expert guidance of GU musicians including Claude Deppa, Yousuf Ali Khan, Andres Lafone and Louise Elliot, the students will create a programme that combines Latin-American rhythms, African drumming, European harmony and Indian classical music with solo and collective improvisation.
Download the flyer here
Song of Many Tongues
Song of Many Tongues
19 October 2009 at 8:30pm
Queens Theatre, The Queen's Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1QT
Following the success of last year’s concert, musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra returned in a unique collaboration with young performers from Havering, including the full Schools Symphony Orchestra, a choir assembled for the occasion from Queen’s Theatre drama groups and members of the GU Youth Orchestra of East London.
The evening was built around music and songs from all over the world – from Ghana, Brazil, Turkey, Bangladesh and the Caribbean, with Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien representing Russia and Italy! – and featurds an even greater variety of instruments and global rhythms – with samba, calypso, hi-life, bhangra and township jive added to the irresistible mix.
Grand Union musicians featured included South African trumpet star Claude Deppa, Brazilian percussion ace Xavier Osmir, tabla maestro Yousuf Ali Khan, multi-instrumentalists Ros Davies and Gerry Hunt, and the golden-voiced Jonathan André and plangent singer/saz-player Gunes Cerit from the GU Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Grand Union Orchestra’s composer/director Tony Haynes.
Download the flyer here
Around the world in 60 minutes - Family Concert
Around the world in 60 minutes - Family Concert
31 October 2009 at 1:30pm
Rich Mix, Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA
Musicians from Grand Union and Grand Union Youth Orchestra bring a carnival of sound to delight and entertain a family audience of all ages. Unted on stage from as far afield as the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia and Africa they create a wonderful mix of jazzy melodies, pulsating drum rhythms, and vocal sounds from arouth the world. Expect to get swept up in a musical journey and find yourself dancing and joining in the fun.
The conecert will be followed by a family world-music workshop suitable for children aged seven and above.
Please purchase tickets through the Rich Mix box office
Grand Union - The Next Generation
Grand Union - The Next Generation
31 October 2009 at 8:00pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
For 25 years, the Grand Union Orchestra has brought together top-class musicians from all over the world to create a wholly original form of music of its own.
For this event, some of those musicians, including South African Claude Deppa (trumpet and percussion), Australian Louise Elliott (tenor saxophone and flute) and tabla maestro Yousuf Ali Khan are joined by some of the musicians emerging from the ranks of the Grand Union Youth Orchestra to become the world music stars of tomorrow, including Gunes Cerit (saz, voice), Ketan Kerai (sarangi, dhol) and Jonathan André (voice, djembe), backed by the powerful rhythm section of Andres Lafone (bass guitar) and Dave Adams (drums).
The music is equally varied – from irresistible dance rhythms from Latin-America, the Caribbean, West Africa and even a touch of bhangra one moment, to heart-breaking songs from Turkey and the seductive beauty of Indian ragas the next – all enlivened with stunning jazz improvisation.
This is Grand Union’s début in this impressive new Shoreditch venue. Visit the RichMix facebook page for this event.
“Nearly a quarter century on, Grand Union continues to evolve, making new, innovative music in a spirit of creative freedom.” – fRoots, June 1908
Download the flyer here
Horniman Museum - Refugee Celebration Day
Horniman Museum - Refugee Celebration Day
31 January 2009 at 2:00pm
Horniman Museum and Gardens, Lewisham
Both professional GU musicians and three upcoming stars of the youth orchestra attended this event. The museum was open to the public as usual, but had many interactive events happening throughout the day. Grand Union had been invited to be involved with 3 of these. In attendance was, Yousuf Ali Khan, Andre Lafone, Tony Haynes, Ketan Kerai, Lili Ioncheva and Jonathan Andre.
From 11am-1pm an informal workshop was held in the “hands-on” centre. Over 60 visitors to the museum took part, many for the entire 2hours and a few passing through. They were all actively encouraged to participate through clapping, singing, dancing and percussion instruments.
From 1:30pm-2:30pm Jonathan Andre and Ketan Kerai from the Youth Orchestra contributed to museums “hands on” session, where they encouraged young people to ask questions about their instruments - djembe and Sirangi - and gave them the chance to touch the instruments, and have a go.
At 3pm Grand Union performed for 40 minutes in the main galleried space of the museum. There was well over 100 audience members, many sitting and standing for the whole performance and others passing through. Again the audience was encouraged to participate. A highlight being when the entire audience sung harmonies together, in call response with Jonathan Andre. There was an excellent response to invitations to the hackney Empire show with a large number of the audience requesting further details and taking away flyers. A number of Paths to Liberation CDs were purchased.
GUYO Winter Concert
GUYO Winter Concert
13 December 2008 at 7:30pm
Toynbee Studios
An end of year celebration featuring the GUYO and Grand Union Carnival band. Under the leadership of Gerry Hunt, the GUYO musicians showcased their repertoire from the last year. Performers included Rebecca Gannon (cello), Bavidra Kalarajah (violin), Shakeel Khan (sitar), Ketan Kerai (sarangi), Nirananda Chandran (tabla), Isaac Kito (percussion), Alexandre gagatsis (percussion) and Jonathan Andre (vocals, Djembe).
The second half showcased the Carnival Band – musicians included Claude Deppa (trumpet, flugel) Yousuf Ali Khan (tabla, dholak), Louise Elliott (tenor saxophone, flute), multi-instrumentalist Gerry Hunt, Ros Davies (flute, trombone), Daniel Louis (steel pan) Justin Pickett (drums) and Andres Lafone (bass). The well-received concert was accompanied by a mince pie and mulled wine reception during the interval.
Redbrige Music Service - GUYO half term residency
Redbrige Music Service - GUYO half term residency
31 October 2008 at 7:30pm
The music covered included elements of Indian rags, African drumming, Brazilian song, Caribbean rhythms and Eastern European folk music in the concert, where everyone played improvised solos, and during the workshop/rehearsal sessions the group delved into some of the theory behind all these world music styles.
The concert was a culmination of the two days of work, and was followed by an informal reception. Players (including steel pan) from Redbridge Music Service participated, and performers who had taken part in the GUYO workshops that formed part of the Open Rehearsal Weekend on 27th and 28th September.
Queens Theatre Hornchurch
Queens Theatre Hornchurch
6 October 2008 at 7:29pm
Queens Theatre, Hornichurch
The event was a collaboration with Havering Music Services. In the afternoon a workshop took place for Havering Young Musicians that had been advertised by Havering Music Services to all Havering Schools. 5 young musicians came along, some of whom had attended the workshop at St. Edward’s Church on 28 September. They worked on 3 pieces that were then performed at the evening performance.
From 4pm a workshop/rehearsal took place with the Havering Youth Orchestra that was led by Tony Haynes and supported by Gerry Hunt, Andres Lafone, Kevin Robinson and 6 of the more established GUYO members.
The evening performance saw the Havering Youth Orchestra performing 3 of their repertoire pieces, followed by GUYO (plus the 5 from the afternoon workshop) giving a short performance. In the second half a combined performance took place that went down very well with the audience. Future activities are now being planned with the Havering Music Service.
Open Rehearsal Weekend - Day two - Romfest
28 September 2008 at 4:05pm
GUYO participated in Romfest as part of the Mayor of Londons Open Rehearsal Weekend to Launch the Cultural olympiad
In partnership with Havering Music Services, some participants for the previous day attended, alongside many new, local musicians from the neighbouring schools.
As there were other activities happening all day in the Market Place, friends and families passed in and out to listen to the young people learning the exciting new material from other lands, guided by members of Grand Union Orchestra.
Open Rehearsal weekend - Day one
Open Rehearsal weekend - Day one
27 September 2008 at 12:00pm
St Johns Church , Bethnal Green
Established Grand Union Youth Orchestra members as well as new participants spent the day in public workshops as part of the “Open Rehearsal” weekend in celebration of launch of the cultural Olympiad. Held in the impressive and imposing St Johns Church, Bethnal Green, invited guests as well as members of the passing public came to watch what happens during the creative process of a workshop.
Introduced into the orchestra were three talented young steel pan players as well as several young violinists and woodwind players. Led by Tony Haynes and supported by Gerry Hunt, Claude Deppa and Yousuf Ali Khan this workshop encouraged new participants to improvise and work creatively with their instrument.
This day proved to be very popular indeed with upwards of 70 visitors, most of whom had not heard of the GUYO before.
Spice on the Square Festival
20 July 2008 at 12:00pm
The Hackney Empire Spice Festival was a great outdoor event with arts and crafts and vibrant music representing the diverse communities of Hackney.
The Grand Union Youth Orchestra played the longest set of the day and the audienced loved the mix of traditions and instruments on the stage.
Go for it! Newham
13 July 2008 at 12:00pm
This event was a celebration of groups and organisations who were awarded grants from the Newham Go For It! Grant Scheme. Grand Union Youth Orchestra produced a colourful display board with details of past events and information for future recruitment and a small ensemble performed excerpts of music to the passing crowds to promote their work.
Langon Park School Summer Fete
5 July 2008 at 3:00pm
Langdon Park School
The Grand Union Youth Orchestra participated in the Langdon Park School Healthy Lifestyle Summer Fete, giving an informal outdoor performance at midday to around 700 people throughout the day. 7 of our members formed the band, led by Gerry Hunt (saxophones and guitar).
This was an opportunity to showcase the repertoire covered during the May/June workshops.
Broadway Theatre
14 June 2008 at 7:30pm
Braodway Theatre Barking
New participants and existing GUYO members took part in all-day workshops followed by an evening performance at the Broadway Theatre, Barking
This event was led by Gerry Hunt, Zhu Xiao Meng, Claude Deppa and Youssuf Ali Khan, with the support of Ketan Kerai and Alex Gagatsis. The workshops ran from 10 til 4 with an outdoor performance at 16.30 in the square outside the Barking Town Hall. The evening performance at 19.30.
Repertoire included new Chinese material that had been performed at the Museum in Docklands, alongside music from Macedonia, South Africa and Bangladesh.
GUYO at Docklands Museum
GUYO at Docklands Museum
7 June 2008 at 2:00pm
Docklands Museum
Members of the Youth Orchestra were joined by Chinese musicians Rui Jun Hu on bamboo flutes and Zhu Xiao Meng on Chinese Harp. The group played outside the museum and enthralled visitors and passers by with a mix of music from along the Silk Road. The performances complemented a whole day of Chinese inspired activities including costume shows and Chinese Lion Dances.
Grand Union Youth Orchestra Week
31 May 2008 at 7:30pm
Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5HU E1 5HU
The Youth Orchestra celebrated a remarkable year of growth and development in May. A half-term residency saw young musicians playing vibraphone, marimba, concert harp, dhol, sarangi and tabla, come to the Brady Centre for intensive workshop sessions and group work. They presented the expanding repertoire to an appreciative audience on the Saturday evening.
May Half Term Residency
May Half Term Residency
28 May 2009 at 7:00pm
Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU
This two day residency took place at the Brady Arts and Community Centre, where the Grand Union Youth Orchestra has now firmly set down its local routes. Charismatic workshops leader Ros Davies took responsibility for co-ordinated the workshops, with Tony Haynes, Yousuf Ali Khan and senior youth orchestra member John Andre also assisting as music leaders.
Regular members of the youth orchestra attended as well as a number of new recruits including a mandolin player and talented multi instrumentalist, a fresh young Sarangi player, a talented Trombonist and two young tabla players.
The two day programme was designed to embrace both the experienced and less experience young musicians. The mornings were dedicated to full group work aimed at building musical confidence, where as afternoon were split into different ‘breakout’ sessions. These included a advanced instrument master class exploring harmonic structures in world music, a more basic workshops introducing the GUYO repertoire and idea of improvisation, and a Bengali and Indian Classical master class. Friday’s workshop day was culminated in a public performance to friends and family.
On Liberation Street
On Liberation Street
19 March 2009 at 7:30pm
The Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ
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:
Horniman Museuem - Refugee Celebration Week
Horniman Museuem - Refugee Celebration Week
20 June 2009 at 4:00pm
Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Rd, Lewisham SE23 3PQ
GUYO celebrate Refugee Celebration Week
Senior members of GUYO worked alongside professionals at the Horniman Museum and Gardens during Refugee Celebration Week, running an open world music workshop for families, and then performing to the bustling crowed visiting the museum on Refugee Celebration day.
This was GUYOs second appearance at the museum, back in January another workshop/performance took place and senior Ketan Kerai and Jon Andre worked with Horniman Museum staff, introducing young people to the hands on musical instrument collection.
To find out more about the Horniman museum, and their amazing collection of musical instruments visit there website here
Shoreditch Festival
19 July 2009 at 2:00pm
Shoreditch Festival, Shoreditch Park, Hackney
At 2pm on Sunday 19th July, GUYO took to the main stage of Shoreditch Festival
Joined by professional members of the Grand Union Band, they wowed a large and vibrant audience at the outdoor event. The rain held off to moments before the end of the set.
Many of the audience enjoyed dancing along to GUYOs unique summer sound.
