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Monday, 30 April 2012
Friday, 27 April 2012
A Tribute to Alan Hacker OBE
AAM pays tribute to our inspirational Patron,
Alan Hacker OBE
Accessible
Arts & Media (AAM) pays tribute to our inspirational patron, Alan Hacker
OBE, the internationally renowned clarinettist, teacher and conductor who sadly
died on the 16th April 2012. He was a truly remarkable man who
overcame the barriers imposed through disability to become one of the most
thrilling musicians of the 20th Century. Since 1992 he has been AAM
Patron, and for AAM, and all its members (primarily disabled people and young people),
he was so much more.
Rose Kent, AAM Managing
Director said:
“Alan has made
a huge difference to all AAM members over the 20 years he was our Patron. It is
unusual for a Patron to be so ‘hands on’ as Alan was. From inspiring the very
first concert (Harmonic Motion) that the Accessible Arts arm of the charity
staged back in 1992, where he worked and performed alongside our members, he
has worked tirelessly with us to ensure that everyone could take part, no
matter how much music they have done before or how much ability they have.
As a disabled
person himself, Alan understood only too well the difficulties of living and
coping day-to-day with a disability – inspiring everyone not to accept second
best, in every walk of life. Alan never ceased to amaze me and everyone at AAM
with the passion, dedication and concern he had for us - always taking time to
get to know our members individually and where ever possible helping to nurture
their musical talents. This is what we will treasure and remember him for
always. Thank you so much Alan!”
Alan’s
immense musical career spanned six decades. He became the youngest ever
Clarinet Professor at the Royal Academy of Music aged just 19 and joined the
London Philharmonic Orchestra soon after. However, a spinal blood clot left him
permanently paralysed from the chest down in his late 20’s. On returning to the
LPO he was greeted with the news that because of his disability he could not
tour overseas with them, which was the turning point in his career, whereupon he
ceased to be a young player of enviable virtuosity to become a truly great
musician of versatility and fearsome originality.
As important as
anything in Alan’s life was his restoring of the solo lines of Mozart’s
Clarinet Concerto and Quintet to their original melodic shapes, written for the
basset clarinet, and reconstructing the forgotten instrument invented by
Mozart’s friend Stadler.
He will be remembered most in York for the incredible contribution he
has made to music and the legacy he has left for others to enjoy for
generations to come. He had a long term association with the York based
Fitzwilliam String Quartet following their first collaboration together in 1973
– 150 concerts and broadcasts, and an acclaimed recording of the Brahms
Clarinet Quintet which has recently been reissued. Whist lecturing at the
University he became the prime mover in founding the now internationally
celebrated York Early Music Festival. Alan was a firm believer in music being
accessible to all and whilst at the University he pioneered getting music out
into unusual public places in order to break down the barriers of the
established arts world - something that Alan was passionate about, and which
AAM shares.
2012 marks AAM’s 30 year anniversary and we will be holding a 30th
anniversary concert as a memorial to our Patron Alan Hacker on Wednesday 11th
July 2012 at 7.30pm in the Guildhall, York. Without Alan’s support and guidance
AAM would never have reached thirty!
Alan was a huge fan of AAM’s award winning Hands & Voices singing
and signing choir, who welcome all members of the community and will be
presenting a programme of music all written by the choir’s very own talented
members. Alan once said of the Hands & Voices:
“It’s all to do with involvement and sincerity –
that’s what you get when you see Hands & Voices perform and that’s what is
important in art, it really is. The first time I saw the choir perform I was
absolutely spellbound by the enthusiasm and life that that was coming out of
them. As somebody who’s involved with performance, to see such spontaneity is
absolutely fantastic.”
There will also be performances
from local disabled composer and AAM member, Richard Mendham, of whom Alan was also a huge supporter, as well as other AAM
groups and individuals - all woven together with some of Alan Hacker’s
inspirational recordings over the years.
As part of the 30th
anniversary celebrations, AAM are inviting all members of the community to
experience and celebrate the diverse talents of our non performing groups as
well at an Open Week that will take place from Monday 16th to Friday
20th July.
AAM has been an integral part of the cultural and
community landscape in York since 1982 when a collective of local filmmakers
got together to form York Film Workshop. With a few more names changes and
relocations over the years (The Old Dairy Studios, Artlink, Accessible Arts and
Cube Media), Accessible Arts & Media was born in 2008 and with continuing
support of its so many members, supporters, funders and Alan, of course; the
charity has grown into the vibrant and fun organisation that it is today.
Our activities range from music
workshop leader training for adults with disabilities to a sensory programme
designed specifically for adults and children with profound and multiple
disabilities and includes one of the UK’s first singing and signing choirs,
Hands and Voices, which enables those with communication and learning
difficulties to express themselves more easily.
Alan’s funeral will take place on Friday 4th
May, 2pm at The East Riding Crematorium, Octon. His
family have requested no flowers but donations would be gratefully received for
the Renal Unit at York District Hospital, if people desire.
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Hands & Voices Jungle-ele - 28 March 2012
On Wednesday 28th March 2012 at 7.30pm, York’s very own award winning Hands & Voices choir are joining forces again with York St. John University and their Show Choir, African Drummers, YSJ Hands & Voices and Yorkulele YSJ for a ‘Jungle-ele’ concert at the University Chapel.
Hands & Voices is run by local charity Accessible Arts & Media (AAM) and they use a unique form of singing and signing to support communication with adults with learning difficulties, and disabilities. Rose Kent, Director of Accessible Arts & Media, had this to say about the concert:
“We are delighted to be invited back to the University, where we were the first Community Ensemble in Residence in 2010. In true Hands & Voices style there will be a unique blend of well-loved classics and new works written by the choir themselves. So jump on our safari to the land across the river where the lion sleeps and it’s always a happy day!”
The choir will be singing a medley of songs that will lead you through Africa and on into the jungle with well known show tunes and a selection of gospel favourites.
Hands & Voices have been working in partnership with York St John for the past 10 years and they are looking forward to performing with such a varied selection of the University’s student-run ensembles. The concert will feature:
YSJ African Drummers - directed by Hannah Crawford
One of the first and longest-established ensembles at the University, the African Drummers play exciting, driving West African rhythms on the king of drums, the djembe!
Yorkulele - directed by Alex Greatrex, Bex Hope & Natalie King
Yes, they play ukeleles and they're from York! Yorkulele singin covers of songs in a wide variety of styles, accompanied the by the 'in' instrument of our times!
YSJ Show Choir – directed by Ally Mottram, Joe Coates & Bex Hope
The Show Choir, well established at York St John, sings a wide range of songs from the great musicals from the last 50 years.
YSJ Hands & Voices – directed by Lisa Woodhead & Sophie Chadwick
An exciting new initiative at the University, Harmony Hands is a signing choir founded by two community music students currently on placement with Hands & Voices. Harmony Hands uses signing to support their songs.
The Jungle-ele concert has been sponsored by The Rotary Club of York Vikings with additional funding and support from the City of York Council, York St John University, York Common Good Fund, The Calmcott Trust, The Key Fund, The Norman Collinson Charitable Trust, Donald and Patricia Shepherd Charitable Trust, York Rose Singers, Haxby Players, Alan Graver and Susan Hartshorne.
We look forward to seeing you all there!
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Places available on AAM Disability Programmes Jan 2012
1) Sensory Programme (Adult)
• Sensory Drop In
When? Friday 1 – 2pm or 2 – 3pm
Where? Burton Stone Community Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
The sensory drop-in is a unique session that has been developed for adults with profound and multiple disabilities/ complex needs. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to make music using a range of accessible technology and sensory resources – meaning that all young people can play an equal part in the music making, whatever their individual needs and abilities.
As opposed to a traditional workshop setting, the Drop-In has a much more flexible structure, allowing the participants and their support worker an opportunity to work together to explore the environment, and find activities they both enjoy. The session offers a range of stimuli including:
o Singing and signing
o A range of sensory (touch, feel, smell, see) and non-technical music making
o MIDIcreator (by pressing a switch you hear a sound)
o Soundbeam (by moving in front of the beam you play music and trigger images)
o Apollo Ensemble (transforms body movements into sound, light, image & video)
o G Force (by making a sound into the microphone you change pictures)
o Vibroacoustic Soundbox/ beanbag (by sitting/ lying on the box or beanbag you feel the vibrations of the music through your body)
• Sensory Movement
When? Tuesday 10.30 – 12pm
Where? Burton Stone Community Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
The sessions have been designed specifically to enable those with high support needs to explore their movements and express themselves creatively, whilst at the same time being fun and energetic to do.
The sessions have been structured so that they can be accessed on a multi-sensory level, using dance and play to engage participation on both a one to one and group basis. A wide range of sensory resources and musical genres are used and wherever possible the group members’ musical interests are incorporated so that everyone can take part with their support worker in their own way. Time is also spent during sessions on relaxation and massage.
• Creative Sensory
When? Wednesday 10 – 11am
Where? Burton Stone Community Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
The Creative Sensory sessions provide customers with an opportunity to explore a range of different creative art forms including painting, collage and mosaic work. All activities are designed specifically for those with disabilities, using colours, shapes, textiles and tactile fabrics that can be appreciated on a multi-sensory level. During the sessions the group members will create a range of creative works personal to themselves.
2) Sensory Projects (Youth)
• Music Makers
When? Monday 1.15 – 2.45pm
Where? The Melbourne Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
Music Makers is a new music project designed specifically for young adults or young people in transition with a range of learning difficulties, and disabilities (MLD/SLD). Sessions will be structured in a way that suits the needs of the young people attending. The primary aim of the sessions will be to engage the young people through a range of musical activities, including accessible music technology, singing & signing, percussion and rhythm, dancing and movement, as well as more sensory activities for those with more complex needs.
3) Creative Disability Projects
• Occasional Painters Art Group
When? Wednesday 1.15 – 2.45pm
Where? Burton Stone Community Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
The ‘Occasional Painters’ Art group is aimed primarily at adults with moderate learning difficulties and disabilities. They explore a number of different themes by using a wide range of materials including fabrics, collage, painting, weaving and mixed media and they regularly contribute to citywide projects. This has including making squares for York quilt museum’s ‘Patch Project’ and making large structures for the ‘Fiesta’ festival in York. The Occasional Painters also regularly looks to famous artists for inspiration and once a term the group hosts an open day where they exhibit their own work, and invite family and friends to come and view it.
For more information or to book a place on any of the above-mentioned projects contact: Accessible Arts & Media
Tel: 01904 626965 Email: info@a-arts-media.org
www.a-arts-media.org
• Sensory Drop In
When? Friday 1 – 2pm or 2 – 3pm
Where? Burton Stone Community Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
The sensory drop-in is a unique session that has been developed for adults with profound and multiple disabilities/ complex needs. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to make music using a range of accessible technology and sensory resources – meaning that all young people can play an equal part in the music making, whatever their individual needs and abilities.
As opposed to a traditional workshop setting, the Drop-In has a much more flexible structure, allowing the participants and their support worker an opportunity to work together to explore the environment, and find activities they both enjoy. The session offers a range of stimuli including:
o Singing and signing
o A range of sensory (touch, feel, smell, see) and non-technical music making
o MIDIcreator (by pressing a switch you hear a sound)
o Soundbeam (by moving in front of the beam you play music and trigger images)
o Apollo Ensemble (transforms body movements into sound, light, image & video)
o G Force (by making a sound into the microphone you change pictures)
o Vibroacoustic Soundbox/ beanbag (by sitting/ lying on the box or beanbag you feel the vibrations of the music through your body)
• Sensory Movement
When? Tuesday 10.30 – 12pm
Where? Burton Stone Community Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
The sessions have been designed specifically to enable those with high support needs to explore their movements and express themselves creatively, whilst at the same time being fun and energetic to do.
The sessions have been structured so that they can be accessed on a multi-sensory level, using dance and play to engage participation on both a one to one and group basis. A wide range of sensory resources and musical genres are used and wherever possible the group members’ musical interests are incorporated so that everyone can take part with their support worker in their own way. Time is also spent during sessions on relaxation and massage.
• Creative Sensory
When? Wednesday 10 – 11am
Where? Burton Stone Community Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
The Creative Sensory sessions provide customers with an opportunity to explore a range of different creative art forms including painting, collage and mosaic work. All activities are designed specifically for those with disabilities, using colours, shapes, textiles and tactile fabrics that can be appreciated on a multi-sensory level. During the sessions the group members will create a range of creative works personal to themselves.
2) Sensory Projects (Youth)
• Music Makers
When? Monday 1.15 – 2.45pm
Where? The Melbourne Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
Music Makers is a new music project designed specifically for young adults or young people in transition with a range of learning difficulties, and disabilities (MLD/SLD). Sessions will be structured in a way that suits the needs of the young people attending. The primary aim of the sessions will be to engage the young people through a range of musical activities, including accessible music technology, singing & signing, percussion and rhythm, dancing and movement, as well as more sensory activities for those with more complex needs.
3) Creative Disability Projects
• Occasional Painters Art Group
When? Wednesday 1.15 – 2.45pm
Where? Burton Stone Community Centre
Cost? £3 per session (1st session free)
The ‘Occasional Painters’ Art group is aimed primarily at adults with moderate learning difficulties and disabilities. They explore a number of different themes by using a wide range of materials including fabrics, collage, painting, weaving and mixed media and they regularly contribute to citywide projects. This has including making squares for York quilt museum’s ‘Patch Project’ and making large structures for the ‘Fiesta’ festival in York. The Occasional Painters also regularly looks to famous artists for inspiration and once a term the group hosts an open day where they exhibit their own work, and invite family and friends to come and view it.
For more information or to book a place on any of the above-mentioned projects contact: Accessible Arts & Media
Tel: 01904 626965 Email: info@a-arts-media.org
www.a-arts-media.org
Yormusic sensory drop in is back - AMMENDED DATES
Click to Enlarge
Yormusic 2012 will now begin on the 11th of February
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