Check this out.

My favourite pianist John Horler now has a new website. He is an incredible jazz pianist and worth checking out http://www.johnhorler.co.uk/

Thrilled to find this

Was thrilled to find this review of Razz 2 on the net
Razzamajazz Book 2 (+accomp)
Price: £7.99
Composer: WattsPublisher: KMGrade: 1-2
Category: Code: WAT218Editor's Notes:^

Editor's ChoiceFor all those of us who think that Sarah Watts is brilliant and Razzamajazz Book 1 completely indispensible, Book 2 is surely the answer to our prayers. Easier than her Repertoire book, the main focus here is on the middle register although low C and E flat are also included. The tunes are very appealing and well crafted to ensure that only one problem is tackled at a time. The rhythms are generally simple and the speeds slower to help reading and blowing in this tricky area. The CD unusually has the performance at a practice speed and the backing track at a performance speed which is an interesting idea and again should help the learning process still further. Also new is the addition of a series of notes for improvisation. Altogether it's a winner for me!

Christmas greetings!

Just to wish everyone who reads my blog A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS and may GOD richly bless your new year,

Sarah

Stop press!

I have just finished my new book "Sparkling songs for starter choirs". I hope to get it copied today, then in the post on Christmas eve (phew!). Its sixteen new songs including warm ups, fun songs, and rounds and part songs to encourage easy two and three part singing.

I am excited about it as usual, but particularly thrilled with a new song called "The Shrimp waltz". It is scheduled for publication in May.

Carols are good for you!

Just heard on the radio, that singing not only boosts the immune system, but is also good for the circulation!

The story of the flying saxophone!

I have just been playing in the big band for the Stables Christmas gala for the last few days. The show was as exciting as ever with lots of inspiring people around, and all went well, except for on the first night when J.D accidently kicked my sax stand over and my sax plummeted to the floor. The audience gasped, and the show stopped as John made me play a note to see if it was still working ( it wasn't!). I continued the first set to the interval on his sax (well I tried).

The mouthpiece was broken, and I have a big dent in the bell, but we managed to bend back some keywork in order for me to go on for the second half with a mouthpiece borrowed from one of the other sax players.

I wandered around in a daze the next day wondering what I was going to do for the rest of the run ( I stupidly only have one mouthpiece). I met my (very down to earth) neighbour Pam and explained what it was like playing someone else's mouthpiece, and she said "its like me cooking in someone else's kitchen" ( wise woman).

During the day various friends offered mouthpieces and instruments, and John feeling terrible about the whole thing sent out for three similar mouthpieces which he presented me with in the evening (lovely).

All was well, and the shows were great. I'm still cooking in someone else's kitchen, but I'm finding my way about a bit now.

Christmas comfort

Isn't it funny how you hang on to the same old Christmassy traditions and comforts because they remind you of past times. Martha has an Andrews sisters Christmas tape she's very fond of, and I have to confess to trying to buy "Tijuana Christmas" from Ebay this year in order to recapture the magic of those Christmases when I didn't want to believe that Father Christmas wasn't real.

My Mum was playing for a community centre Christmas evening recently, and got out her file of Christmas music. It occurred to me what a tale some of those sheets could tell . There were some from her war dance band days when they toured the Dales in a big taxi frequently getting snowed in after playing for a dance. She also tells the story of accompanying an officer singing "White Christmas", then returning home in the snow to find her baby niece had just been born.

I have many Christmas song memories from playing in John and Cleo Christmas shows at the stables and at Avril's village hall where the raffle prize was always a dozen eggs and it was fun looking at all the different styles of mince pies made by the villagers. And another verse of silent night brings another tear to the eye.

Sigh!

Classic Dudley Moore

Just found this on youtube a MUST watch, Dudley Moore plays Beethoven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GazlqD4mLvw

Do you know any of these men?

My friend Pinder has complained that I don't do enough blog posts as it helps to pass away her lunchtimes at work. Well, I'll try to post more Pinder, so here goes.

We had a Christmassy evening with friends at our Church ball on Friday. Unfortunately due to their enormous fame, and because of the risk of being mobbed by enthusiastic fans they had to come heavily disguised. Some of them may be known to you.

Interesting Website

The British and International federation of festivals has a new website ( I am one of their adjudicators). Its worth a look, just to see the local festivals that go on throughout the country. I think people often forget that these performing opportunities exist, and many of the festivals focus less on the competition and more on providing positive experiences and constructive feed back these days. Its worth looking just to see the range of what is available

http://www.federationoffestivals.org.uk/About_Us.html

welcome the silly season!

Well its started!. If I haven't done it now, it wont get done.

Only four concerts this week for the Shrimps, but hotting up.

It was nice to get Portia's feedback about Christmas Band in a book, is anyone else using it?. I really think it could be a good stock book for schools.

I am writing at the moment " Sparkling songs for starter choirs". Its a book of fun songs and warm ups that encourage singing in a choir situation. Some of the songs are rounds or have second parts . I am as usual excited about it. It should be finished by Christmas.

I would quite like to write some Christmas pieces for piano, Perhaps I should do that soon while I still feel Christmassy!!. I did the Christmas band in a book in March!!.

sarah-watts.com!

Exciting times!. Kevin Mayhew Ltd have built me a website. Its not quite finished yet. but the front page is live and looking good. There will be access to all works and it will be a point of contact for people wanting to make enquires. http://www.sarah-watts.com/

Sizzling Songz in Suffolk!

Had a very nice experience on Monday. I went to a schools music festival in Felixstowe where the programme had been made up of my Sizzling Songz.

Seven schools were taking part and had rehearsed the songs separately then came together for a sing through then a performance for the parents.

It was very interesting to see which songs had been selected from the book, and very nice to hear them live. It was also interesting to see how the children coped with the songs , and which ones they enjoyed the most.

They invited me to talk about being a ( real life) composer, and I was also able to conduct one of the songs (Jada, which I enjoyed).

It was the first time I had actually heard some of my new songs sung ( apart from by me and Jacqui D). Very exciting.

I Don't got ryhthm!

We have all come across people who are rhythmically challenged. I have worked hard in my books to provide opportunities and incentives to improve rhythm, and feel a beat (Red hot rhythm sessions and Red hot dots band). Razzamajazz is also good to go back to with pupils who need reminding how to count.

A friend pointed me to this MUPPET sketch ( worth a watch!!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZP6TDJj6w0

This is interesting

I was really pleased I stumbled across this picture on the oboe page of Ebay today, I have been looking for it for a while.

It shows a bassoon and oboe playing for a church service, but what is interesting, is that I remember our neighbour when I was a child showing me this picture when I took up the bassoon. He said the church was Bo Brickhill ( which is where he was brought up, and which is quite close to us). He said the man at the back of the picture wearing the neckerchief (to the right of the oboist) was a relative of his, and he showed me the very neckerchief that had been passed down the family. I'm not sure who painted the picture, but it would be interesting to find out.

If you click on the picture you can enlarge it. I've just done that, and i think it might be a clarinet not an oboe!! ....comments?

Razz 2!

I used the new Razzamajazz 2 today with a pupil for the first time. Its always really exciting when you actually get a book in your hands, and it actually fulfills the task for which it was written. The idea of this book is to take the student up to the next octave while keeping the pieces simple so as not to overwhelm them. The notes ease up one at a time, and are reinforced in each of the pieces. The book was perfect for the boy I had today. (quite pleased actually).

Not many people know that.

I happened to come across a clip of the Jack Hylton Band (1920's), and it made me think of Les Carew ( AKA Priestley). Les was married to Avril Dankworth, and will be well known to people who attended the Stables and the music camps in the 70's and 80.s especially. Les had joined the Dankworth family in about 1970, but many people were unaware of his own personal fame. He was at one time one of the foremost trombonists of his day playing with Jack Hylton, Ted Heath and Ambrose. He met Avril when he was playing at the London Palladium and she was a rehearsal pianist with the George Mitchell singers. Les was a real character, a Yorkshire man who called a spade a spade. I have happy memories of family gatherings with him and Avril, especially the Christmas concerts we gave in their village hall. Les is probably on this Youtube clip. He also appeared in the film "She shall have music" with Jack Hylton. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWAYXn1NGio

Do you know anyone who wants to be a national champion?

The National Harmonica championships were well supported this year. So much so, that change of venue was muttered about during the weekend. I have been twice now, and am constantly inspired by the instrument. Listening to music especially written for the harmonica by Gordon Jacob and Malcolm Arnold says it all, and it makes me wonder why the teaching of this lovely instrument ( especially the chromatic), just isn't happening.

The adult section of the championships was well supported this year, with some fine playing, but the youth section had ONE entry ( we tried to persuade Martha to take up the instrument the night before so she could come second!).

Why is this???. We just need someone to do for the harmonica what Galway did for the flute. Perhaps Phillip Achille is that man? ( see previous post). He played on the latest Mr Bean film track (aged 18).

Someone should be doing something about this. I do know a good teacher if any one's interested.

Strictly Dance fever hits the Shrimps.

Martha made some cakes!

Have we met before?

Just thought I'd do a post about two chance meetings that occurred when I went to the SMA conference to do my workshops. I had never been before, so it was a joy to meet lots of new people from the Music Education world.

I kept being introduced to new people, but on two occasions I had a strange feeling of "Ive been here before".

The first meeting was with Kate Baxter a well known name in music Education who I thought I had never met, and the second with Reg Fletcher an ex chairman of the SMA who I also thought I had never met.

It turned out that I had met Kate and Reg through Avril Dankworth, and had even stayed at Reg's house!!.

When I was a student, Avril used to take me to various places in the country where she was running teachers courses or adjudicating. It was always inspiring, I used to run her book stall and be her assistant. Avril was innovative in her day, and lectured on music education all over the world.

Another workshop leader at the SMA who was responsible for the set up of the Associated board jazz exams said it was Avril who was one of the first to introduce Jazz into education ( not many people know that!) .

The picture is of Kate Baxter who was keen to hear how Avril was doing as they had worked together often and had lots of good times. She said to give Avril a hug from her.

Musical Angels

This years Christmas stamps not only have a Christian theme but a musical one too. Each stamp has an Angel playing a different instrument (lovely) there are stringed instruments and pipes, but sadly no harmonica's or bassoons (lack of imagination).

Date for the diary.

Just a note to put the following TV programme in your diary to watch.

"Legends the Dankworths" Fri Nov 9 . 9pm BBC 4

National Harmonica championships!

We have just returned from the N.H.C in Bristol.

The weekend was very "Harmonicaish" with every genre represented and harmonica technique, slides, reeds and licks hotly discussed.

The main event was at the Folk house and there were workshops, concerts, harmonica stands and cups of tea!!. (there was also a very nice covered market round the corner!).

It was very interesting to listen to some of the competition classes, and the standard was generally high. The anxious competitors could be seen warming up in the foyer, the concert hall and on market stalls!.

The concert on Saturday evening was inspiring and some of the best players in Europe were performing. The Bald chap in the middle of the group picture above is Willi Burger a very famous and incredible Italian harmonica player.

I have come home inspired to write a dazzling piece for next years champion!.

Schools Music Association conference

Just had a brilliant weekend at the SMA conference at the Craiglands hotel Ilkley Yorkshire.
I did two workshops, one on the Saturday about seeing the Recorder in a new light, then one on the Sunday to introduce "Sizzling Songz". Both were received well by a mixture of people who had come across my work before and some who hadn't, which was really good.
The "Kevin Mayhew" van came full of my titles, and there was a stand with just my books on which was amazing.
It was a weekend of inspiration and it was exciting to attend other workshops.
I met a lot of interesting people, and was able to talk to people who were using "Red Hot" and "Razzamajazz" and finding them useful. It was brilliant to be able to explain how some of the books can be used in conjunction with each other. Fantastic!

Musical cats

We have always had characterful cats, Gershwin, skat and Bebop. Skat has recently made friends with a hedgehog, but cannot boast the musical talents of Nora the piano playing cat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0zgQAp7EYw&mode=related&search=

Concert!!

As I lay in bed last night having a migraine, the mould from the music camp marquee flashed before my eyes, and I lay in pain wondering how we are going to raise the money to buy a new one.

We have already pencilled in a fundraising concert for Easter time at the Stables, but we are not sure yet what form it will take. Perhaps on the same lines as ". lets hear it for Avril".

We are having a meeting about it soon, but one idea was to have a day at the Stables of various groups of campers being coached by Music camp Celebrities (you), to miraculously ( as usual) put together a stunning and glitzy performance for the evening . This would be interspersed with celebrity snippets, bassoon quartets (!) and stunning staff ensembles and solos.

As you can see these are only blueprints but I'm getting excited already. Please leave ideas and encouragement below.

Do you remember Music and movement??

I am soon to do some workshops at the Schools Music Association conference in Yorkshire.

One of the other workshop leaders is Douglas Coombes of "BBC Time and Tune" fame. He was a bit of a legend in music Education in the seventies and eighties for his radio programmes for schools and his arrangements and compositions.

With him in mind, and while listening to some "uplifting" classical music in the car the other day, I had a flashback to junior school and my weekly thrill. "Music and movement".

This too was from BBC radio for schools and the presenter invited you to tear around the school hall to a piece of Vaughan Williams pretending to be a bumble bee, or lay on the ground and be a seed which when the music started burst forth with shoots and started to grow.

I remember absolutely losing myself as I spun around the hall to "Dance Macabre" in just vest and navy blue knickers. What a wonderful experience that was!. It was a complete listening Education and total music appreciation, with a bit of exercise thrown in.

Those immortal words will stay with me forever............AND STOP.............

How do I feel about photocopies????

I was interested to read about the woman in America this week who has been fined huge amounts of money for making her music collection (like thousands of others) free to the world on the Internet.

It is true to say that recording companies and popular artists do make megabucks from recording, but is that an excuse for blatant theft?.

I know many people photocopy my music, my publisher says " do they steal from shops as well?".

My generous nature and my desire to make music available to all would say "help yourself", were it not for the fact that I know the costs, enormous production and effort that goes into a project that is designed to inspire, entertain and educate.

Composers end up with a small percentage of the selling costs, and contrary to popular belief nobody makes a lot of money out of publishing music. There are usually people behind its production with a lot of love and belief.

A peri said to me recently. "If we didn't photocopy music all the time, we wouldn't survive".

There's something wrong somewhere.

Sizzling Songz

"Sixty Sizzling songz "got a very nice review in "Music teacher magazine" this month. (always a relief!!)

Ronnie Hazelhurst

Sad to hear of the death yesterday of Ronnie Hazelhurst. Jazz musician, arranger and composer.

He was probably best known for his various TV themes including "last of the summer wine" (played by Chris's harmonica teacher Jim Hughes). He will also be remembered for conducting the British entry at the Eurovision song contest for many years. He also co-wrote S club's "Reach for the stars"!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Hazlehurst

Jazz Oboe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TIP8swMSi8&mode=related&search=

Just discovered this clip of Jean-Luc Fillon playing Jazz oboe in Paris. Really inspiring!. I have always been a great believer of playing the music you love on any instrument. This man pushes the boundaries and shows incredible technique and musicality. Go oboists!!

Watts and Waterstones.

Was amused to find myself in Waterstones tonight.

After the controversy caused by the new Associated board woodwind books, I was pleased to find a piece of mine in the grade 2 flute book. The piece is "Study in purple" and has a strong jazz feel. I think it will be quite a challenge for some grade two players until they get the tune and feel, but its fun.

Lunchtime symphony

I've been really quite busy, and am between projects trying to get organised. I was completely exhausted by making a Victoria sponge cake with my Mother this morning(!), so thought I'd have a lie down in the "quiet" at lunchtime.

I just listened for twenty minutes and was amazed at what sounds the wind was bringing in, (Children playing at a local school playground, a chain saw, trains, dogs barking, lorries, sirens, the wind in the trees,cars etc).

Its not till you stop, you notice all the things you miss because you are going too fast.

Someone once said, "Anythings dangerous at high speed". Perhaps we should all slow down, and listen.

Revised Razzamajazz!!!

The first revised Razzamajazz book arrived today!!!. new backing tracks, new pieces ( same old ones as well) two speeds and generally even better.

Recorder books1, 2 and 3, Flute books 1 and 2, Clarinet books 1 and 2 and saxophone books 1 and 2. COMING SOON!!!!!!!!!

Check this out

To hear Philip Achille ( age 18!!) play with the BBC concert orchestra at the proms this year click here!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci95dILGo_o&mode=related&search=