Tag: Terry Noel

Recording of new album at BBC Maida Vale

Posted on | By Terry Noel

Melodians Magic to be released on 11th December 2014

 

The Melodians arrived at BBC Maida Vale at 8 o’clock on Saturday 22nd November to record a new album. The album is called Melodians Magic and tells the story of the Melodians involvement with Jeremy Deller in the 55th Venice International Art Biennale in 2013 and the tour of the exhibition in the UK in 2014.

The Melodians recorded the backing tracks for the English Magic film at Abbey Road Studios in 2013 and the film was on continuous display in Venice and at all the exhibitions in the UK. The Melodians also performed at the opening of all the exhibitions in the UK, playing the English Magic music plus favourites from their own repertoire.

We were asked by many who attended the opening of the exhibitions for a CD of the music but it has taken until now to get the time and backing to record the CD.

This CD is for all the fans who told us how much they enjoyed the film and the Melodians performances in Venice and the UK and asked where they could buy a CD of the music. Here at last is the CD.

We hope you enjoy it.

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Arriving at the studios at 8 am on Saturday 22nd November.
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32 players set up in MV3 Studio

 

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The view from the Control Room.
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Everyone concentrating on getting it right.

 

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On our way home at 6.30pm
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Group photo before going home.

 

 

At the Turner Contemporary in Margate

Posted on | By Terry Noel

The final English Magic exhibition opened on the 11th October at the Turner Contemporary on the seafront in Margate. Of course the Melodians were invited to open the exhibition with a concert. There was a packed gallery for the concert and the Melodians played at 2pm and 4pm. The added attraction in Margate is that the Turner has a resident 80 strong choir called ‘The Big Sing’. The Melodians were invited to do 3 pieces accompanied by the choir as part of a project called Soundslikeart. They went down there the week before for a full rehearsal with the choir. The 3 joint songs were received to tumultuous applause.

The Melodians and the Big Sing choir performed 3 pieces together in each performance.
The Melodians and the Big Sing choir performed 3 pieces together in each performance.

As you can see the gallery was packed with fans who wanted to hear the Melodians and also the choir.

The Melodians played all the music from the English Magic film plus a number of their other favourites including Bohemian Rhapsody.

You can see videos of 3 of the pieces by following the YouTube link on this page.

With thanks to Lee Thompson for photos.

As you can see there was a large audience for the Melodians.
As you can see there was a large audience for the Melodians.
The Melodians were able to take the time between spots to see the English Magic Exhibition.
The Melodians were able to take the time between spots to see the English Magic Exhibition.
Before leaving for home the Melodians took a joint photo on the seafront.
Before leaving for home the Melodians took a joint photo on the seafront.
Terry Noel (Leader of Melodians), Em Peasgood (Composer/Arranger for Big Sing choir), Robert Thompson (Composer/Arranger) visiting from Trinidad to work with the Melodians). Melodians T shirts designed by Jeremy Deller for the Melodians.
Terry Noel (Leader of Melodians), Em Peasgood (Composer/Arranger for Big Sing choir), Robert Thompson (Composer/Arranger) visiting from Trinidad to work with the Melodians). Melodians T shirts designed by Jeremy Deller for the Melodians.

English Magic Bristol Closing Event

Posted on | By Terry Noel

The Melodians visited Bristol Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday 20th September to give a 45 minute performance at the ending of the English Magic Exhibition and run a workshop for anyone interested in learning about steelbands. This was arranged by the museum after the success of the English Magic opening event in April.  The English Magic Exhibition will be opening in Margate on 11th October.  See the Projects page for more details of the Margate event.

It was obvious that the crowd had already seen the Melodians in April and had seen the English Magic film many times. They were really excited to listen to the Melodians live again. The Melodians were overwhelmed by the reaction of the audience and thrilled to get a standing ovation at the end of the performance.

Some of the comments received after the event from the audience and the Melodians:

“Thanks again for ‘Saturday’, it was a really loving atmosphere and perfect ending to the show! Happy to hear you all loved it too”.

“It was a great vibe today – I really enjoyed it!”

“Standing ovation…! What more can I say!

“We appeared very well received!”

“So good to know that people have listened to the Abbey Road recording over and over again and came especially to hear us in some cases (as I was told)!”

Here are a few photos from the day.

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery plays host to steel band ‘the Melodians Steel Orchestra’
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery plays host to steel band ‘The Melodians Steel Orchestra’.
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Members of the audience were fascinated…….
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….. to get close up to the instruments!

English Magic UK Tour

Posted on | By Terry Noel

The UK tour of the English Magic exhibition started at the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow on the 18th January to 30th March. It then moved onto the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery from the 12th April and will finish there on the 21th September. The final leg of the tour will be at the Turner Contemporary in Margate starting on the 11th October until 11th January 2015. The Melodians have already played at the first 2 legs (see photos below) and will also be playing at the opening of the exhibition in Margate. Also see the Projects page and links to read about the exciting performance that will be taking place in Margate on October 11th which will include a unique collaboration between the Big Sing Choir, based at the Turner, and the Melodians Steel Orchestra.

William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow Thursday 6th March

The Melodians played on the 6th March during the first leg of the English Magic tour. Whilst there Jeremy Deller presented the Jeremy Deller trophy to Cheynne for the Melodians ‘Most Improved Player’. This is a new award which had to be delayed from the Christmas concert but this was an ideal opportunity for it to be presented.

The Melodians played on the 6th March during the first leg of the English Magic tour. Whilst there Jeremy Deller presented the Jeremy Deller trophy to Cheynne for the Melodians ‘Most Improved Player’. This is a new award which had to be delayed from the Christmas concert but this was an ideal opportunity for it to be presented.

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery Wednesday 9th April 2014

The Melodians were a key part of the opening of the 2nd leg of the English Magic tour which took place in Bristol at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in Queen’s Road.

The Melodians were a key part of the opening of the 2nd leg of the English Magic tour which took place in Bristol at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in Queen’s Road.

The Mayor, Jeremy Deller, the British Council and other special guests were invited to a concert on the 9th April for the official opening of the exhibition. The exhibition continues until the 21st September when it moves on to Margate for the last leg of the tour.
The Mayor, Jeremy Deller, the British Council and other special guests were invited to a concert on the 9th April for the official opening of the exhibition. The exhibition continues until the 21st September when it moves on to Margate for the last leg of the tour.

 

Some of the younger members of the orchestra were able to take part in this performance.
Some of the younger members of the orchestra were able to take part in this performance.

 

Melodians Annual Award Presentation Concert, 14th December 2013

Posted on | By Terry Noel

 

orchestra xmas

 

The Melodians Christmas Concert was held on Saturday 14th December 2013 at Henry Cavendish School in Balham.

All the family, friends and supporters of the Melodians turned out in force to support them and enjoy the evening.

The special guests for the evening were Gavin Nicholas – The High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago, Councillor Mark Bennett – The late Mayor of Lambeth, Jeremy Deller – creator of ‘English Magic’ and Alexandra Hardy – the Head Teacher of Henry Cavendish.

The programme was an exciting mix of old favourites and the latest pieces that the Melodians have learned. It finished with the most recent and interesting addition to their repertoire – Bohemian Rhapsody by the legendary Freddie Mercury which completed the programme to thunderous applause.

The concert was followed by speeches and the presentation of awards.

Jeremy Deller with one of the new players Molly McDonell-Reid.
Jeremy Deller with one of the new players Molly McDonell-Reid.
The High Commissioner, Gavin Nicholas presenting the Robert Thompson trophy for ‘The Most Promising Player’ to Azaria Francis.
The High Commissioner, Gavin Nicholas presenting the Robert Thompson trophy for ‘The Most Promising Player’ to Azaria Francis.
Molly presenting a bouquet to the Head Teacher Alexandra Hardy.
Molly presenting a bouquet to the Head Teacher Alexandra Hardy.
The late Mayor, a previous Mayor Rudy Daley, Jeremy Deller and Mary Noel.
The late Mayor, a previous Mayor Rudy Daley, Jeremy Deller and Mary Noel.

The Melodians at the Venice Biennale 29th May 2013

Posted on | By Terry Noel

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We were invited to play at the opening of the festival in Venice on the 29th of May 2013 and in the evening at the launch party. 

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Transporting the instruments around Venice is interesting to say the least! 

Instruments in Venice2

 

The link to the film English Magic with the Melodians playing the background music is here.

The Melodians at Abbey Road Studios 13th March 2013

Posted on | By Matt Harmon
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The Melodians at Abbey Road Studios, March 18 2013

We were given the opportunity by Jeremy Deller (the 2004 Turner Prize winner) to record the soundtrack for his film ‘English Magic’ at the Abbey Road Studios.  We recorded three pieces of music 

·         Excerpts from Symphony in D minor by Vaughn Williams

·         The Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie and

·         Voodoo Ray by A Guy called Gerald.

We had our photo taken with Jeremy Deller on the famous Abbey Road crossing.  There was a camera crew recording the event and taking photos which we discovered later was incorporated into the film ‘English Magic’ shown at the Biennale.  (Photos at the Abbey Road studios and on the crossing are in the News Feed already.)

 

 

Pedestrian Crossing
Following the steps of the Beatles on the famous crossing on Abbey Road in London

 

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