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Music Nation

On 3 and 4 March 2012 the BBC and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) presented Music Nation, a spectacular weekend of music around the UK to set the scene and create excitement in the lead up to the London 2012 Festival, the finale of the Cultural Olympiad.

Last modified on: 18/05/2012

Superstrings

Music Nation's programme showcased the best of the UK's musical talent through ambitious and innovative partnerships and musical performances. Making Music worked in partnership with Arts Council England, the Association of British Orchestras (ABO), British Association of Concert Halls (BACH), Orchestras Live, Conservatoires UK and LOCOG to coordinate the programme which included the first performances of the Making Music Overture and thirteen projects created by Making Music member groups.

Radio 3 dedicated its weekend programming to Music Nation, and each of the Making Music member groups’ activities was featured with some speech. The thirteen projects are described briefly below with links to further information. These descriptions will be updated over the coming weeks and replaced with event reports.

There were also opportunities for groups in Wales to get involved; click on the Music Nation Cymru link to find out more.

Music Nation Cymru

Music Nation projects

  • Abney Orchestra and Choir performed a new piece of music written by a young local composer Chris Pickett. The libretto is based on the industrial revolution in the area. A new children’s choir was formed, and the performance included dancers.
    Abney Orchestra and Choir

    Abney Orchestra and Choir performed a new piece of music written by a young local composer Chris Pickett. The libretto is based on the industrial revolution in the area. A new children’s choir was formed, and the performance included dancers.

  • The project was a celebration and development of gospel/jazz singing. It involved local choirs, singers and vocal leaders from the North East, as well as professional musicians Scott Stroman and Michael Harper. The Sage Gateshead provided venue space and marketing.
    20,000 Voices

    The project was a celebration and development of gospel/jazz singing. It involved local choirs, singers and vocal leaders from the North East, as well as professional musicians Scott Stroman and Michael Harper. The Sage Gateshead provided venue space and marketing.

  • A Handbag of Harmonies performed in Chester Town Hall Square with a large chorus made up of three community choirs and school groups with dancers. They performed a new piece written for a community musical theatre extravaganza.
    A Handbag of Harmonies

    A Handbag of Harmonies performed in Chester Town Hall Square with a large chorus made up of three community choirs and school groups with dancers. They performed a new piece written for a community musical theatre extravaganza.

  • The Choir with No Name is a choir for people who have experienced homelessness. They performed a pop concert, accompanied by professional musicians, at Voices Now at The Roundhouse.
    Choir with No Name

    The Choir with No Name is a choir for people who have experienced homelessness. They performed a pop concert, accompanied by professional musicians, at Voices Now at The Roundhouse.

  • Colliers Wood Chorus with Merton Music Foundation and other local musicians performed Carmina Burana in Wimbledon and at Voices Now at the Roundhouse.
    Colliers Wood Chorus

    Colliers Wood Chorus with Merton Music Foundation and other local musicians performed Carmina Burana in Wimbledon and at Voices Now at the Roundhouse.

  • The Harmonie Concert Band showcased music written specifically for or used in past Olympics. The evening combined the band, choirs and dancers in a visual and audio spectacular featuring two new pieces specifically written for the occasion.
    Harmonie Concert Band

    The Harmonie Concert Band showcased music written specifically for or used in past Olympics. The evening combined the band, choirs and dancers in a visual and audio spectacular featuring two new pieces specifically written for the occasion.

  • This was an audio-visual journey through past Olympic cities. Famous themes like Barcelona and Chariots of Fire, along with other classical and contemporary pieces, represented Olympic greats. The event was hosted by Des Coleman, actor, presenter and West End star.
    Nottingham Youth Orchestra

    This was an audio-visual journey through past Olympic cities. Famous themes like Barcelona and Chariots of Fire, along with other classical and contemporary pieces, represented Olympic greats. The event was hosted by Des Coleman, actor, presenter and West End star.

  • Rutland Concert Band staged a collaborative performance of music, dance and drama based around the theme of Multum In Parvo, meaning ‘much in little’ which is the motto of Rutland.
    Rutland Concert Band

    Rutland Concert Band staged a collaborative performance of music, dance and drama based around the theme of Multum In Parvo, meaning ‘much in little’ which is the motto of Rutland.

  • MazeMusic culminated in a large-scale concert performance featuring Cambridge-based Britten Sinfonia in partnership with three local choirs and a secondary school.
    Saffron Walden Choral Society

    MazeMusic culminated in a large-scale concert performance featuring Cambridge-based Britten Sinfonia in partnership with three local choirs and a secondary school.

  • The project consisted of a multi-site, multi-group day of activity culminating in a centrally-based indoor event in the evening featuring an eclectic mix of Sheffield/Yorkshire music and dance talent and visual arts.
    Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus

    The project consisted of a multi-site, multi-group day of activity culminating in a centrally-based indoor event in the evening featuring an eclectic mix of Sheffield/Yorkshire music and dance talent and visual arts.

  • A composition incorporating traditional tunes and melodies was commissioned, which enabled the young string players of Wiltshire to perform live alongside one of the most exciting and innovative bands of recent times: Bellowhead.
    Super Strings

    A composition incorporating traditional tunes and melodies was commissioned, which enabled the young string players of Wiltshire to perform live alongside one of the most exciting and innovative bands of recent times: Bellowhead.

  • The Cobweb Orchestra presented 'A Celebration of English Music', a day of participatory music-making in Gateshead ending in a public performance.
    The Cobweb Orchestra

    The Cobweb Orchestra presented 'A Celebration of English Music', a day of participatory music-making in Gateshead ending in a public performance.

  • The only Music Nation project in Scotland involving several Making Music member groups with other partners, such as Renfrewshire Musical Threads. Weaving Musical Threads was about Renfrewshire's place in the world and the abounding talent within the county.
    Weaving Musical Threads

    The only Music Nation project in Scotland involving several Making Music member groups with other partners, such as Renfrewshire Musical Threads. Weaving Musical Threads was about Renfrewshire's place in the world and the abounding talent within the county.

Making Music Overture

  • Apply now to perform Making Music's own London 2012 inspired original work to in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.
    Cultural Olympiad

    Apply now to perform Making Music's own London 2012 inspired original work to in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

 
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