LANXESS video details Japanese involvement

German chemicals company, LANXESS, has released a video detailing its cultural involvement in Japan.

The company has a history of nurturing young musicians internationally by supporting a variety of music events including the Young Euro Classic (YEC) and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO).

LANXESS's Japanese involvement includes the following three initiatives:

• Saito Kinen Festival Opera for Young People
• LANXESS Young Euro Classic (YEC) Ensemble Japan-Germany
• Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy, Okushiga, Japan, which received a founding grant from LANXESS in November 2011

Cultural medallion recipients to present 'A People's Stravinsky'

To mark the centennial year of Igor Stravinsky's iconic work, The Rite of Spring, the Philharmonic Orchestra Singapore and the Arts Fission Company, in collaboration with Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, will present A People’s Stravinsky. 

This collaboration between Cultural Medallion recipients, Maestro Lim Yau and Angela Liong, will interpret the original work with staging that highlights people from the community in dramatic roles. It will mix the creative energies of the elderly, children and volunteers with professional dancers and musicians, making it an exciting inter-disciplinary and multi-generational artistic endeavour.

Engagement and involvement of communities includes:

• Workshops for seniors at NTUC Eldercare, Henderson Senior Citizens' Home, AWWA Seniors Activity Centre and AWWA Community Home for Senior Citizens
• Seniors performing in The Rite of Spring: A People’s Stravinsky
• Children from Arts Fission's dance programme performing in The Rite of Spring: A People’s Stravinsky
• Volunteers from senior citizens' activity centres and homes
• Volunteers from the community

Performance details

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981

Date: Saturday 22 June 2013

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: S$26, S$21, S$17

Tickets from SISTIC

Details of 1st Ars Nova Singapore Competition (Professional Series) announced

Details of the 1st Ars Nova Singapore Competition (Professional Series) have been announced.

Open to pianists aged 18 to 32, the competition will run from 1-12 July 2014 in Singapore. 

According to Artistic Director of last month's 1st Kawai Singapore Piano Competition, Benjamin Loh:

'This competition promises to be an exciting and high-level competition pitched at attracting exceptionally gifted pianists from all over the world.'

Ars Nova Competitions aim to promote pianistic excellence and to support the best musical attributes of young artists and professionals.

Upcoming competitions are as follows:

• 1st Ars Nova Singapore International Piano Competition (Professional Series) 2014
• 2nd Ars Nova Singapore International Piano Competition (Young Artist Series) 2015
  
• 1st Ars Nova Singapore International Competition (Two-Piano Series) 2016

APACA conference says 'Fear No Art'

The 2013 Australian Performing Arts Centres Association (APACA) conference, Fear No Art, runs from 26-28 May in Canberra, Australia.

Arts workers from around the country will gather for a series of workshops, seminars, round-table discussions and networking opportunities.

The conference will unite with the Australian Theatre Forum, the Australia Council for the Arts' Marketing Summit and the Canberra Centenary to provide a unique cultural connection and meeting place to stimulate new conversations and productive partnerships across the performing arts sectors.

The annual Drover Awards, which recognise and celebrate the contribution made by Australia's best performing arts touring talent, will take place during the conference.

Finalists are as follows:

- Drover Award 'Tour of the Year' 2013:

• Circa: Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble - tour coordination by Performing Lines
• What a Man's Gotta Do: Beyond the Threshold - tour coordination by Country Arts WA
• Namatjira: Big hART - tour coordination by Arts On Tour NSW

- Drover Award 'Performing Arts Centre of the Year' 2013:

• Glasshouse, Port Macquarie 
• Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 
• Theatre Royal, Hobart 
• Geelong Performing Arts Centre 

Rockschool launches Grades 4 and 5 Hot Rock Guitar books

Rockschool's Hot Rock Guitar series has been expanded with the launch of two new books for Grades 4 and 5.

The Hot Rock range features eight tracks in a variety of music genres. The new books include songs from well-known bands and can be used for the 'Free Choice Pieces' in graded exams.

• Hot Rock Guitar Grade 4 features tracks by Razorlight, Thin Lizzy, AC DC, Eric Clapton, Joe Satriani, Oasis, Metallica and Black Sabbath

• Hot Rock Guitar Grade 5 (pictured above) features tracks by Foo Fighters, Lynyrd Skynryd, Velvet Revolver, AC DC, Joe Satriani, Metallica, Steve Vai and Kings of Leon

For more information on Grades 4 and 5 Hot Rock Guitar books, click here.

Rockschool is sponsoring the Delegate Reception at musiclearninglive!Asia, the new international music education conference and exhibition which runs from 23-26 October 2013 at MAX Atria @ Singapore EXPO.