New website launch, exam congratulations, upcoming concerts this Saturday, new groups for next year, and a Front Desk Concert from Cara.
Dear YMM Community
A bumper week this week — we have a brand-new website to celebrate, exam results to share, concerts this Saturday, and more. Read on for all the details!
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🎉 Our New Website Is Here!
The big news this week — alongside the start of our concert season — is that YMM has a brand-new website, packed with exciting features. This project has been a long time in the making, and it simply wouldn't have happened without the incredible dedication of one of our newest trustees, Cristian Darie, who has volunteered countless hours to lead the technology and design work. His expertise, creativity, and commitment have been invaluable.
We'd also like to thank Zak Jones for his input in the early stages, designers Alex and Pete, and Richard for his steady advice and encouragement throughout — as well as all our trustees, past and present.
🌟 What's New?
- Fresh new look with an updated colour scheme and layout
- 🎵 A new blog, updated weekly — featuring tutor interviews, recommended listening, educational resources, and practice tips
- 📰 A dedicated news section, regularly updated with all the latest from YMM
- ❓ FAQs for every lesson and group, timetables and fees, teacher biographies, trustee and team profiles, donation information, contact forms and maps, and much more
The website is in a 'rapid iteration' phase and we'd love your feedback — please let us know your thoughts and any suggestions. Visit us at www.youngmusicmakers.co.uk
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🎓 Exam Success
Congratulations to two students on their recent exam achievements!
- Lana Kamps passed Recorder Grade 1 with Distinction (Olivia's student) 🎶
- Flora Thompson passed Piano Grade 3 with Merit (Rea's student) 🎹
Well done to both students and their teachers!
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🎵 Concerts This Saturday & Room Changes
Both concerts this Saturday will take place in the Main Hall:
- 🎸 Classical Guitar Recital — 12:00 pm, Main Hall
- 🎹 Piano Concert — 2:00 pm, Main Hall
Please note: Beginnovate will also be held in the Hall this Saturday. All groups that would usually use the Hall will instead meet in the Drama Room.
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🎻 Front Desk Concert This Week
This week, Cara (Rocket's student) will be performing on the violin at our Front Desk Concert. We had a fantastic atmosphere at last week's performance, and it would be wonderful to see another great audience cheering Cara on. Please do come down and support her!
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🎼 Looking Ahead to Next Year
We're currently making a final decision about launching Beginner Recorder and Beginner Ukulele groups next year for students graduating from Music Box. These are wonderful instruments in their own right, and also an excellent introduction to the wider woodwind and guitar families. If the groups go ahead, we'll arrange the timetable so students can also take part in Beginnovate and Choir.
For a group to run, we need at least three participants — so if your child might be interested, please email us as soon as possible!
👋 Joiners and Leavers
Now is a great time to let us know if you'd like to try something new or join our community for the first time. Equally, if you're planning to leave at the end of the academic year — whether for higher education, a new job, or other adventures — please email us as soon as possible so we can plan ahead.
There's no need to contact us if you are continuing with the same classes — all lesson places and times will continue on a rolling basis into next term unless we notify you of any changes.
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💛 Thank you, as always, for being part of our fantastic musical community. Your enthusiasm, support, and creativity are what make YMM such a special place. We look forward to seeing many of you at the concerts this weekend!
Best wishes,
John K Miles MMus — Musical Director, YMM