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Voluntary Arts Scotland > news > current news
National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain – Call for young musicians - posted 17.7.2010 
The National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain (NCO), one of the world’s finest children's orchestras, is inviting children aged 7-13 from all over the UK to audition for a place in one of its renowned orchestras in 2011. Joining the NCO is a great opportunity for any aspiring young musician, and instrumentalists who gain a place in one of its 5 age-banded orchestras attend exciting residential courses, with tutors drawn from major national orchestras, specialist music schools and conservatoires.
Grade exams are not a prerequisite at the NCO, as the organisation is more concerned with an individual’s level of musicianship and commitment to playing. Talent is the only criterion for winning a place and full bursaries are available, so no child or parent should be deterred from auditioning due to financial concerns. To audition, young instrumentalists must submit an application form, and the only Scottish audition date is at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh on 22nd October. For more information visit www.nco.org.uk or tel: 01934 418855.
New Writing Scotland - Call for Entries - posted 17.7.2010  deadline: 30 September 2010
New Writing Scotland publishes works by writers resident in Scotland or Scots by birth, upbringing or inclination. All forms of writing are invited: autobiography and memoirs; creative responses to events and experiences; drama; graphic artwork (monochrome only); poetry; political and cultural commentary and satire; short fiction; travel writing or any other creative prose (but not full-length plays or novels, though self-contained extracts are acceptable). A maximum length of 3,500 words is suggested.
The work must be neither previously published nor accepted for publication and may be in any of the languages of Scotland. Please direct queries to The Association for Scottish Literary Studies on email: office@asls.org.uk or for more information, visit www.arts.gla.ac.uk/ScotLit/ASLS/NewWriting.html
Could film help you reach a wider audience? - posted 01.7.2010 
Film is a great way of communicating what you do to other people, particularly funders. It’s also ideal for documenting the work you do with people, especially those who are not comfortable with more traditional written methods of recording. Green Banana is a new social enterprise based in Midlothian. They specialise in film production and new media training and have a dedicated team of film professionals who produce high-end film work, from community projects to motion graphics and animation.
If resources are scarce, Green Banana also offer organisations the opportunity to train staff/volunteer members in film production (working with a camera, editing footage), thereby giving you the skills to record the work you do. All profits made by Green Banana go back to the local community, helping to fund a programme of work with young adults. To find out more about Green Banana and how they could help you get your message across, contact Bryony Day or Rosie Wildwood on tel: 0131 663 3432 or e-mail: greenbananaproductions@hotmail.com.
In the Spotlight - Alloa Musical Players - posted 01.7.2010 
Douglas Bloomer of Alloa Musical Players tells us all about his group . . .
• How would you describe your group and what it does? Alloa Musical Players (AMP) is a local voluntary group affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). It exists to present musical theatre to the local community for their enjoyment, and provides opportunities for local people to develop a variety of skills associated with musical theatre, as well as providing a social outlet. Through the work of its Concert Party, AMP reaches out to those in the local community, providing entertainment in residential homes and small venues.
• Where and when do you meet? We rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Speirs Centre in the centre of Alloa, Clackmannanshire. Our season starts with an Open Evening at the same venue held on the last Monday in August.
• What do you think is the best thing about being part of your group? The social interaction with other like-minded people and working with them as a team to present a large scale production to the local community.
• How many members does your group have? What kind of people come along? Our membership numbers about 35. In addition to this we have a production team of five, and a large team of front of house, stage crew, set designers and erectors. They are from all social backgrounds and range in age from 16 to 76.
• What would you like to do better, and what would help you do that? We would like to raise funds more successfully, and would also like to store our equipment and costumes in our own permanent storage facility. Ideally this would also be our rehearsal space and administrative hub. Obviously our own premises would be a great asset. More enthusiasm on the part of our members to participate in social and fundraising events would make a great difference.
• Where do you get your income from? Members subs, patrons fees, fundraising, box office, occasional grants, and advertising in our programme.
• What advice would you give to somebody setting up a voluntary arts or crafts group? Sound out the local community to establish if there is a demand for the activity you want to start up. If so, get a team of enthusiastic, motivated, like-minded people together to help. Find out if there is a community support group locally that could help you get started as well as a local arts forum or Arts Development Officer in the council who could help. Try and find a local benefactor willing to be identified with your activity, who might provide sponsorship or even premises.
• How can people find out more about AMP or join? We always need more people to join, especially young people and men. Those wanting to find out more should phone Douglas Bloomer on tel: 01259 721887.
• How do you feel taking part in the voluntary arts enriches your life? As an incomer to the local area, taking part in voluntary arts was my main means to establishing long-term friendships which still remain after 30 years! It helped me develop many skills apart from acting and singing, such as secretarial and administrative skills, stage craft, and working as part of a team.
Film Nation - Short film competition open for entries - posted 01.7.2010  deadline: 1 October 2010
London 2012’s short film competition for young people opened for entries on 23rd June 2010. The first round of Film Nation is open to young people between the ages of 13 – 25, with prizes available for the film that gets the most votes each month by viewers. The closing date for the first round of Film Nation: Shorts is 1st October, with a star-studded red-carpet awards ceremony taking place in December 2010. In 2012, the best films from the 2-year programme will win the chance to be shown in sporting venues during the Olympic Games in 2012, as well as at high profile screenings around the country. To view films, find a favourite, and upload your film go to www.filmnation.org.uk
Website helps charities source free goods - posted 18.6.2010 
Giving World Online is a website on which UK businesses can offer free surplus stock to charities. Firms can list unwanted stock, such as clothing, furniture or office supplies - and charities can claim it on a first-come, first-served basis as well as posting details of things they are looking for. Organisations that use the site must agree to use the items to support their own beneficiaries, and not to sell them for profit. For more information go to www.givingworldonline.com
Fancy volunteering in London for a change? - posted 18.6.2010 
Part of the People Making Waves programme, The Wave of Friendship is a lovely scheme which allows people in Scotland to volunteer with an organisation in London – and vice versa. Travelling down to London and finding accommodation isn’t cheap, however, which is why The Wave of Friendship people are inviting you to apply for up to £500 to cover your costs. Simply find a volunteering position in London you’re interested in, contact the organisation to see if they’re willing to accept you, then you both fill out a form. It could be the start of a beautiful relationship!
Three volunteers from Glasgow have just completed several days working at the British Museum as part of the Wave of Friendship volunteer exchange programme. Here’s what one of them said about it: ‘We felt like members of a community. Staff inspired us, and we were blown away by the generosity of the people we met on our trip. It was far more than we expected, and offered us a unique insight into the museum'. If you’d like to find out more and maybe get involved yourself, visit the website at www.peoplemakingwaves.org.uk/thewaveoffriendship or email: wof@peoplemakingwaves.org.uk
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