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We're Moving

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2011-07-17T12:44:02+01:00

On the 25th July we begin our move to a new home, France Oaks Cottage near Blandford Forum in Dorset. After 3 years without a garden or a view we will now have a plot to develop into a vegetable allotment, a pond, a barbecue, a swing, sheds and wonderful views. We will be near Liz’s school and able to have access to some beautiful countryside for walks and recreation. As I write we’re packing and throwing out things we don’t need. Hopefully our friends will come and visit us soon.

There’s room to stay and stray. Contact us via e-mail if you’d like our new address and phone number. We intend to have a house warming party in mid-August.

also see: France Oaks Cottage photo Set on flickr

HONK! Review: Blackmoor Vale

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2011-04-27T09:25:09+01:00

Review in the Blackmoor Vale paper.

HONK! B.A.D.

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2011-04-06T19:02:59+01:00

Liz and I have recently performed with Blandford Amateur Dramatics in a production of Honk! in the Corn Exchange in Blandford Forum. Everybody pulled it out of the bag at the last minute and Liz was particularly wonderful as Ida.

ABRSM Results - Spring 2011

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2011-03-30T00:43:28+01:00

Well done to 2 of my pupils who recently achieved a Merit in their first ABRSM Practical Exams.

Uploaded with Skitch!

mentionmap

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2011-02-19T16:50:30+00:00

Playing For Change

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2011-02-08T11:19:39+00:00

Ken Robinson - TED Talk on Creativity

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2011-01-17T12:24:52+00:00

Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity. Why don't we get the best out of people? Sir Ken Robinson argues that it's because we've been educated to become good workers, rather than creative thinkers. Students with restless minds and bodies -- far from being cultivated for their energy and curiosity -- are ignored or even stigmatized, with terrible consequences. "We are educating people out of their creativity," Robinson says. It's a message with deep resonance. Robinson's TEDTalk has been distributed widely around the Web since its release in June 2006.

The most popular words framing blog posts on his talk? "Everyone should watch this."   A visionary cultural leader, Sir Ken led the British government's 1998 advisory committee on creative and cultural education, a massive inquiry into the significance of creativity in the educational system and the economy, and was knighted in 2003 for his achievements. His latest book, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, a deep look at human creativity and education, was published in January 2009. "Ken's vision and expertise is sought by public and commercial organizations throughout the world." BBC Radio 4

Temptation - Hannover 2009

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2010-10-15T14:14:01+01:00

Back in 1980 I did an orchestral arrangement for Temptation - now look what’s happened! Not wholly my dots this version, although my ideas are in there too. Great work lads.

Cloud Storage

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2010-06-01T11:43:53+01:00

We used to use Floppy Discs to store our precious files, then hard drives, USB sticks, memory cards, these are all useful devices for storing our precious data. Personally I like to be sure I'm backed-up. I learnt the hard way, losing precious work and no back-up to recover the data. All hard drives will fail eventally. There really is no excuse now. There are so many useful services to help us while being secure at the same time. Easily my favourite is Dropbox, but I often explore the others and considering that most services use a business model that has a free entry facility, it's good to use a few and benefit from not having to pay. Some other services worth considering are, ZumoDrive, SugarSync and Microsoft’s SkyDrive with a whopping amount of Free storage.

TVCatchup - Never Miss A Show Again

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2010-04-18T20:52:59+01:00

I've been using TVCatchup for a while now. Streaming TV programmes over 3G in the car is really cool. The other day I was in a computer store in Kings Heath and a customer was asking for a TV card for his PC. The store didn't have one but I caught up with the customer outside and told him about TVCatchup.

Try it and see, it beats anything else right now. Free TV on your computer or iPhone.

O du eselhafter Martin

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2010-03-24T10:49:17+00:00

> Wikipedia article > Mutopia

Thanks Martyn

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2010-03-05T14:34:09+00:00

A(nother) “vanity search” finds a nice quote from Martyn Ware on a Norwegian web page (scroll down). Had it not been for the sound and the collaboration with the string arranger John Wesley Barker, that record would never have sounded like that. from: http://www.multinet.no/~jonarne/Hjemmesia/Favorittartister/heaven_17/heaven_17.htm

Heaven 17 are currently on Tour performing Penthouse & Pavement

Save Abbey Road

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2010-02-16T07:13:55+00:00

v=250&username=johnwesleybarker"> ...Over the last three days we have heard firstly that EMI have decided not to sell the studios, and secondly that the studios are to become grade two listed. This is most definitely cause for celebration – we have made our voices heard, and have sent a strong message to those who control the studio's destiny. ...Abbey Road is set to remain in EMI's hands and continue to function as a recording studio for the time being. ...If this isn't a prime example of the effects of File-Sharing, then I don't know what is.” ...In fact, income generated from sales online and the ability for musicians to have their music heard has increased enormously because of the net. ...Somebody do me for piracy please, then I can show my stacks of CDs I've bought and wouldn't have done otherwise. ...Nothing but artwork and end of aisle promotions (which incidentally cost the record companies, i.e. the musicians advances on sales a fortune - end of aisle display is rented). ...And how about Courtney Love (despite what judgments you make about her music and addiction) when she so aptly described the 'Music Business' and the refuge of failed business men's offspring. You know the story, "my son, you must be as successful as me" (your hyper successful and highly driven dad) and son fails repeatedly, school, then business school, then first placement until eventually he falls as low as he can go and ends running a record company. ...What's happened here is that Terra Firma is charging EMI for borrowing the money to buy EMI when EMI was failing at the time it was bought. ...Paul McCartney measured the Control Room of Studio 2 with laser to reproduce the dimensions to finest detail in his new West Sussex studio in the 80's, apparently it simply wasn't as good.  I was mightily touched to see Ken Townsend say this when he signed the Petition, "I worked at Abbey Road for over forty years ... Ken and his colleagues installed all new studios, pulled it up to another level and created the best studios in the world once again. ... Let's not lose sight of what Abbey Road is and always will be, the finest recording facility in the world.  ..."In mid-November 2009, Terra Firma announced it would be writing down its investment in EMI by 90% (approximately €1.5 billion) after the record label... ... Hands acknowledged that the EMI deal had been a mistake when he said, “If we hadn’t done that, we’d have 90% of our funds still to invest and we’d look like complete geniuses. ...The composer, who has an estimated fortune of £750million, wants to step in and take ownership of the studios in St John's Wood, North-West London, after troubled record group EMI put the building up for sale. ... 3 Have on deposit enough funds to allow the studios to run on Interest and other income from the deposits without threat of closure ever again. ...> Please Sign The Petition Join us in finding a way to save the historic Abbey Road Studios from being sold to property developers.

Walks & Views In Dorset for Concert Band

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2010-01-24T22:20:18+00:00

Composing music entitled: Walks and Views in Dorset for Concert Band which comprises pieces prompted by places we visit that inspire and lift us and that have a name which is associated with music or sound in some way. There are 3 pieces in the first Set and in the process of being scored: 1 - Houns-Tout a majestic cliff and high vantage point to view the coast westward to Portland Bill. We walk from the Scott Arms in Kingston along the ridge above Enscombe House then down from Houns-Tout towards the small horseshoe bay of Chapmans Pool. Then up the escarpment to the ridge and walk past the Marines Band Memorial along to St Aldhems Head and the unusual 13th century church of St Aldhelm. The small square church was the first structure to be detected by radar, appearing on the cathode ray tube in the research station which developed radar in the Second World War which was situated in the field adjacent to the chapel. 2 - Badbury Rings a large hill fort occupied by ancient people affording distant views to ridges on the surrounding horizons and a station on the ancient ley lines and Roman Roads which bisect the site. 3 - Dancing Ledge the remains of quarrying for stone to build the cities of Europe and now a sun trap and rock climbing mecca. The perfect place for endless dancing and merriment accompanied by the crashing waves, foaming surf and scudding clouds. I was prompted to write for Concert Band at the request of Pat Ryan and The Band Of The West Midlands Fire Service and hope that they thoroughly enjoy playing and recording the piece in the near future. The Concert Band instrumentation is: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, E flat clarinet, 1st 2nd and 3rd B flat clarinets, E flat alto clarinet, B flat bass clarinet, B flat contrabass clarinet, 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 2 bassoons, 2 Horn in F, 2 B flat trumpets, 3 B flat cornets, 2 euphoniums, 2 tubas, 3 percussion (including 3 Fire Buckets)

Nickolai of the North

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2010-01-11T17:54:22+00:00

In early December 2009, with just over a week to go before the first rehearsal, Ian Stephens, Artistic Director of the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis, e-mailed me and asked if I would be interested in a ‘challenge’ - to write the music for the songs of Nickolai of the North - an adaption by the author Lucy Daniel Raby of her best selling childrens novel. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the composer who had been initially approached to write the music was unable to do the task. After burning the midnight oil I delivered 9 songs from the script although Lucy originally wrote 18 songs in the script. They were composed for the cast and two musicians; one playing piano, the other playing piccolo, flute, clarinet and alto saxophone To read and hear a cast recording of the songs CLICK HERE to visit the NEW web pages and Read More...

Miro

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-11-28T15:45:28+00:00

Miro by johnwesleybarker

Saturday Night

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-10-21T17:48:10+01:00

I’ve just found this Demo on a cassette in the garage. For a week I wrote with Canute ‘Kenny’ Wellington, Dave ‘Baps’ Baptiste and Nevil ‘Breeze’ McKrieth of Light Of The World at Eddy Grant’s home studio in Stamford Hill just around the corner from where I was living. Tenor solo is by Baps, I played DX7. Saturday Night by johnwesleybarker

Black Market (LIVE) - Weather Report

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-10-18T14:22:40+01:00

Live at Montreux (I think), 8th July 1976. The Heavy Weather line up: Jo Zawinul, keyboards (2 ARP 2600, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Yamaha Grand Piano, Oberheim polyphonic synthesizer), vocal; Wayne Shorter, soprano and tenor saxophones, Alex Acuña, drum set; Manolo Badrena, percussion, vocals; Jaco Pastorious, bass.

Weather Report - Black Market
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Third Wind (LIVE) - Pat Metheny

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-10-16T18:33:37+01:00

Was looking around for a good take of this tune. This IS it. Enjoy!

Pat Metheny Group - Third Wind
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-10-07T20:35:11+01:00

UNICEF’s mission is to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided in doing this by the provisions and principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Earlier this evening, my wife, Liz Wesley-Barker (Headteacher of Durweston Church of England Primary School near Blandford Forum) was interviewed by Steve Harris on BBC Radio Solent about the projects being done with children in Dorset schools to raise awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

9th in the 9th

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-09-09T09:09:09+01:00

The last page of the score of Gustav Mahler’s 9th Symphony: I noticed that in this final plagal or ‘Amen’ cadence, the high Ab is the 9th of the chord. I’ve recently bought the Bruno Walter 1961 recording which I had on vinyl as a boy. Hear Leonard Bernstein take us through these final bars:

Our Community Music - Horton

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-09-11T11:51:29+01:00

I’m distributing this leaflet to all letter boxes in Horton today. Soon, the new Horton Village Hall will be open and I would like to start a Community Music Group. We’ve been living here for over a year now, but I haven’t met many other musicians yet and I’m bursting to make use of the new hall and to get as many local people involved in this initiative as possible. We can get together regularly to learn to make our favourite music and prepare for performing and making recordings and write our own songs. We can enjoy making music together and learning together. Come on! Let’s play. You can register your interest here by leaving a Comment. Remember to leave your contact details, an e-mail address for example.

Secret Story - Pat Metheny

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-07-24T16:51:54+01:00

Secret Story is a very special life changing work. If, like me, you’re a big fan of the 1992 album - Secret Story by Pat Metheny, you might enjoy listening to this MP3 of Pat talking about the making of this very special album. Some interesting insights and truths about a soundtrack to many peoples lives. In many ways, the secret is still secure in the power of music to reflect and heal our lives. I am particularly fond of the contribution the orchestra make on the album recorded by Hayden Bendall at Abbey Road (whom I had the pleasure of working with when he recorded the strings I did for the John Leckie production of Back In Denim) The Secret Story LIVE DVD recorded in New Brunswick NJ 24th November 1992 and released in 1993 is a reasonable document of the toured presentation of the album, impressive ‘virtual’ strings and realisation of a complex orchestral palette. I believe this to be a transfer from LaserDisc to DVD and the sound suffers from sudden changes of level probably due to the sound compression used.

OpenDNS

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-06-29T18:43:29+01:00

OpenDNS is really very good. I’ve been using it for over a month now and it’s improved my internet usage no end, making it faster, safer and more convenient. It’s very simple to utilise as all you do is put 2 nameserver DNS numbers into your computers Internet preferences and Router settings. The DNS numbers are: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 You can also make your own shortcut to sites, for example “discuss” instead of “http://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa” Using OpenDNS makes us safer from phishing attacks and block unwanted websites, particularly useful for those who have children using the internet at home. You can block types of sites or named sites. But to learn more, go to OpenDNS and signup, it’s FREE!!

Bean: OS X Word Processor

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-06-11T10:39:51+01:00

Bean is a FREE, yes free, Word Processor for Mac OSX. It opens quickly and has a clean and usable user interface. Very handy when you want something a bit less basic than TextEdit but not so bloated as Microsoft Word or even Pages. It’s rich in features. Get more information and download it from www.bean-osx.com/Bean.html

BBC Save Our Sounds

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-06-02T18:06:39+01:00

Follow BBC Save Our Sounds on Twitter and visit Kate Arkless Gray’s Diary and contribute to the preservation of endangered sounds. Visit British Library’s Archival Sound Recordings and listen to a host of interesting sounds. If you have an iPhone, use AudioBoo or another recording system. Details on where to send sounds to and Terms & Conditions can be viewed at BBC World Service - News - Send us your sounds!

War/No More Trouble

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-05-28T12:42:36+01:00

Please support: Playing For Change | Peace Through Music

Solos & Duetts for Cornet a Pistons

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-05-28T11:45:27+01:00

Some years ago, I think it was 1993, I bought this intriguing Illuminated Manuscript Book in the second-hand bookstore opposite the Ironbridge in Shropshire. It contains beautifully handwritten “Solos & Duetts for Cornet a Pistons” with the name Thomas Booth - Burton On Trent. You may see scans of the first few pages here and see a PDF It looks as though it was written in the second half of the 19th Century and contains popular tunes of the day. When I get some time, I intend to make an edition. I would be very grateful if anyone knows of Thomas Booth in Burton On Trent.

Rakesh Chaurasia

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-05-26T15:52:35+01:00

Listen! We took friends to hear Rakesh Chaurasia, nephew of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, the bansuri master. I’d heard Rakesh with Hariji in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh performing in an unforgettable all night rag concert. Rakesh played so very well in comfortable English country surroundings by Salisbury Cathedral on the banks of the River Avon. The Salisbury Festival 2009 presentation was entitled Music For Mind And Spirit and included a performance by the large English Hindustani classical ensemble Tarang I’m glad I managed to record the last 4 minutes of the performance with AudioBoo on my iPhone which held many of the audience spellbound.

Apple Ad - New York Times Banner

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-05-20T09:09:11+01:00

Another in I’m A PC - I’m a Mac series. A virtual New York Times cover. These ads just get better and better.

MusicTech Focus

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-05-18T20:00:16+01:00

I’m enjoying MusicTech Focus - a series of popular “in-depth guide(s) for the creative musician” written and compiled by MusicTech Magazine’s mastering experts. A little pricey at £8.99, but then they do include DVDs of files and examples. They’ll be a useful set of guides for students of music technology but no substitute for hands on experience. They’ll probably have a limited shelf life as they’re dependent on application versions available today.

Wayne Sleep, Step Notes & Squeaks

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-05-16T11:26:51+01:00

”Music composed and improvised by John Wesley Barker” and Wayne ran around the walls! Back in the day - 1978. Apologies, this was the result of an ego Yahoo! search

Hens and Ducks

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-04-08T12:07:18+01:00

Another AudioBoo, this time, of Hens & Ducks outside the Villa on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour. There was furtive activity after some seeds had been sprinkled on the ground. The Dorset Wildlife Trust maintain a sanctuary with their base at the Villa. We visited the Lagoon and walked the signed path on a pleasant early Spring day. We didn’t see any Red Squirrels, which draws crowds to this spot usually, but no matter to us, we enjoyed ourselves. Listen!

John's iPhone Blog

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-03-25T17:06:14+00:00

I'm now keeping an iPhone blog for when I'm out and about. This is fed by posting on Twitter, Facebook, FriendFeed and Mobypicture and is a very convenient way of sharing photos, audio and thoughts.

AudioBoo

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-03-25T02:39:25+00:00

My first AudioBoo (actually a water recording I made a while back and played through my monitors) recorded into AudioBoo on the iPhone. This iPhone App enables ‘boos’ to be recorded on the iPhone then shared on AudioBoo and can also be linked to your Twitter and Facebook. It can also give GPS location. An account with AudioBoo is easy to set up and free (so far) and can also embedded, as here: Listen!

Playing For Change: Peace Through Music

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-02-20T20:54:50+00:00

Stand By Me playingforchange.com - From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the first of many "songs around the world" being released independently. Thanks Tony for bringing this to my attention.

The Complete Symphonies (MP3 Edition) - HAYDN

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-02-15T13:58:42+00:00

8 Compact Discs containing 320 kbps MP3 - An interesting and wonderful new release from Nimbus Records, the Complete 104 Symphonies of Joseph Haydn played by the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra conducted by Adam Fischer and recorded by Nimbus in the Haydnsaal in Esterhazy Palace, Eisenstadt, Austria from 1987-2001. There are some real gems in this cycle. I was surprised by the concertino content within the symphonies, flute solos, violin duets and more. His symphonies are full of surprises and a delight to hear. Some very comic moments too. I bought this from The Collectors Corner in Salisbury for £22. The performances and recording standard is VERY wonderful. Highly recommended.

We Love You 12"

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-01-21T19:11:37+00:00

We Love You by johnwesleybarker

I've got to an age where I've started revisiting things that I did in my past, this track, a cover version of We Love You by the Rolling Stones, featured a string arrangement and Eddie Reader, it was mixed and released and I didn't get to hear it back in 1984. I heard it when I put the strings on, but not the final version until I tracked down a copy in The Netherlands. I transcribed it in a hurry from a pretty bad turntable and cartridge, if someone can offer a better transcription, I'd really appreciate it. If you know how to get hold of a master, let me know please.

More track info from discogs: here

Recidivism

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-01-21T14:06:12+00:00

Why “Recidivism”? - see Recidivism - Wikipeadia Well, it’s to do with Repeat Offending. For some unknown reason, an awful habit has been promoted in music making for far too long, that is, not doing the repeats even when the composer asks us to. It’s prevalent in “classical” training, or rather I would say an “incomplete” training and also because some examination boards - see ABRSM Rules, require candidates NOT to do the repeats, against the composer’s wishes. In all other music forms, it would be impossible NOT to repeat sections, imagine popular songs with only one instance of a CHORUS! The repeat gives the us an opportunity to reassess the music, to shed a new light on something that has gone before, to find another angle and reflection on the text. To me, in asking pupils not to Repeat is like robbing them of a wonderful opportunity and a crucial skill - that of flexible interpretation. In SONATA FORM, which is the classical form most music of the classical era is subject to, the exposition is repeated, to not do this, unbalances the structure. Please: Always do the repeats and relish the opportunity. If it’s a bind to do so, then you’re in the wrong job.

Songsmith

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-01-09T14:45:16+00:00

The Microsoft Research Songsmith site proclaims, “Everyone has a song inside...” and releases an application called Songsmith to enable these songs to be made and heard. It’s only natural to compare this with GarageBand, the iLife application for Mac OSX, but, as ever, when we compare Apple and Microsoft, it’s not a like for like comparison. Songsmith seems to have a very linear workflow. The user picks a style and can modify this with a slider for mood and a drum groove starts, Songsmith then ‘listens’ to the user singing and guesses a ‘harmonisation’ of the impromptu melody. It has to been seen and heard to be believed. Personally, I think it’s simply awful and wholly uninformed from a musical perspective, BUT, if it does help people gain access to music making then that’s surely a good thing. January 23rd Update: Some amusing results are now posted on YouTube - use this search

iKEY Plus - USB Audio Recorder

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-01-03T21:50:56+00:00

This iKEY Plus from iKEY-audio.com looks like a great budget entry level device for recording digital audio.

zero dB [against music torture]

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2009-01-01T13:29:27+00:00

2008 was the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Probably the second most important document for the future of humanity. Musicians are uniting to protest silently at the use of music in torture. Reprieve and the Musicians Union are the promoters of Zero dB a website containing the silent protests against this appalling and cruel torture. Please add your silent protest.

TRW -17 - The World's first True Subwoofer

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-11-12T17:37:46+00:00

I’m somewhat intrigued by this propagation of sound waves using (what looks like) an ordinary fan but is the TRW - 17 - The Worlds first True Subwoofer. The blades of the fan change pitch (attitude) which controls the frequency of the sound waves (as illustrated in the animated sequence) and the fan rotates at a constant speed. • The Specifications for this VERY low note sound device is: • Amplifier Requirement: 200 watts @ 8 ohms • Impedance: 8 ohms 0Hz - 40Hz • Frequency Response: 1Hz – 30Hz +/- 4dB • Suggested Crossover: 20Hz @ 18dB/octave • Sensitivity: 94dB 1 watt 1 meter @10Hz • Maximum Acoustic Output: >115dB between 1 and 20Hz. • Distortion: Typically 3% or less between 1 and 30Hz @90dB Warranty – 3 years parts and labor Patent Pending To give you an idea of how low 1Hz - 30Hz is: the lowest note “A” on the piano is 27.5 Hz, or twenty seven and a half vibration per second. > Note names, MIDI numbers and frequencies - University of New South Wales Music Acoustics > TRW - 17 - The Worlds first True Subwoofer, Eminent Technology

Telemegaphone

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-09-09T23:14:30+01:00

Thanks to Chris who alerted me to this installation, the Telemegaphone, yes, that’s Tele (telephone) + Mega (big) + Phone (sound). We can dial +47 90 369389 and, thanks to Unsworn Industries our voice will be relayed by Solar Powered speakers to the remote Bergskletten mountain in Norway.
Please contact me with your explorations of this facility.

The Music Sack

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-07-02T12:55:15+01:00

The Music Sack is a new internet resource offering a large database of people, books, bands, churches, pianists and theatres associated with music. This is a new web site and may deserve our support and contributions. I will have sort out the entry on John Wesley Barker as the listing is confusing several people of that name, besides myself and my dad, who has the same name.

International Music Score Library Project

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-07-01T01:39:39+01:00

Hooray! The International Music Score Library Project has reopened. Welcome to the International Music Score Library Project! IMSLP attempts to create a virtual library containing all public domain musical scores, as well as scores from composers who are willing to share their music with the world without charge. You can read the full list of goals that IMSLP will try to achieve. IMSLP also encourages the exchange of musical ideas, both in the form of musical works, and in the analysis of existing ones. Therefore, feel free to create/edit a page with your analysis of a particular piece (please use the "Discussion" link on the work page of that particular piece)

Young People’s Concerts

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-06-29T11:28:51+01:00

While I was emerging as a musician in the early 70’s in Australia, the Young People’s Concerts written and presented by Leonard Bernstein were broadcast on television. I have not seen these until yesterday when I finally received the 9 DVD set released by Kultur® in the USA. Although somewhat grainy, mono and in black and white, the content of these programmes was, and remains, truly inspiring. I can’t recommend these concerts too highly.

Pro Tools 101

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-06-25T08:45:00+01:00

Yesterday I completed the 2 day Digidesign Pro Tools 101 Certification Course and passed the exam, many thanks to Simon Hall, the trainer, at Birmingham Conservatoire and congratulations to my peers, Andy and Phil. The next level on the certification program is the 110 and I hope to do that course and exam soon.

eccho ring: an epithalamion

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-06-18T15:24:58+01:00

For some reason, today I thought I could do something about the Scorch version of ecchoring for organ, because the lines were very unbalanced, so I've gone back to the notation and emphasised the leading voices. Bear in mind though that this is only playing host MIDI sounds on the computer soundcard. That is NO substitute for hearing the piece nicely played and recorded on the Dunedin Town Hall organ in New Zealand by Kemp English on the Stormin' Norma 2 CD as you can hear: > eccho ring: an epithamlmion information page with downloads > eccho ring PDF of score > file sharing page MP3, score and Review > Dunedin Town Hall Organ "Norma" Otago, New Zealand, now lovingly restored.

we7

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-06-17T01:55:39+01:00

Another "free" music site offering downloads and streaming music as long as you can put up with the ads. WE7 supports unsigned artists and also runs competitions. The downloads are DRM (Digital Rights Management) free and some content can only be listened to online, unless you have a way of recording from your computer. I use Audio Hijack Pro.

Sound & Music for Film - SWIKI

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-06-16T20:12:10+01:00

While I was lecturing this year, the students and I started the blog, Sound and Multimedia which seems to have fizzled out of use now, and I also made this SWIKI search to incorporate, added here as a widget. You can add more criteria (in case you didn't know).

Grab this swicki from eurekster.com

Korg nano controllers

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-06-16T11:58:47+01:00

Times like these I wish I could read Kanji, because these Korg Nano controllers look like fun for the MIDI and MAX/MSP/Jitter musician. There's 3 controllers:

nanoKEY
nanoPAD
nanoKONTROL

You can order them to buy them when they arrive in October 2008 HERE at Digital Village and there's some information in English. There's a review over on Music Thing.

U B U W E B

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-06-11T03:13:13+01:00

I've recently been exploring things Avant-Garde once again after many months of being somewhat conservative in my outlook. I think it's lecturing that's made me go straight, which is odd, don't you agree? You'd think I'd be radicalised by my students, but they seem so conservative these days, with some notable exceptions.UbuWeb is a completely independent resource dedicated to all strains of the avant-garde, ethnopoetics, and outsider arts. All materials on UbuWeb are being made available for noncommercial and educational use only. All rights belong to the author(s). UbuWeb is completely free.

A Journey With Cancer

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-06-06T12:29:08+01:00

Friend and lovely person - Gareth Jones, music producer, engineer and programmer is undergoing treatment for cancer and keeping a blog: A Journey With Cancer

The International Music Score Library Project

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-05-29T21:53:28+01:00

The International Music Score Library Project was a repository of more than 15,000 musical scores that are in the public domain here in Canada. I was forced to close the site due to circumstance after receiving lawsuit threats from music publishers that do not want the public domain to exist. The immediate threat was from Universal Edition, a publisher in Austria. Whereas copyright in Canada lasts until 50 years after the author's death, copyright in Austria lasts 20 years longer. Universal Edition threatened to sue me, perhaps in Canada or perhaps in Austria, for violating Austrian law. There is no reason why Austrian law should apply to this site in Canada, but as a student I did not have the resources to resist even an absurd threat from a company with money to pay lawyers to attack music. from: imslp.wikidot.comThe IMSLP is hopefully going to be back online soon. Such an invaluable resource for music study.

Spring Clean

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-04-20T15:58:57+01:00

Finally I am deleting all the content from my primary Madasafish server. There is much content that is old and out of date. I am however, backing it up to my desktop file system in case there are requests for content. E-mail me if you've searched for something here and not found it. It will be possible to retrieve from my Backups.

April Fools

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-04-01T11:59:59+01:00

OK, it's not April Fools anymore, but while it was I had fun with this

Cities I've Visited

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-03-27T20:32:58+00:00

Create your own travel map or travel blog
Visit TripAdvisor.com

Pump Up The Volume At Your Peril

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-03-05T08:23:22+00:00

BBC Breakfast 5th March 2008 Item on hearing loss, Pump Up The Volume with students from Birmingham Conservatoire Music Technology Course - 4'36"

Northumberland Gazette

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-02-04T22:16:03+00:00

A life full of music John Wesley Barker A MAN who grew up in Alnwick and had numerous musical achievements in Australasia died this summer. John Wesley Barker, who died suddenly in July, was brought up in a Methodist family in Alnwick, his first experience as an organist was in his father's church at the age of 14. By the age of 21, he had been appointed organist and choir master at nearby Alnmouth Parish Church; had attended a Royal School of Church Music course in choir training, liturgiology and organ playing at Canterbury Cathedral; and had gained his Associate of the Royal College of Music in organ playing. In 1949, he won a scholarship to Hatfield College, University of Durham, and embarked upon a BA Honours degree course in music. It was during his time at Durham University that John became a devoted confirmed Anglican. Following a move to Surrey, in 1961, he emigrated with his first wife and young son to Australia to become organist and choir master at St John's Church, Tamworth. In 1965, he moved to Adelaide to do a BMus research degree in Musicology at the University of Adelaide. He left Australia for New Zealand following his appointment as lecturer in musicology at the University of Otago in 1970. After retiring in 1993, he completed supervision of his Masters and PhD students, and continued with research, publishing international papers until 2005. He was also appointed organist at St Joseph's Catholic Cathedral in Dunedin. However, it was not until 2002 when he moved to Nelson that his life-long ambition was fulfilled, becoming Director of Music at Christchurch Cathedral, Nelson. His second wife Angela Pack said: "John Wesley Barker was a gentle, thoughtful, kind-hearted, generous, compassionate and modest man with much humility. He had strong integrity, was not afraid to uphold courageous principles and throughout his life was an ardent pacifist. He exhibited a quiet wit, and high intelligence. Throughout his 80 years he was a good and faithful servant of our Lord, who used his wonderful talent as a musician in his service to the very end." He is survived by his wife, his son John C Wesley-Barker and his daughter Helen English. Last Updated: 29 November 2007 10:59 AM

Martyn Ware at the Red Bull Academy

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2008-01-06T08:19:04+00:00

Red Bull Academy TUTORS - Martyn Ware kindly referred to our collaboration on Temptation at Air Studios in his seminar. I then had a few hits via their website. Hi to you all!

Takaka Hill

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-12-14T23:45:39+00:00

Birmingham Schmap Guide

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-12-10T19:44:43+00:00

One of my photos (see right) has been shortlisted for the 2nd Edition Birmingham Schmap Guide to be published in December 2007. Hi John,  I am writing to let you know that one of your photos with a Creative Commons license has been short-listed for inclusion in the fourth edition of our Schmap Birmingham Guide, to be published late December 2007.  www.schmap.com/shortlist/p=85158235N00/c=SF1007252  Clicking this link will take you to a page where you can:  i) See which of your photos has been short-listed.  ii) Submit or withdraw your photo from our final selection phase.  iii) Learn how we credit photos in our Schmap Guides.  iv) Browse online or download the second edition of our Schmap Birmingham Guide.  Our submission deadline is Sunday, December 16. If you happen to be reading this message after this date, please still click on the link above (our Schmap Guides are updated frequently - photos submitted after this deadline will be considered for later releases).  Best regards,  Emma Williams,  Managing Editor, Schmap Guides

Karlheinz Stockhausen 1928-2007

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-12-08T00:26:36+00:00

Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:29:37 +0100 ...Subject: Stockhausen Farewell / IMPORTANT PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE The composer Karlheinz Stockhausen passed away on December 5th 2007 at his home in Kuerten-Kettenberg and will be buried in the Waldfriedhof (forest cemetery) in Kuerten. He composed 362 individually performable works. The works which were composed until 1969 are published by Universal Edition in Vienna, and all works since then are published by the Stockhausen-Verlag. Numerous texts by Stockhausen and about his works have been published by the Stockhausen Foundation for Music. Suzanne Stephens and Kathinka Pasveer, who have performed many of his works and, together with him, have taken care of the scores, compact discs, books, films, flowers, shrubs, and trees will continue to disseminate his work throughout the world, as prescribed in the statutes of the Stockhausen Foundation for Music, of which they are executive board members. Stockhausen always said that GOD gave birth to him and calls him home. ...Šfor love is stronger than death. IN FRIENDSHIP and gratitude for everything that he has given to us personally and to humanity through his love and his music, we bid FAREWELL to Karlheinz Stockhausen, who lived to bring celestial music to humans, and human music to the celestial beings, so that Man may listen to GOD and GOD may hear His children. On December 5th he ascended with JOY through HEAVEN'S DOOR, in order to continue to compose in PARADISE with COSMIC PULSES in eternal HARMONY, as he had always hoped to do: You, who summon me to Heaven, Eva, Mikael and Maria, let me eternally compose music for Heaven's Father-Mother, GOD creator of Cosmic Music. May Saint Michael, together with Heaven's musicians in ANGEL PROCESSIONS and INVISIBLE CHOIRS welcome him with a fitting musical GREETING. On behalf of him and following his example, we will endeavor to continue to protect the music. Suzanne Stephens and Kathinka Pasveer in the name of the world-wide family of musicians who love him, together with everyone who loves his music. ...On Thursday, December 13th 2007, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. it will be possible to personally say farewell to Karlheinz Stockhausen in the chapel of the Waldfriedhof in Kuerten (Kastanienstrasse). A commemorative concert will take place soon at the Sülztalhalle in Kuerten. Programme, time and date will be specially announced. Memorial Booklet

Amen Brother

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-09-20T20:07:42+01:00

The history the 'break beat', the Amen break created by maxpounder, thank you!

Sites using my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnwesleybarker/" title="Click here to visit my flickr photo pages in full"><strong style="color: rgb(57, 147, 255);">flick<span style="color: rgb(255, 28, 146);">r</span></strong style></a> photos

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-08-20T22:58:48+01:00

flickr is a great way to organise and share photos. Then once in a blue moon, web designers use my photos on their sites under licence. Here's some I've found through search engines and those resulting from the web authors contacting me for permission. I prefer the latter approach, it's polite.

My photo at Children Young People and Families Programme
My photo at James Cridland Blog
My photo at Offas Dyke Listen To English (scroll down the page)
My photo at BlueWorldGardener Out of Africa - Agapanthus See also Lighthouse and 2 TKC Bus photos also Scilly Holiday Swicki

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License If you find anymore, click here to let me know. Ta.

John Wesley Barker 1927-2007

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-08-16T20:14:29+01:00

My father John Wesley Barker was born on the 11th May 1927 and died on the 25th July 2007, his Mother's birthday and the Feast of St James The Apostle. He was Music Director of Christchurch Cathedral in Nelson, New Zealand. Today I listened to a cassette recording of the Funeral and read the letter he wrote to me a few hours before he died. He developed an Acute Dissecting Aortic Aneurysm on 5th November 2004. He defied all the odds, and survived until its rupture, over 2.5 years later.. Donations to be sent to Health Research Council of NZ, "Barker Fund" for Vascular Research, PO Box 5541, Wellesley Street, Auckland, New Zealand. ...My Tribute read at the funeral in Christchurch Cathedral, Nelson, by my brother-in-law Kemp English As I write this from the Isle Of Arran on the west coast of Scotland, the other side of the world from Nelson in New Zealand, the size of this world cannot diminish the immense sorrow I feel on the loss of my Dad, nor diminish the love and respect in which I hold him now and will do so forever. He was funny, quirky, quite a character; definitely 'his own man'. But, most of all, a musician, dedicating his life to worship, through music of the highest standard and deepest devotion. We spent a wonderful time with Dad, Angela, Helen, Kemp and friends last Christmas and it will remain forever, a precious time we will never forget. We intend to return this Christmas to be a family once more. ... Wherever we are in this world, we will, today, celebrate his life. A wonderful person: my Dad.
'Toast Is Toast!' ...

See flickr photo set Dad

Flood

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-07-21T11:03:42+01:00

Yesterday, the 20th July, we had a flood here at Stoke Wharf, as did many other parts of the country. I got home, just, having threaded my way back from Telford through flooded country lanes, often having to turn around and seeking an alternative route.

The Worcester & Birmingham canal overflowed at Stoke Bottom Lock where the water drained away through the canal cottages onto the Hanbury Road and into the car park of Metal & Ores (pictured). The road was blocked for some hours, some people got lifts on tractors over the water to continue their journey on foot.

More photos...

PM - Radio 4 - Pylons

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-07-09T21:13:50+01:00

...Excerpt about electricity pylons from BBC R4's PM Programme: BBC Radio 4 PM ...This evening on BBC Radio 4's PM programme presented by Eddie Mair, Bill Bryson made some comments about electricity pylons to which I felt I should offer a reply. ...May I put in a word for the pylons. They are, in my view, beautiful. - my e-mail sent 17:47:40 BDT I later added more of my views on the PM - blog

reactable

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-06-25T13:39:29+01:00

Matthew sent me the link to this amazing tabletop synthesizer. The reactable is a collaborative electronic music instrument with a tabletop tangible multi-touch interface. Several simultaneous performers share complete control over the instrument by moving and rotating physical objects on a luminous round table surface. By moving and relating these objects, representing components of a classic modular synthesizer, users can create complex and dynamic sonic topologies, with generators, filters and modulators, in a kind of tangible modular synthesizer or graspable flow-controlled programming language. From: http://mtg.upf.edu/reactable

No One Driving - John Foxx

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-06-18T16:21:46+01:00

No One Driving - TOTP No longer embedded, sorry. Click on the still above to start video.

Webwag

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-06-18T15:05:07+01:00

I'm currently checking out Webwag which serves content from the web to my mobile phone, a Motorola V3x.

Have a look at the Webwag Blog It has the feel of iPhone applications but without the interface or design. Webwag displays widgets on the phone and synchronises them:

clock
weather
Flickr
RSS feeds
Gmail

The synchronisation can be set to every half-hour but no more often. The display is full resolution.

BUY - at last you can purchase my music.

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-06-16T19:02:13+01:00

From today it is now possible to purchase my music from this website using Google Checkout The first items are the sheet music for the three Transit Of Venus pieces for flute(s)

Transit Of Venus 1 study for flute
Transit Of Venus 2 for flute duet
Transit Of Venus 3 for 2 solo flutes and flute choir (piccolo, 3 flutes, 2 alto flutes and bass flute)

Go to the Catalogue section.

BT Broadband

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-06-14T11:48:11+01:00
I live in the countryside not far from the major industrial conurbation of Birmingham and surrounded by major infrastructure M5, M42 and A38. Still, my BT Broadband is slow! Thanks to a great BT Engineer, half-an-hour ago, my BT line was reconnected. The local wiring was old and finally fell over on Monday when I lodged a complaint. I was advised by the Helpline to change my ADSL Filter. I knew the moment the advisor offered this help that she was probably wrong. What's been happening since I was connected a couple of months ago, is that the connection kept dropping out. This got unbearable by last Monday, when I finally had enough time to phone and complain. It took over an hour to get the wrong advise. I plugged the modem directly into the phone line to see if it was the filter at fault. Nothing happened. I unplugged the modem and then the phone didn't work. The line was dead. The BT Engineer which has just left told me that the local distribution box in the room next door was in a bit of a mess. He rewired it and now (touch wood) I back online. All problems will now be logged here in case I need to report faults again in the future.

Body-Piano-Machine

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-05-26T19:13:01+01:00
Thanks to MaJiKer, the Paris based record producer, composer and artist from Birmingham, has sent me a preview download of his new solo (with guests) album - Body-Piano-Machine BPM.
I've been listening to it all afternoon today. On my 5th listening as I write and no doubt I will be listening many more times. BPM is very witty, inventive, poppy, entertaining and very moving. As the title suggests, the sound canvas is derived from sounds made by the body, the piano and the machine.
Guests include:
Indi Kaur
Camille (who's best selling and award winning album Le Fil, MaJiKer produced),
Maya Barsony,
Heather Juno,
China Moses,
Benedicte Le Lay,
Rosa Rebecka
and many more...
It's also likely he will have a deal for it's release soon and be taking his solo concert on tour. So watch this space, in the meantime, to hear it for yourself, visit www.myspace.com/majiker and listen.
MaJiKer, AKA Matthew Ker was a pupil of Birmingham Schools Wind Orchestra when I was the conductor, then Matthew and I started Birmingham Young Composers with an Arts4Express grant. I am privileged now to see him flourish and make a successful and rewarding profession in music.

SoundJunction

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-05-06T09:10:36+01:00
For those of you who are involved in Music Education, pupils and teachers, I urge you to visit and use SoundJunction The SoundJunction website's all about music. You can take music apart and find out how it works, create music yourself, find out how other people make music and how they perform it, you can find out about musical instruments, and look at the backgrounds to different musical styles. Check out the New Tool for making music. SoundJunction is an initiative of the ABRSM and has received a BETT award for Digital Content at Secondary Level.

Speedtest.net

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2007-05-06T09:01:38+01:00
If you're interested in such things, I've found Speedtest to provide a pleasant and efficient way of testing your internet connection. You can also share the results, here is my current ADSL Speed test:

My NZ trip - Part 2

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-12-19T18:34:57+00:00
This Friday, the 22nd December, we fly to Nelson in New Zealand via Dubai and Auckland to arrive on Christmas Eve to spend Christmas and New Year with my family in New Zealand. We'll go on a 4 day walk through the Abel Tasman National Park and take in some sunshine. My NZ Trip Blog will have some more entries after two years since my last trip if you want to keep up with my holiday. Merry Christmas to you all.

Martyn Ware at the Birmingham Conservatoire

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-11-17T17:16:45+00:00
Martyn Ware of Heaven 17 came to the Birmingham Conservatoire today to see the facilities and talk to us about Illustrious and 3D sound systems. While we were in the Recital room, we talked of the possibility of a performance by Cybersonica in the Conservatoire. When details are firm, I will post them here. Martyn is doing a lot of interesting work and it would be great if he shared it with listeners in Birmingham.

Underpass - John Foxx

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-11-30T18:35:02+00:00
Today, a student told me about a video of my appearance with John Foxx.
It's hosted on YouTube. I played keyboards on the album and later Underpass was on Top Of The Pops in January 1980 when it charted at No.11.
The photo shows John Foxx and myself playing keyboard on the right.

<a href="http://www.musicate.org/">Musicate</a>

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-11-21T10:30:57+00:00
I've recently joined the team at Musicate to offer Music Technology and composition sessions to their clients.
The first sessions I've done with Richard have been in a school in Coventry encouraging school children to make music using technology. The school currently has Cubase VST running on Windows, or rather not running. There were problems with the signal routing and drivers, file management and other annoying obstacles to getting on with making music. After 2 lessons of having difficulty getting their Windows computers to work, we switched to using GarageBand - see QuickTime tour here and www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/. Within seconds we were making music with the children particpating as a group composing a song. We resolved then to research the possibility of implementing the use of Apple computers and software in our future sessions.
More Musicate photos at Flickr here
Introduction to GarageBand - Wikiversity

Unknown Tune

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-11-15T23:29:48+00:00
This Unknown Title by Abdullah Ibrahim as a Scorch page is here. This was transcribed from memory for alto sax, piano, bass and drums with added strings for pupils to use to practice.
If you know the title of this tune, please contact me via Comment link.
Abdullah Ibrahim Discography is here

Transit Of Venus 4

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-10-19T01:21:34+01:00
Another version of Transit Of Venus is in the making. A preview of Transit Of Venus 4 for 2 solo flutes and chamber orchestra as a Scorch page is available for viewing here. Your comments would be welcome.

<a href="http://www.birminghammusic.com/">Birminghamusic.com</a>

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-09-22T20:47:33+01:00

Splendid. Nice site guys! Just discovered birminghammusic.com and registered as an artiste. See my page here.

Flash MP3 Player

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-09-11T13:37:10+01:00
As part of the updating of this website, I've added the Flash MP3 Player to share audio with visitors.
The playlist currently contains:

My Funny Valentine by Richard Rogers
played on a Technics digital piano by John Wesley Barker

Rise & Fall by John Wesley Barker
recorded by Lost Jockey in a session produced by John Leckie at Abbey Road Studio 2. Previously released by Operation Twilight Cat. No. OPT11

Rainstick by Bag 'O Cats and John Wesley Barker
from the album Out Of The Bag produced for Greentrax Recordings by John Wesley Barker.

Temptation Brothers In Rhythm Remix - by Heaven 17
orchestral arrangement by John Wesley Barker, recorded at Air Studios. From the album The Luxury Gap. Session detail here

Eccho Ring for organ by John Wesley Barker
originally written for the wedding of Clare & John, this solo organ version from the CD Stormin' Norma 2 by Kemp English. Recorded in Dunedin Town Hall, New Zealand. See Eccho Ring web page.

Scilly Isles Photo Set

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-08-17T02:26:22+01:00
Oh Boy! It took 3 days to select, name, upload, tag and create the Scilly Set on Flickr.
Click here to play the 3 page Slideshow. Hope you enjoy.

EDEXCEL stop GCE Music and Music Technology

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-07-10T14:49:41+01:00
Dear Colleague,
I have today been informed, in writing, by Edexcel that they have   decided not to seek re-accreditation for GCE Music and Music   Technology from QCA.
This in effect means that they are not going to offer these A level   subjects after 2009 – thus the last AS intake of students will be   in September 2007.
The reasons given behind this decision are (and I quote) ... and constraints of the new subject criteria have made it impossible  ... We hope that centres will choose to move to the   appropriate BTEC National Awards in Music and Music Technology….’
 ... I have not been asked to attend any meetings about this  ... separate subject criteria for Music Technology, and these would, in   my opinion, make it feasible to develop a very creative and   attractive qualification for schools and colleges.
There appears to have been little thought given to the implications of this decision. As the sole examination board providing Music Technology, this decision in effect kills off A level music technology – at a time when student numbers are growing, centre   investment in resources has been significant, and university acceptance of the subject is good.
The assumption that centres will migrate easily to BTEC is at best  ... offering AS and A2 do not offer BTEC qualifications and are   unlikely to do so.
I would urge you to help force Edexcel to reconsider this decision by sending an email or letter to various interested parties such as the Chief Exec of Edexcel, Mr Jerry Jarvis   jerry.jarvis@edexcel.org.uk, QCA, your local MP or another interested supportive party. I believe that it would be very useful to enlist the assistance of your Headteacher or Principal in securing additional writing communication to Edexcel about this matter, and please feel free to print out a copy of this letter and   show it to them.
It is my considered opinion that we must unite to stop an American PLC (Pearson who own Edexcel) dictating the content and format of music education within the UK, and that we must ensure that future generations of students have the ability to study and be accredited with, GCE AS and A2 qualifications in Music Technology.
If you have any suggestions as to how we can progress this campaign over the next few days, please feel free to email me.
Yours truly, Andrew J Kitchenham, Chair of Examiners, Music Technology
  ajk@moveonup.co.uk
www.edexcel.org.uk

Heaven 17 - The Line Of Beauty

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-05-16T18:37:10+01:00
On Radio 4 just now I heard my Orchestral Theme of Temptation by Heaven 17 being used in the radio trailer for BBC2 The Line Of Beauty. The orchestral version hit the public as the last track on the single CD made to celebrate the 10th year after release and included a brilliant Brothers In Rhythm remix. This release is a muted out dub of some of the work I did on the track. I intend to make available the score and monitor mix (on cassette made on the 12th December 1982 I always jump out of my skin when I hear stuff I've done on the radio or TV. Temptation was used by Burger King a number of years ago, my blood boiled. Coincidence this time is that I want to start a performing group soon to play stuff I've been writing, the name for the group is Beauty, mm... strange... but... Now I wonder, do I get any money for this? Will the musicians? Watch this space.

All Prayers Are Answered

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-05-15T00:35:30+01:00
Even if at times it's difficult to understand His answer.

Last.FM Transit Of Venus

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-04-14T11:00:01+01:00
MP3s made using Garritan Symphony Orchestra of Transit Of Venus 1 and Transit Of Venus 2 have become the first items on a John Wesley Barker Label at Last. FM making it possible to share with the Last. FM community and radio station.

Saxes

johnwesleybarker@madasafish.com — 2006-04-14T10:44:08+01:00
Some pupils are playing in Symphony Hall in May and need some music to play; so currently arranging The Pink Panther - HENRY MANCINI
Birdland - JO ZAWINUL
Moaning - ART BLAKEY
Watermelon Man - HERBIE HANCOCK
for 3 altos, 2 tenors, baritone, triangle and drum kit, with option piano and bass.
An accompaniment CD-Extra with also be made for flexible performance and practising options. 3rd alto and 1st tenor are the same part.
> CD-Sax 01 instrumentation is 2 altos, 2 tenors , baritone and percussion with piano, bass and drums.