News

UPDATE: Unfortunately we have now had to cancel these workshops but hope to host some more in 2022.

BMAF are hosting our first ever workshops. Please come along and join us!

These workshops will be run by experienced actor, writer, director and adjudicator Peter Drayson who has worked in the industry for many years. Amongst other things Peter has worked on West End Musicals and with Disney, he is also a regular adjudicator for the BMAF Speech & Drama section.

These workshops offer children (8-16 years) the opportunity to learn from a true professional and gain extra insight in to the exciting world of theatre and performing arts.

Each workshop will be 2 hours long and include warm up activities, games, working on well knows scripts / songs and a chance to ask Peter any questions you might have.

Workshops will be held at Queen Mary’s College, Cliddesden Road, RG21 3HF on Sunday 3rd October

Musical theatre 2-4pm – Tickets £20

Drama 4.30-6.30pm – Tickets £20

Tickets can be purchased via Eventbright www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/171858903607 for Musical Theatre or https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/171884911397 for Drama.

If you would like any further information about our workshops please contact bmaf.speechanddrama@gmail.com

To see all the winners, runners up and recipients of special awards at this year’s Creative Writing Awards Ceremony broadcast earlier this afternoon (Sunday 21^st March) on HHBCR _ Basingstoke Community radio, please click HERE

Listen to the 2021 BMAF Creative Writing Awards ceremony NOW!

Missed the 21^st March broadcast of the 2021 Creative Writing Awards Ceremony? Or would you simply like to ‘Listen Again’?

Here is the link to do just that: LISTEN NOW

Alternatively, until April 22^nd, you can also listen to the recording here on the HH BCR Website Listen Again – HHCR

Dropbox BMAF Share Folder Links – Readings of Winning or Placed BMAF 2021 Creative Writing Entries

1. Dearest Mutter by Scarlett Boyle (Winner CW 05 Letter Writing Years 3 to 6) read by Adjudicator Dr Kevan Manwaring  https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ag9b37q37bawov/CW5%2019%20Dearest%20Mutter.m4a?dl=0
2. The Strange Carving by Brigid Campbell (Winner CW16 Adult Short Stories) read by Adjudicator Catherine M Brennan https://www.dropbox.com/s/wyz1y4b88jfa3w3/CMB%20Reading%20extract%20from%20The%20Strange%20Carving%20by%20Brigid%20Campbell.m4a?dl=0
3. March 2020 by Brigid Campbell (2^nd in class CW 21 Adult Sonnets) with commentary and read by Adjudicator Catherine M Brennan https://www.dropbox.com/s/ixu2wh1s9elp84r/CMB%20Comments%20on%20Sonnets%20%2B%20Reads%20march%202020%20by%20Brigid%20Campbell%202nd%20in%20class.m4a?dl=0
4. Wonderland (2^nd) and the Distant Moon (1^st in Class CW20 Childrens’ Sonnets) by Swathi (year 6) and Nidilan (Year 9) Srikajanan with commentary and read by Catherine M Brennan https://www.dropbox.com/s/kljxdyhmj2cxqph/CMB%20Comments%20on%20School%20sonnets%20%2B%20Reads%20Wonderland%20and%20The%20Distant%20Moon%20by%20Swathi%20and%20Nidi%20Srikajanan.m4a?dl=0
5. The Stag by Michael Davidson (2^nd in class CW12 Adults Poetry) with commentary and read by Catherine M Brennan https://www.dropbox.com/s/05u5r645o3nmcoi/CMB%20Comments%20on%20Adult%20Poetry%20%2B%20Reads%20The%20Stag%20by%20Michael%20Davidson%202nd%20in%20class.m4a?dl=0
6. Walking Companions of Yesteryear by Jemima Nielsen (CW23 Adults Flash Fiction with commentary and read by Catherine M Brennan https://www.dropbox.com/s/dxv5d2dymc774lb/CMB%20Comments%20on%20Flash%20Fiction%20%2B%20Reads%20extract%20from%20Walking%20Companions%20of%20Yesteryear%20by%20Jemima%20Neilsen.m4a?dl=0
7. The Coy Lawyer by Brigid Campbell (winner – CW21 Adult Sonnets) read by Tony Corbin https://www.dropbox.com/s/wo9s4fpxnr7hs9o/TC%20Reading%20Sonnet%20CW21%20The%20Coy%20Lawyer.m4a?dl=0
8. I am Girl by Lucy Wright (winner CW11 year 7 to 13 Poetry) with commentary and read by Adjudicator Dr Kevan Manwaring https://www.dropbox.com/s/ft4qlxsm3es66j7/CW11%2002%20I%20Am%20Girl.m4a?dl=0
9. Dear Tweedledee by Swathi Srikajanan (CW05 Childrens’ Letters years 3 to 6) with commentary and read by Adjudicator Dr Kevan Manwaring https://www.dropbox.com/s/t0ugxelwni5xqyr/CW5%2001%20Dear%20Tweedledee.m4a?dl=0
10. In the Shadow of the Blade by Juliet England (CW03 Adult Articles) with commentary and read by Dr Kevan Manwaring https://www.dropbox.com/s/nas4ixw39kete6v/CW3%208%20In%20the%20Shadow%20of%20the%20Blade.m4a?dl=0
11. The City Homeless Man – 3^rd in Class Creative Writing CW11 – Poetry (Years 7 to 13). Author John Holden was also awarded the Margaret Garland Cup in the BMAF Speech and Drama section SP/D28- John Holden- The City Homeless Man

We have been made aware of difficulties opening some of the above clips on certain devices. If you have been unable to access the files you can also try to link directly here –  https://www.dropbox.com/home/BMAF%202021%20Broadcast%20Clips

Performers will be emailed a secure Zoom link to their event. This link must not be shared with anyone else or on social media. If you would like someone outside your household to attend, or to watch another section, please email samgillmusic@hotmail.com with your / your guest’s Zoom name and email address and we will add you to the list of invited guests and send the link directly.

• All videos are to be submitted via an UNLISTED YouTube link (see guidance below). Once the video is uploaded the link must be emailed to the relevant section secretary by midnight Wednesday 17th February 2021 OR added to your entry form on Run My Festival (To do this; click entry form from menu at top of your screen, select the pencil on the left hand side of the entry you want to edit, then enter the video link where requested)

• An unlisted video is completely private and cannot be searched or viewed by anyone without the link. It will not be visible in a search and the link will not be shared with anyone other than the section secretary, video compiler and the adjudicator.

1. To do this you will need a YouTube account. If you do not have a YouTube account you can set one up by creating a Google / Gmail account. This will allow access to YouTube. You can set up one easily by visiting the google home page and selecting the option to create an account in the top right corner.
2. Once you have a Gmail account you will also now automatically have a YouTube account attached to it. Visit youtube.com and sign in with your gmail account details. 
3. Go to the icon of a camera with a plus symbol
4. Select ‘Upload Video’
5. You will be guided through the steps to create your YouTube channel
6. At the end of this process you will be prompted to upload your video
7. Select your video file and upload it labelling it with the class number, entrant’s name and Performance details (Please use the following format: W17 – Jane Doe – Pied Piper Gordon Jacob) and click ‘Next’
8. Do not add anything in Video Elements, click ‘next’
9. Visibility – Select ‘UNLISTED’ this means that your video is completely private and cannot be searched or viewed by anyone without the link. It will not be visible in a search and the link will not be shared with anyone other than the section secretary, video compiler and the adjudicator.
10. Click Save – The link to your video will then be displayed.
11. Email the link to your Section Secretary quoting your class number and entrant’s name alongside a PDF of the music performed for the Adjudicator.
12. You video submission is complete

IMPORTANT

When uploading your video entries to YouTube, please do not set them as ‘made for kids’ or we cannot add them to our class playlists. Thank you.

On the Festival day

• All classes will be adjudicated via Zoom on their advertised festival weekend.
• A timetable will be sent out in advance of the festival day informing you of when your class will be adjudicated. This email will also contain the link to the Zoom meeting.
• Performances will be streamed via Zoom to enable all entrants to view their class as they would usually do at a live festival.
• The adjudication feedback will then take place immediately after the performances and winners will be announced. 
• The adjudications will be interactive and adjudicators may wish to speak to performers individually as they would at a live festival, so please be ready to unmute!
• All Trophies can be collected by the winners by arrangement with the section secretaries
• Tickets and programmes will be available on request to entrants and users who register with the festival who wish to view other classes. Details to follow.

Guidelines and tips for recording and submitting your video

• All videos are to be submitted via an UNLISTED YouTube link (see guidance below). Once the video is uploaded the link must be emailed to the relevant section secretary by midnight Wednesday 17th February 2021
• Choose a quiet space without background noises or disruptions.
• Performances can be unaccompanied or backing tracks used if you are not able to meet with an accompanist for your recording. 
• Set up your camera / phone in on a tripod or prop it on a stand so it is steady (Please note: You do not need professional recording equipment, a good quality mobile phone video will be just fine).
• Performance videos should be filmed in landscape format showing as much of your upper body, your hands and your instrument (if applicable) as you can. Pianists and harpists please show your feet too if possible ……. But don’t go too far away. We won’t be able to see you if you are a tiny dot in the corner of a large room!
• Aim to film with any windows or light sources in front of you rather than behind you
• Sound levels: It is a good idea to do a quick test recording and make sure the sound is clear (try not to get too close to the camera / microphone or the sound may be distorted) Check the balance is correct between the accompaniment and soloist if relevant too.
• Make a maximum of 3 recordings and pick your best. Don’t get stuck in a frustrating loop of recording, aiming for perfection. Live performances are rarely perfect so don’t worry, this approach will also more closely emulate a live festival.
• Videos must not be edited or enhanced in any way apart from cropping at the beginning and end, or editing to add additional participants. Sound quality cannot be edited.
• Perform to the camera as if it was your audience. Introduce yourself and tell us what you will be performing.
• Take a bow at the end. We might not be watching live but we will be later and it’s a great way to finish your performance.
• Finally, ENJOY your performance. We are really looking forward to watching your videos!