Liverpool Cathedral looks for next generation of choristers

NO previous experience is required and boys and girls need a good ear and a voice with potential. The best age to join the choir is about 8 years, but the Cathedral will take on older children who show talent. Applicants will be asked to sing Away in a Manger or a song of their own choice and a few scales, and take short reading, musical and aptitude assessments.   Unlike at many other Cathedrals, playing an instrument and reading music are not pre-requisite. Choristers will be trained in skills such as voice production and sight reading, the theory of music and they can also get free tuition on a musical instrument.   There are also opportunities for travel with the annual tour, which has included countries such as France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Japan, The Netherlands, Venice and Riga. It is an exciting time for the Anglican Cathedral choir. It recently performed with the choir of the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and there are also plans to record a CD together. In July they will perform with the choir of St Peter’s College, Oxford. The choir also regularly appears on BBC Radio 3.   David Poulter, Director of Music at Liverpool Cathedral said:- “As well as learning about music and how to improve your singing skills, being a chorister is so much more. It is great fun, new friendships are made, self confidence can increase and there is even the chance to travel abroad and sing in CD recordings and BBC broadcasts. When choristers eventually leave the choir, they take with them a rich experience which benefits them forever. This audition is open to all whether you have had experience in a choir or not. What we are really interested in is potential.”   For more information and to apply either:-  Download an application form from:- liverpoolcathedral.org.uk and return to Director of Music David Poulter or you can send email to them, plus you can simply turn up on Saturday, 28 May 2011, at 4.00pm.

Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants welcome new leader

MARTYN Best, co-founder and Senior Partner of leading public relations agency Paver Smith and Managing Director of Document Direct, has been appointed President of the local society of chartered accountants. He takes the reins from past president Jan McDermott, Managing Director at Jan McDermott & Co, who led the society during 2010 / 2011. Martyn will support the 4,000 plus members at the LSCA; one of the four founding societies, and the oldest, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). His primary role will be to deliver a range of services for members including a series of CPD courses, an annual dinner in November, a variety of social events and discussion groups as well as representing the interests of chartered accountants to the wider business community. Martyn will be supported in this role by Deputy President Paul Christian, an Audit and Advisory Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Liverpool and Vice President Paul Cochrane, a partner at McEwan Wallace in the Wirral.  Martyn Best, President of the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants, said:- “I am incredibly proud to be able to represent the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants. During my term in office I hope to raise the profile of the Institute and the local society across Merseyside by ensuring that members’ views are promoted effectively on accountancy and business issues, and that local members continue to engage with the Society. I also aim to build on the excellent work of the society over recent years by continuing to deliver high quality events and I look forward to receiving on behalf of the Society the recently awarded Freedom of the City of Liverpool – the highest civic accolade.”

Children and young people say pressure from parents to do well in exams causes them anxiety

YOUNG people in Merseyside and Southport will be amongst the millions of under 18s that will sit exams this summer and according to a new survey by ChildLine, 92% of young people feel anxious about their revision and exams. While most young people are able to manage their anxiety, vulnerable young people are turning to alcohol (14%) and self harm (8%) to cope. This presents a significant safeguarding concern for these vulnerable young people.   Last year (2010) the ChildLine base in Liverpool counselled 98 children about exam stress.

To help children and young people cope with exams and combat anxiety, ChildLine has made a short film, which can be viewed on a new ‘Beat Exam Stress’ hub on their website.

Results from the ChildLine poll also found:-

► Other main causes of anxiety for young people are not getting into university or college (57%) and fears about sitting the exam (56%)

► 64% say they’ve never had any support in dealing with exams

► 45% of children and young people say they have skipped meals due to anxiety about exams

► 64% of those surveyed said they have had trouble sleeping

► Talking to friends (43%) is the most common way of dealing with exam anxiety

Christine Mellor, assistant director for ChildLine North West said:- "The exam period can be a very stressful and anxious time for young people and young people tell us that pressure from parents is one of the top causes of anxiety, as well as that they don’t feel supported through their exams.”

ChildLine says that if you know a young person who is sitting exams this summer, the following advice for parents and carers can help ease exam stress and anxiety:-

► Don’t place unnecessary pressure on your children to gain certain grades. They may feel they have failed if they don’t achieve what they thought was expected of them.

► Encourage children to take regular breaks, eat snacks and exercise.

► Help them revise by leaving them the space and time to do so. Be relaxed about chores or untidiness and understand they might be moody.

► Allow your children to revise at nights if that’s what works best for them however do make sure that they get enough sleep to keep their energy levels up in the day.

► Be supportive and help alleviate their worries by talking to them.

► Be positive, help them put the whole thing into perspective. They can always take an exam again.

► Get them to check out the new ChildLine video, designed to help young people cope with anxiety, or look for tips and advice on the new ‘Beat Exam Stress’ hub on the ChildLine website.