More Music: Reimagining the Royal College of Music

Home , Byron Fulcher, Joseph Middleton, London Classical Players, National Opera Studio, Simon Halsey

The Magazine for the Royal College of MusicI Summer 2015

What’s inside... Welcome to upbeat... Providing exceptional facilities and high quality musical and professional training for its students has always been at the core of the Royal College of Contents Music’s work and ethos. That dedication has recently been recognised byThe Guardian which ranked the RCM first for music in the 2016 Guardian University 4 In the news League Table. You can read more about this fabulous news on page 6. The latest news from the RCM, including the annual visit of HRH Now, the RCM embarks on a new period of development which will rejuvenate The Prince of Wales, the winners the College and ensure the continued provision of outstanding facilities for of the Kathleen Ferrier Awards both students and the wider public. Renovation and redevelopment works will and information about the next provide two new performance spaces, a new interactive museum, more practice alumni reunion rooms and a new communal space. RCM Director Professor Colin Lawson tells us more about the plans on page 12. 10 In Pictures A photographic look through As usual, Upbeat brings you all the news from around the RCM, including the the changes and improvements recent visit of HRH The Prince of Wales for our annual awards ceremony, an that have been made to the RCM clean sweep at the Kathleen Ferrier Awards and the alumnae celebrated Royal College of Music estate on BBC Radio 3 for International Women’s Day. over the years Do you have any news you want to share with staff, students and supporters of the RCM? We’re always keen to hear from students and staff past and present, 12 More Music so if you have anything you’d like us to feature in the next issue of Upbeat, RCM Director Professor Colin please send your news and pictures to [email protected] by Monday 21 Lawson describes the exciting September. redevelopment plans ahead for the Royal College of Music NB: Please note that we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and that we reserve the right to edit submissions. 14 Meeting the supporters Upbeat meets legacy supporter and RCM Friend Paul Duffy

16 Student notes… Current student success stories

18 Staff notes… News from professorial, academic and administrative staff

20 Alumni notes… Updates from RCM graduates

22 Obituaries and births

The Royal College of Music welcomed prospective students and their families to Open Day on Upbeat online Wednesday 29 April for the chance to explore and experience all the RCM has to offer Upbeat is available to read online at www.rcm.ac.uk/upbeat Front cover – The Royal College of Music © Saul Peckham Please help us to reduce our carbon Inside front cover – Images from Vladimir Ashkenazy’s recent visit to conduct the RCM Symphony footprint and receive Upbeat by email. Orchestra on 12 and 13 March Contact us at [email protected] and Inside back cover – International marimba player She-e Wu rehearsing with RCM percussionists for the we’ll send you an email notification Music for Marimbas concert on 4 February All photography © Chris Christodoulou when Upbeat is published.

3 In the news...

Recent RCM graduate soprano Soraya RCM Clean Mafi won Second Prize, while the RCM Unveils Accompanist’s Award went to her Sweep at Kathleen performance partner Ian Tindale, a Transformative recent RCM Junior Fellow. In addition, Ferrier Awards RCM countertenor Timothy Morgan Development was presented with the Junior Ferrier All major prizes at the 2015 Kathleen Prize Bursary he won earlier this year. Plans Ferrier Awards have been won by current students or recent graduates of The Kathleen Ferrier Memorial the Royal College of Music. Scholarship Fund’s annual competition offers the chance RCM soprano Gemma Lois for young professional singers to Summerfield was named winner of compete for cash prizes and instant the prestigious competition’s First international recognition. The First Prize and Song Prize. In the final, Prize of £12,500, Second Prize of which took place on Friday 24 April £6,000 and Song Prize of £5,000 are at London’s Wigmore Hall, Gemma sponsored in perpetuity by Mark and gave an outstanding performance Liza Loveday, and the Accompanist’s of songs by Sibelius, Mendelssohn, Award is provided by Help Musicians Duparc and Copland as well as an UK in memory of Arthur and Gwyneth aria from Nicolai’s The Merry Wives Harrison. of Windsor, accompanied by RCM alumnus Sebastian Wybrew.

Artist impression On 15 April, the Royal College of Music announced plans to transform its building in the heart of London’s South Kensington. The RCM site will be reimagined by renowned architect John Simpson and planning permission is being sought for a two- year programme of works to start in 2016. The £25 million redevelopment is a significant investment in professional music education in the UK and the reconfiguration of the RCM will benefit both students and visitors to the iconic building. HRH The Prince of Wales has agreed to be Patron of the RCM’s ‘More Music’ campaign to fund the building development. RCM Director Professor Colin Lawson explains how the new building will transform both the student and visitor experience on page 12. Further information can be Left to right: Gemma Lois Summerfield, Ian Tindale and Soraya Mafi found at www.rcm.ac.uk/moremusic Photo © Robert Piwko reproduced by kind permission of the Ferrier Awards Ferrier of the permission by kind reproduced © Robert Piwko Photo

4 The President’s Visit 2015

His Royal Highness The Prince of Honorary Membership of the Royal recent graduates: violinist Agata Wales honoured a number of College of Music was presented to Daraskaite received the Queen outstanding figures in international six individuals in recognition of their Elizabeth The Queen Mother musical life at the Royal College of outstanding contribution to music Rosebowl and saxophonist Amy Music’s Annual Awards Ceremony on and to the RCM: Chief Executive of Green and double bassist Rodrigo Thursday 12 March. the Royal Albert Hall Chris Cotton, Moro Martín were both awarded BAFTA winning stage and film the Tagore Gold Medal. They all also Those honoured included renowned actor Edward Fox, eminent music critic performed at the ceremony. conductor and pianist Vladimir and academic Ivan Hewitt, RCM Head Ashkenazy and acclaimed lyric of Keyboard Technical Services Chris The President’s Award was presented to soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who Moulton, early music pioneer Jane composer Arne Gieshoff, whose works both received their Honorary Doctorate Ryan and philanthropist Ruth West. have been performed by, amongst others, the BBC Scottish Symphony, from HRH The Prince of Wales, the On receipt of the Honorary Doctorate, Philharmonia, London Philharmonic President of the RCM. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa said: ‘I am and Royal Scottish National Orchestras Fellowship of the Royal College of Music delighted and thrilled to be honoured and have been broadcast on BBC Radio (FRCM) was conferred upon acclaimed in this way by the Royal College of 3. His new work Fanfare was performed oboe player John Anderson, renowned Music, especially as the honour is being at the ceremony. conferred by HRH The Prince of Wales soprano and RCM professor Janis Kelly, himself.’ Vladimir Ashkenazy said: ‘It is a Professor Colin Lawson, Director of Chairman of the British Association tremendous honour on this truly special the RCM, said: ‘I am delighted that the for Performing Arts Medicine Richard and memorable occasion to be awarded Royal College of Music has honoured this Price, celebrated British tenor Toby the degree of Honorary Doctor of Music diverse array of eminent musicians and Spence, renowned scholar and of the Royal College of Music.’ RCM supporters, in recognition of the performer Robin Stowell and Chair of contribution they have made, not to only the Mills Williams Foundation Nigel His Royal Highness also presented the Royal College of Music, but also to Woolner. awards to the RCM’s most exceptional musical life in this country and beyond.’

5 In the news...

Simon Halsey studied conducting at RCM Ranked Queen’s Medal for the RCM, and has since made a name for himself as a renowned conductor of Top for Music Simon Halsey choral repertoire and an ambassador for choral singing across the world. He Royal College of Music alumnus Simon The Royal College of Music has been has been Chorus Director of the City Halsey has been awarded The Queen’s ranked first in the 2016 Guardian of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Medal for Music 2014. University League Table for music, and Choruses for over 30 years and, in is the only institution in the music The prize is awarded to an outstanding 2012, was appointed Choral Director league table to score a full 100 marks individual or group of musicians who of the London Symphony Orchestra in the overall ranking. The RCM’s have had a major influence on the and Chorus Director of the London career score was also the highest in musical life of the nation. Simon was Symphony Chorus. the table – with 97% of graduates presented with the award by HM The finding graduate-level jobs, or Simon is the tenth recipient of the Queen at a reception at Buckingham award and follows in the footsteps of studying further, within six months of Palace on Wednesday 11 March, graduation – and a top rating of 10/10 fellow RCM alumnus Sir Thomas Allen, following a performance by the London who was awarded the medal last year. was given for the RCM’s individual Symphony Orchestra. investment in each student. The Guardian’s university guide states, ‘Students at London’s Royal College of Music have no excuse not to feel inspired’, praising the RCM’s location, ‘top-notch’ facilities and care in preparing students for viable careers in the music industry. Professor Colin Lawson, Director of the RCM, commented : ‘The RCM continues to be a natural first choice for talented students from around the world and I am delighted that the 2016 Guardian University League Table confirms our position as the UK’s leading institution for music education.’ Photo © Kevin Leighton © Kevin Photo

stage area and a virtual reality audience, the simulator shows that musicians RCM Simulator at and is supported by the Peter Sowerby who are given repeated exposure to Foundation, helps manage the stress of realistic performance situations can Imperial Festival performing in front of large groups by more effectively manage the stresses of recreating the conditions of a concert performing and the demands of their A pop-up version of the Royal College of hall or audition. audiences.’ Music’s ground-breaking performance simulator has featured at Imperial Professor Aaron Williamon, RCM The Imperial Festival has grown from College London’s annual May Festival. Head of Performance Science, said: a pilot project in 2012 to a large- ‘Stage fright is a very real problem, scale prominent annual fixture with Developed by the RCM’s Centre for not just for musicians but for anyone thousands flocking to South Kensington Performance Science, the simulator, who is required to perform in front to enjoy a range of workshops, tours, which features an on-stage and back- of an audience […] Our work with talks and performances.

6 Royal Over-Seas RCM Digital Technology Showcased Success on BBC Radio 4 RCM musicians have won prizes at the coveted 2015 Royal Over-Seas League Competition.

Soprano and recent graduate Soraya Mafiwon First Prize in the Singers’ Section, accompanied by Ian Tindale, while RCM harpist Juliana Myslov triumphed in the String Section. Both were awarded prizes of £5,000.

The Ensembles A and B Sections were both won by RCM alumni: the Jackson Bielby Duo (violinist Martyn Jackson and violist Annie Bielby), and the Ferio Saxophone Quartet (Huw Wiggin, Ellie McMurray, Jose Manuel Banuls and Shevaughan Beere) respectively. Both groups were awarded £10,000. Violinist Matouš Pěruška in Prague performing with pianist Alison Rhind at the RCM

Winners of the solo awards competed in via 4K Gateway technology during NPAPW 2015 Ubik © Sven Photo the ROSL Competition Final which was The Royal College of Music’s innovative leading innovators in the use of high- held on 1 June at Queen Elizabeth Hall. use of digital technology has been speed global networks, connecting The evening also included performances highlighted on BBC Radio 4. student musicians with professors, by winners of the ROSL Ensemble Prizes. researchers and collaborators around RCM Head of Studios Matt Parkin and the world in real time. Research Fellow in Performance Science Dr Tania Lisboa appeared on the Recent events at the RCM utilising channel’s Arts Technologica programme new digital technologies include a to talk about how the use of the high- three-day international conference speed JANET network is changing the on specialist streaming technologies way music is taught, rehearsed and and an experimental student-led performed at the RCM. performance which intertwined music, theatre, dance and computer-generated In recent years, the RCM has graphics with three live link-ups with established itself as one of the UK’s Barcelona, Helsinki and Edinburgh.

can also follow a pre-designed tour New Museum route of the RCM Museum of Music which highlights key items and Audio Guide automatically displays information as The RCM Museum of Music has new locations are reached. launched an exciting new interactive Developed in partnership with the audio guide to help visitors explore the Department of Computer Science at treasures on display. University College London, the guide The specially commissioned tablet- has been supported by funding from based app uses Bluetooth-based Arts Council England’s Share Academy ‘beacons’ throughout the museum, programme and Tania Chislett, RCM allowing visitors to automatically access Patron and museum volunteer. information about nearby artefacts. There are ten tablets available for The guide incorporates a range of visitors to use, all of which include material, including written descriptions, assistive text-to-speech technology audio commentary, images and musical for the visually impaired. The RCM excerpts, and it can be updated as Museum of Music is open Tuesday to Juliana Myslov exhibitions change or develop. Visitors Friday, 11.30am to 4.30pm.

7 In the news...

eclectic new ensemble and compose a BBC and the Proms new piece. Finally, hands-on workshops Four RCM for children aged six to nine offer the This summer the RCM once again plays chance to delve deeper into the music at Singers Join a big part in the BBC Proms, the world’s the Proms. greatest classical music festival. For more information about the RCM the National Almost every Prom will be preceded by a Sparks Summer Music programme please Proms Extra event in the RCM’s Amaryllis visit www.rcm.ac.uk/summermusic Opera Studio Fleming Concert Hall. The RCM will also be hosting Katie Derham and a selection of Proms stars for the weekly magazine programme aired on Saturdays on BBC Two, recorded in the RCM’s Parry Rooms. In addition, RCM Sparks Summer Music runs alongside the BBC Proms season and offers a range of events for participants of all ages and levels of ability. This year the series includes fun family workshops and an exciting three- day course for young people aged 10 to 12. For teenagers, a five-day composition

course sees participants create an Burnett © Sheila Photo

recitals, one at Boconnoc House on 21 Arcos Quartet July and the second in the estate’s 14th- Wins Boconnoc century parish church on 23 July. The award was established in 2012 Award thanks to the generosity of Boconnoc owners Anthony and Elizabeth The Arcos Quartet has been named Fortescue. The prize constitutes as the recipient of the fourth annual a week’s residency on the estate, Boconnoc Award. Four singers from the RCM providing a valuable opportunity for International Opera School have been Comprising RCM violinists David the musicians to work intensively on offered places at the National Opera Lopez and Laia Valentin Braun, violist repertoire and technique in a private Studio (NOS) for 2015/16. Ana Teresa Alves and cellist Juliette and unique environment. To find out Giovacchini, the ensemble will be in more about Boconnoc and the Arcos Current RCM singers soprano He Wu residence at Boconnoc in Cornwall for Quartet, and for tickets, please visit (pictured), mezzo soprano Angela a week in July. They will present two www.boconnoc.com Simkin and tenor Gyula Rab, alongside recent graduate tenor William Morgan, have all been selected for the NOS programme by the UK’s leading opera companies from hundreds of applicants. He Wu, Angela Simkin and Gyula Rab all recently starred in the RCM International Opera School’s 2014 production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and the 2015 London Handel Festival and RCMIOS production of Giove in Argo. The National Opera Studio provides professional training of the highest quality for singers and repetiteurs who have the potential to become the leading artists of their generation. RCM alumni who have trained at NOS include Gerald Finley, Jennifer Johnston, Alfie Boe and Susan Left to right: Laia Valentin Braun, Juliette Giovacchini, Ana Teresa Alves and David Lopez McCulloch.

8 his 1974 work Five for solo guitar will RCM Alumnae Celebrating be showcased in a special chamber concert in the Britten Theatre. Celebrated on Humphrey Searle For further details visit www.rcm.ac.uk/events This year the Royal College of Music is International celebrating the centenary of alumnus In memory of Humphrey, the estate of and former composition professor his wife, the late Fiona Searle, supports Women’s Day Humphrey Searle, widely recognised as composition scholarships and prizes The work of several RCM alumnae one of Britain’s pioneers of serial music. at the Royal College of Music, and has been featured on BBC Radio 3’s this year we’re delighted to award To mark 100 years since his birth, the International Women’s Day an exceptional three scholarships to celebrations on Sunday 8 March. RCM will be performing a selection Andrew Churchill, Andrew Howes of Humphrey’s works this autumn. and Nicholas Moroz, and two bursaries In a day of programming dedicated One particularly delightful piece is his to RCM Junior Department students entirely to music written and chosen by setting of T S Elliot’s Practical Cats. Siobhan Connellan and Alexander women, the station celebrated the A cat-lover himself, Searle’s playful Walton-Keeffe. talents and creativity of women who ‘Cat Variations’ are based on a theme have written music throughout the from Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf We look forward to celebrating centuries, as well as championing the and will be performed on Wednesday Humphrey Searle’s music in upcoming next generation of female composers. 2 December. Earlier in the season, months. Rebecca Clarke’s music was featured alongside works by Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann in a coffee concert, which included performances by RCM alumna and BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Kitty Whately. Other highlights of the day included a special broadcast of Private Passions with former RCM Junior Fellow Anna Meredith, and the world premiere of a new collection of piano miniatures written and performed by British pianist Grace Francis. In the week following International Women’s Day, five young female composers – including RCM alumnae Charlotte Bray and Hannah Kendall – were interviewed for Composer of the Week, discussing life as a female Humphrey Searle outside Buckingham Palace with his mother and wife after receiving a CBE in 1968 composer today.

tours of the College, including the RCM Alumni RCM Museum of Music, Library and Britten Theatre. The opportunity to re- Reunion: trace your steps along corridors in the Blomfield Building will bring memories 1956–1965 flooding back! Following a very successful alumni More than half of the tickets for the reunion in March, we’re delighted to September reunion have already been announce the next reunion will be sold and space is limited, so please held on Sunday 20 September 2015 contact Rachel Bowden, Friends & (12.00pm – 4.00pm) for those who Alumni Assistant, on 020 7591 4331 attended the RCM between 1956 to secure your place. Please also check and 1965. with your contemporaries and ask them to contact the RCM if they wish The afternoon will include an to attend. Information and a booking introduction talk from RCM Director form, as well as a selection of images Professor Colin Lawson, lunch in the On 31 March 2015, 75 alumni and friends who from previous reunions, can be found attended the RCM between 1930 and 1955, were Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall and at www.rcm.ac.uk/alumni reunited in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall

9 The Royal College of Music Estate in Pictures

For more than 130 years, the Royal College of Music has adapted and improved in order to continuously provide excellent facilities and a welcoming atmosphere for its students and for the general public.

1883 - The Royal College of Music opens beside the Royal Albert 1894 - The RCM’s iconic Blomfield Building opens on Prince Hall in what later becomes the Royal College of Organists. Consort Road.

1967 - The RCM becomes the first educational institution in the 1986 - HM The Queen opens the Britten Theatre following an UK to have its own electronic studios. appeal led by HRH The Prince of Wales.

10 1901 - The newly-completed Concert Hall is opened with a 1965 - The South Building is inaugurated by Her Royal Highness gala concert. The Queen Mother.

2006 - The refurbished suite of Parry Rooms opens at the top of 2015 - The newly rebuilt hall of residence, Prince Consort Village, the Blomfield Building will open.

Turn the page to read about the next chapter in the life of the Royal College of Music..

11 More Music: Reimagining the RCM

Artist impression

The Royal College of Music which English musicians might resort with confidence, and thence derive is embarking on an exciting instruction, counsel and inspiration.’ period of development, The provision of scholarships was immediately an integral part of widening improving and adding to its access – and the press was quick to note that the initial intake of RCM students current facilities. Here, RCM included ‘a mill-girl, the daughter of a Director Professor Colin bricklayer, the son of a blacksmith, and Lawson sets out the plans the son of a farm labourer.’ and explains how they will Within a dozen years the RCM had moved into its present iconic building further the values and ethos near to the Royal Albert Hall and a number of benefactors had laid the of the College. foundations for its unique collections of manuscripts and historic instruments. The Royal College of Music is launching Founding Principles a £25m transformation of its estate, The roster of RCM students in When the Prince of Wales founded the a significant contribution to musical succeeding years is literally a Who’s Who education in our lifetime. This RCM in 1882, he was fiercely ambitious of British music, including composers development will make it possible for for the new institution and sowed Benjamin Britten, Frank Bridge, Gustav us to maintain our commitment to the seeds for the College’s remarkable Holst, Herbert Howells, John Ireland, the highest standards of excellence in subsequent success. He demanded Sir Michael Tippett, Ralph Vaughan training young musicians for generations from the RCM nothing less than the Williams and Mark-Anthony Turnage, to come, securing our prime position in ‘encouragement and promotion of the as well as eminent performers such as the international market for talent and cultivation of music as an art throughout Dame Joan Sutherland, Sir Colin Davis, contributing to London’s position as the the world.’ As he himself said, there John Lill, Sir Thomas Allen and Sir James cultural capital of the world. was at that time ‘no centre of music to Galway, to name but a few. Outside the

12 realms of classical music, alumni Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rick Wakeman and Oscar winner Anne Dudley are among those who can trace their formative influences to the RCM. Current Provision Over the last generation or so the Royal College of Music has been a trailblazer in developing a subtle blend of education and training that provides an exceptionally rich student experience, making it a natural first choice for young musicians from around the globe. More than half of our current 800 students are British and the cohort as a whole numbers almost 60 nationalities, providing the ideal foundation for a stimulating learning and teaching environment. Study at the RCM is centred upon one- to-one tuition, supplemented by an annual programme of over 300 concerts, masterclasses and opera productions, bringing to the College a dazzling array Artist impression of visiting musicians throughout the year (see www.rcm.ac.uk/events for current highlights). to ensure that our activities take place • a new communal space to provide a in fitting surroundings. A programme breakout area, a restaurant area and We offer specialist career advice for of refurbishment of the original spaces theatre bar for visitors and students students, together with professional within the main building was crowned alike. support in such essential areas as health in 2008/09 by a £5m refurbishment and and well-being. Entrepreneurship and an transformation of the glorious Amaryllis The architect John Simpson has appreciation of both the art and craft of Fleming Concert Hall, arguably one of produced a scheme that extends being a musician are at the heart of the the finest of its size in the world. Yet the language of the RCM’s existing curriculum. Unsurprisingly, employment since the addition of the superb Britten architecture and will have a radical effect prospects for RCM graduates remain Theatre in 1986, there have been no on circulation around the campus. reassuringly high. physical additions to the RCM estate, The ambitions of 1882 remain as vivid as The Present Estate despite a recent radical increase in ever; we want everyone who has contact student numbers. The RCM’s characterful Victorian with the RCM to be transformed by the experience and to feel that they have building is an important part of its Future Plans developed an extra dimension in their heritage and continues to be much By clearing some existing 1960s and relationship with music. The RCM prides loved by today’s generation of students, 1970s buildings which have come to itself on providing a uniquely enriching staff and audiences. Yet its monumental the end of their useful lives, we have learning environment, and not just qualities belie the pulsating, vigorous identified a site of some 2,300 square for our own students. We emphasize institution within its walls, which is far metres within the main campus on the inspirational aspect of musical from reactionary or stuffy. which to build new facilities. experience that transforms it from Indeed, the RCM is immersed in excellent to exceptional, from enjoyable These will comprise: contemporary culture and has embraced to life-changing. • two new state-of-the-art performance the technological age with enthusiasm As we embark on this new development spaces of 150 and 90 seats respectively, and appropriate expertise. Concerts, project, the Royal College of Music reflecting high contemporary standards masterclasses and graduation ceremonies is closer to its founding ethos, values of acoustic quality, sound insulation are routinely streamed on our YouTube and principles than it has ever been, in channel (www.youtube.com/ and lighting, with recording and addressing its weighty responsibilities rcmlondon), while teaching takes place broadcasting capability to the national and international on digital platforms in collaboration with • an interactive museum to showcase community. some of our many international partners, the collections of the RCM, for both for example in the USA and the Far East. the College community and the wider Find out more at We must now face the challenge of public www.rcm.ac.uk/moremusic bringing our estate up to date, in order • additional practice rooms

13 Meeting the supporters...

Due to a lack of music education in a Theatre every year. That was the first lot of schools many children grow up thing I saw at the College. I wondered without any knowledge or awareness of what else went on there so I took an classical music, which is very sad. So, I interest and joined the Friends. I was just wanted to raise awareness and meet really delighted at what I found. other people in Mensa who shared my interests. What do you like about being a Friend of the RCM? Do you feel that institutions like the The feeling that I’m supporting it and RCM are vital for the future of music that young people will be enabled to in Britain? study there who perhaps wouldn’t Yes, very much so. I did do some from their own resources – that we are promotional work years ago for the creating a different stream of income rock music industry, for a group that which is helping. And I enjoy very much my brother started – The Stranglers. We the performances I go to. didn’t have musical parents and neither of us had a proper music education What would you say to anyone else which I always regretted. He went that who’s thinking about coming to way and I went the other way because something at the College or my best friends at school were pianists. becoming an RCM Friend? I did try to play violin and even played I’d say it was a very good thing to do, and, second violin in an orchestra in Hong in fact, of the Mensa group I’ve brought Paul Duffy Kong but compared my performance to the College, I think at least 9 or 10 of unfavourably with that of fellow them have become Friends in the last Paul Duffy has been an RCM members of that orchestra. few months. That’s a very satisfactory result, I think. Friend since 1992 and has included I would like music education to be more the College in his will. As a member widely available and so I’m doing my of Mensa, Paul arranges regular little bit to try and help the RCM. I think For more information about becoming group trips to RCM International it’s very important that institutions like an RCM Friend or legacy supporter, visit the College exist and thrive. www.rcm.ac.uk/support Opera School productions for members of the society. What has been your favourite production that you’ve attended? You regularly bring large parties of Well, I go back so far it’s hard to say. I still Welcome to New people from Mensa to the RCM think warmly of The Fair at Sorochintsi Friends and opera productions, don’t you? conducted by Gennady Rozhdestvensky Supporters Yes, for The Magic Flute, I brought 64. Our and produced by Keith Warner in the mid-1990s. Some of the Mozart party was 38 for La gazzetta, and a similar We are delighted to welcome the number for the Ravel double bill. Those productions in recent years have been following people who have recently events were so successful that I have very well sung and benefited from decided to go on to national advertising simple but beautiful stage design and made their first donation to the RCM lighting. And this is one of the things within Mensa, which we’re doing for Mr Tony Barnfield that’s so refreshing about student opera Albert Herring [in July]. Mrs Sabine Betts productions: generally speaking, they try Mr Philip Boswell I joined Mensa a long time ago and to stick to the creator’s intentions Mrs Julie Cooper actually allowed my membership to lapse because I couldn’t find enough activities You’re also a legacy supporter of the Sir Anthony and Lady Mayella Figgis that interested me at the time. And then, RCM. Why did you decide to do Mrs Felicity Foster 20 years later, they wrote to me and said that? Mr Lewis Graham ‘Mensa’s much better now, why don’t I would like some of the modest amount Mr Anthony and Mrs Ursula Hamilton you rejoin’, so I did. What I found was a of wealth that I’ve created to be of real Dr John Hart lack of cultural events and I thought that lasting benefit to the world. Proper music Mrs Denise Holle was a major gap. I thought that members education is something that I didn’t have Mr Campbell Hughes should regularly have opportunities to go and would have enjoyed enormously if Ms Sophie Hussey to concerts and opera. I had. It’s one of the great regrets of my Ms Ruth Keattch life. Ms Mavis Masters Classical music has always been a passion Mr David Mccord of mine from childhood and it was an When did you first encounter the Mrs Josephine Milton experiment to see how successful it Royal College of Music? would be to organise these events for Ms Caroline Newton I think I discovered the Royal College of Mrs Ann Osbourne Mensa members, and I’ve proved that it Music by accident. I became interested Mrs Mary Ryan can be. in the London Handel Society which does a Handel opera at the RCM’s Britten Mr David Wilson

14 Supporting the future of music...

Music has the power to transform lives. Thanks The Tait Trust Scholarship Mary Godwin to the generosity of our supporters, generations The Radcliffe Trust Carol J Hagh of gifted students from around the world have Rev Lyndon van der Pump FRCM and Edward Ms Greta Hemus been guided and inspired at the RCM. We would Brooks FRCM John and Sue Heywood like to thank in particular those who have made Edgar Tom and Hilda May Cook Mr David James donations of £1,000 or more in the last 12 The Rothschild Foundation Mr David Lewis months. Gifts are listed in descending order. Douglas and Kyra Downie Knights of the Round Table Barbara Simmonds Supporters of named scholarships, bursaries and The Abinger Hammer Award Betty Sutherland Junior Fellowships Louisa Treger The Estate of Basil Coleman Mark Loveday Scholarship Music Talks Scholarship Dr Yvonne Winkler The Estate of Christopher Hogwood Mr Victor and Mrs Lilian Hochhauser FRCM Soirée d’Or Scholarships Miss Ianthe Williams Award The Estate of Ivor Charles Treby Arthur Wilson Trombone Award Sir Peter and Lady Gershon ABRSM Else and Leonard Cross Charitable Trust Sarah Griffin Leverhulme Trust Yehudi Menuhin Award Mr William and Mrs AnnaMarie Hill Future of Russia Foundation Bell Percussion Mrs Yannick Mango Philip Loubser Foundation Kirby Laing Foundation Sir David Lees The John and Marjorie Coultate Scholarship The Bliss Trust Sir Richard and Lady Sykes Mr James McAlinden Legacy Estate of Roselyn Ann Clifton Parker Mr David Mildon The Big Give Trust Norman Reintamm Peter Granger Robin Hambro Laurie Barry and the John Barry Scholarship for Charles and Dominique Lubar Film Composition Supporters of RCM Sparks Mrs Marcella Rossi Estate of Dr John Birch FRCM J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust MarieNoelle and Mathias Gislev The Wolfson Foundation Royal Albert Hall H R Taylor Trust John Lyon’s Charity Corporate Supporters H F Music Awards Universal Music Campus Living Villages The Richard Carne Charitable Trust The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust M&G Investments Andrew and Karen Sunnucks The Oldhurst Trust Niquesa Fine Jewellery and Hotels Thomas Redford Legacy Sykes & Son John Lewis Partnership Scholarships+ GlaxoSmithKline Charles Napper Award Members of the RCM Chairman’s Circle Royal Garden Hotel Lydia Napper Award Philip Carne MBE, HonRCM and Christine Carne* RLM Finsbury Hester Laverne Award Michael and Ruth West* BAE Systems Croucher Hong Kong Charitable Trust Linda Hill HonRCM and Tony Hill Hatch Mansfield The Tsukanov Family Foundation Denis and Meredith Coleman+ Little Greene Richard and Rosemary Millar John and Catherine Armitage* The Worshipful Company of Musicians Jane Barker CBE* Other generous donors Humphrey Searle Scholarship Dasha Shenkman OBE, HonRCM* RBC Trust Company Ltd The Polonsky Foundation Sir Roger and Lady Carr HonRCM* The Peter Sowerby Foundation Gylla Godwin Award Karina and Dhairya Choudhrie+* Georg and Emily von Opel Foundation+ The Reed Foundation Guy Dawson and Sam Horscroft+ Geoffrey RichardsHonRCM Opperby Stokowski Collection Trust Gisela Gledhill* The Robert Fleming Hannay Memorial Charity The Lee Abbey Award Terry Hitchcock* Bob and Sarah Wigley James and Clare Kirkman* Stephen Catto Memorial Scholarship The Henry Wood Trust The Worshipful Company of Drapers Dr Mark Levesley and Christina Hoseason* John Nickson and Simon Rew* Karen Cook The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers The Hon Richard Lyttelton Lord and Lady Lurgan Trust Penelope, Lady Sitwell Sir Gordon Palmer Scholarship Sylvia and Clive Richards* Heritage Lottery Fund Ian Stoutzker CBE FRCM Quentin Williams* The Rothschild Foundation Ian and Meriel Tegner Victoria Robey OBE* The Seary Charitable Trust Linda Beeley Alethea Siow and Jeremy Furniss* St Marylebone Educational Foundation H.M.D. Meyer Violin Prize Members of the RCM Director’s Circle John Hosier Music Trust Emma Rose Scholarship Daniel Chapchal Roland Rudd Williams Rose Scholarship Mr James Lancaster and Mrs Margaret Lancaster Miss Kathleen Beryl Sleigh Charitable Trust The Charles Stewart Richardson Scholarship for Sir Peter and Lady Middleton FRCM The Sharp Foundation Composition Judy and Terence Mowschenson Christopher Saul The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation UK Vivien McLean Sian Westerman Henri Cowell Soirée d’Or Scholarship Tania Chislett The Boltini Trust Scholarship Natalie Livingstone Charles and Kaaren Hale The Leche Trust Gilbert and Eileen Edgar Junior Fellowship Helen Chung-Halpern and Abel Halpern Phoebe Benham Junior Fellowship Fidelio Trust The Vernon Ellis Foundation Professor Colin Lawson FRCM The Mills Williams Foundation Richard and Sue Price The Derek Butler Trust Peter and Dimity Spiller Ofenheim Charitable Trust The Charles Peel Charitable Trust Roland Saam Ann Driver Trust The Ackroyd Trust Joanna Kaye+ Edward Mandel/Jaques Samuel Pianos Bursary The Wall Trust Sir Sydney and Lady Lipworth The Derek Hill Foundation Midori Nishiura Scholarship Anne Wadsworth OBE+ Friends of the National Libraries The Richard Toeman/Weinberger Opera Scholarship Sir Robert and Lady Wilson Stephen Von Bismarck Carole and Geoffrey Lindey Sudhir Choudhrie The Estate of Clara Mary Field Reid Members of the RCM Patrons’ Circle Amaryllis Fleming Scholarship John Ward Clore Duffield Foundation The Wyseliot Charitable Trust Russell Race* Richard Everard The Stanley Picker Scholarship Jane Wilson Mr Douglas Flint Professor Lord Winston Mrs Piffa Schroder Mitie South Square Trust Ellen Moloney Paige Nelson Lark Insurance Scholarship Rhoddy Voremberg Dorothy Sayers Fiona and Douglas Flint Soirée d’Or Scholarship Dimity and Kerry Rubie Michael D Steen Steinway & Sons Mrs Victoria Moore-Gillon Sir David Tang Mason Scholarship David and Sue Lewis William Tilden The Gary & Eleanor Brass Scholarship Mrs Isla Baring* Betty Brenner Scholarship Halina and John Bennett The JMC Award Lorna and Christopher Bown * also support a named award The Robin Ritzema Scholarship Mrs Lorraine Buckland + also support RCM Sparks The Howard and Abbey Milstein Foundation Ms Sylvia Bettermann Nathenson For more information about supporting the RCM, David Laing Foundation Scholarship Mr Peter and Mrs Tessa Ettedgui visit www.rcm.ac.uk/supportus The Greenbank Scholarship Mr Kenneth and Mrs Lillemor Gardener Alternatively, contact Fiona Rose on Independent Opera Artist Scholarship Sir Anthony Cleaver FRCM and Lady Cleaver 020 7591 4321 or [email protected]

15 Student notes notes

Mezzo soprano Maria Ostroukhova String Successes Vocal Awards has won Second Prize in the London Handel Festival Singing Competition at St George’s, Hanover Square. Soprano Sarah Hayashi also reached the finals of the competition… Baritone Huw Montague Rendall has won the Brooks- van der Pump English Song Competition Final 2015 and the Dunraven Welsh Young Singer of the Year Competition… Soprano Josephine Goddard has received a Licette Award at the 2015 Maggie Teyte Singing Competition. Keyboard Accomplishments Pianist Claire Harris has won the Help Musicians UK Accompanist Prize Jamal Aliyev Galina Averina at the 2015 Maggie Teyte Singing Competition… Alexander Krichel has been invited to perform Rachmaninov’s Cellist Jamal Aliyev has won First Soprano Galina Averina has won both Prize at the Bromsgrove International the Sexto Premio and the Audience Prize Piano Concerto no 2 in Tokyo with the Young Musicians Competition 2015, at the Francisco Viñas Competition at Tokyo Symphony Orchestra on 5 July, after performing a varied programme the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona… followed by a solo recital in Oji Hall on 7 July. His fourth CD, a live recording with including music by Schubert, Bass baritone Simon Shibambu has won Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and both the First Prize and the Audience the Dresden Philharmonic under Michael Sanderling for Sony Classical, will be Rachmaninov…Violinist Yume Fujise Prize at the Clonter Opera Singing released in August. has won Second Prize at the EuroAsia Competition… Soprano Natasha Day International Competition… Violinist has won Second Prize at the Filharmonia Nadine Galea has been announced as a Częstochowska Singing Competition and Concordia Foundation Artist… Violinist has been awarded the opportunity to Laura Ayoub has won The Big Music perform in two orchestral concerts… Project Competition as one half of the Soprano Marie Jaermann and her Ayoub Sisters. Laura and her sister Sarah Baroque ensemble AbChordis have won performed Danse Macabre at the final First Prize at the Göttingen International held at indigo at The O2 to win the Händel Festspiele Competition. The Classical Upper Age category. Their prize ensemble was subsequently invited to includes the opportunity to perform at perform at the festival in May, and Marie Classic FM Live later this year… Violinist was offered an extra concert with the Cécile Galy has won Second Prize at the FestspielEnsemble Göttingen… Baritone Concours International Léopold Bellan Timothy Nelson has won joint First in Paris. Prize in the Bruce Millar Gulliver Prize singing competition held in Glasgow.

Alexander Krichel

Pianist Theresa Yu will be taking part in the Young Musicians Festival in Montville, Australia, in July. The annual festival highlights international artists and young Australian talent… Nikita Abrosimov, Dinara Klinton, Alexander Ullman and Natalia Sokolovskaya have all performed at the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow… Pianist Luka Okrostsvaridze has been chosen by the Tillett Trust for its Young Artists’ Platform scheme, which includes the opportunity to perform a recital at Cécile Galy Timothy Nelson London’s Wigmore Hall in December.

16 Woodwind Spotlight on… Triumphs Brother and sister David and Kristina Hedley, oboe and bassoon respectively, have given a recital at St George’s United Reformed Church in Morpeth. The programme included music by Saint-Saëns, Schumann, Telemann and Nielson… Saxophonist Philip Attard has been chosen for the Tillett Trust Young Artists’ Platform scheme, which includes Several RCM musicians have taken Laurence Long the opportunity to perform at London’s part in Musical Odyssey International Wigmore Hall in December. Masterclasses in Greece where they won recital opportunities. Laurence Long has been appointed the Dr John Birch Organ Scholar at Brass Accolades Tenor Gyula Rab won the Aspect All Saints Margaret Street, London, Foundation Prize and has performed at Leighton House, baritone from September 2015. John Birch was The RCM Trombone Ensemble (Ryan Timothy won the Concordia Professor of Organ at the RCM for Hume, Jonathan Hollick, Thomas Connor Foundation Prize and has performed nearly 40 years (1959-1997), and also Barton, Dominic Hales, David Pitts, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, soprano Organist at All Saints Margaret Street Robert Moseley, Gregory Huff, James Natasha Day will perform at the from 1953 to 1958… Pietro Gatto, Alexander and James Maund), directed by trombone professor Byron Fulcher, Young Virtuosi Festival in France Vitaly Pisarenko, Tamila Salimdjanova, in July and pianist Tony Falone has Samson Tsoy and Alexander Ullman has been awarded ‘runner up’ in the prestigious Emory Remington Trombone given a lunchtime recital at the City have secured places at the Leeds Literary Institute. International Piano Competition in Choir Competition for 2015. This is August… Pianist Hamish Brown has the highest position achieved by any won the Accompanist Award at the British group since the competition Brooks-van der Pump English Song started in 1971… French horn player Competition Final 2015… Dinara Ana Feijao will perform as part of the Klinton, Tamila Salimdjanova, Hin- Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa during the Yat Tsang and Alexander Ullman have Young Euro Classic Festival at the Berlin all been selected to take part in the Konzerthaus on 12 August. 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition final in Warsaw in Composition October… Pianist Victor Maslov has Ben Goldscheider been awarded Second Prize at the Astana Piano Passion International Competition Congratulations of Young Pianists in Kazakhstan. He was Composer Ross Koopmans has RCM Junior also awarded the Denis Matsuev Prize written the score for the winning and the Prize of Astana Opera, both of documentary film in the Premio Firouz Department which offer concert opportunities… Galdo competition, run by the National Pianist Chi-Hoi Cheung has won the Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome… Achievements Appelbe Piano Prize at the North Christopher Schlechte-Bond has London Piano Festival. taken part in the ‘And So Forth’ song French horn player Ben Goldscheider cycle project. Christopher worked has reached the final round of the with librettist and RCM alumna Laura BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award 2015. Attridge and professional singers to Ben is also horn section leader in the perform a cycle of songs at St James’s National Youth Orchestra, of which 21 Church, Sussex Gardens, on 4 June. other RCMJD musicians are members this year, including orchestra leader Stephanie Childress, and section leaders Athena Hawksley-Walker (second violin) and William Barnes-McCallum (trombone)… RCMJD French horn player Joel Ashford has been accepted onto the European Union Youth Orchestra 2015 Leverhulme Summer School… RCMJD violinist Shoshanah Sievers has performed in the Bramley & Little Chi-Hoi Cheung Christopher Schlechte-Bond London Festival in June.

17 Staff notes

Violin professor Madeleine Mitchell will be teaching at this year’s Dartington International Summer School and Languages & Music for Life courses in Wales and France, and will be a judge at the Third International Western Strings Competition in Guangzhou in August. She recently performed in Victoria Hall Singapore, Wigmore Hall and on BBC Radio 3 with piano professor Nigel Clayton, and at chamber concerts at the Arnold Schoenberg Centre in Vienna and Milton Court at the Barbican. Cello professor Alice Neary has given a recital with her father, organist Martin Professor Ashley Solomon conducted students from NAFA in Singapore Neary, at St Peter’s Church in St Albans. The concert included works for cello and organ by Saint-Saëns, as well as music for Head of Historical Performance Head of Studios Matt Parkin has solo cello by Britten. Professor Ashley Solomon has travelled worked as a recording engineer on to the USA to give masterclasses and Purcell’s Revenge: Sweeter Than Roses? The Research Fellow in Performance Science a concert at Penn State University new album from Concerto Caledonia and Head of the Dr Tania Lisboa with members of RCM Ensemble in (Delphian Records) was recorded in the Centre for Performance Science Aaron Association Florilegium. The tour also Britten Studio at Snape Maltings and have, in collaboration Williamon include two concerts in New York. brings together stars of both historical with RCM alumnus , Dr Terry Clark Ashley also directed students from NAFA performance and contemporary folk written a chapter for Advanced Musical in Singapore in a performance of J S music to reinvent some of Purcell’s most Performance: Investigations in Higher Bach’s Magnificat. popular works. Education Learning. Entitled ‘Learning to be an Instrumental Musician’, the Faculties Manager David Badger has chapter focuses on musical skills as well completed a Masters in intellectual as the training of musicians and includes property law, researching the legal interviews with RCM students. protection of creative works online. RCMJD organ teacher Daniel Moult Harpsichord professor Terence has edited An Easy Handel Organ Charlston has collaborated with Album, to be published this summer by Professor Chris Howe and Dr Heather Bärenreiter. Later this year, he will also Windram of the University of Cambridge begin recording organs across the UK in on an article article published in an ambitious project to document the Early Music last year. Concerning the development of the English organ and its application of phylogenetic analysis to music. The film will be released by Fugue variants in musical sources, the article State Films. has also been published in the University of Cambridge’s Horizons magazine. Head of Strings Mark Messenger has recently travelled to the Dominican Trumpet professor Mark Armstrong Republic to work with Music for Life – a has directed the National Youth Jazz The work of composition professor youth music programme set up by RCM Orchestra to victory in the All Party Joseph Horovitz will be featured alumna Aisha Syed Castro – and met Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group on two new CDs released by RCM with iconic composer Rafael Bullumba Education Award. Mark has also worked alumni. This Other Eden is the debut Landestoy. with BuJazzO (the German National CD of Ferrier Award winner, mezzo Youth Jazz Orchestra) as trumpet tutor soprano Kitty Whately, and includes at their residential rehearsals at the Horovitz’s scena Lady Macbeth, in Palazzo Ricci in Montepulciano, Italy. which Kitty is accompanied by pianist Joseph Middleton. Portraits of England Composition professor Kenneth celebrates the ten-year collaboration Hesketh has been invited to be a of clarinettist Jonathan Parkin and featured composer at the ISCM Korea pianist Sebastian Stanley and includes Pan Music Festival in September 2015. Horovitz’s Clarinet Sonatina. Three of his works will be performed, including the world premiere of Bonnet’s RCMJD vocal teacher Margaret Maguire Phantoms for string quartet, and he has written a booklet providing an will lecture on his own work during the insight into choral singing as well as vocal residency. exercises. The booklet is available to Rafael Bullumba Landestoy and Mark Messenger

18 RCM Junior Department piano teacher Clara Rodriguez has won Classical Act Spotlight on… of the Year at the 2015 Latin-UK Awards (LUKAS) for her contribution to music in the UK. LUKAS is the only awards ceremony to recognise the contribution of Britain’s one million Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese residents. Clara has also performed in London at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre.

Three exciting faculty appointments Berent Korfker have been announced, with Stefan Dohr, Trio Apaches and Maxim Rysanov all joining the RCM this year. Violin professor Berent Korfker, inventor of the Pirastro KorfkerCradle Stefan Dohr, principal horn with the and KorfkerRest, has exhibited these Berlin Philharmonic, joins the Brass two revolutionary shoulder rests at the Faculty as a Visiting Professor. Widely International Music Fair in Frankfurt. regarded as one of the greatest He is also celebrating his tenth year at horn players of our time, Stefan the RCM, and has performed Brahms’ was principal horn of the Frankfurt Violin Concerto with Harrow’s Trinity Opera and Museum Orchestra before Orchestra conducted by Ben Palmer. joining the Berlin Philharmonic in 1993. Organ professor Margaret Phillips has Clara Rodriguez performed at the Sherborne Abbey Trio Apaches takes up the position Festival in May. Her recital included of Piano Trio in Association. The Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in D major, Trio, which includes RCM professors RCM Head of Keyboard Professor Ad Wammes’ Miroir and Lionel Rogg’s Ashley Wass (keyboard) and Vanessa Latarche has given a Nun freut euch, all performed on the Thomas Carroll (cello) alongside masterclass and been a member of the Sherborne Abbey organ. Matthew Trusler (violin), formed in competition jury panel at the Astana 2012 and has quickly established an Piano Passion festival in Kazakhstan. Simon Brown, Ivan Hewett, Dr Tania active and prominent presence on Lisboa and Dr Ingrid Pearson and the the international concert scene. They RCMJD piano teacher Nataša Lipovšek Listening Experience Database project will give a series of lunchtime recitals will hold piano masterclasses for young team will be holding a conference and offer chamber music coaching to pianists this summer, with the final on 24-25 October 2015 at the RCM. RCM students throughout the year. concert of the week held at St Mark’s As the project comes to the end of Church, Wimbledon, on 22 August. its first phase, the LED is still seeking Grammy-nominated violist and documented sources of musical conductor Maxim Rysanov will Performance and Programming Concert experiences (e.g. diaries, memoirs and join as Artist in Residence, making Assistant James Greveson Hickie will letters) and you can find out more about regular visits for masterclasses, be running the Oxjam Brixton Takeover both the project and the conference at one-to-one teaching and chamber in October 2015. The month-long music www.rcm.ac.uk/led. music coaching, as well as giving solo festival is run by volunteers and will recitals and directing larger string feature hundreds of artists and events Harpsichord professor Jane Chapman ensembles. Maxim’s residency has across the country, all to raise money for has released a new disc entitled The been made possible by a donation Oxfam. For more information or to get Oriental Miscellany. Alumna Yu-Wei from the Georg and Emily von Opel involved, contact oxjambrixton2015@ Hu also features on the recording on Foundation. gmail.com. Baroque flute.

19 Alumni notes

Soprano Pumeza Matshikiza has Violinist Benjamin Baker’s third and appeared on the front cover of the latest CD, The Last Rose of Summer, has February issue of Opera Now. In addition been championed by Classic FM. The to a five-page feature about the soprano, recording features Beethoven’s Sonata the magazine also included an article on no 2 for violin and piano and Ernst’s tenor Thomas Walker. Variations on the Irish Air, ‘The last rose of summer’. Violinist Olivia Scheepers has performed Dvořák’s Violin Concerto at Chester Cathedral with the Chester Philharmonic Orchestra. Bass baritone Bradley Travis has made his debut with Opera North as Figaro in Mozart’s comic opera, conducted by Alexander Shelley and directed by Jo Davies. Ruth Rogers Soprano Susanna Hurrell and countertenor James Laing have Violinist Ruth Rogers has been performed in Kasper Holten’s production appointed as joint Leader of the London of Cavalli’s L’Ormindo. The production Mozart Players. Taking up the position was a collaboration between the Royal in March 2015, her first performance in Opera House and the Sam Wanamaker the role saw her direct the ensemble in Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe. a concert to launch the new album of Gregory Batsleer has been awarded fellow RCM alumna Claire Jones. the first ever Arts Foundation Award for Bassoonist Amy Harman has performed Luke Whitlock has released his debut Choral Conducting, receiving a prize at the Bath International Music Festival, CD as a composer, on the Divine Art of £10,000. Gregory has also been accompanied on the piano by Jonathan label. Artists recording Luke’s work appointed Chorus Director of the Royal Ware. Her concert at the Guildhall include RCM alumni: flautistAnna Scottish National Orchestra. included Saint-Saëns’ Bassoon Sonata, Stokes, clarinettist James Meldrum, Elgar’s Romance in D minor and J S Bach’s bassoonist Vicky Crowell and pianist Viola da Gamba Sonata no 1 in G major. Wai-Yin Lee. Alumni James Lisney, Graham Fitch, Lauretta Bloomer and Karl Lutchmayer and RCMJD teacher Christine Stevenson will give masterclasses, recitals and presentations at this year’s Summer School for Pianists, held at the University of Wolverhampton’s All Steinway Performance Hub from 16 to 22 August. TheFoyle-Štšura Duo – violinist Michael Foyle and current doctoral student pianist Maksim Štšura – has won the Beethoven Chamber Music Competition (the Gwyneth George Award) held at Steinway Hall in April. Their prize includes the opportunity to Trombonist Matthew Gee has released perform in the Beethoven Piano Society Pianist Marta Menezes has released his first solo trombone album in June. of Europe’s 2015/16 season. her debut CD. The recording features Paradiso e inferno pairs music by Beethoven’s Sonata no 32 op 111 with composers seldom associated with one Pianist Katherine Tinker has given her which Marta won First Prize at the RCM another, including works by Brahms, Wigmore Hall debut as a Park Lane Beethoven Competition in 2013. Carter, Mahler, Schubert and Xenakis. Group Young Artist, alongside her duo partner Max Welford. They have also Baritone Edward Grint has won the Cellist Noreen Silver has performed been accepted as Concordia Young Concours Lyrique International Singing Schubert’s Piano Trio in B flat major in a Artists. Competition of Clermont-Ferrand. Part series of free concerts presented by the of his prize includes the opportunity to Ellsworth Community Music Institute Tenor William Morgan has recently perform the role of Polyphemus in a tour (ECMI) in Maine. She was joined by made his English National Opera debut of Acis and Galatea during the 2015/16 violinist Richard Hsu and her husband, in the role of Younger Man in the world season. Edward also recently sang Achille pianist Phillip Silver, for the recital in premiere of Tansy Davies’ Between in Giulio Cesare at the Concertgebouw. April. Worlds.

20 Violinist Levon Chilingirian has joined other leading Armenian artists for Spotlight on… the Genocide Centennial Concert in Washington, DC, in May. Performed at the Strathmore arts centre, the concert included a range of music from traditional melodies to contemporary works composed for the Genocide Centennial. BBC NOW’s Resident Composer Mark Peter Brathwaite recently sang with ETO Bowden’s A Violence of Gifts has received its premiere at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, in April. Conducted by Martyn Brabbins, Baritone Peter Brathwaite’s Degenerate the work has a libretto written by poet Music show has received its premiere Owen Sheers. at the London Song Festival, and was Pianist has been performed at the Alderney Performing Maria Marchant announced as pianist-in-residence at Arts Festival, with pianist Nigel Foster. The RCM Library has recently the Shipley Arts Festival in Sussex for A song-based programme that explores received a new donation relating to 2015. She will also perform Mozart’s music suppressed by the Nazis in 1938, RCM alumnus and British conductor Piano Concerto K 414 with the European . the show will also be performed at the Leopold Stokowski Union Chamber Orchestra on 13 July. Manchester Jewish Museum next year. An album containing messages Harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry has and good wishes for Stokowski’s The , formed Piatti String Quartet given a St Peter’s Music Society recital at 90th birthday has been generously by violinist Michael Trainor, violist Temple Methodist Church in Budleigh donated by Edward Johnson of the David Wigram and cellist Jessie Ann Salterton. The repertoire spanned five Stokowski Society. Richardson during their time at the centuries, and included Spanish dances, RCM, has been awarded Second Prize Baroque Flamenco and Victorian fairy Messages contained within the at the 2015 Wigmore Hall International music. album are from such musical String Quartet Competition. The quartet, luminaries as Samuel Barber, John which includes violinist Nathaniel Harpist Claire Jones has performed Cage, Lou Harrison, Yehudi Menuhin, Anderson-Frank, also received the Sidney in the Bramley & Little London Music Leonard Bernstein, George Crumb Griller Award for the best performance of Festival in June. Claire has also released and Dmitri Shostakovich, who wrote the set piece – Mark-Anthony Turnage’s her new album Journey which features ‘On this auspicious day of your Contusion – and the St Lawrence String music reflecting her personal journey 90th birthday I am happy to salute Quartet Prize. of recovery from ME Chronic Fatigue you and to express once again my Syndrome. admiration of your enormous talent.’ Pianists Andrei Korobeinikov and The album is currently on display in Alexei Petrov have performed at the XV the Donaldson Room in the RCM International Tchaikovsky Competition Library. in Moscow.

TheFran çoise-Green Piano Duo Pianist Kausikan Rajeshkumar has has been awarded Third Prize at the been selected to take part in the 17th International Schubert Competition International Fryderyk Chopin Piano for piano duos in the Czech Republic. Competition final in Warsaw in October. Antoine Françoise and Robin Green were invited to perform Mozart’s Soprano Sarah-Jane Brandon has Concerto for two pianos K 365 in the reached the final of the Francisco Viñas prize-winners’ concert with the chamber Competition at the Gran Teatre del Liceu Piatti String Quartet orchestra of Moravia. in Barcelona. Simon Halsey has been elected an Kim Shippey has been appointed Honorary Fellow of the Royal Welsh Director of Development and Donor College of Music and Drama. He has also Relations at the Kitchener-Waterloo been appointed Conductor Laureate of Symphony in Canada. the Berlin Radio Choir following 14 years as Chief Conductor. Pianist Alan Chu, current principal keyboard of Hong Kong Sinfonietta, has Tatty Theo and Rachel Harris will performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto perform with The Brook Street Band and no 3 with the Hong Kong Polytechnic Matthew Brook and Carina Cosgrave at University Students’ Union Orchestra Wigmore Hall on 2 July. The concert will Françoise-Green Piano Duo under the baton of Stanley Yeung. include works by J S Bach and Handel.

21 Obituaries and births

and Harvey Phillips. She then won a scholarship to work with Paul Tortelier at the Paris Conservatoire. Throughout her career she performed with a great number of ensembles, including the Pierrot Players, Salomon String Quartet, London Sinfonietta, Monteverdi Orchestra, London Classical Players, Taverner Players, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Philharmonia Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, Steinitz Bach Players and the Music Party. In the 1980s she started teaching at the Royal HRH The Prince of Wales and Dr Christopher Wynn Parry Academy of Music as well as privately. She is survived by her husband, the author Mike Foss, and by their daughter. Dr Christopher Wynn Parry MBE Baroque music as well as commissioning HonRCM died on 24 February. He was a great deal of new music. In the 1960s RCM alumna Vivian Tan died aged a Consultant in Rheumatology and he toured Europe with his choir and 53, on 5 April. Vivian studied clarinet Rehabilitation and was made MBE orchestra and was a guest conductor for at the Royal College of Music and at in 1954 for his work for the Royal Air the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Swedish the Philadelphia College of Performing Force in the medical rehabilitation Radio Orchestra, Berlin Symphony Arts, before she shifted career focus units (1950-1977). He later worked Orchestra and others. He was organist to work with children in need. In at the Royal National Orthopaedic at St George’s, Hanover Square, from 1998 she founded One Accord Inc, Hospital as Director of Rehabilitation 1972 to 2000, and succeeded Cuthbert which runs Kids Alley, a programme and Rheumatology and King Edward Bates as director of the Bath Bach providing tutoring and support to at VII Hospital at Midhurst as Director Choir in 1980. He founded the London risk youngsters. Vivian earned a number of Rheumatology (1989-1994). After Handel Festival in 1978, and continued of awards for her work with children, retiring, he became honorary Senior conducting annual Handel opera including Camden County’s Martin Consultant for the British Association productions in the RCM’s Britten Theatre Luther King Freedom Medal. for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), as part of the Festival until ill-health RCM alumnus Stephen Cooper died which he helped to develop. He also forced him to retire fully in 2002. He was aged 63, on 26 April. Stephen studied played a large role in the development awarded the FRCM in 1984. bassoon at the Royal College of Music of the RCM’s Centre for Performance from 1970 to 1974, and it was during Emily Phelps, formerly Grimes, died Science, lecturing to students on the this time that he discovered and became aged 104, on 15 March. Emily grew up causes and treatment, and particularly interested in Alexander Technique. in Ledbury, later moving to London to prevention, of injuries resulting from He qualified as an Alexander Technique work in the catering team at the Royal performance. He published widely on teacher in 1979 and taught the practice College of Music where she met many rehabilitation, rheumatology, peripheral for over 30 years. He was married to RCM of the great musicians who studied nerve damage, back pain, rehabilitation alumna Maureen (Wray). services and musicians’ problems, and taught at the College, including Sir and was awarded a number of prizes Thomas Beecham and Benjamin Britten. throughout his career. He was an RCM It was at the RCM that she also met her Births Friend and, in 2011, was made an first husband, librarian Reginald Grimes, Honorary Member of the RCM. Last year, and the couple were married in 1934. At Assistant Librarian Maira Canzonieri the College marked his retirement from the outbreak of WWII, Emily returned and her husband Paul Hirons welcomed clinical service at BAPAM (aged 89) with to Ledbury, and ran a local cinema for daughter Veronica Grace Hirons on a gathering of friends and colleagues in many years. Following the death of her 28 February 2015 at 2.25am, weighing the RCM’s Parry Rooms. husband, she remarried later in life, 9lbs 7oz. to Percy Phelps. Mother to three and Conductor, composer and former grandmother to five, Emily was known Royal College of Music professor Denys for her sense of humour and love of life. Darlow died aged 93, on 24 February. Denys was a professor of organ, theory, RCM alumna Jennifer Ward Clarke aural and history, working at the RCM died aged 79, on 1 March. One of the from the mid-60s until his retirement in first British cellists to play on a period 1996. Born 13 May 1921 in Barnet, north instrument, she made a name for herself London, Denys studied with H A Bate at as one of the most adaptable orchestral St James’s, Muswell Hill, and later with and chamber musicians in the country. Dr Arthur Pritchard, for a time working Born in Yateley, Hampshire, on 20 June as assistant organist at Southwark 1935, she was educated at Benenden Cathedral. In 1952 he founded the School, in Kent, where she was drawn Tilford Bach Festival and went on to to the cello, before studying at the give many concerts and broadcasts of Royal College of Music with Ivor James

Royal College of Music Prince Consort Road London SW7 2BS Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 4300 Email: [email protected] www.rcm.ac.uk www.facebook.com/royalcollegeofmusic www.twitter.com/rcmlatest The Royal College of Music is a registered charity. No. 309268

Box Office: 020 7591 4314 weekdays 10.00am-4.00pm Upbeat: 020 7591 4372 [email protected] Alumni: 020 7591 4331 [email protected] RCM Friends: 020 7591 4331 [email protected] Supporting the RCM: 020 7591 4336 [email protected] Hiring RCM facilities: 020 7591 4764 [email protected] Hiring RCM musicians: 020 7591 4367 [email protected] Switchboard: 020 7591 4300 [email protected]

Upbeat is printed on Essential FSC certified Silk. It is produced using pulp which consists of fibre sourced from sustainable forests and follows the FSC strict chain of custody from forest to print.

Designed and Produced by The Design Avenue •www.thedesignavenue.co.uk