ISSUE #73

Newsletter

The International founded by Summer 2019

Registered Charity 312010

Welcome

It is perhaps strange to be writing this Welcome message in the month when my own 14 year tenure at YMS as a Governor - the last eight of them as your Chairman - is coming to an end. But it does give me the opportunity to thank all readers, whether pupils, Opening Music House Extension with At the 2016 Gala with staff, parents, governors, alumni, Zamira Menuhin Benthall 2015 HRH Princess Alexandra Friends, benefactors or other stakeholders, for all your great palpable. By the time it ends, every and a Director of the LPO, with a contributions to our unique school pupil will have performed and every passion for music. His wife is a over this long period. member of the audience will have professional pianist, and together they experienced the extraordinary output have substantial experience of both The truth is that the School can only from all the intense teaching and education and business in China and flourish through the commitment learning over the past year. For the Far East as well as in the UK. you all demonstrate to Yehudi’s me, it will be the ideal inspirational vision of an international climax to my time as I am certain that YMS but homely community dedicated your Chairman, and will flourish under to musical excellence, and to the the right moment the excellent all-round education of exceptionally to pass on this leadership of both talented young people. immensely David Buckley and privileged post. Richard Tanner, and There are constant rewards for all of wish the School us through our service to the School, My successor, and all of you the but none greater than participation, David Buckley, is greatest future whether as performer or audience, in brilliantly qualified to David Buckley success. the end of year Summer Festival. As guide the School over I write, the curtain is about to rise on the next phase. Alongside a the 2019 Festival, and the sense of highly successful career in banking Richard Morris anticipation throughout the School is and finance, David is an organist Chairman of Governors

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SCHOOL LIFE 2 Competitions

ALUMNI 12 Will had a very successful final term at YMS. He won the Adjudicator’s STAFF 13 Prize in the Gregynog Young Musician Competition 2019. Later in the term, MENUHIN HALL 14 he won First Prize in the Haslemere String Festival. Well done Will! DEVELOPMENT 16 Nathan reached the Final of the FRIENDS 18 Marjorie Humby Competition at the of Music.

Yume won Second Prize in the Follow us! Postacchini Competition in Italy.

If you are active on social media (or Claire reached the Finals of the would like to be) please have a look at our Anton Rubinstein International Piano various channels. Competition during the Easter holiday. Please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for news, events and images, Congratulations to all! but best of all is our YouTube channel which we keep updated with awe-inspiring videos of our pupils playing Schubert, Poulenc, Vaughan Williams, Howells and Masterclasses more. Through this channel you can watch and listen to our pupils in the comfort of The guitarists have felt thoroughly always an inspiration to our guitar your own home whenever you like. spoiled with masterclasses recently. pupils – and their teacher! Follow us on Twitter Following on from Czech maestro The violinists were treated to an @menuhinschool Pavel Steidl’s visit in February, this afternoon with Anthony Marwood term we have had two of the world’s following his stirring performance with Find us on Facebook greatest guitar teachers in quick duo partner Aleksandar Madžar in The @yehudimenuhinschool succession: Paolo Pegoraro, from the Menuhin Hall the previous evening. Subscribe to our YouTube Universitat für Musik und darstellende channel by searching for Kunst in Graz, and Jonathan The bassists were thrilled to welcome The Leathwood from Denver University. back Paul Ellison who was visiting us We also update the news section of Paolo and Jonathan are regular from The Shepherd School of Music at our website regularly, so please visit supporters of YMS and their visits are Rice University in Houston, Texas. www.menuhinschool.co.uk/news to see what we are up to.

CONTACT US

The Yehudi Menuhin School Stoke d’Abernon, Cobham, KT11 3QQ 01932 864739 www.menuhinschool.co.uk

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Out and about

A busy calendar of concerts saw the pupils performing to audiences from all walks of life. Chamber music was to the fore as several venues had no piano. The first of these concerts was at the beautiful Hartsfield Manor in Betchworth where the Arensky Quartet and the Hermann Violin Trio were preceded by solo guitar for an audience of invited guests. The Arensky ensemble (Kingsley, Selina, Natasha, Özgür) had a second A shorter, more informal performance company next to St Paul’s Cathedral; outing later in the week when they was given for the Stoke d’Abernon Richard, Claire, Emili and Duru gave performed at the Banstead Arts Festival; Residents’ Association, arranged by stunning performances alongside the another quartet joined them Friend Sue Prentice. The spectacular view of Wren’s dome from at Banstead performing annual visit to the the balcony. Borodin’s second String Grotto at Painshill Quartet, and the encompassed the The last week of term was another second half of the usual three short busy one with the Summer Festival, concert was given concerts on but the pupils found time to perform at by the Orchestra one night and a a concert arranged by Surrey County performing longer concert the Council Chairman Tony Samuels at Schönberg’s following night. A the Council Chamber in Kingston in Verklärte Nacht. new venue for the joint support of Reigate and Banstead School was Sarasins, Women’s Aid and our own Student our asset management Hardship Fund.

BBC Radio 3’s In Tune

At the beginning of term a long- suggested performing a movement planned project came to fruition with from one of the concertos. Things performances of both of Chopin’s did not run so smoothly in practice Piano Concerti by alumnus Emmanuel however! Just as the ensemble (Mira, Despax with a quintet of string players Ezo, Darwin, Pere and Daniil) were from the School. Originally the plan about to set up for rehearsal the fire was for a Founder’s Day concert only, alarm went off – so everyone had but Emmanuel then arranged for an to leave their instruments and walk ensemble was given permission to additional performance at the home of down eight flights of stairs to the re-enter the building. However they Bob Boas who hosts many chamber pavement outside while the alarm was had to quickly climb the eight flights concerts for audiences of friends and investigated. A couple of fire engines back to the studio, and had 10 minutes contacts. went past….and Tom Service, who was in which to tune and do a very short presenting the show, was whisked balance test before they were on air! In Serendipity struck when Emmanuel off to the far reaches of the Radio 2 spite of the less-than-ideal preparation, was invited to appear on Radio 3’s In studios in order to begin the broadcast. their performance was described as Tune. As Bob Boas lives just round 5pm came and went (they had been ‘magical’, and Tom Service was very the corner from the BBC, Emmanuel due to play at 5.10) and at last the full of praise when they had finished.

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Founder’s Day

Our Founder’s Day week was one of orchestra performing at Banstead on Perhaps most remarkable is that this the busiest all term. The celebrations the weekend! week also marked the start of public at the School began with alumnus examinations, so our pupils were Emmanuel Despax’s Chopin Concerti The Juniors’ Treasure Hunt was extremely busy revising alongside all concert with a quintet of pupils. postponed a week but that did not of their musical commitments. dampen their enthusiasm as they The next day everyone met in scouted for clues around the site! We are so proud of all of their The Menuhin Hall for incredible accomplishments, on and off a talk and film by the stage. Anton Weinberg about the legendary Hans Keller who taught at the School in Yehudi’s day. Afterwards, there was a wonderful concert with Boris, Tommy, Nigel and alumni Tetsuumi Nagata and Per Rundberg, followed by one of Jean’s delicious BBQs on the lawn.

In addition to all of this, we had concerts at Hartsfield Manor, St Mary’s Church for the Stoke d’Abernon Residents’ Association and a piano duo at Little Slyfield, not to mention the

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Community Engagement

On the 27 June we held one of our largest scale events of the year with nearly 600 children coming to two concerts in The Menuhin Hall. They listened to our pupils play a varied set of works as Elliott Perks narrated their journey through music, culminating in a heart-warming performance of Oscar Perks’ setting of ‘’s Burning’ with the chorus of children accompanied by the YMS Junior Orchestra. The occasion was made even more special by the fact that we welcomed Surrey Arts to hold a joyful Singing Picnic on our grounds before joining us for the concert in the Hall. surroundings - the rest of us left Care Homes Concerts behind were very jealous!!” “A big thank you for inviting us and Our engagements with the community for a truly super concert. My children The pupils and staff of took us to four care homes this loved the opportunity to hear live Byfleet Primary School June – ‘regulars’ Cedar Court and music played by people their age. They the Princess Alice Hospice as well as were truly inspired by inspiring young new acquaintances Hartfield House people.” “I cannot tell you how enthralled they and Springfield Nursing Home. Our were by the whole experience. It was pupils played a selection of Summer Mrs Ann Alden a wonderful opportunity from which Festival pieces adapting to the Headteacher all who went - staff and children alike different environments and audiences St Paul’s C of E Primary School - have really benefitted. In particular with ease. It was also at one of these hearing your students play was concerts that our outreach keyboard, astounding. They are buzzing with loyal companion to the School for “The children and staff all came back emotion and abundant joy over the many an outing, lost its will to make a totally overwhelmed by the whole whole visit.” sound mid-performance. Fortunately, experience and by the talent of the backups were available while our pupils involved. They were all speaking Susan Chrysanthou old friend was sent off to await of the beauty of the theatre and school Headteacher resurrection in Brian’s workshop. Furzefield Primary School

“Our patients, volunteers and visitors all really enjoyed it and several stayed back afterwards and told me it was one of the most incredible afternoons they have had for a long time. You have made a lot of people very happy.”

Helen Sergeant Community Engagement Officer Princess Alice Hospice

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The Scottish tour Ruth Nye writes: trip to Scotland (and other parts of the border - a lovely old town. The next UK) began. In those days we drove - in day a lunchtime concert in Eyemouth My thoughts go back 26 years, when February - all the way in the minibus, with fishing boats in the canal outside, the then Director of Music, Stephen whereas now we go by train. then the train to the Western side of Potts asked me to think of ideas to Scotland to play in the very special try to raise the ‘position’ of our five One of the first opportunities was New Lanark. What a wonderful set of pianists in the School. This is how the ‘Music at Blair Atholl’ - right in new friends we have there. the middle of Scotland. This was enthusiastically organised by Back to to perform in the Sebastian Thewes and Lavinia Gordon. beautiful Canongate Kirk - a glorious The stables at the Thewes’ lovely setting for a concert. Even I look up to home was turned into a concert hall. the windows and feel refreshed. And Nowawdays the dear, elderly Steinway finally, the two concerts at Blair Atholl. lives in the ‘ballroom’ at Blair Castle (where we give two performances) and It is still predominantly a pianists’ tour we stay at Lavinia’s home - beautiful but we ‘magnanimously’ allow one views, wonderful walks, fantastic food violinist, one cellist and one guitarist and warmest friends. to come too! I hope this will continue forever. It is such an experience and a Our first performance of the tour is privilege for our young musicians - in now in Berwick on the English/Scottish life, and in music.

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Summer Festival

As always, the Summer Festival was the high point of the term with every pupil getting the chance to perform on The Menuhin Hall stage. The auditorium was packed as usual with a combination of family, Friends, alumni, donors, staff and local music lovers - and the atmosphere was one of joyous enthusiasm and heartfelt support.

The pupils’ performances were glorious, as was the summer weather, and the special moments were too numerous to recount here. It was the perfect way to end the year.

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Leavers’ Destinations New pupil Can Arisoy (19, Turkey) Guildhall School of Music and Drama Sasha Boult (18, UK) Conservatorium van Amsterdam SongHa Choi (19, South Korea) Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin Will Duerden (18, UK) , London Tianyou Ma (18, China) Curtis Institute of Music Mira Marton (19, Poland) Royal College of Music, London Natasha Petrovic (19, UK) Gap year Youngwoo Pere Puertas Masferrer (19, Spain) Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu (11, South Korea)

Junior Citizens Event at Walton Fire Station In June, the Juniors greatly enjoyed a variety of skills, including basic first the Elmbridge Junior Citizens safety aid, water safety, railway safety, stranger event. Coordinated by Child Safety danger, waste and recycling and fire Media, with assistance from Surrey safety. The scenarios were designed Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, to challenge children and make them Elmbridge Borough Council, St John think for themselves, hopefully giving Ambulance, South Western Rail, Amey them the tools they need to make good British Transport Police and the RNLI, decisions in difficult situations. the educational safety scheme teaches children how to stay out of danger in The Juniors reported that it was very everyday situations. interesting and a great reminder of how to prevent and avoid danger. The pupils were taken through a series of interactive lessons which taught them

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Brackenbury Art Exhibition

It is no secret that our pupils are creative but one might be forgiven for assuming that this creativity is purely musical. Anyone lucky enough to experience this year’s Brackenbury Art Exhibition - held during our Summer Festival in the Kentner Room and organised by art teacher Patsy Belmonte - will testify that our pupils’ talent and imagination extends to the fine arts as well.

Alongside traditional paintings and sketches, there were wonderful sculptures, mobiles and a Zulu shield. This year there was also a huge installation inside a tent, complete with film, photographic collage and handmade tiles created by pupils and staff - all carefully curated by Natasha.

X-men match

Julius writes:

19 May was a memorable day for the YMS football team as it was our annual X-men match, and Fraser had been drumming up excitement for weeks.

We played a 90 minute eight-a-side game on our beautifully cut football pitch next to Harris House. The first 10 minutes were very tense for both sides and the teams were clearly a bit rusty! However, after the X-men lost an important player due to a collision with one of the home team, we started X-men from scoring as they mounted Daniil was awarded Man-of-the- to score, and by half time both Gorka a strong counter-attack. Our defence Match with five goals, Gorka bagged and Daniil had scored two goals each. was a very solid unit with Martin, Pere three, and both Kingsley and Darwin In the second half, we loaned Finlay to and Julius but, while one of them was contributed one goal each. Huge thanks the X-men to play in goal, but his heart subbed off, Ben Tarlton was able to to Max Calver for organising the match, was clearly still with the School as he score an absolute banger, making the to the Catering staff for preparing a conceded six more goals! score a bit more bearable. Despite tasty post-match snack and to everyone this, the YMS team had held on to their who came out to support us. We look YMS goalkeeper Kingsley made some unbeaten record for another year by forward to next year! important saves, preventing the beating the X-men with a score of 10 -1.

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Junior Plant Sale

The Juniors write:

On 14 May, the Juniors held their annual Plant Sale on the lawn outside of Music House. It was a beautiful day - perfect for us to sell our plants to raise funds for our two chosen charities: Surfers Against Sewage and Shelterbox.

There were many varieties of plants: flowers (including geraniums days, their priority is to fight the plastic and surfinas), Surfers Against pollution that blights our beaches and ground cover and Sewage was strangles our seashores. bedding plants, founded by surfers and even fruits in Cornwall who Shelterbox is a charity that works with and vegetables, like were disgusted by disaster-hit families around the world, tomatoes and chillies. the amount of sewage offering emergency shelter and other Anything remaining was and pollution in the rivers essential items to support them in sold at the Lunchtime Showcase and seas. As a result, they decided rebuilding their lives. Concert later that week. After a lot of to spread the news nationwide and money counting, we raised a record total arranged dates where people could of over £270! volunteer to pick up rubbish. These

Activities Day

After the busy Summer Festival, experienced a rich cultural adventure Activities Day provided some much and thoroughly enjoyed their time in needed relaxation time. All pupils mainland Europe. were given the choice to take part in one of five different activities. Others stayed much more local and enjoyed the beautiful countryside The Juniors enjoyed an action-packed surrounding Box Hill. They took some day at Thames Young Mariners games, a tasty picnic and went on a working on their team building skills ramble, returning rejuvenated. and tackling various obstacles. The final group headed for London Nearly 40 pupils went to Chessington Bridge to an Escape Room. With the World of Adventures and visited the clock ticking it was very tense but zoo as well as going on some thrilling they managed to crack the clues and theme park rides! escape with just a couple of minutes left! Thence to Borough Market for Another group of 15 left at the crack a leisurely lunch with a range of of dawn for a day trip to Bruges. They cuisines from around the world.

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Duke of Edinburgh

Over the Easter holidays, the Gold D of E group went to Snowdownia to scale the peak of Snowdon - the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands. They camped in the mountains for three days and two nights, navigating the trails using maps and compasses. The trek was a success as they managed not to get lost!

Jenny Dexter and Sarah Lee also took a Silver and a Bronze group to the South Downs earlier in the term. They camped in the Cuckmere Valley and at Alfriston. The weather was amazing!

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Nicola Benedetti has just released a new album, Violin Concerto And Fiddle Dance Suite, out 12 July, which features two works written especially for her by world-renowned jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. The album was recorded in The Menuhin Hall.

The Summer Season Sundays series in New Lanark has hosted several YMS alumni this year, including Damir Durmanovic and Frankie Carr, and Igudesman & Joo Aïda Lahlou who performed with Adam Heron. contribution to classical music over Singapore Symphony Orchestra on the course of her career. Earlier this 27 September. The Northern Chamber Orchestra’s year, she announced her retirement Artist in Association Chloë Hanslip from the concert platform to focus The Marmen Quartet (including alumni joined the orchestra on stage in on other interests including giving Ricky Gore on violin and Steffan Morris Manchester, Macclesfield and Buxton masterclasses, participating in juries on cello) won the Grand Prize in the to close the Orchestra’s 51st season. for competitions and advancing the Bordeaux International String Quartet effort to ensure music remains a vital Competition. The prize includes a Igudesman and Joo shared the stage component of the national curriculum. three-year international tour. with The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Thomas Bart LaFolette, Vlad Maistorovici and Andrew Samarasekara led a Carroll at the Hong Kong Cultural Benjamin Marquise Gilmore performed performance of the world premiere Centre and the Sha Tin Town Hall at the annual Marryat Players of Gammified for string quartet Auditorium in April for the Asian Chamber Music Festival in Wimbledon and electronics – by the composer première of ‘Clash of the Soloists’. in June. Tod Machover. The perfomance at MIT opened the BrainMind Summit was awarded BBC Kevin Loh will perform the Concierto conference to an audience of the Music Magazine’s 2019 Personality de Aranjuez in the President’s world’s top neurological scientists of the Year in recognition of her Young Performer’s Concert with the presenting their latest breakthroughs. Marco Borggreve Jacob Shaw’s Scandinavian Cello School has just released a short film which gives a flavour of a day in the life of the school. It is available to watch on their Facebook page.

Bella Tang won the Concerto Prize at the Ealing Concerto Competition, and will perform as a soloist with the Ealing Symphony Orchestra at St Barnabas next year.

The Marmen Quartet

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Staff news

Caroline Emery has received a Special Recognition Award for Teaching from the International Society of Double Bassists - the first woman to receive the award.

Laura Snowden, and Mariko Brown with duo partner Julian Jacobson, have been chosen for the Staff leavers Making Music Selected Leaving us at the end of this term is Artists Guide 2019. New staff Kate Clanchy. We would like to thank Laura was also part of their Adopt-a- her for her dedication and hard work Composer Project last Autumn, and was Simon May is our new Swimming over the past 18 months as Head, paired with Chandos Chamber Choir. Coach. This term he has been and we wish her all the best. We are overseeing PE and has been working pleased to welcome back Richard We would also like to extend our very with Marco looking after the boys in Tanner, former Director of Academic best wishes to Hannah Maitland and Harris House. He has four years of Studies, as Interim Head. Simon May, Oscar Perks and alumna independent swimming teaching and Ayaka Shigeno, and Sarah McDonald coaching up to a GB level. Having We also say goodbye to Angela and her partner David Cooper - previously worked with one of the Bradshaw. Angela will be missed by all of whom are getting married South East’s most respected coaches, all the pupils who greatly enjoyed their this summer. Simon says that he hopes to bring a Alexander Technique sessions with her. love for sport and swimming to as However, family commitments have many people as possible, with a desire meant that she must leave us. to improve lives along the way. We are also very sorry to be losing Didier Descamps at the end of term, Recording in the Hall who is leaving us to join Leighton Park School in Reading where he will be The Menuhin Hall offers alumni and Mariko Brown, Nathan Williamson Head of Languages. A shorter daily current teachers a 50% discount on and Oscar Perks. commute will allow him to spend more Hall and piano hire for commercial time with his young family. recordings. For further information, please contact: Earlier in the Spring, Fraser Dewar took Recently, we have welcomed alumni up the post of Head of Boarding at the , Lucy Parham and Alice Benzing, Menuhin Hall Manager Hammond School. He will be particularly , as well as teachers [email protected] missed by his boys in Harris House. As 01932 584408. the Hammond is another Music and Dance Scheme school, we hope that he will feel right at home!

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This term in The Menuhin Hall Luka Sage As so many events rush by in The Menuhin Hall, it is a real pleasure to take a moment to look back on some of the truly world-class performances the Hall has hosted this term.

Each year the YMS pupils continue to negotiate the jam-packed Summer Term with ease, juggling academic exams and revision, all while giving exceptional performances in our ever popular Showcase series. Much as academic work concludes with exams, the Summer Festival is the culmination of all our pupils’ incredible musical achievements this year, and the Festival never disappoints. Alongside all the Emmanuel Despax beautiful individual performances, the orchestral concerts were a real what a wonderful way to celebrate Finally, I would like to thank all of you, celebration of dedication, teamwork, Yehudi Menuhin’s birth, with one our concertgoers, for your continuing and, of course, music. Each pupil our incredible past pupils. Anthony support of both the Hall and the should be applauded for their hard Marwood and Aleksandar Madžar School. Without you, The Menuhin work, and of course we cannot forget provided an evening of violin and Hall would not be the success it is the staff, who work tirelessly behind piano gems in May, and in June, today, and your contribution to our the scenes to ensure the pupils are the Dante Quartet brought drama community is both vital and touching. sounding their very best. and music together to illustrate I wish you all an enjoyable summer, Beethoven’s life and his battle with and look forward to welcoming you Anyone lucky enough to get a ticket deafness. This was a unique event in September for more exceptional for the sold-out Emmanuel Despax and a real treat, both musically and experiences in our wonderful venue. concert last April, was treated to historically. a feast of Chopin Piano Concerti - Alice Benzing, Menuhin Hall Manager

The Dante Quartet

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Next term

There’s plenty to look forward to highlights include the first of two visits will perform the beautiful Adagietto next term in The Menuhin Hall, from from Peter Medhurst and the annual from Mahler’s Symphony No 5 in our (the wonderful Grange Christmas Concert, guaranteed Christmas Showcases. violist) to jazz and swing with to get you in the Christmas spirit. Watermill Jazz, and from the Piatti Tickets for our Autumn/Winter season go Quartet’s performance of Schubert’s The YMS pupils will continue to present on sale to the general public on Tuesday String Quartet D887 to the London world-class music in our Showcase 27 August, and to Friends of YMS on Concertante’s first visit to our Hall - we concerts, and the Orchestra, under Monday 12 August. have a busy Autumn ahead of us. Other Òscar Colomina I Bosch’s baton, Erik Emanuel Jack Liebec

The Piatti Quartet Lawrence Power

Coming up @ The Menuhin Hall Christmas Concerts Our Christmas Concerts are always SEPTEMBER extremely popular and indeed sell THURS 26 SEP 7.30PM SHOWCASE CONCERT out every year. We always hate to OCTOBER turn people away so, to accommodate SAT 5 OCT 7.30PM COBHAM BAND PRESENTS the ever-increasing demand for MUSIC FROM STAGE AND SCREEN tickets, we have decided to run a third FRI 11 OCT 7.30PM LAWRENCE POWER AND SIMON CRAWFORD-PHILLIPS performance this year. TUES 15 OCT 7.30PM SHOWCASE CONCERT SAT 19 OCT 7.30PM LONDON CONCERTANTE We hope that this will mean that MON 28 OCT 10.30AM THE ROMANTIC PERIOD WITH PETER MEDHURST everyone in our community - from NOVEMBER Friends, to staff and parents - has the TUES 5 NOV 7.30PM PIATTI QUARTET chance to experience this wondefully SAT 9 NOV 7.30PM WATERMILL JAZZ PRESENTS special event. KEITH NICHOLS AND THE BLUE DEVILS THURS 14 NOV 7.30PM SHOWCASE CONCERT Even with the extra concert it will be DECEMBER very busy, so please book your tickets SUN 8 DEC 2PM CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE CONCERT early to avoid disappointment! MON 9 DEC 7.30PM CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE CONCERT TUES 10 DEC 7.30PM CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE CONCERT

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2% Nearly there! Money raised to date Still to raise In our Spring newsletter we shared touching distance our need to reach an ambitious of reaching that to South Korea target of £1.235 million by the end of ambitious goal, with and more than 20 August in order to provide the best only £30,000 left to countries in between! possible educational experience to raise between now and 98% our pupils, and support the 90% of 31 August. To help us get over the students who would not be able to finish line, please make a attend the School without some level A huge thank you to all of you secure donation online at: of financial assistance. for your incredible generosity and www.menuhinschool.co.uk/support-us/ support. You can take great pride in donate-now or contact: I am delighted to announce that, thanks knowing you have helped to sustain Alix de Mauny, Development Director to the immense generosity of our the future of classical music across 01932584746 Friends, donors, corporate partners, the world, from the United Kingdom [email protected]. trusts and foundations, we are within

The Menuhin Circle Did you know...... that we have 65 pianos across the School? Our incoming Chair, David Buckley In September we are launching an launched a new giving programme extensive piano overhaul programme at this year’s Wigmore Hall to ensure that all of our pupils have concert. The Menuhin Circle brings access to instruments of the quality together people who donate that they require. On top of servicing between £1,000 and £5,000 and repairs, we estimate that we will per year to our Annual Fund need to replace a minimum of three for a minimum of three years. upright pianos every year over the Contributions to the Annual Fund next five years to ensure that our allow the School to direct funds to practice pianos are of an acceptable the areas of greatest need, as well standard. as seizing opportunities as they From concert grands in performance arise. spaces, to our fleet of teaching At this point, we need to raise at least instruments in the Music Studios, and £38,000 for tuning and servicing our Joining the Circle brings a number upright practice pianos in (almost!) pianos, and an additional £10,000 to of benefits, including invitations every room in the boarding houses, kick-start a rolling programme of to public and private events in pianos play a huge part in the day- piano replacements. This will ensure and around London and Surrey; to-day life of our pupils. Our students that our pupils have the instruments an annual Menuhin Circle concert need constant access to high- that they need to help them reach and reception in London, priority quality pianos which must be kept their potential. booking for our Menuhin Hall in top-condition - meaning frequent concerts and even the opportunity tuning, repairs, and replacements. To contribute to our piano campaign to join the School Orchestra on tour! Piano tuners recommend tuning a please contact: piano once every six months when Beth Quartermaine For more information or to it is situated in a home, let alone Head of Philanthropy join the Menuhin Circle, please instruments in daily use by musicians 01932 584744 contact Beth Quartermaine in training! [email protected] 01932 584744 / beth.quartermaine@ menuhinschool.co.uk

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Diplomatic relations – celebrating our international outlook

Over the Summer term we had the Showcase Concert and afterwards at a honour of hosting ambassadors reception in the Kentner Room. and representatives from a range of embassies. These visits have given We were delighted that HE Mrs our pupils the opportunity to meet and Alexsandra Joksimović, Serbian perform for delegations from their Ambassador to the UK, and Ms Semay home countries. All of our guests have Kayapinar, Second Secretary at the been extremely impressed by the talent Turkish Embassy, were able to join us HE Mr Simon Smits with Dutch pupils and maturity of the pupils. for our annual concert at the Wigmore Hall on 30 June. In May, we welcomed both HE Mr Simon Smits, Dutch Over the course of the Summer Festival Ambassador to the UK, and Ms Ahenk we were joined by delegations from the Dereli, Political Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy to the UK; the Taipei Turkish Embassy, to our Lunchtime Representative Office in the UK, and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. Mr Sungho Min with S. Korean pupils Did you know...... that we have 65 pianos across the School?

Representative Lin and Ms Jo Jsu with Taiwanese pupils

Aston Lark We are pleased to welcome insurance Ms Ahenk Dereli with Turkish pupils brokers Aston Lark to our family of supporters. Aston Lark is one of the top five independent Chartered insurance brokers in the country placing over £250 million of premium into the insurance market. Under the brand Lark Music they provide insurance to musicians, schools, music dealers and orchestras, and are active supporters of the musical arts. Aston Lark is kindly supporting the School’s Bursary Fund from September onwards, helping us to provide financial aid to students who would not otherwise be able to attend the School.

Mr Yu Peng, Mrs Xue Ling, Prof Hu Kun, Ms Mo Xia, Jonathan Benthall and Zamira Menuhin Benthall with Richard Tanner, Òscar Colomina and Chinese pupils

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From the Chairman Friends Community Dear Friends part of the Friends’ support for the School towards piano replacements. Those of you who come to The At the start, I would like to The School has an enormous fleet Menuhin Hall will no doubt have acknowledge the series of leadership of pianos, including one in almost experienced the familial and changes taking place within the every room in the boarding houses. supportive atmosphere amongst the School. Both Kate and As part of their musical Friends, pupils and staff. This is one Òscar have made many education, the pupils of the areas of the School of which we friends amongst us need constant are most proud, and we have some and change always access to ideas around how we can make the breeds uncertainty. good quality most of this support. But throughout instruments this period, I in order Become an Ambassador have given my to practise full support to effectively. We are looking for volunteers to run the Governors and As Friends, a brand new Friends desk at events Leadership team, and we are here to at The Menuhin Hall, and to spread I am sure that many of support the pupils’ the word about the Friends at local you will be lending yours needs – and after the concerts in the community. personally to the staff members School told us about the and pupils whom you know. poor condition of some of the practice As our most committed supporters, pianos in the boarding houses, we you are the best ambassadors for the The steadfast and enthusiastic wanted to help. School, and we hope you will help us support of the Friends, both share our music with as many local financially and as welcoming audience Many of you kindly give additional residents as possible. members for the pupils, is something donations when renewing your for which both the School and I are Friends membership, and from Give a Friend a lift immensely grateful. September you will have the choice of allocating this to the piano campaign We are saddened to hear that some With that in mind, I would like to if you wish. But of course we are Friends can no longer join us for thank you all for the membership hoping to raise additional money and evening concerts at The Menuhin Hall contributions and donations that you will hear more about this over the as they would prefer not to drive in you have made this year. I am coming months from Alix and Beth, the dark. To address this we would delighted to tell you that this year who are always available should you like to help facilitate a car sharing the Friends have made a donation have any questions. scheme to link up local people who of £40,000 to the School; £25,000 are able to help a neighbour by towards Bursaries, £5,000 towards I wish you a wonderful summer providing a lift to our concerts. This the Student Hardship Fund, and break, and look forward to seeing scheme will also have the benefit of £10,000 towards the replacement of you at The Menuhin Hall in reducing traffic in the area on concert pianos in the boarding houses. This September to greet the new intake days and improving the environment. is of course on top of all the concert of pupils, and renew acquaintance tickets purchased, donations made with those whose performances we If you think you can help in any of directly to the School by the Friends, already admire and love. these ways or would like further and legacies given by those who had information, please contact Beth chosen to leave gifts in their Wills. Sir John Baker Quartermaine on 01932 584744 or Chairman, The Friends of [email protected]. Some Friends have asked me why The Yehudi Menuhin School the Friends Committee has allocated Management Committee

18 NEWSLETTER /SUMMER 2019 FRIENDS

Remembering Nanette: a lovely wee Scottish lady

During her life, Miss Nanette Peggie or just to chat was never greeted with a real attention to detail. Nanette was a devoted patron of the School anything but delight. and her sister Helen, who passed and a keen concert-goer at the Hall. away several years ago, were part Nanette left a significant gift to the The gentleness Nanette possessed of a close knit little group, and never School in her will, enabling us not should not overshadow her forgot their Scottish heritage. Within only to carry out vital repairs to the capabilities and sense of focus - for the family we discovered that her School’s infrastructure, but also to years she filed her own tax returns. pet name was “squirrel”. We realised offer the Nanette Peggie Bursary over Nanette had that strong Scottish this sobriquet fitted her quite well the next five academic years. We are Presbyterian ethic, where there was when faced with the unenviable task deeply grateful for her generosity - she only a right and just way of doing of going through all the “squirrel’s” has left the School a lasting legacy in things. Shortcuts or sloppiness paperwork! more ways than one. were never part of her modus operandi and For Nanette the company We asked her cousin should you make and pleasure of her cousin’s Margaret to share a mistake of grandchildren was something some of her forgetting that, she really enjoyed. One quality memories of an you would soon of Nanette’s that will always be exceptional lady. be reprimanded remembered was her wry sense of with her own humour. Never a person occasioned “For anyone distinctive to use bad language: even a “damn” privileged to have “look” of was abhorrent to her. That said – known Nanette - was suppressed she was heard to personally blame to enjoy someone’s disapproval. Nanette someone for interrupting her planned company who was always was a very successful TV viewing schedules when the so cheerful, kindly and outwardly banking executive and so 2016 Football World Cup was being welcoming. This lovely wee family highly regarded by her Greek boss televised. During those four weeks member was one of the most delightful that she would often be flown out of she was constantly heard saying: “you and engaging of people. Never a bad the country First Class to carry out and your bloody football are ruining or a demeaning word could be heard tasks in Greece for him. For once my TV programmes”. The only slight from her; instead you were always her Scottish instinct to always spend reprieve was that on her 90th birthday left with the impression of her strong wisely did not interfere with that that same innocent presented her a sense of loyalty and correctness. little hardship! Her business acumen coffee mug inscribed with the words: Dropping in to take her out somewhere and judgement seemed to stem from “I Love Bloody Football”.

Bridge Tea Join us! Become a Friend today A huge thank you to everyone who Friends enjoy a range of benefits, Winery. Best Friends also receive helped to make this year’s Bridge including priority booking for complimentary tickets to a Summer Tea such a success. We are thrilled performances in The Menuhin Hall, Festival Showcase Concert. to announce that this year the event invitations to masterclasses and pre- raised a record beating £1,129! concert receptions, and special offers Membership starts at only £35 from local businesses, including 20% per year. Just email friends@ An extra special thank you to Sheila off at The Old Plough in Cobham, 10% menuhinschool.co.uk to request an Rice-Smith for her tireless efforts in off at The Cobham Bookstore and information pack, or pick one up in organising this wonderful afternoon. half-price membership of Denbies The Menuhin Hall foyer.

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Photography by Julian Andrews, Tony Chipps, Kate Clanchy, Òscar Colomina i Bosch, Alix de Mauny, Didier Descamps, 20 Jenny Dexter, Dave Greenwood, Nigel Luckhurst, Sarah McDonald and Cathy Whitnall. Edited by Sarah McDonald. NEWSLETTER / SUMMER 2019