The Magazine for the Royal College of MusicI Spring 2011

Exploring the RCM Junior Department More talent than you can shake a stick at!

What’s inside... Welcome to upbeat… When you think of RCM students, you might think of degree level students preparing for their final leap into the music profession; and of course if you Contents head to Prince Consort Road on a weekday that’s who you’ll see. But pop in on a Saturday and you’ll find a younger group of brilliantly gifted musicians, 4 In the news students at the RCM’s famous Junior Department, which for 85 years has been Latest news from the RCM including New Year’s Honours for inspiring talented musicians aged 8 to 18. RCM supporters and a special addition to the RCM Museum In this issue you can read all about recent and current JD students. You can hear from current star student Lara Melda, winner of BBC Young Musician 9 Out and about 2010, and from trail-blazing recent graduate Kevin Satizabal, now plying Tales of RCM students overseas his trade at Birmingham Conservatoire. There’s a special feature on our very latest scheme: Sparks Juniors, which spots raw musical talent among children 10 Lara Melda from the local area. And if you’ve ever experienced a lively JD Saturday and Upbeat meets with current RCMJD wondered who keeps all those children and teachers full of energy, Alison student Lara Melda, winner of BBC Young Musician 2010 Macfadyen reveals how the Junior Department Friends contribute everything from cups of tea to instrument cases. 11 Kevin Satizabal The rest of the magazine is packed with stories about RCM students, alumni Upbeat meets with alumnus Kevin Satizabal to hear about and staff. Do you want to know which RCM professor consulted on a TV his experiences of studying at the murder mystery? Read on to find out whodunnit… Junior Department

We’re always keen to hear from students past and present, so if you have 12 Sparks Juniors anything you’d like us to feature in the next issue of Upbeat, send your news An exciting new programme and pictures to [email protected] by 9 May 2011. enabling selected talented children to access the RCMJD 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 Alison Macfadyen, Chair of JD Friends

16 Staff notes

18 Student notes

21 Alumni notes

22 Births, marriages and obituaries

Professor Cameron Sinclair (above) and Sparks Juniors (above and right)

Front cover – Sparks Juniors © Sheila Burnett Inside front cover – A selection of images from Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld © Chris Christodoulou Inside back cover – Images from the RCM’s recent orchestral concert conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy © Chris Christodoulou

3 In the news...

The RCM would also like to thank Three new Soirée d’Or 2010 the Soirée d’Or committee for their ongoing efforts in organising this On 8 December last year the RCM Professorships event: Lady Carr (Chair), Mrs Anastasia welcomed 400 guests to the Victoria Christou, Lady Middleton, Mrs Judy The RCM has announced three new and Albert Museum for its annual Mowschenson, Ms Emma Rose, Professorial appointments for 2011. fundraising gala, Soirée d’Or, described Lady Walters. The principal criterion for appointment by the Evening Standard as: “One of the to a Personal Chair is distinguished most spectacular charity fund-raisers of achievement in the area of text- and/or the year”. practice-based research and innovation. Demonstrating exceptional artistic BBC Radio 3’s Sean Rafferty hosted the insight, those appointed have made event with performances by a RCM an outstanding contribution to the string quartet and electrifying furtherance of knowledge or to the duo Jianing Kong and Caterina Crewe. application of existing knowledge in a The total raised from the evening was creative context. close to £200,000, which will be used to award substantial scholarships to We are pleased talented RCM musicians. to announce that RCM Director of The RCM thanks BP for Programmes and generously supporting Research Amanda the Soirée d’Or 2010. We Glauert has been named Professor would also like to thank Amanda Glauert the following companies of Music and and individuals for their Aesthetics; former Head of the Graduate generous sponsorship and donations: School Richard Langham Smith has been made Research Professor of • Finsbury Music; and Aaron Williamon, Head • British Gas of the RCM’s Centre for Performance • Fujitsu Science, has been made Professor of • Champagne Taittinger Performance Science. • Steinway & Sons All three Professors are making • Jane Packer significant contributions to the RCM’s • Sally Clarke Ltd ever-growing reputation as a leading • Stephen Morris international centre for research. • Pinsent Masons • Hildon The nature • Prestat • Dreweatts 1739 of genius • L’Oreal In October, the RCM was delighted • Galleries Magazine to be host partners in the “Battle of • Patriarche Wine Ideas”, the Institute of Ideas’ annual • Agencies festival. The series of debates and • The Rayne Trust discussions attracted some of the UK’s most important and influential artists, scientists and cultural commentators. The College hosted a pair of special preview events. The first, entitled “X-factor: Singing in the name of quality”, explored issues surrounding modern talent shows, with the Director of Opera Michael Rosewell siting on the panel. The second discussed the “Nature of Genius: standing on the shoulders of giants or genes?” and looked at what part society plays in nurturing geniuses of the future. Professor Colin Lawson sat on a panel that comprised some of today’s leading thinkers. www.battleofideas.org.uk

4 Dietrich’s widow Jane Kessler A very special commented: “I am delighted to be loaning these four very special addition to the instruments to the . I am particularly thrilled that RCM Museum RCM students will have the chance to The Royal College of Music has taken perform on them, which is exactly what delivery of a remarkable collection of Dietrich would have wanted.” four unique and important instruments: The collection, housed in the RCM the ‘Kessler Viols’. Museum, is open to the general public Dietrich Kessler Dietrich Kessler (1929–2006) was to admire, and to makers and musicians an outstanding maker and restorer alike for historical and performance- of stringed instruments, for whom based research by appointment. the viol and its music were always a special interest. During the course of his long working life he collected a few exceptional viols that were used both in performance and as a rich source of research. Four of these were by English makers: John Rose (c.1595), Henry Jaye (1619), Richard Meares (c.1680) and Barak Norman (1693). Left to right: Jenny Nex, Jane Kessler, Ashley Solomon, Samir Savant The Richard Meares Viol

Michael Parkinson and Professor Lord Winston – gathered at the RCM on Scoring A Monday 6 December for The Big Give big Breakfast. the Olympics thank you We are utterly delighted to report that No fewer than five RCM alumni In the last issue of Upbeat, we brought thanks to the extreme generosity of our composers have been commissioned you news of our participation in the donors, it took just 24 hours to reach to create new works for the 2012 2010 Big Give Christmas Challenge, our target of raising £95,000. Every Cultural Olympiad. seeking to raise funds for RCM penny will go towards transforming the scholarships. To launch the scheme, lives of talented young musicians. For a The project is organised by New a range of supporters – including Sir full list of donors please see page 21. Music 20x12, a UK-wide programme, and features RCM alumni Mark- Anthony Turnage, Anna Meredith, the orchestra’s innovative concerts, Gavin Higgins, Richard Causton and An honoured guest which gave early concerto opportunities David Bruce. Each commission will be to many leading musicians, and on One of our guests broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and tour several occasions featured the eminent at The Big Give the UK, enabling as many people as actress Dame Sybil Thorndike. Breakfast was possible to enjoy excellent new music inspirational RCM as part of the celebrations of the alumna Blanche 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Mundlak, who Games. www.newmusic20x12.org brought in a range of photographs from her long and varied career in music (see right). She found work first as a violin teacher and then as the long-time proprietor of the St Cecilia music shop in Camden, but she is perhaps best known as the founder of the Orion Orchestra, which she conducted for 37 years without missing a single rehearsal. Blanche raised large amounts of money for charity through Gavin Higgins

5 In the news... RCM student New Year’s wins international Honours for RCM award supporters It is with great pleasure that we report a number of honours for individuals linked to the Royal College of Music. We congratulate them all, and thank them for their particular contributions to the life and work of the College.

Vernon Ellis, until recently a member of the RCM Council and now Chairman of the British Council and English National Opera, received a knighthood Colin Matthews for his services to music. Chairman of Centrica Roger Carr, who has brought to Dance, Music and Drama Education considerable financial support to RCM in Scotland. Dr Colin Matthews, Prince projects, received a knighthood for Consort Professor of Composition at services to business. Peter Ellwood, the RCM, was appointed OBE for his Deputy Chairman of the RCM Council services to music. Dr Marjorie Ziff from 2003 to 2006, was knighted for was appointed MBE for nearly 60 years service to the community in Leeds Nicholas McCarthy has won his services to business and the public through her philanthropic and charitable the Ability Media International Music sector. giving. She and her husband, who died in Award, run by Leonard Cheshire Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy 2004, have funded countless art-related Disability and supported by Orange. of Music and Drama since 2002, John projects including the refurbishment of The AMI Awards identify creativity Wallace was appointed CBE for services the Ziff Suite at the RCM. and encourage a more inclusive world for disabled and marginalised of nine arts organisations over three groups of people. Covering every Coutts Arts Festival aspect of the arts, the winners are consecutive evenings from 18 to 20 January. chosen for producing work that In January, the RCM was delighted to positively represents, involves or assists participate in the inaugural Coutts RCM Chairman Professor Lord people facing major physical, mental, Arts Festival, a new event dedicated Winston and Head of Keyboard Faculty emotional or social challenges. to raising awareness and support of the Vanessa Latarche gave an introduction Chosen by the judges for his creative performing arts. to the RCM. This was followed excellence, Nicholas received the by a piano masterclass led by RCM Coutts & Co, the private bank, plays an award at a ceremony held at London alumnus and visiting professor John Studios on 21 November last year. His active role in helping arts organisations Lill, and featuring RCM Junior Fellow virtuoso brilliance as a left-handed to deliver amazing performances and Jianing Kong, finalist in the Leeds pianist has secured him an to seek the funding needed to achieve International Piano Competition 2009. international reputation and this. The RCM was proud to open the Appropriately enough, the masterclass appearances at some of the UK’s most festival, which offered up an intimate focused on two Etudes by Chopin, who prestigious music venues. glimpse into the high-quality work was a customer of Coutts & Co. “I am delighted to have received this award at such a young age, and am proud to have been able to represent disabled people in the music industry”, commented Nicholas. Wayne Drew, Chairman of the Ability Media Creative Board, said: “Today’s winners demonstrate outstanding creativity and are all socially and culturally of the highest importance, and Nicholas McCarthy is a perfect example of this.” Professor John Lill and RCM Junior Fellow Jianing Kong

6 focusing on breathing, vowel sounds, Inspirational the importance of consonants and Howard Shore the relationship between speech and DVD for singers singing. She also gives many examples visits the RCM of useful exercises and their application. In March, the RCM was delighted to In September last year, RCM The DVD is available to purchase host the launch event for a new DVD composition students had the through the RCM Box Office. entitled ‘Singing in English – a session chance to meet one of today’s most www.rcm.ac.uk/boxoffice with Catherine Lambert’. The DVD acclaimed and respected composers marks the second in the series on the of film music. history of vocal teaching, devised and produced by RCM professors Janis Kelly Howard Shore is perhaps best known and Norbert Meyn. for his music for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which garnered him three Janis Kelly commented: “We were Academy Awards, and for as his delighted to welcome Catherine back to relationship with leading directors the RCM for the occasion. This new DVD such as Martin Scorsese, Jonathan is a vitally important resource for all Demme and David Cronenburg. singers.” The composer held a Q&A session in In the DVD, Catherine Lambert the RCM Studios with students on discusses her training with Elise Fogerty the RCM’s acclaimed Composition for (1865–1945), the legendary founder Screen Masters programme. He spent of the Central School of Speech and two hours discussing his work on Drama. She gives excellent detail some of the most significant films of of her own pedagogical approach, Catherine Lambert the past 40 years.

SA President Exploring Albertopolis online attends ISM A fascinating new online exhibition tells It explains how the Great Exhibition the story of ‘Albertopolis’, the area which of 1851 enabled a huge plot of land in conference includes the Royal College of Music and South Kensington to become home to is the UK’s leading centre of artistic and a number of new artistic and scientific In April, Students’ Association scientific institutions. museums and educational institutions. President Charles Bradley is taking up one of four free places offered The exhibition, which includes a wide A physical version of the exhibition will to conservatoire students to attend variety of videos, drawings and written be on display at the Victoria and Albert the annual ISM conference. Entitled articles, has been put together by the Museum from November 2011 until ‘Connections – music through the Royal Institute of British Architects, and April 2012, in celebration of the new arts’, the conference is being held at can be viewed at www.architecture.com development of Exhibition Road. The Sage Gateshead and focuses on the important relationship between music and other creative art forms. This is part of a wider initiative from ISM to emphasise the value of joining the professional body. For more information and to join online, visit www.ism.org or call 020 7629 4413.

The Sage Gateshead Prince Consort Road during the State Opening of the Royal College of Music (1884) Photographer: Elliott & Fry Elliott Photographer:

7 In the news...

attuned, my wits sharpened and my Midsomer Masterclasses ability to suggest technical and musical Murders in Russia solutions to vocal problems flowed fast. In October, producers of ITV’s There were many good voices. I have In September, RCM professor Sally suggested that several of the singers leading detective drama Midsomer Burgess visited Moscow for a special Murders approached RCM piano apply to the RCM for postgraduate series of vocal masterclasses. She study, as well as steering some professor Andrew Ball to act as reports: “I was invited to take vocal a pianistic advisor for an episode towards the ROH Jette Parker scheme, masterclasses in Moscow by the London the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World entitled ‘Masterclass’. Former student Gates Education Group, which aims Ivana Gavric and current student competition, and other possibilities. to help Russians gain entry into higher These masterclasses were a huge success, Christopher Guild also featured as education in the UK. hand doubles. The plot centred on a with the singers eager for guidance, and pianistic guru, James Fox, who gave It was a very full week, in which I was another series is already planned for me masterclasses in his rambling country working for seven out of my eight days in in 2012. manor. Moscow. I saw 27 singers, aged between The sun was out for all but my free day! 20 and 30. By working with five or six “It was quite a demanding job” Andrew Still, I was able to walk around many of singers for an hour each on consecutive Moscow’s wonderful buildings and sights. told Upbeat, “as the performances had days, I gained enormously. My ear was to be at different levels. For instance, I look forward to returning in 2012.” the character of Orlando (played by Christopher Guild) had to perform Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude with tremendous dash but lots of wrong notes! “Filming took place in a variety of locations in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, not always at sociable times of day. We were all struck by the painstaking and meticulous approach of everyone involved in the production. The end-product may not be strictly true to the life of the average piano student but it’s highly entertaining; and as the programme is sold all over the world it may be the biggest audience to ever view our hands!” Anna Meredith wins prestigious award RCM graduate Anna Meredith has acoustic and electronic music, as well been selected for one of the UK’s most as a performer, curator, occasional TV/ Creative prestigious awards for composers. The radio contributor and animateur. Her Paul Hamlyn Foundation Awards for many successes include having her Quarter Artists are the most generous in the UK work froms for multiple orchestras with winners receiving £45,000 spread performed at the Last Night of the 2010 in equal instalments over three years. Proms in August 2008. On 19 November, the RCM was delighted They exist to give artists the freedom to participate in Creative Quarter 2010. to develop their creative ideas and Visitors to the College were treated to to contribute to their personal and a guided tour of the RCM Studios, and professional growth. had the opportunity to quiz staff about Anna commented: “I’m beyond chuffed working in a busy recording studio to have been given a Paul Hamlyn and the skills needed to be a recording Award. To have the support of this engineer. award will not only give me time to Creative Quarter is a special event write the music I want to be writing organised by the Exhibition Road but has given me a massive energy and Cultural Group. It offers the chance confidence boost too.” for 13–19 year olds to learn about Anna graduated from the RCM in opportunities in the creative industries. 2002 and is known as a composer of Anna Meredith www.exhibitionroad.com

8 Out and about A trip to Sydney In October last year, a group of RCM students and professors travelled to Australia as part of an Historical Performance exchange programme with the Sydney Conservatorium. Rachel Stacy reports: “It’s a great coincidence that as soon as the RCM announced the Historical RCM students and professors in Australia Performance exchange with the Sydney Conservatorium there was an influx of (cello/ da gamba) and Nicole After the concerts we had a few free days students wanting to learn a baroque Forsyth (viola) with their cars. They for sightseeing, while Colin Lawson and instrument! Luckily, I’d already had the drove us out to South Head and we had Ashley Solomon took masterclasses and insight to take up the baroque viola, and a short walk around the windy headland lectures with the Sydney students. On so in October Colin Scobie, Ben Norris, and a quick paddle in the South our first day, we took a ferry to Manly Elektra Miliadou, Rosie Moon, Ellie Pacific, followed by a leisurely breakfast with some of the Sydney students and Robertson, Martin Clark, Aidan Philips overlooking Bronte beach. walked along the coast to Spit. In the and I joined professor Ashley Solomon evening Neal, Danny and Ashley put on and Director Colin Lawson on board an We gave two concerts during our visit: a fantastic concert and it was great to aeroplane to the other side of the world! one orchestral, and the other chamber watch them having so much fun playing music and concerti that included music together! On our second free day, we Our visit started with a welcome meeting by Charpentier, Corelli, Bach, Vivaldi, caught a train to Katoomba in the Blue at the Conservatorium (Con) with Telemann, Fasch, Mozart and Graupner. Mountains National Park and then a bus various speeches by professors from both Colin Lawson played with us in the to the Three Sisters. institutions, and a lot of tea and coffee Fasch Concerto and Mozart Clarinet (in an attempt to erase our jet-lag!). We Quintet, and he and Ashley Solomon We all had an incredible time on the trip. met the students at the Con at the first both joined us for the Graupner Sinfonia It was a great opportunity to meet all the rehearsal and all got on very well. We also Concertante. We were also lucky enough players and teaching staff at the Sydney got on well with our hosts. One morning to have the chance to watch a concert at Con and see how they work out there. we caught a ferry to Rose Bay (near the the Sydney Opera House during our trip, We look forward to seeing them all in the southern headland of Sydney Harbour) where we saw the Australian Chamber summer when they come to London.” where we met professors Neal Peres Orchestra play Schubert, Beethoven and da Costa (harpsichord), Danny Yeadon Brahms.

and we were thrilled to have had two of Orchestra. Their facilities were incredible RCM composers’ our number shortlisted: Martin Batchelar – including some of the sets from and Robert Ashbridge. The films were Tarantino’s 2009 filmInglourious Basterds. jaunt to Germany screened, judged and we were left Other visits to the Academy of Music hanging… There was an almighty cheer Hanns Eisler Berlin and UdK were full of Just before Christmas a group of RCM when Martin won. fascinating debates and discussions. We Screen Composers packed their bags for were grateful to them for their warmth Germany. Ben MacDougall describes Travelling to Berlin the next day, the and hospitality. their trip: group was very proud and happy. No- one, however, was ready for the cold Between these visits we managed to fit “The end of the autumn term is that hit us as the train doors opened! in some sightseeing of Berlin and visited normally time for students to gather We visited the Hochschule für Film a genuine Weinachtsmarkt. The only their thoughts, drink Glühwein in Hyde und Fernsehen (HFF) ‘Konrad Wolf’ downside to the week was trying to hold Park and congratulate themselves on a in Potsdam, where we attended a a metal camera at 18 degrees below good three months of work. Last year, scoring session with the Babelsberg Film zero!” however, this was not to be for RCM’s screen composers – we were headed for Germany, sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service. Guided by Area Leader in Composition for Screen, Vasco Hexel, the group visited SoundTrack_Cologne 7.0 before heading to Berlin, where we had been invited by a number of Berlin institutions to visit, learn, and talk to the people there. Part of SoundTrack_Cologne 7.0’s make- up is the European Talent Competition RCM Screen Composers in Germany

9 Lara Melda

You must have had lots of an hour recital, without an interval. My encouragement as you developed. programme included works by Bach, Who have been the most important Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt and influences on your music? Ginastera. I met Dmitri Bashkirov, who I am so lucky to have a wonderful said he really heard orchestral sounds mother who has supported me in every through my piano playing, and added way possible. She has taken me to and that I was a natural musician with a from lessons since I was six years old, bright future ahead of me – absolutely helped me when I had any problems, and wonderful things to hear! made my success possible. Any parent who wants to support their child in What was it like being in the BBC music should be prepared to take them Competition? to a good teacher at least once a week, It was a really last minute entry, in fact make sure that they practise, and keep I almost missed the deadline! I treated them motivated by going to concerts. every round as a concert and I just They also need to be very patient and wanted the audience to enjoy it as much positive, like my mother has been. The as I was. In the keyboard finals all five of people who have really influenced my us quickly became really good friends. music most are Emily Jeffrey and my We got on so well that when they were current teacher professor Ian Jones. filming a discussion between us, we laughed so much the scene had to be How do you combine your practice cut from the broadcast! Winning the and performance schedule with competition has really opened a lot of ‘ordinary’ life? doors for me. Young Concerts Artist It takes a lot of discipline! I do all my Trust (YCAT) is looking after me now, own scheduling and tend to practise helping to sift through the concert offers. between four and seven hours a day. I Ian is enormously helpful with this too. feel it is important to have something to work towards, for example I am currently I know that you play the viola in one preparing Liszt’s transcription of the song of the RCMJD orchestras. What do you Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel to play enjoy about orchestral playing? in the Lisztomania Piano Festival at the Yes, I am very lucky to play the viola; RCM in March. it has allowed me to get to know the symphonic repertoire. I think Lara Melda was crowned BBC Young How do you relax and unwind? it is important for to listen Musician 2010. She is a student at the I used to be a club swimmer, but I now to a broad range of music, not just RCM Junior Department and the Purcell only swim occasionally to relax. I enjoy restrict themselves to the piano School of Music. listening to all kinds of music too. repertoire. I particularly enjoyed playing Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances What sort of music do you most enjoy How old were you when you began to with the RCMJD Symphony Orchestra, playing and why? learn the piano? conducted by Richard Dickins. I also used I’ve just come back from a recital tour I started piano lessons when I was six to play in a number of chamber groups in the Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad in years old. It all began when my mother at both the RCMJD and the Purcell Switzerland for which I had prepared took my sister Melis and me to ballet School. lessons. When we were doing our exercises she realised that we were more What advice do you have for a young interested in the sound of the piano than pianist? the steps. We then came to the College Keep disciplined and really focus on your and met piano professor Emily Jeffrey, work. Listen to recordings and go to as who is such an inspirational teacher. My many concerts as you can. sister, who is three years older than me, started having lessons with her first. I So, what’s it like being famous? think I picked up a lot subconsciously I love it! But of course there can be while she was practising and having pressure, so you need people around to lessons, which gave me a bit of a head support you, like my mum and sister, start before coming to the RCMJD in Melis, who are both fantastic. Winning 2004. Another special day was when BBC Young Musician hasn’t affected who I started the Purcell School in 2006. I I am; I will always stay true to myself believe that studying at both the RCMJD and keep my feet on the ground. I will and Purcell School has helped me to carry on enjoying making music and develop not only as a pianist, but as a performing. I can’t imagine life without whole musician. music.

10 Kevin Satizabal

Last year I composed the original score for a short film made by Mucky Duck Media Productions, a company made up of students from Birmingham City University. Now I’m working on a set of piano variations on a Mexican folk song, Cielito Lindo, one of my dad’s favourites, which he always used to ask me to play for his friends. I like my music to be direct and to the point. Music should be expressive and should leave the audience with the feeling that they have gained something in hearing the work. I enjoy juxtaposing tonality and atonality, but only in the interests of being expressive.

So what’s next? Next year I have to complete a Kevin Satizabal studied for eight years and theory lessons with Jackie Clifton major project which will either be at the Junior Department on the Visually- (Director of the Visually Impaired taking the improvisation band round Impaired Musicians’ Scheme. His family Musicians’ Scheme). I also took a venues in Birmingham, or performing is from Colombia and he lived there composition class in my final year. The Shostakovich’s Second Piano Concerto between the ages of five and nine. A gifted teaching was fantastic and I had so with an orchestra I fix myself. That’s a composer, pianist and improviser, Kevin many opportunities, including learning major amount of organisation but I’m a is now at the Birmingham Conservatoire Braille music. Being around musicians person who’s always up for a challenge. where he has earned a reputation as was inspiring and showed me what great After I leave, I’d like to come back to someone who makes things happen. music could be. London to work with some singer- songwriters and I may follow up an How old were you when you first took What was the highlight of your time at interest in teaching. an interest in music? the Junior Department? My parents bought me a little two- The highlight was being involved in a Any tips for success? octave keyboard when I was four years film project with the London Symphony Be an all-rounder, open-minded to a old. I fell in love with it immediately and Orchestra. I had the opportunity variety of styles, including listening to began listening to tunes, which I learnt to socialise and perform with many music you think won’t be to your taste, to play by ear. I started to consider music outstanding players, some of whom because after a while you may come seriously around the age of nine, when allowed me to try out their instruments, to like it! Work with performers who I was thrilled to have the chance to meaning I was able to learn the are open to new music, avoiding those audition for the RCM Junior Department. mechanics of how they worked. For the who get ‘stuck’ in their classical ways final concert of the project, all of us from and performing styles, and won’t look Who and what have been the most Jackie’s class collaboratively devised a beyond. I wrote a piece recently, and told important influences on your music? narrative entitled The Princess’ Tale. It was the players to just ‘swing it’ as if playing First of all, my teacher Rosalind Decker made up of different scenes and their jazz. They didn’t have a clue! That’s at Woodmansterne Primary School corresponding music, which we had each dangerous. Be focused, disciplined and in Streatham Vale has been a great individually written, and was then all have a good social life. You need your influence – she encouraged me to apply stitched together in a final arrangement. friends to support you and to be part of to the Junior Department and has always The project helped me to mature as a your network. Oh yes, and it’s annoying been supportive of me. My parents have musician and it inspired an interest in that more composers don’t perform. As been very encouraging too – particularly film music. a composer, I can relate to what it means with my practice – they bought me my to be a performer and I really believe this first upright piano when I was 12 years How is Birmingham Conservatoire influences the way I go about composing old. My love of performing really started helping you to develop as a musician? a piece. It’s a shame there’s often a in earnest in Colombia. My friends would I have set up an improvisation band. divide. sing to me and I would play the tunes We made our debut at an event called back – they were amazed – and I enjoyed The Night of the Unexpected and you What’s your view on the funding cuts the attention too! can’t get anything more unexpected for higher education? than improvisation, can you?! I study Popular music is deteriorating as How important was the RCM composition with Edwin Roxburgh who people focus on image rather than Junior Department in your musical is an amazing and inspiring musician, on music. Conservatoires uphold the development? with so much knowledge. I recently highest possible standards. Cuts will be Absolutely crucial! I started at the completed a recorder duet Bubble and detrimental to the future of music. If you RCMJD when I was ten years old and Squeak for the recorder duo Blockheads, lower standards you will not get good studied piano, recorder, musicianship inspired by a book by Philippa Pearce. music. It’s that simple.

11 Introducing Sparks Juniors

The Saturday schedule Each Saturday, the children attend classes for three hours in the morning, which include a musicianship lesson led by Shirley Smart and singing in a training choir (with other members of the Junior Department) conducted by Amy Bebbington. They are also each assigned a ‘shortage’ instrument, and study in small groups with Junior Department professors: Cameron Sinclair and Claire Hasted take two groups of percussion, Charles Ramirez holds guitar classes, and Sue Dent teaches a special small version of the French horn called the Kinderhorn. Each group is also accompanied by a student mentor: an undergraduate or postgraduate student from the RCM, who acts as a very important role model for the children. The mentors share the same instrument specialism as the group they are attached to and are there to provide constant support.

Sparks Juniors is an exciting new Ruairi Glasheen is a second year programme enabling selected talented undergraduate percussion student who children to access the outstanding has been mentoring one of the groups. tuition offered by the RCM’s celebrated He only started learning percussion at Junior Department. Upbeat finds the age of 17 and because of this late out about the project and the young start feels impassioned to enable others people involved… to become involved in music. “I really believe that playing percussion is one of On Saturdays, the RCM buzzes with the most fun and rewarding activities excitement and enthusiasm as more anyone of any age can become involved than 300 students arrive at the in’, Ruairi told Upbeat. “The opportunities Junior Department for their day of for creativity are limitless and to give lessons, orchestras, choirs and much these youngsters a step onto the ladder more. Since opening its doors in is something I believe to be so important. 1926, the Junior Department of Without education and opportunity, the the RCM has provided a unique musical possibilities of students are limited, opportunity for talented young and I feel the Sparks Juniors programme musicians to receive intensive, high covers these vital areas of becoming a quality music teaching and training. Hayley Clements, Learning and musician.” Participation Manager at the RCM, has In amongst all this, for the last two been behind Sparks Juniors from the years a group of children from four local beginning. She explains that the idea primary schools in North Kensington grew out of the desire to create a have benefited from the College’s musical pathway that didn’t currently expertise through a project known as exist for young people. “We wanted to Sparks Juniors. The project currently offer to a group of children, who wouldn’t involves 20 children, aged eight years normally have the opportunity to come and upwards, chosen from schools with to a place like the College, the chance a higher than average number of pupils to benefit from some intensive musical eligible for free school meals, and for training. It seemed appropriate to tie whom English is a foreign language. The it in to the Junior Department as it is children are selected to participate on already such a fantastic programme for the scheme through a series of classroom young musicians.” Director of the Junior workshops, rather than by audition. They Department Peter Hewitt adds: “It’s are picked not only for their musical wonderful to expose different groups of potential – demonstrated through people to the marvellous things that go their musical recall, creative input and on here, at the same time as challenging enthusiasm – but also for their ability to established practice and developing commit to the project. relations with the local community.”

12 So what do the parents programme by possibly extending it think of Sparks Juniors? into a fourth year to allow for smaller or even individual instrumental lessons, Iman, who is the mother of and to look at how we can give more second-year Sparks Junior Aya, intensive training on an instrument” says told Upbeat how much her Hayley. Overall, everyone involved in daughter enjoys coming to the the project is incredibly enthusiastic RCM. Originally from Sudan, about the children’s commitment and they are part of an artistic progress. Peter adds that he hopes “the family (Iman’s father was the experience of working with our wonderful Dean of the College of Fine Arts teachers and alongside our excellent young in Khartoum) but Aya had never musicians will inspire them to achieve received formal music lessons great things for themselves.” before coming to the RCM. She is now learning the guitar, and is even teaching her younger Sparks Juniors is part of the RCM’s sister too. groundbreaking learning and participation programme, RCM Tammy, the mother of Ellie who Sparks. Every year it ignites the flame What do the students is learning French horn, says her of music in the hearts and minds of themselves think? daughter had always shown signs of thousands of people. We are only able being musical. “Ever since she was a baby, to continue this vital work thanks to Nine-year old Oliver is in his second year even before she could walk, she used to of the Sparks Juniors programme and our generous donors and sponsors. rock to the music from side to side. She If you would like to find out how is learning percussion. He particularly gets so much out of her day here, and it’s enjoys playing the snare drum and to support the RCM, please call the really great that they allow me and her Development Department on xylophone because of “all the different grandmother to sit in on lessons.” sounds you can make.” Ellie, also nine- 020 7591 4320 or email years old, loves her French horn lessons Future plans [email protected] although she finds it quite hard to The RCM is grateful to EMI for muster “enough puff” to play for long The programme runs for three years, providing funding to help with periods of time. She performed in front but it doesn’t end there. The children the purchase and maintenance of of her friends at a school assembly last will be encouraged to audition for the term, which she described as “a little Junior Department if they have the instruments used by Sparks Juniors, freaky”, but was pleased her friends were appropriate level of accomplishment and and to J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust so impressed with her playing. All the further development potential. If they are for providing the funding to help with children on the project enjoyed singing successful, a bursary will enable them to set up costs for the first year of the with the training choir as part of a continue their studies. But if the Junior project. Friends event in November last year. They Department isn’t the right path for them, also had the opportunity to meet Prince there are many other opportunities Charles when he visited the College in available. RCM Sparks, May 2010. the College’s learning and participation Hayley comments on the fantastic programme, organises progress the students have made: “You a variety of projects really notice their confidence growing in the local borough and after being here for a year, they are of Kensington and so much more self-assured. They come to Chelsea and sends College on a Saturday and treat it like it a number of RCM is their second home. They know where students into local they are going and don’t get lost. There is schools to teach a lovely feeling of camaraderie – they even instrumental bring snacks in and share them with each lessons. other!” The Junior For the programme to succeed, however, Department aims it is also important to gain the trust to welcome many and commitment of the parents. “When more Sparks recruiting for the scheme it was really Juniors to their important to involve the families, as Saturday school it does impact on their time,” explains in the future. Hayley. “We also welcome the parents to “We would come into College and sit in on lessons so like to look they feel involved in their child’s progress.” at developing the Photos © Sheila Burnett

13 Meeting the supporters... Alison Macfadyen, Chair of the Junior Department Friends Committee The Junior Department of the Royal College of Music is supported by an enthusiastic committee of Friends. The Chair,Alison Macfadyen, explains the variety of activities they help to organise and support… Tell us a bit about how you got involved with the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music? My daughter Claire is 16 and has been at the Junior Department since she was eight years old. She plays cello, piano, feel as welcome as possible – it can be Can you tell us about the committee? harpsichord and sings, and it’s through quite daunting to turn up at the College The majority of the committee is made her that I got involved with the College. for the first time – so we often try to up parents of children who attend or Ever since she started coming here on a introduce new students and parents with have attended the Junior Department. Saturday she has said it is the best day of similar interests and instruments to each Others have been involved in the College the week for her – there is a tremendous other. in different ways, such as teaching or sense of doing something of value here, administrative staff. Many have been on but also having fun too! Our Saturday shop is very popular the committee for years – one parent’s too. We produce a range of RCM child left the Junior Department more At what point did you get involved with merchandise such as polo shirts, pencils, than two years ago but he still comes in the Friends Committee? music folders and manuscript paper, and runs the bar for us. There’s really a I wasn’t initially aware of the Friends, but it’s the hoodies which go down sense of camaraderie among us. This year, but Peter Hewitt, Director of the Junior particularly well with students. We also we’ve signed up more than 70% of the Department, approached me at the end have a music service, which is set up in new parents, which is fantastic. of Claire’s first year saying they were collaboration with Kensington Chimes. looking for a Secretary. So I took on that The service enables students to call Are there any new developments for the role for three years and then became up and order music from Kensington Friends scheme you would like to share Chair in 2006. Chimes, and ask for it to be delivered to with Upbeat? the College where they pick it up on a We have recently started producing a Can you give us a brief outline of what Saturday. In addition, from time to time termly newsletter with the aim of being the Friends do? we organise special events. For example, more inclusive with parents, so they can The Friends are a registered charity a few years ago we put on an Auction understand what we do as Friends and formed to raise funds to support the of Promise with some fantastic prizes how our work benefits students. work of the Junior Department. We are – Richard Dickins donated the chance also there to be ‘friends’ and to keep and to conduct the Junior Department How do you think the Friends benefit the College? nurture its inspiring atmosphere. We Symphony Orchestra, another prize was We’re just there to add something extra. try to create links between parents and having a piece written for you! For example, when we do long rehearsals the teachers – we’re not involved in the How do you use the funds you raise? for the Symphony Orchestra, I often teaching – but because of the longevity Over the past few years, we have bring Richard Dickins (the conductor) of the people on the committee, we purchased a number of instruments and the other orchestral tutors a cup grow together and build relationships. for the students to use such as a harp of tea. People are working really hard Can you tell us about your fundraising and a viola, and contributed to a new here on a Saturday and the Friends activities? set of timpani. The Junior Department just try to make it that little bit easier We have a rolling programme of activities often loans out instruments to students and acknowledge what a great job throughout the year, such as providing too, but many of the cases were in poor they do. I’m just jealous I didn’t get the repair, so we recently bought quite opportunity to come here myself! refreshments for concerts, competitions a few new ones (including about a and introductory days. Last year we dozen light weight cello cases – which If you would like to find out more about sponsored the Peter Morrison Concerto also helps students move around with the RCM JD Friends please visit Competition and kept the adjudicators more independence!). We have also www.rcm.ac.uk going with teas, coffees and lunch – commissioned a selection of new music it’s important to keep them fresh and from composers such as Gabriel Jackson. If you are a Friend of the RCMJD and happy! At the introductory day we try to would like to join the Friends Committee, make prospective parents and students please email [email protected]

14 Supporting the future of music...

Generations of gifted students from around Anthony Saltmarsh Junior Fellowship Richard & Victoria Sharp the world have been guided and inspired South Square Trust Michael & Ruth West * to develop their musical potential within Janna Spark & Iko Meshoulam Matthew & Sian Westerman * the Royal College of Music’s stimulating The Stanley Picker Award creative environment. This has been made Patrons Circle Janatha Stubbs Charitable Trust possible by the support of many generous David & Sylvia Andrews H R Taylor Trust individuals, companies and charitable Jane Barker* Tsukanov Family trusts. We would like to thank in particular Halina Bennett the following who have made donations of Wall Trust John Cheng £1,000 or more in the last year: Sir Peter & Lady Walters Award David & Sue Lewis Supporters of named awards (including Michael Whittaker Award scholarships and Junior Fellowships) Mills Williams Junior Fellowship Other generous donors ABRSM Professor Lord Winston Alan Bekhor Ackroyd Trust The Worshipful Company of Drapers Lady Carr HonRCM Adami Junior Fellowship The Worshipful Company of Musicians Centenary Group Ltd Arts & Business The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers Jonathan Davie Boltini Trust Supporters of RCM Sparks Esmée Fairbairn Foundation John & Catherine Armitage Award Chapman Charitable Trust Richard Everard Phoebe Benham Junior Fellowship EMI Music Sound Foundation Jeremy Furniss Monica & Guy Black Scholarship J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust Peter Granger Derek Butler Trust ING Bank N.V. Linda Hill * Richard Carne Trust Lucie Allsopp Memorial Fund Nicola Jones Stephen Catto Memorial Award Rodolphe Olard & Susan Sinclair Kirby Laing Foundation Estate of Roselyn Ann Clifton Parker Hamish & Carol Ritchie Knights of the Round Table Else & Leonard Cross Charitable Trust Robert Mayer Trust for Youth & Music Professor Colin Lawson FRCM Douglas Downie Corporate Partners Sir Edward Lewis Foundation Ann Driver Trust Michael Llewelyn-Jones Gilbert and Eileen Edgar Junior Fellowship BP International Ltd Mark Loveday * Gylla Godwin The Royal Garden Hotel Satish Modi Irene Hanson Award Patrons of the RCM Opera Circle and Dr Victoria Moore-Gillon HF Awards RCM Circle Paul Morgan Charitable Trust Jenny Marsh Chapman Memorial Fund Philip & Christine Carne * Sir Michael Parkinson John Lewis Partnership Awards Matthew & Fiona Collins * Russell Race Georgina Joshi International Fellowship Linda & Tony Hill * Kathleen Trust Sir Vernon & Lady Ellis Geoffrey Richards HonRCM David Laing Foundation Gisela Gledhill * David Ross Hester Laverne Award Christina Hoseason * Roland Rudd Leverhulme Trust Yatish Joshi * St Marylebone Educational Foundation Estate of Ian Evans Lombe James & Clare Kirkman * Dasha Shenkman Estate of David Luck Dr Mark Levesley * Estate of Mrs Pamela Steele Lord & Lady Lurgan Trust Sir Peter & Lady Middleton FRCM Michael Steen OBE HonRCM Charles Napper Award Dr Leonard Polonsky & Dr Georgette Barry Sterndale-Bennett Lydia Napper Award Bennett * Wolfson Foundation Noswad Charity Richard & Sue Price RCM Friends JD Bursaries Fund The Reed Foundation Emma Rose & Quentin Williams * * also support a named award Welcome to new Friends We are delighted to welcome the following people who have joined the RCM Friends recently: Mr Christopher Barclay Mr Richard Hamilton Mr Ian Richardson Mr Anthony Bolton Mrs Sophie Kelsey Mr Kerry Rubie Mr Christopher Bornet HonRCM The Hon Mrs Elisabeth Lamb Mr Michael Rubie Mr Christopher Browne Mr John Ley Mr Peter Taaffe Finn Mrs Annabel Buchan Mr Francis Markham Mr Anthony Teasdale Mr Stephen Buswell Mrs Kirstie Maxwell Mrs A Thorman Miss Victoria Christian Mrs Amanda Murray Mrs Elizabeth Walton Mrs Fiona Costa Mr Ray O’Brien Mrs Jill Whiteley Mr Pete Fozard Mr Dylan Parry Mr George Whitmore

15 Staff notes

A legendary six-part BBC television Llewellyn to write a song cycle for programme Kings of Instruments from soprano and orchestra, and is finishing the late 1980s, which starred Prince a new piece (for microtonal , Consort Professor of Organ Dame percussion and electronics) for ‘Duo Gillian Weir, is now available on DVD. Contour’ in Freiburg, Germany. Gillian takes viewers on a tour across Europe to six different organs, providing The recently released CDVenezuela engaging dialogue about the history from Junior Department professor of of , music and instruments. piano Clara Rodriguez was described Over 20 works from a wide range of as a “treasure chest” by Jeremy Nicholas composers are performed. The DVD is in Gramophone magazine. He also available from Priory Records: Ani Schnarch commented: “Clara Rodriguez makes the www.priory.org.uk most of her innate feel for the exuberant and languorous, dispatching the toe- During the 2009–2010 academic year, tapping cross-rhythms with panache and Ani Schnarch, professor of violin, a light touch.” The CD is available on represented the RCM at conservatoires Nimbus Records. worldwide. She gave masterclasses and concerts at the Geneva Conservatoire (Switzerland), Astana Conservatoire (Kazakhstan), Artave Professional Music School (Portugal) and the Nagoya University of Music and Fine Arts (Japan).

Alexander Technique professor Peter Buckoke has been invited to Lugano in Switzerland to give a presentation to the International Conference of Alexander Teachers in August. He will describe the development of Alexander lessons at the RCM, from Wilfred Barow’s 1950s experiment in the singing department to The first performance of composition the present day set-up, with Alexander professor ’s Piano Trio Technique firmly embedded in the Timothy Salter was given by the Fournier Trio in a Park course. The Royal Ballet’s production of the Lane Group concert at the Purcell Room. great Romantic classic Giselle at Covent Ingrid Pearson, Deputy Head of the On 2 April, the Ionian Singers premiere Garden earlier this year, once again used Graduate School, has been invited to give his Invida Aetas (Fragments from Adolphe Adam’s 1841 music in a revised a lecture entitled ‘Celebrating the past: Horace) at St James’s, Piccadilly. version by composition professor Joseph treasures from the RCM collections’ on Guitar professor Carlos Bonell recently Horovitz. In 1990 he was commissioned 6 April as part of the Gresham College recorded a 15-track of music by by choreographer Sir Peter Wright to Lecture Series. She will discuss items the Beatles featuring well-known songs adapt Adam’s orchestration to suit his from the RCM Library and Centre for new production, which has remained in such as Because, The Fool on the Hill and Performance History including a new the Royal Ballet’s repertoire ever since. Eleanor Rigby. Many of the arrangements acquisition – the earliest known English- At a recent public orchestral rehearsal of are adventurous and contain Carlos’ language tutor for the clarinet, published Giselle, the Royal Ballet’s Music Director own musical material. The album was in London circa 1772. The lecture will Barry Wordsworth (an RCM alumnus) recorded over a period of three months introduced Horovitz, whose career take place at the Museum of London. at the Mike Moran Music studio near began as a ballet conductor, to answer www.gresham.ac.uk Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire. questions from the audience about the Professor of Academic Studies and www.carlosbonell.com score. A DVD of this production of Giselle Composition, Dr Jean-Philippe was issued in 2008. Calvin has been awarded the annual Beaumarchais Foundation Grant by the French Ministry of Culture for his second opera La Divina Commedia. He has also published an article on Iannis Xenakis in the January issue of the Istanbul Technical University Academic Journal (YENI). In addition, he was recently Dr Jean-Philippe Calvin commissioned by soprano Elizabeth Carlos Bonell

16 Viol consort coach Claire Bracher has Performance Coordinator Jess Pearce recently released a highly acclaimed recently ran the 16-mile Kingston CD with the ensemble ORLANDOviols Breakfast run in aid of Abracadabra 2. entitled Sound Out My Voice. Early The charity is raising funds to support Music Review described the playing as a new adolescent cancer unit of “mellifluous, beautifully tuned, agile and Hascombe Children’s Ward at the Royal deft, and always full of passion and light.” Surrey County Hospital. “It was a huge Claire also performed live on BBC Radio personal challenge and a bit of a struggle 3, as part of the Brighton Early Music towards the end, but knowing I was Festival, with the ensemble Amaranthos. raising money for such a great charity really kept me going” Jess told Upbeat. “It Christine Stevenson, Junior Department is a truly fantastic ward which not only piano professor, is celebrating the treats patients, but also cares about the bicentenary of Liszt’s birth in 2011 families of the children and young adults with a series of concerts in the UK they nurse.” Jess has raised just short of and Australia. The programme its characterful set of variations. The £1,000. Anyone wanting to support her features repertoire from the three performance offers a vivid contrast to should go to www.justgiving.com/ volumes of Années de Pèlerinage, the medium of the modern B flat clarinet jessruns16miles to donate. works from Harmonies poétiques et and piano, on which a few of the sonatas religieuses, waltzes, csárdás and song have been played from modern editions. transcriptions. A recording of Années de The CD is available from Clarinet Classics. Pèlerinage II - Italie is also in preparation. www.clarinetclassics.com Professor Colin Lawson has released Bassoon professor Martin Gatt’s wind a second volume of Lefèvre sonatas and piano ensemble Amata Musica for clarinet and cello. This volume has released a CD for sextet of works completes the set of 12 sonatas from by Thuille, Roussel, Vincent d’Indy the composers’ Méthode de Clarinette and Françaix. The chamber ensemble (1802). Repertoire on the new disc comprises fellow RCM professor Sue reflects the progressive nature of the set, Dent, RCM alumni Colin Parr and ranging from the concise Sonata no 2 Margaret Lynn, and Leslie Shiells and Jess Pearce toUpbeat the complex ad Summer final Sonata 2011:Layout no 12, with 1 25/02/2011Jane Finch. 17:23 Page 1

the ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC presents CHILINGIRIAN MOZART FESTIVAL MONDAY 20 & TUESDAY 21 JUNE 2011 Two days of concerts, talks and masterclasses presenting Mozart’s best-loved chamber music - and some very special rarities! Chilingirian Quartet • Sacconi Quartet Cavaleri Quartet • Colin Lawson Tickets: £8 (daytime events) £8 (evening concert) £13 (all-day ticket) £20 (all-festival saver ticket) available from the RCM Box Office on 020 7591 4314 or at www.rcm.ac.uk/boxoffice For full programme details see www.rcm.ac.uk/mozart

17 Student notes

the European Talent Award in Film Music Piano successes… at SoundTrack_Cologne 7.0 (see page 9)… The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Alexey Chernov has won First Prize premiered Marcos Fernandez’s work at the Fourth Campillos International as his prize for Piano Competition in Malaga, Spain. He Journey for Orchestra also gained First Prize, together with the winning their ‘Call for new Compositions’ special prize for 20th-century music, at competition. Thanks to sponsorship by the Concorso Pianistico Internazionale the Anglo-Spanish Society, his Spanish “Luciano Gante”, in Pordenone, Italy… inspired ballet Hispania also received its Valarie Xiao Chun Liow has won Fourth first performance by the Alba Sinfonia Prize at the Moray Piano Competition in in Glasgow earlier this year. In addition, Scotland… Elmar Gasanov has gained Marcos has been selected as a finalist Third Prize at the Isang Yun International for the Composers’ Competition 2011, Piano Competition in Korea… organised by the Orion Symphony Jun Ishimura has won Second Prize Orchestra and in association with the at the finals of the 20th International Royal Over-Seas League... Karl Fiorini has Piano Competition in Rome with a secured several performances of his work performance of Chopin’s Concerto no 2 La nuit commence a Tomber for violin in F minor… Alex Wilson has gained and orchestra, including two concerts Third Prize in the British Contemporary in Poland with RCM alumnus violinist Piano Competition… David Malusa has Emanuel Salvador earlier this year. Karl’s won Second Prize at the International work will also be performed in May with Karl Fiorini Hindemith Competition in Berlin, the Orquestra do Norte in Portugal, and Germany… Junior Department in September with the Orchestra da Nimrod Katzir’s Juba’a for two clarinets, pianist Lara Melda, BBC Young Musician Camera Fiorentina in Italy… 2010, appeared on BBC Radio 3’s In which was commissioned by the Stump- Tune programme in October 2010, for Linshalm duo, has been recorded by the a performance and live interview with group as part of their ‘ShortCut’ project, Sean Rafferty at BBC Broadcasting a compilation of newly commissioned House… Vasco Rocha has won First works. The recording has been released Prize at the Porto Conservatory of on Ein-klang records… Mark Boden’s Music Competition in Portugal. His prize orchestral work Six Degrees has been included a recital at the Sala Suggia in selected for a workshop/performance the Casa da Musica, one of Porto’s most by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. prestigious venues, where he performed The same work has also been awarded a diverse programme including works by a place in the final of St Andrews Portuguese composers. University Competition and receives SoundTrack_Cologne 7.0 a performance there in the spring. In addition, Mark won the 2010 British Composition Composer Awards Student Competition Earlier this year, Pedro Faria Gomes’ for his work Siegfried Stanzas for soprano Returning received its first performance congratulations… and violin. by the Eidos Trio at Wigmore Hall, and Erick Flores has been selected for the his O Violino Cigano for narrator and London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young orchestra was given two performances Composers Scheme. He will write a new by the Orquestra do Algarve in Portugal. work for members of the orchestra for The Royal Opera House also premiered performance at the Royal Festival Hall an opera scene, which was written in in the summer… Martin Batchelar won collaboration with librettist Allison Smith, as part of the ROH VOX – Composing for Voice programme… Jude Obermuller saw his first musical Forbidden Fruit premiered to great acclaim at Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange… Doctoral student and film composerDimitri Scarlato has been selected for this year’s Berlinale Talent Campus, a creative academy and networking platform for filmmakers and other professionals working in film. He has also been accepted for VOX2 – the opera and vocal workshops run by the Martin Batchelar at SoundTrack_Cologne 7.0 Royal Opera House…

18 the location of the grave of Christopher Joint successes Columbus is found. In addition she toured many public schools in the capital We are delighted to announce that to encourage children to take up classical members of the Senior and Junior music… Junior Department student departments at the RCM have and cellist Harry Gilfillan has gained recently come out on top in leading a Development Award as part of the competitions: prestigious Guilhermina Suggia Gift. Vocal victories… Soprano Susanna Hurrell has won the Peter Hulsen Orchestral Song Award with the prize of a concert of orchestral songs with the Southbank Sinfonia at the Royal Opera House Linbury Studio. She has also won the John Kerr English Song Competition… Mezzo-soprano Amy Williamson has won Second Prize in the Junior Ferrier Competition… Junior Harry Gilfillan Department students Rosanna Cooper and Kieran Brunt have won First and Second Prizes at the annual Association String successes… of English Singers and Speakers Junior Competition. Violinist Algirdas Galdikas has performed on Romanian State TV in a documentary about George Enescu Other activities… focusing on his life and music. It was filmed at the George Ensecu Museum, Pianist and singer Kumi Matsuo and with Algirdas playing the young Joanne D’Mello have given concerts Enescu, to whom he bears an uncanny in Goa and New Delhi, in India, at the resemblance… Guitarist Declan Zapala invitation of the Kala Academy Goa, Pro Musica, the Neemrana Music Foundation David Malusa has won ‘The Big One £1,000 Talent Show’ held at Guildford’s Backline Live and Alliance Française de Delhi… Laura David Malusa, a pianist on the venue… Violist Shiry Rashkovsky has Thompson (violin), Shaun Ho (violin), Artist Diploma programme, won given the world premiere performance Miku Pancoast (viola) and Jonathan the prestigious Jaques Samuel of Kate Whitley’s Viola Concerto with Brewer (double bass) have toured Intercollegiate Piano Competition, the New Music Ensemble in Cambridge, north-eastern China with the Amadeus held at St James’s, Piccadilly. David’s under the baton of James Henshaw. Orchestra, performing a selection of prize is a professional CD recording, The concert was the culmination of a popular Western and Chinese pieces in as well as recital dates at Wigmore year-long collaboration between Shiry, the cities of Mudanjiang, Harbin, Daqing Hall and the Fazioli Auditorium Kate and James, and plans are in the and Anshan… Doctoral student Douglas in Italy. RCM pianists were equally making for the London premiere of the MacMillan has recently published an dominant in the Junior section of exciting new work… Violinist Aisha article in Early Music describing and illustrating the various types of flageolet the competition. Although there was Syed has performed several concerts invented and played in the 19th century. no overall winner, out of 13 players in Santo Domingo, the capital of the selected to perform at Wigmore Hall, Dominican Republic. She played two a staggering eight currently study concerts organised by the Archbishop at the RCM’s Junior Department: of the First Cathedral of the America, Tomoka Kan, Ziying Zhang, Shoko Higashitsuji, Vidas Vaitkavicius, Anthony Tat, Sarah Lyo, Zizhou Zhang and Dominic Doutney. Further afield at the International Double Bass Convention in Berlin, first-year undergraduateRodrigo Moro Martin won First Prize in the Young Students section and Junior Department student Ruan Baartman gained Second Prize in Youth Section Rosanna Cooper (third from right) and Group. Kieran Brunt (second from right) Joanne D’Mello and Kumi Matsuo

19 Alumni notes

Anna Hashimoto has won the first International Clarinet Competition in Kortrijk, Belgium under the patronage of Queen Paola. The competition consisted of four rounds each with different repertoire requirements including Nielsen’s Clarinet Concerto, Debussy’s Première Rhapsodie, and John Corigliano’s Clarinet Concerto. Singer Laurie Ashworth was selected as a finalist in the inaugural BBC Radio 2 Kiri Prize – Radio 2’s nationwide search Helen Grime with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to find an opera star of the future. Laurie secured her place in the final with outstanding Orchestra and RCM alumnus Andrew performances of Caro Nome from Haveron. www.theaco.co.uk Verdi’s Rigoletto and Ach, Ich Fuhl’s from Thomas Blunt Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte accompanied Composer Helen Grime has signed an by the BBC Concert Orchestra in a exclusive publishing agreement with semi-final concert held at BBC Television Conductor Thomas Blunt recently took Chester Music. James Rushton, Managing up the position of Assistant Conductor Centre in London. Director of Chester Music said: “It is rare to find in a composer as young, such to Vladimir Jurowski and the London Soprano was Pumeza Matshikiza a mature, confident and defined voice, Philharmonic Orchestra. nominated for the 2011 South Bank Sky as is the case with Helen Grime. We are TheMercury Arts/The Times Breakthrough Award. delighted to be working with Helen and Quartet, Originally from South Africa, Pumeza look forward to the future with much comprising was a leading light as a student at the excitement.” Chester Music will make current RCM RCM’s International Opera School, available 14 of Helen’s current works student Harry performing memorably in several including Virga for orchestra, A Cold Cameron-Penny productions. She was one of ten stars Spring for ensemble and Into the faded plus alumni Vlad from different genres nominated by The air for string sextet. Maistorovici Times’ culture critics. Shiva Feshareki was shortlisted for a Corentin Chassard and Antoine The Arensky Chamber Orchestra, , launched their first album in British Composer Award for her work Françoise recently set up by RCM alumni Rowan November last year. Mercury Acoustic TTKonzert – a concerto for turntables Bell and Steffan Rees and current was recorded for the label NonClassical. and orchestra – which was performed by students William Kunhardt and Ben It consists of original free improvisations/ the RCM Sinfonietta in February last year Norris, launched their inaugural season live composition, as well as remixes of with Shiva herself as soloist. at Cadogan Hall earlier this year. Their these tracks by different composers and debut concert, entitled ‘From Venice to sound artists including RCM composer Simon Coleman recently composed Buenos Aires: Eight Seasons’, featured an Ruaidhri Mannion. The launch event music for the second series of ITV’s interlacing of Vivaldi’s Quattro Stagione took place in Hoxton and included a successful primetime show The Lakes. (Four Seasons) and the Cuatro estaciónes performance by the quartet with mezzo- The 12-part series is presented by Rory (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) soprano Linda Hirst. porteñas McGrath and documents the lives of the by tango legend Àstor Piazzolla. The characters who live and work in the Wallace Woodley has produced a concert was directed from the violin Lake District. fundraising CD for his church in New by the Leader of the BBC Symphony www.itv.com/lifestyle/thelakes Zealand, which was badly damaged in an earthquake in September last year. Life With The Piano contains 22 tracks of solo piano by a wide range of composers from Bach to Poulenc that he and his pupils have enjoyed performing over the past 60 years. Clarinettist Graham Evans has played in the Australian premiere performance of Havergal Brian’s Symphony no 1 ‘The Gothic’ some fifty years after he played in its world premiere in the UK at Westminster Central Hall, in the presence of the composer. The Arensky Chamber Orchestra

20 A new CD from organist Timothy PHAS label, featuring music by Brahms Kerr English Song Competition. He Bond is released on Regent Records in and Rachmaninov. She is supporting accompanied RCM soprano and overall the spring. It features world premiere the release with a tour of concerts in winner of the competition Susanna recordings of modern music from the Dundee, London and Bristol. Hurrell on several of the historical UK with soprano Janice Watson and www.christinalawrie.co.uk keyboard instruments that make up the mezzo-soprano Catherine Wyn-Rogers. Finchcocks collection in Kent. Timothy is also curating an exhibition Ivana Gavric’s Wigmore Hall debut in at the Newlyn Art Gallery in Cornwall July was greeted with critical acclaim. until 2 May which is dedicated to the Praise has also been lavished by the remarkable British painter Roger Hilton British press on her debut CD In The (1911–1975). Mists on the Champs Hill label, which www.newlynartgallery.co.uk was selected as Instrumental Choice of the Month in the Christmas issue of the BBC Magazine: “her playing is altogether Piano of an extraordinary calibre”. performances… www.ivanagavric.com Recent alumnus Konstantin Lapshin Warren Mailley-Smith has released a has won First Prize and the Audience new CD of Mozart sonatas. Recorded at Prize at the Third International Piano Wyastone Hall in Monmouthshire on a Competition “Premio Schumann” in Steinway piano, it features three of his Lamporecchio, Italy, which attracted 47 sonatas and the Rondo ‘alla Turca’. of the world’s finest young pianists. In March, pianist Christina Lawrie Sebastian Wybrew has won the released her debut CD on the new Accompanist’s Prize at the John

Mr Rodolphe Olard Mr and Mrs Rodney Donald The big give Mr Samir Savant Mrs Judy Mowschenson We would like to express our gratitude Mrs Susan Sturrock Mrs Moira Warr-king to all those who helped make our first Lady Middleton FRCM Mrs Linden Innes-Hopkins Big Give campaign such a success, Mr Terence Mowschenson Miss Diana Keech especially The Reed Foundation and Mr Richard Edgar-Wilson Mrs Pamela Thompson Arts & Business for creating such a Mr Paul Joslin Mr Daniel Brinsdon generous initiative in which we were so Mr James McAlinden Mrs Agnes Stuart thrilled to take part: Mr John Ward Mr Martin Snowden Arts & Business Ms Greta Hemus Mr Michael Burton Mrs Jane Barker Mrs Anastasia Christou Miss Sheila Fraser Mrs Emma Rose Dr Ingrid Pearson Mr Matthew Hart-Dyke Mr Quentin Williams Ms Heather Bills Mrs Leonie Richards Lady Walters Mrs Johanna White Mr Walter Adams Lady Carr Mrs Leng Croxson Mr Robert Andrews Mrs Fiona Collins Ms Catherine Farmer Dunlop Ms Sophie Hussey Mrs Gisela Gledhill Miss Sarah Francis Mr Timothy Woods Mr Mark Loveday Mrs Valerie Green It was wonderful to have so many RCM The Reed Foundation Miss Franziska Kuczynska alumni donating to the Scholarship The Wyseliot Trust Dr Jill Pellew Fund for the first time. If you would The Ackroyd Trust Mr Christopher Allen like to discuss making a donation to Mr Russell Race Mrs Morella Cottam support RCM Scholars or would like Mr Richard Price Mrs Patricia Broke to hear more about how this money is used please contact Kate Eberwein, Worshipful Company of Fishmongers Mr John Ferguson Development Executive on Professor Lord Winston Mr Barry Friend 020 7591 4320 or Professor Colin Lawson Mrs Renske Mann [email protected] Sir Michael Parkinson Mrs A Thorman Mr Richard Cranfield Miss Heather Letley Mr John Nickson Mr Roger Lord

21 Births, marriages & obituaries Marriages Development Officer, Joana Witkowski, married Jérôme Le Crapper on 21 August 2010 at Heidelberg Castle, Germany. Obituaries We were saddened to hear of the death of the great soprano and RCM alumna Dame Joan Sutherland, who passed away in Switzerland on 10 October last year. In 1951, Joan came from her native Australia to study at the Royal College of Music under Clive Carey. It was at the RCM that she met her husband, conductor Richard Bonynge, who was a fellow student. During those early years in London they formed one of the most important personal Joana Witkowski married Jérôme Le Crapper and musical partnerships in the world of opera, which was to serve her well several of the chamber orchestras that Press officerSuzanne Graham-Dixon during her incredible rise to stardom emerged after the second world war died on 26 March 2010, aged 78. For and over a long and astonishing career. and was Principal Flute in the London almost 30 years Sue acted as UK press She became one of the world’s most Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) from 1942 representative for a number of European lauded opera stars, and none other than until 1950, and then again from 1961 to opera and music festivals. Living within Luciano Pavarotti, with whom she often 1970. Afterwards he freelanced with the walking distance of the RCM, she got performed, described her as “the greatest to hear many rising talents and helped voice of the 20th century”. London Mozart Players, the Goldsbrough Ensemble (later the English Chamber launched many of their careers. Sue Neil Richardson passed away in October Orchestra), the Boyd Neel Orchestra created a young singers prize in memory 2010. Neil studied clarinet, piano, and and the New London Orchestra. He was of her father and often invited singers composition with professor William active as a soloist and recitalist, and a to perform at her home as well as Lloyd Webber at the RCM in the 1940s. founder member of the , sponsoring them in various ways. Following his studies at the College, he and continued to play with some of the took up National Service and played solo London orchestras on and off until he Births clarinet with the band of the Royal Air was seventy. Richard was a lifelong friend Force at Cranwell. It was as a composer, of , whom he met at Learning and Participation Coordinator however, that he was perhaps best know. the RCM. They had been colleagues in Katy Hemingway and her husband His music was used in numerous TV, the LPO, where Arnold was principal Francis are delighted to announce film and radio productions including trumpet, and Arnold wrote several works the birth of their son Alfred George Approaching Menace (the Mastermind which Richard premiered. Hemingway on 20 December 2010, theme tune) and the famous test card weighing in 8lbs 2oz. piece Scotch Broth. He was also prolific Pamela Alice Larkin passed away on as an arranger and conductor, working 29 October, aged 88. She graduated with various BBC Radio Orchestras in from the College with an ARCM in 1942 the 1960s–1990s including the BBC having studied piano with Kendall Taylor Northern Radio Orchestral, which he was and singing with Dorothea Webb. She instrumental in founding. was awarded Herbert Sharp Prize in 1942 and Hopkinson Gold Medal in 1943. Flautist and long-standing RCM Friend Richard Adeney died in December Long standing RCM Friend and alumnus last year aged 90. Richard entered the Viscountess Clare Chelmsford died RCM at the age of 17, where he studied 28 December 2010, aged 80, after a with Robert Murchie, first flute with long illness. She was the wife of the late the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He Viscount Jan Chelmsford, mother to was later offered a professorship but Kim and Tiffany, grandmother to Elen, decided, apparently after only one Tom, Frederic and Edward. Her funeral afternoon, that his heart was in playing was held on 20 January at Chelsea Old Alfred George Hemingway rather than teaching! He played with Church, London.

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