Newsletter Autumn 2018
ISSUE #71
Newsletter
The International Music School founded by Yehudi Menuhin Autumn 2018
Registered Charity 312010
Welcome
In early November, a film crew spent a few days at YMS shooting footage for a new 4 minute video for our website. It was time for a new film as the youngest pupils who featured in the previous one graduated from the School in the summer. Furthermore, our music facilities have been transformed over recent years and our boarding provision and grounds have been improved.
The difficulty was not deciding what to include in the new film, but working out how to paint an accurate picture of life at the School with so much those special and eagerly anticipated of everything YMS gives us, and unavoidably having to be omitted. events that punctuate the YMS school a strong sense of purpose and of Although many of the roses were still year? Founder’s Day, Junior School community. in bloom, the weather was no longer plant sale, primary schools’ concerts, good enough for outdoor picnics and Summer Festival, Activities Day, Jazz We should also all of us humbly barbecues. The successful orchestral Party, Bonfire Night, Remembrance acknowledge how privileged we are to tour to Spain, though on everyone’s Day, Christmas Concerts and Party: be here, and understand the part we lips, was just a memory, as were none of these got a look in. each play in ensuring the continued countless concerts, masterclasses, success of the School for generations workshops, weekend outings, Duke of I hope that the film will convey, to come. Edinburgh expeditions and significant through a series of interviews with visits from musicians and delegations staff and pupils, the essence of what Kate Clanchy from abroad, most recently from it is like to live, work and study at the Head Japan and China. And how about Menuhin School, a warm appreciation
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SCHOOL LIFE 2 From the Chairman of Governors
ALUMNI 12 As I write, we are approaching the end of 2018 and it’s a good time to STAFF 13 take stock of a momentous year in the history of our unique school. MENUHIN HALL 14 The year began with the arrival DEVELOPMENT 16 of Kate Clanchy as our new Head, complementing the appointment FRIENDS 17 of Òscar Colomina i Bosch as the School’s new Director of Music which had taken effect from the start of the academic year. The pace of change Follow us! amongst the leadership team has accelerated ever since with the If you are active on social media (or arrivals of David Bruce (Director of would like to be) please have a look at our Studies), Joanne Field (Housemistress facilities that it needs. To this end, various channels. and Head of Pastoral Care), Shelley a masterplan has already been Please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Twitchin (Bursar) and Alix de Mauny created and approved in principle by Instagram for news, events and images, (Director of Development). As a result Governors. We are also at the early but best of all is our YouTube channel we now have a completely fresh stages of some exciting which we keep updated with awe-inspiring and highly qualified team to take us international developments. videos of our pupils playing Schubert, forward into 2019 and beyond. Poulenc, Vaughan Williams, Howells and more. Through this channel you can watch Overhanging everything is the and listen to our pupils in the comfort of Meanwhile, both musically and uncertainty of the UK’s future your own home whenever you like. academically the School has continued relationship with Europe and thus to excel. While our remarkable with the world as a whole. As a Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @menuhinschool successes in both the Menuhin small international community, these Competition and the BBC Young political and economic issues are of Find us on Facebook Musician Competition hit the headlines, disproportionate importance. @yehudimenuhinschool there has been a whole series of In navigating such turbulent waters, Subscribe to our YouTube superb musical outcomes for all of our we will continue to be guided by the channel by searching for pupils. The major tour to Spain this fundamental principles laid down by The Yehudi Menuhin School term represented a highly successful our Founder: bringing together the We also update the news section of our expansion of our European presence. most talented young musicians from website regularly, so please visit In both GCSEs and A Levels, the all over the world and educating them www.menuhinschool.co.uk/news School achieved comfortably over to emerge as rounded human beings to see what we are up to. 60% A-A* results. with exceptional capacity to contribute to the common good. CONTACT US Both the opportunities and the challenges ahead are considerable. Richard Morris The Yehudi Menuhin School Despite all the new building Chairman of Governors Stoke d’Abernon, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3QQ over recent years, and a major 01932 864739 refurbishment programme this year, the School must continue to develop www.menuhinschool.co.uk its estate to provide the quality of
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Competitions
Once again, our pupils have had an impressive term of competition success.
SongHa Choi won the Grand Prize in the String section (ex aequo with a cellist) in the Berliner International Music Competition. As part of the prize, SongHa played in the Winner’s Gala Concert in the Berliner Philharmonic Hall in September. Ezo Dem Sarici won 3rd prize in Competition in France. As the Will Duerden won 1st Prize in the the Virtuoso and Belcanto Chamber competition is open to international Peter Morrison Concerto Competition Competition in Italy. She was also violinists aged 26 years and younger, - part of the Royal College of awarded the Paganini at 17, Claire was one of the youngest Music Junior Division’s Prize and received a to earn a place in the Finals. She internal competition mention for being also won the Special Prize for best series. the youngest interpretation of a French sonata. competitor. Eddie Mead has Claire was accompanied by Svitlana won a place in the Elfida Turan Kosenko, who was named as most National Youth won 3rd Prize in outstanding accompanist. Orchestra of Great the Ilona Fehér Britain. International Violin Competition in Gorka Plada Girón won 2nd Budapest. Prize in the International Piano Competiton for Young Musicians in Claire Wells won 3rd Prize in the Amsterdam. Mirecourt International Violin Pianoduo Festival Amsterdam 2018
Duru Erdogan and Stefanija Nikolich travelled to Holland to perform in the Pianoduo Festival Amsterdam. They played a programme of Busoni and Schumann and were by far the youngest performers at the Festival.
After the performance they participated in a discussion panel and both girls distinguished themselves and the School by speaking articulately and with maturity.
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The Spanish Tour A music, cultural and gastronomical adventure for the orchestra
Music, Òscar Colomina i Bosch, and he of Zaragoza which took in the Basilica took care to make sure that everyone de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Catedral would learn something of Spanish del Salvador and Palacio de Aljaferia. culture as well as giving performances. After lunch (and rest), the pupils went to the concert venue to be reunited The tour really began in Richmond with their instruments and to prepare on Saturday 20 October, with a for the evening concert at the Auditorio performance for the charity Rainbow de Zaragoza. The audience was small Fund for South Africa which was but appreciative, and even during warmly received by the audience. When the rehearsal the Artistic Director of the orchestra returned to the School, the venue was so impressed with the the instruments were carefully packed quality that he issued an invitation to into one of the minibuses and Tamas return for further concerts. Reti and Cathy Whitnall drove off into the night to get a head start on the On Tuesday we proceeded to Òscar’s pupils, who flew at a more civilised home city of Valencia, where we hour on Sunday. Everyone was reunited encountered paella for the first time. Thirty-three pupils and five members of in the evening at Zaragoza for a good To the pupils’ delight it was served staff set out on Sunday 21 October for night’s sleep. as a help-yourself buffet. After a bit a tour of concert halls in North-Eastern of rest, the meal was walked off Spain. The programme had been On Monday the tour guide, Adriana during a tour of the central part of planned by our (Spanish) Director of Matich, led the group on a walking tour Valencia, including some very modern
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architecture. We were delighted to see ex-pupil Margarita Canto Wolteche during this visit.
On Wednesday Òscar led a walking tour into the old city, giving us historical information to go with the buildings that we saw. These included the Museu Nacional de Ceràmica and some indoor markets. Lunch was at the distinctly non-Spanish Hard Rock Café (burgers, of course) – it was interesting to see how much of American food culture has invaded Spain. The evening’s concert was at the Conservatorio Superior de Valencia - a large audience this time, including Òscar’s former teachers and home of Spain’s greatest cellist). was streamed to a secondary auditorium colleagues and some local fans. For After some free time in the afternoon, and the café-bar. Guest of honour at the supper we sampled another Spanish there was a rehearsal before the evening first concert was Paloma O’Shea, a close tradition – tapas – of which there was concert. A full and enthusiastic audience friend of Zamira and co-founder of the more than we could eat! attended, including alumni Pau Codina Reina Sofia School in Madrid. and Judith Botanch. A camera crew from On Thursday, on the way to Coma-Ruga, the Catalan public broadcaster filmed After a memorable visit to the Prado, we stopped at the beautiful seaside the first item in the programme (Turina: it was time to pack up and leave. town of Peñíscola for a look at the Oración del Torero). Once again the pupils flew while the castle. By the end of the afternoon we minibus went on its 22-hour journey were at our next hotel, beside the beach Saturday saw our final transfer to back through the Chunnel with the at Coma-Ruga; this was probably the Madrid, via the hillside town of Siguenza instruments. favourite hotel, partly because of its where we filled up with the local location, but also because all meals speciality – migas and lamb shanks. It was a hugely successful and enjoyable were buffet-style. The concerts on Sunday and Monday tour, one that will be talked about for were both at the Juan March Foundation, many years to come. Thank you to Kate, On Friday morning we went to the Pau and Sunday’s concert was live-streamed. Òscar, Alice, Cathy and Tamas for making Casals Museum (the former summer The auditorium was full, and the concert it possible.
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Remembrance Day
Our Remembrance Day service this Vanessa gave a moving speech about Poems were read by Natasha, Julius year was a special one, not only the There But Not There project, which and Kate Clanchy, and trumpeter because it was the 100th anniversary aims to place a representative figure Freddie Meyers from Royal Academy of the end of WW1, but because we for every name on local war memorials of Music played The Last Post and were joined by Governor Vanessa around the country, into their place of Reveille. After two minutes of Richards who spoke about the worship, school, workplace or wherever silence, the choir performed a moving charity Remembered, of which she is their absence was keenly felt. Proceeds rendition of In Paradisum, led by Choir a Trustee. from the sale of the ‘Tommy’ figures go Director David Condry. to various organisations dedicated to helping veterans and their families.
Howard Goodall
It was an inspiring start to the note on the synthesiser with the new Academic year with a visit LSO at the London 2012 Olympics, from award-winning composer and dreaming he was joining the runners broadcaster Howard Goodall. on the beach in Chariots of Fire. The pupils were then treated to an Howard spoke first to the whole extra hour during which they quizzed school about the timelessness of Howard on various topics from music, and why he believed the Rimsky-Korsakov’s orchestration to perceived gap between classical contemporary film music. and popular music was mostly an artificial one. We were taken on a Howard stayed for lunch with the journey from the birth of opera to pupils and staff and more spirited Mr Bean sullenly repeating his single conversation.
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a variety of activities ranging from Languages Day masterclasses, calligraphy and sign language, to cooking, composition and A group of pupils from the High School creative writing. The day ended with connected to the Tokyo University a concert in The Menuhin Hall, which of the Arts spent a sunny day in included piano pieces for four hands, September at YMS making music, a harmonised version of Auld Lang art and new friends. A joint effort by Syne, and Professor Sawa from Tokyo the Music and Modern Languages conducting an orchestra of pupils from Departments, the day was filled with both schools.
It was a great pleasure to host the visitors and we look forward to meeting them again.
Thank you to Akiko Ono, Òscar Colomina i Bosch, Didier Descamps, Tamas Reti, Jean Labourg, Cathy Whitnall, Marco Galvani and all of the staff who helped to make the day a success.
New pupils
Benedetta Carmen Ella Emma Violin Piano Cello Cello Italy Spain United Kingdom Netherlands
Henry Jana Joanne Julius Violin Violin Cello Piano United Kingdom Serbia United Kingdom Netherlands
Kasina Kate Kenza Kotone Violin Violin Violin Guitar Thailand United Kingdom United Kingdom Japan
Lara Luthando Mariam Özgür Cello Guitar Violin Cello Italy South Africa Georgia Turkey
Sasha Tim Yamato Violin Viola Violin United Kingdom Australia United Kingdom
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Community Engagement
Tianyou was the special guest at In November, a group of pupils, the Spotlight on Strings series accompanied by staff pianist Nigel of Lunchtime Concerts for Music Hutchison, performed in Arundel for Youth at the Royal Albert Hall Cathedral in support of Sussex on 6 November. The charity gives Snowdrop Trust. The Trust provides performance opportunities to more nursing care at home to children with than 40,000 children across the UK life-threatening or terminal illnesses. in all genres of music, culminating in Di Levantine, co-founder and chair a three-day event at the Royal Albert of the Sussex Snowdrop Trust, said: Hall in November every year. “We are so delighted to have these incredible students supporting the Can was the guest soloist with Dorking charity with this performance. We Chamber Orchestra for their concert in appreciate how busy their schedule October at St Martin’s Church, Dorking. is and it is an honour to see them He performed Beethoven Piano perform. It is especially poignant on Concerto No 5 ‘Emperor’. The concert the eve of the Armistice Centenary Our most local church, St Mary’s was part of the Mole Valley Arts Alive for us to recognise the sacrifice of Stoke d’Abernon, has launched a Festival. YMS pupils performed at the the 93 soldiers who gave their lives series of lunchtime concerts, and we launch of the Festival in The Menuhin in Arundel as we sit in the pews were delighted to play Mozart and Hall in September. alongside figures from the There But Shostakovich quartets and preludes Not There campaign.” for solo guitar by Manuel Ponce to a Prior to setting off for Spain, the packed church hall. orchestra performed at St John the Our annual lunchtime concert for Divine, Richmond. It was a great the Wimbledon Festival featured music We also performed in concerts for the opportunity to ease into the tour with a Russian theme. We repeated the Gloucester Music Society, Thames in front of an extremely supportive programme later in the month at Dining Club and Cobham Conservation audience. The concert was in aid of a concert in Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair, and Heritage Trust, and returned to Rainbow Fund for South Africa, a as part of a cultural project entitled the Young Artists’ Platform at the small charity that provides education Russia: Royalty and the Romanovs. This Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury. and aid to children who are in includes an exhibition at The Queen’s This series is usually open only to desperate need of a quiet, safe place Gallery, Buckingham Palace. post-graduate students. to do their homework and learn.
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Downtime
The pupils at YMS lead very busy lives, so when all the lessons, practising and performing are finished for the day, it is important that they have some time to unwind.
This term we have been offering a variety of activities for pupils to try in the evenings, incuding ballroom dancing, yoga, table tennis tournaments and extra swimming sessions.
At the weekends, there have been a variety of outings and activities, including walks in the beautiful Surrey countryside, a visit to the Crafty Cafe (a pottery painting studio in Surbiton) and a trip to Oxford. We have also attended fantastic concerts at Little Slyfield and in London. Remember, remember...
After blustery November weather put the kybosh on our first attempt at Bonfire Night, we persevered the following week. Armed with mini torches, pupils and staff headed outside where the Catering staff had prepared a delicious barbeque outside Music House. Afterwards, the whole school enjoyed a roaring bonfire and firework display on the meadow. Many thanks to Brian and Steve for a lovely display.
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New Science facilities British Sign Language
This term we gained a brand new Science lab. The old teaching room now has laboratory benches, and is Since Languages Day in September, the fully equiped with all the scientific apparatus we Juniors have been learning British Sign need. This enhances our teaching as we can do Language. exciting practical work at any time, rather than waiting until we are in the main laboratory. They have mastered basic phrases such as good morning, good night, We also have a lovely new prep room to thank you and what is your name. They accommodate our ever-increasing volume of have also been working on colours, equipment and materials. animals, sports and food. Their teacher, Karen Parker, commended the pupils on their finger spelling, and said how much she had learned from them about what it is like to be a musician. Junior Trip to the British Museum
On Wednesday 5 December, the Juniors Poseidon and Zeus. From this we learnt sculptures and doing puzzles which went to the British Museum in London what skilful artists and potters the told the story in the Marbles. We then on a school trip, the culmination of their Greeks were. In addition, we found out viewed some artefacts which helped us project on Ancient Greece. It was a lovely what all the various shapes of pot were learn what children played with, what day for our walk from Tottenham Court used for – for example, a hydria was for women used around the home, and what Road Station to the Museum. When we water, a stamnos was for wine and a musical instruments the Greeks played. got there, we thought it looked like a lekythos for oil. Greek temple because it had columns, a It was fascinating to see real life frieze and a pediment at the entrance. After lunch, we went to the Parthenon examples of the things we had been gallery to see the Elgin Marbles. We learning about in class, and we Our first activity was ‘Spot the Gods’ were given tablet computers on which thoroughly enjoyed our day. by looking carefully at Ancient Greek we played a game called ‘Athena’s pottery. It was quite difficult, but we Gift’, in which we had to walk around By Yume, Laura, Magnus, Ella, Isla, found Apollo, Athena, Dionysus, Hermes, the gallery finding and scanning the Caitlin and Claire.
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Duke of Edinburgh challenges. Hattie M has been supporting our Junior class with their English This year we have had a record number grammar, Martin has assisted our of pupils - 21! - signing up for the Duke swimming coach, and Finlay has helped of Edinburgh’s Award programme in the with the lighting in The Menuhin Hall. Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. Kenza volunteers at a local nursery school and Ghofrane at Epsom Hospital. During our expeditions this term we have Many of the pupils have raised money for camped in both the North and South charity, including through a successful Downs, and had a very rainy weekend in raffle in November, and others are the New Forest. The groups have walked a volunteering in local charity shops such collective 140km over four weekends. as QEF and Oxfam.
The pupils are required to do between three and twelve months of volunteering, and they have chosen a variety of
Cuckmere Haven
The Biology A level students took a trip to Cuckmere Haven in Sussex in September to study the ecology of the rocky shore.
Using various scientific instruments including a transect and quadrats, the pupils investigated the distribution of molluscs.
Famous for its sea life, Cuckmere Haven is home to a large variety of other wildlife, including adders, red foxes, woodpigeon, herons, kestrels and owls.
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Alumni news
Daniel Blume (Penney) released his third track on renowned dance label Spinnin’ Records in August. ‘Balcony’ can be found on Spotify alongside Daniel’s first two tracks, ‘Strangers’ (released March 2018) and ‘Tonight’ (August 2017).
The premiere of Cheryl Frances- Hoad’s Last Man Standing took place at the Barbican on 30 November with the BBC Symphony Orchestra as part of the Armistice commemorations. Her Cosima Soulez Larivière choral pieces From the Beginning of the World, Gaude et Laetare, This time string player with a strong track record interpretation of the commissioned is born a child, Floodlight, Starlight and of musicianship and performance. He work Hauch, by the Berlin-based There is no rose, were performed on performed recently at the Esplanade British composer Rebecca Saunders. the same day by the BBC Singers at St in Singapore with fellow alum Helena Giles’, Cripplegate. Dawn Yah (the first recipient of the Goh Louisa Staples has been awarded 4th Soon Tioe Award). Kevin is currently prize at the 2018 Long Thibaud Crespin Kevin Loh was awarded the Goh Soon serving as a combat engineer pioneer International Violin Competition. Tioe Centenary Award in July. The as part of his National Service in Award is given every year to a young Singapore. A group of pupils were fortunate to travel to London to hear Charles Owen Alumna and current teacher Akiko perform in the Two Piano Marathon Ono has released a new CD titled Out at King’s Place, part of his London of the Mist with fellow alum Melissa Piano Festival co-directed with Katya Gore. It features British violin pieces by Apekisheva. Walton, Finzi, Bridge, Scott, Elgar and Vaughan Williams and is available to Recording in the Hall purchase in The Menuhin Hall.
Cosima Soulez Larivière won the The Menuhin Hall offers alumni Prix APCAV at the Verbier Festival and current teachers a 50% Kevin Loh Academy this August. The award is discount on Hall hire and given to an Academy musician who piano hire for commercial contributes to the spirit of the Verbier recordings. Recently, we have Festival through a commitment to welcomed alumni Charles Owen, community and public engagement. Veronika Shoot, Lucy Parham Her brother Sao was also studying at and Irina Botan, as well as the Academy this year. Cosima took teachers Mariko Brown, Nathan the 3rd Prize in the Joseph Joachim Williamson, Oscar Perks and International Violin Competition Amanda Hurton. in Hannover in October. Currently studying with Krzysztof Wegrzyn at the For enquiries, please contact Hochschule für Musik, Hanover, she Alice Benzing on 01932 584408. won an additional award for the best
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New staff David Bruce is the new Director of Studies. He joins us from The Royal Ballet School, where he was Head of Maths and Assistant Staff news Housemaster. Outside the classroom, David enjoys playing tennis, badminton, walking in the countryside and visiting the theatre. We were sorry to say goodbye to our Bursar, Simon Browning, for a second Tony Chipps is the new teacher for the Junior School. He taught at time. Simon had been helping us out Auriol Junior School in Ewell prior to joining YMS. His interests include for an interim period over the spring sport, woodwork and a wide range of musical genres. and summer and had been Bursar here previously for two years. Simon is a Alix de Mauny, our new Development Director, has worked as a committed member of the Friends, so we fundraiser in the Arts for nine years. Prior to that she worked in are looking forward to seeing him in The international development and humanitarian assistance in Kosovo, Menuhin Hall. Colombia, Rwanda and the Middle East. She sings with the Bach Choir.
Joanne Field is the new Head of Pastoral Care, Housemistress, Senior Nurse, and Designated Safeguarding Lead. She has been the Lead Nurse in independent boarding schools for 16 years, and before that was a Neonatal Nurse and Midwife in the NHS. Marco Galvani is the Assistant Housemaster in Harris House and teaches General Music. He is also a composer whose choral, operatic, and instrumental music has been performed throughout the UK, Europe and America. Grace Gates has joined the General Music team after teaching at Kingston University for the last 10 years. A pianist with a special interest in French music at the turn of the 20th century, Grace is currently researching the performance practice of Erik Satie’s music. Pollyanna Richardson is the new School Nurse. She has worked as a Internationally renowned choir The Paediatric Nurse in A&E at local hospitals for 19 years, and continues to Sixteen have just released their new work part-time at Kingston Hospital. album ‘Star of Heaven’, which features a work by Marco Galvani (General Music Beth Quartermaine joined the Development Department in November teacher and Assistant Houseparent) as Head of Philanthropy. With seven years of arts and education entitled ‘Stella Caeli’. This piece was fundraising experience, Beth will be managing the Friends, Legacies commissioned by the Genesis Foundation and Trusts programmes. She is also an amateur pianist and flautist. to celebrate the legacy of the Eton Matthew Taylor, part of the new General Music team, was educated Choirbook. at Queen’s College, Cambridge, and studied Conducting with Leonard Bernstein, Vilem Tausky and George Hurst, and Composition with Robin Holloway. His most recent commission is a 5th Symphony for the English Symphony Orchestra. John Turville teaches Jazz piano, and is an accomplished composer, performer and conductor. He holds teaching posts at Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal Holloway University.
Shelley Twitchin is the School’s new Bursar. A graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (USA), the Royal Welsh College of Cello teacher Thomas Carroll has been Music and Drama and the RCM, Shelley worked as a freelance clarinettist appointed Professor of Cello at the and music teacher until changing careers to accountancy in 2011. She Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Cologne. was most recently Finance Director at King’s Place.
WWW.MENUHINSCHOOL.CO.UK 13 THE MENUHIN HALL
This term in The Menuhin Hall ©Eric Richmond This term, The Menuhin Hall has produced many memorable experiences for audiences and pupils alike. Not only did José Ramón Mendez, The Endellion String Quartet and Artur Pizarro provide wonderful evenings of world-class music, from Britten’s String Quartet No 3 to Debussy and Ravel, but they all gave up their valuable time to pass on their wisdom and experience to our pupils through teaching and masterclasses.
Our pupils continue to dazzle audiences with their musicality and The Endellion String Quartet technique through their Showcase
concerts, almost all of which this The Grange’s Christmas Concert ©Tiago Figueiredo term were sold out. Thanks to the is an excellent way to get into the talent and hard work of the pupils and Christmas spirit and was even beautiful programming, this series more special this year as they are of concerts is moving from strength celebrating their 80th Anniversary. to strength. The packed Christmas The Study Day on Gilbert and Sullivan Showcases were especially enjoyable presented by Peter Medhurst, with a delightful combination of accompanied by some excellent choral, orchestral and chamber music. musicians, was a real treat, and we are greatly looking forward to Peter’s It is wonderful to welcome outside Twelfth Night concert on Sunday 6 organisations into The Menuhin Hall, January - a great way to conclude the and Cobham Band returned for their festive period. annual autumn concert, which is always a great occasion and a real Alice Benzing celebration of fantastic brass music. Menuhin Hall Manager Artur Pizarro
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Next Season ©Simon Fowler We are looking forward to a packed ©Luka Sage Spring term, including a unique opportunity to witness alumna Nicola Benedetti teaching current YMS pupils in a masterclass on Monday 4 March. This masterclass is free for Young Friends, and only £10 for Friends. Emmanuel Despax We hope you are able to attend the special pre-concert talk on Sunday 10 March, where David Dolan and Òscar There are still a few tickets available Colomina i Bosch will be analysing for the Lunchtime Showcase on 25 Mozart’s String Quartet in D minor January, and for the Piccadilly Dance K421, before it is performed in its Orchestra concert on 23 February. entirety during the Showcase at 5pm. Tickets for March events can be Our Founder’s Day event this year purchased in late January for Friends, will feature alumnus and YMS teacher or from mid-February for the general Emmanuel Despax on 30 April, public. What’s On brochures and performing a programme of Chopin Friends Priority Booking Forms will Concerti alongside some of our pupils. be posted early January. ©Mercedes Segovia Coming up @ The Menuhin Hall
JANUARY
SUN 6 JAN 3.00PM TWELFTH NIGHT WITH PETER MEDHURST TUES 15 JAN 7.30PM ALINA IBRAGIMOVA AND CÉDRIC TIBERGHIEN FRI 25 JAN 1.15PM LUNCHTIME SHOWCASE CONCERT
FEBRUARY THURS 14 FEB 7.30PM SHOWCASE CONCERT SAT 23 FEB 7.30PM MICHAEL LAW’S PICCADILLY DANCE ORCHESTRA THURS 28 FEB 7.30PM SHOWCASE CONCERT
MARCH MON 4 MAR 2.45PM NICOLA BENEDETTI MASTERCLASS SUN 10 MAR 3.15PM A CELEBRATION OF HANS KELLER 5.00PM SHOWCASE CONCERT THURS 14 MAR 7.30PM NIKOLAI DEMIDENKO SUN 17 MAR 3.00PM NATIONAL YOUTH HARP ORCHESTRA TUES 26 MAR 7.30PM SHOWCASE CONCERT Nikolai Demidenko
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From Alix de Mauny, As a UK Centre of alone, never mind all of the Excellence, the Percentage of other activities – from Development Director School benefits pupils who require building projects to “Oh, how lucky you are to be joining from the a bursary: taking the orchestra the Menuhin School! Your job should Government’s on tour – that require be easy enough – surely the School Music and significant gifts to come has plenty of money?” Such has been Dance to fruition. the universal reaction from friends Scheme, which 91% and acquaintances on hearing of my provides financial It was Menuhin’s view recent appointment as Development assistance to 61 that “the ultimate aim in life Director at the School. And they are exceptionally talented should be to fulfil to the utmost half right: I am extremely lucky to work pupils who would not otherwise all that is within our ability and to with such talented people – from the be able to afford to attend the School. share that which is good and beautiful.” pupils to the staff – and on something With 91% of pupils requiring a bursary We are immensely grateful to the many as life-enhancing as Yehudi Menuhin’s however, the School needs to raise well donors – past, present and future – transformative vision. over £600,000 per year from donations who allow the School to carry out in order to continue to operate a needs- Menuhin’s mission. As to the School having plenty of blind admission policy - so vital to the money? Well, that’s not so simple. School’s ethos. And that’s for bursaries
Save the date: Donate to the 1963 Society Musical Dinner Annual Fund To make a donation to our Bursary Fund, The 1963 Society brings together those of It is a truth universally our supporters who have chosen to leave acknowledged that a school of Annual Fund or to a gift to the School in their will. a certain age must be in want discuss leaving a gift of investment. Donations to the Legacy gifts are School’s Annual Fund allow to the school in your transformational for us to spend money will, please contact the School. They on those areas of help ensure greatest need, be it Beth Quartermaine, that Menuhin’s to make emergency Head of Philanthropy, vision to offer repairs to the on beth.quartermaine@ extraordinarily School’s valiant gifted pupils an minibus, upgrade menuhinschool.co.uk or exceptional music bathrooms in the call 01932 584 744 education, regardless boarding house or of their financial replace one of our background, will be ageing pianos. protected in perpetuity. Pupils’ hand-painted baubles, We will be hosting a very special musical alongside the Christmas raffle and dinner at the School for members of bucket collections, raised £2,280.33 the Society on Thursday 21 March 2019. towards the 2018/19 Annual Fund. Contact Beth Quartermaine on beth. A huge thank you to all who took [email protected] for part. further details.
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Sophie Badcock - In memoriam
Sophie Badcock who, together with Lord Menuhin, was one of the Founder members of the Friends in 1971, died peacefully aged 97 in August.
Born in Thessalonika to a British father and Greek mother, Sophie was brought up in Athens. She attended the Académie française, the British Council and Athens University, and retained her fluency in the three languages all her life, never quite losing her Greek accent. As British subjects, with her mother and sisters she was obliged to flee Athens in 1941 at the time of the German invasion. They went first to Crete then, once again forced to move on, they survived a submarine attack on their way to Cairo. Life in Cairo was good fun for a while with much partying but as the war caught up with them again, the family was evacuated to South Africa where Sophie worked for the British Electric Company in charge of stores - Ashley, Jane and Alice, and her Her funeral took place in a packed and as a translator. This final wartime seven grandchildren and ten great- St Mary’s Church, and the School and move proved to be an important one grandchildren. the Friends were represented by Kate in Sophie’s life, as it was in South Clanchy (Head) and Penny Wright Africa that she met Julian who was in Sophie’s love of music, her support of (Box Office Manager), who had done the RAF. They were married within six the Friends and of the School lasted so much for Sophie over the years in weeks of meeting in 1944 – a marriage right until her last months. She was arranging her visits to concerts. At the which was to last 53 years until fiercely independent and only gave request of the Badcock family Penny Julian’s death 20 years ago. up driving shortly before her death. created a flower arrangement for the She gaily told me that “These days table at the post-funeral reception, At the end of the war Julian and I only drive to Waitrose and The Old including in it flowers taken from the Sophie settled in Cobham where Plough!” Many of her friends of all garden of the School. I think Sophie Sophie became an active part of the generations benefited from generous would have been touched by this community as a member of the WI, pub lunches and lively conversation tribute from the Friends whom she Chairman of Cobham Infants’ School, interspersed with peals of laughter. had supported for so many years. a Governor of St Andrew’s Secondary She was interested in everything Modern School, on the Committee of and everybody, and anyone who met Vanessa Richards Silverwood Polio Home and the Schiff her could not fail to love her. I would Home, and a District Councillor. She describe her as a life-enhancer. One also taught French to, among others, always came away from talking to my husband, at Moleside School. Sophie feeling uplifted. She was devoted to her children
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From the Chairman
Dear Friends lead support donations we make Here we are, well into another for the Friends to support student academic year and enjoying some now that Sarah bursaries, and to vibrant Showcase concerts again with McDonald enable pupils to some extraordinary performances from has moved undertake musical our pupils on The Menuhin Hall stage. on to focus on tours or enter Marketing and competitions and There’s a real buzz about the School: Communications. other such activities, are Kate Clanchy and Òscar Colomina i Both Alix and Beth are absolutely vital. So thank you: Bosch are putting their own stamp on real live-wires with bags of keep coming; dig deep! things and giving us the invigoration experience - and both are passionate one looks to new leadership to bring to about music. So a double welcome to Best wishes, any organisation, no matter how good. them both. Amy Mitchell will continue As part of all this, we welcomed a new to assist as Friends Administrator. Sir John Baker team in the Development Department Chairman, The Friends of this autumn. Alix de Mauny has arrived Meanwhile, the Friends Management The Yehudi Menuhin School as the new Development Director Committee is focussed on maximising Management Committee and will spearhead the fundraising the support Friends can give to effort needed to finance the School’s our pupils. As an audience, your ambitious plans for the future. tangible enthusiastic and warm She is supported by another new backing for each student who arrival, Beth Quartermaine, who, as performs in a Showcase concert is Head of Philanthropy, will also be the hugely appreciated by them. And the
Bridge Tea Join us! Back by popular demand, the Friends’ Lord Menuhin founded the Friends concert receptions, and special offers Annual Bridge Tea event will be held on in 1971 together with a few local from local businesses, including 20% Friday 10 May in The Menuhin Hall. supporters of the School. Since then off at The Old Plough in Cobham, 10% the Friends have grown to over 750 off at The Cobham Bookstore and Players will have the opportunity to play supporters from all over the globe, half-price membership of Denbies either Chicago or Rubber Bridge and offering financial assistance to the Winery. Best Friends also receive will be treated to a delicious afternoon School and a warm, supportive complimentary tickets to a Summer tea. There will be a raffle followed by a presence at concerts. Many of our Festival Showcase Concert. short concert. Friends enjoy following the journey of our pupils as they progress through If you enjoy listening to outstanding Tickets are £36 per table and were the School and into the wider world as music and supporting emerging talent, sold out very quickly last year! To book, professional musicians. become a member today. Membership please contact Amy Mitchell at friends@ starts at only £35 per year. Just email menuhinschool.co.uk or 01932 584409. Friends enjoy a range of benefits, [email protected] to including priority booking for request an information pack, or pick A special thank you to Sheila Rice-Smith performances in The Menuhin Hall, one up in The Menuhin Hall foyer. and the Friends Events Committee for invitations to masterclasses and pre- their hard work in organising this popular event.
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A tree to commemorate the life of Hazel Mary Sheen (Wright) 1928 - 2016
On a damp, windy and rather chilly String Quartet Opus 76 No 5, which Sunday afternoon in spring, members had been played at our wedding and at of our families gathered outside the Hazel's funeral. Music Studios to dedicate a Korean Lilac, planted in memory of our Hazel was the School Secretary for beloved Hazel, wife and mother. 22 years (1968-1990) during which The Revd Andrew Smith, Rector of time she served five Heads. Hazel's St Mary's, Fetcham, conducted a short appointment came at a difficult time religious ceremony, and four pupils in her life, and it was in effect, to played an excerpt from Haydn prove her salvation. She had joined a community in which she found friendship, affection and respect. Hazel enjoyed a close relationship with Yehudi, not least because they shared the same birthday, 22 April. On one which he graciously presented with such occasion he was appearing at his good wishes. Fairfield Halls, Croydon for a birthday celebration, and Hazel and I attended It is entirely fitting that Hazel’s ashes the concert. Meeting Yehudi during should be interred here at the School the interval, I reminded him that it in a location which brought her was also Hazel's birthday, and he fulfillment and so much satisfaction. Hazel and Derek Sheen immediately dashed away to return with a magnificent bouquet of roses Derek Sheen
Friends AGM Nicola Benedetti Masterclass The Friends AGM will be held on 27 March in The Menuhin Benthall Room in the Music Studios. We hope to see many of you rF iends there.
We are hugely excited to welcome our current pupils prepare for their The formal notice and papers will be back alumna Nicola Benedetti in forthcoming concerts. posted to all members in the New March. Nicola is fiercely committed Year. to music education and to developing Friends can book discounted tickets young talent. This masterclass is priced at £10 during the Priority In the meantime, please contact us at a wonderful occasion to witness a Booking period. More information [email protected] or world-leading musician imparting will be available in the next What’s 01932 584409 if you require her knowledge and experience, as On brochure in early January. more information. well as understand more about how
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Photography by Tony Chipps, Kate Clanchy, Òscar Colomina I Bosch, Jenny Dexter, Dave Greenwood, Sarah Lee, Nigel Luckhurst, Sarah McDonald, Tamas Reti and Cathy Whitnall. Edited by Sarah McDonald.
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