Hello and

to theWelcome 2014 edition of Basil’s News, the newsletter of the Philip Bates Registered Charity No. 0194937 Trust. This year we received an un- precedented number of applica- tions for support and we are very excited to be working with so many creative and talented young people. If you’d like to know more visit us at: philipbatestrust.org.uk Who did we help this year?

Georgina Bloomfield at A Touch of Basil 2013 We were able to help a record num- ber of applicants during our 2013- 2014 season. Georgina Bloomfield, 9, and Beth Zheng, 12, both violin- ists, received help with their fees for the National Children’s Orchestra. (Georgina wowed the audience at last year’s Touch of Basil concert too!) We also helped two dancers who per- form in very different styles. Genevieve Eveleigh is training to be a ballerina while Jamal Wolfe has won prizes for tap and contemporary dance and is now studying on a 3 year course in dance for musical thea- tre. We gave grants towards the cost of ballet/dance shoes and leotards. To Helen Lacey we gave funding to- wards a choral course with the Na- tional Youth Choir of Great Britain. Jonathan Daniel Tindall, a flautist from the USA, was studying for his master’s degree at the Royal College of Music in under Susan Milan who recommended him high- ly. We gave some funding towards the cost of buying scores, sheet music and books for his course. Katie Turner, who is taking a post graduate course in perfor- mance, needed help with purchasing books which we were able to give. Rebecca Blackwood has had to overcome many disadvantages in her life but managed to turn her life around by discovering a tal- ent for photography. She need- ed a better camera for her stud- ies and we were able to fund this. Anna Drysdale, a French Horn player just beginning her profes- sional career, needed help with the cost of auditioning across Europe. Christopher Schlechte-Bond, a composer studying on a Music for Screen postgraduate course, needed Perrott’s Folly 2 help with the cost of scores and Games and Quiz Night sheet music and attendance at mas- 2014 ter classes, workshops and concerts. The Philip Bates Trust Games and Jonathan Hyde is a baritone Quiz Night took place on Saturday studying on the artist mas- 8th March 2014 at Arden Hall in ter’s course at the Guildhall. We Water Orton. The quiz began with a gave money towards the pur- general knowledge round organised chase of scores and sheet music. by Stan & Sue Gamble which cov- Regal Tenbury Trust, a cinema and ered a wide range of topics and dif- arts centre in Tenbury Wells, Worces- ficulty levels so everyone had a good ter, was setting up a scheme to give chance of getting some answers right! musical performance opportuni- The Pictionary round on the sub- ties to youngsters and mentor them ject of films was very challenging through the process of organising but good fun and was won by a and advertising gigs. We were able team of artistic film buffs. A music to fund some hours of mentoring. round organised by Martin Bates We covered the cost of mirrors and where he played the first few bars materials for the Mirror-Space Art of different songs by the Beatles Project at Perrott’s Folly examin- was tricky but no match for the ing, photographing and drawing the avid Beatles fans in the audience. Folly through mirrored images. This Railway Riot was the usual organised tower in is famous chaos, and the alphabet game and for influencing Lord of the Rings all the table quizzes completed the author Tolkein and now belongs evening and gave every participant to the Trident Reach the People a chance to flex their grey matter. Charity, who organised the project. A dinner break of jacket potatoes Based in , Birmingham, with a tasty selection of fillings fol- the Arches Project aims to help lowed by giant chocolate and car- disadvantaged youngsters develop rot cakes was eagerly consumed their potential and self-confidence by all. Together with a raffle, buy through music and the arts. We a square on a grid of 100 squares, funded a tutor for a number of and ‘roll a coin at the whiskey bot- workshops with the eventual aim of tle game’, overall the quiz night the young people gaining an award in raised £650, and great fun was had the arts which carries UCAS points by all those who attended. Julie Larkin to encourage further study. Sue Bates 3 Last Year’s Touch Of Basil On the 28th September 2013 the Gorney’s New Americana. Robert’s annual ‘A Touch of Basil’ cel- character and voice filled the room ebration concert took place in the with this dramatic highlight. We saw Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham. Robert perform again in the sec- ond half where he played the role This fantastic evening yet of the Judge in Gilbert and Sul- again,brought together an ec- livan’s Trial by Jury with the Heart lectic mix of performers, some of England Singers – a rôle with old friends and some new. which he was completely at home. The evening opened with a magnifi- Continuing with the first half, the cent reading of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If ’ audience had the pleasure of meet- by Philip’s cousin George Kao who ing Georgina Bloomfield for the first was followed by the faithful Heart time. This talented young violinist of England Singers performing a se- gave an exquisite performance of lection of songs including two new- Gluck’s ‘Mélodie’, expertly accom- ly composed works by Chris Davis. panied by our own Martin Bates. Another vocal piece followed by To follow this, Ashleyan Opera Robert Mead, who sang ‘Brother, Prize winner Claire Barnett-Jones can you spare a Dime?’ from Jay (mezzo-soprano) delighted the au-

Robert Mead in ‘Trial by Jury’ 4 dience with three arias by Mass- ing themselves to be very talented enet, Saint-Saëns and Handel. and able musicians. Sopranos Susan The first half was closed with two Bates and Karen Moulton brought songs from the Ex Cathedra Junior a touch of 19th century England to Academy under the expert direction the programme with their charming of Rebecca Ledgard. The flowing rendition of Elgar’s ‘The Dance’. melodic lines of Chilcott’s Can You Yet again a performance from Hear Me? displayed expert control regular group ‘Basil’s Bunch’ brought together some of Philip’s friends to entertain the audience with Neil Diamond’s ‘I’m a Be- liever’ and a moving performance of ‘As Long As I Have Music’. Moving away from vocal music, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School performance prize winner Nath- aniel Coxon performed Rach- maninov’s ‘Prelude in C# Minor’, captivating the audience with his seemingly effortless interpretation. The Heart of England Singers fin- ished the evening with selections from ‘Trial by Jury’ before the entire company and audience joined to- Ashleyan Opera Prize Winner Claire gether for Roger and Hammerstein’s Barnett-Jones of their young voices. This was fol- uplifting ‘Climb Every Mountain’. lowed by the rousing ‘Every Time A rich and varied programme ca- I Feel the Spirit’ sending everyone tered for all tastes and ensured that out for refreshments humming. all audience members, once more, John Willmott Music Theatre Prize took away some special treats. winner Chloe Child sang ‘Nothing Well done to all performers who so Stops Another Day’ from Ghost to willingly come together to create this get the second half underway. This wonderful event full of such high was followed by the Tom Walker Trio musical standards. Let’s look forward who performed an acoustic set of to what 2014 can bring! Sarah Dudley appealing and original songs, show- 5 Ashleyan Opera Prize 2014 superb diction. Audience member Soprano Niamh Fitzgerald opened Liz Brown commented afterwards the concert with “Elle a fui” from that she particularly remembered Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann Carrie-Ann’s performance as she followed by “My Man’s Gone Now” had never heard of the composer from Porgy and Bess. She has a Floyd and really loved “The Trees great voice and gave a wonderful on the Mountains” which she performance of the Gershwin, sang, finding it a beautiful and full of raw passion, but there were moving piece of music. This was a few glitches in the Offenbach. followed by Gounod’s “Dieu! Quel frisson court dans mes veines”Joe Victoria Adams, soprano, had a Zainul, countertenor, displayed an bright forward tone that suited unfortunate a lack of consistency Mozart’s “Batti, batti” but in tone and phrasing, singing a managed to convey successfully few very loud notes and then a completely different mood in running out of breath, particularly Stravinsky’s “No Word from Tom”.

Margaret Asher with joint winners Carrie-Ann Williams and Jessica Wise Next came Carrie - Ann Williams in his Vivaldi aria. “J’ai perdu mon looking stunning in a blue diamanté Eurydice” from Orfeo was a little gown. After a slightly nervous start better with more sense of line. she completely won the audience over Elizabeth Adams, soprano (not sure with her wonderfully powerful voice, whether she was related to Victoria) expressive facial expressions and was next with another rendition 6 of “Batti, batti” She possessed a Sinead Kenny in West Side very beautiful voice but had some Story intonation problems, probably due to nerves, which seemed to You may remember Sinead Kenny have settled down in Marenka’s taking part in Touch of Basil 2010. aria from The Bartered Bride. She left Arthur Terry School in Sut- Soprano Jessica Wise ended ton Coldfield to attend ArtsEd, a the concert with a contrasting leading London college offering programme showing lots of variety training in musical theatre whose and great acting skills. “Trübe president is Andrew Lloyd Webber Augen” from Der Freischütz was Sue had been her singing teach- followed by Puccini’s “Quando er for some while and had m’en vo” from La Bohème, a coached her through her Grade spirited performance echoed by 8 exam - what a privilege it was a dramatic red diamanté gown. for me to be able to accompany All the contestants were her at the end of that process. accompanied impeccably by Through the wonders of Face- pianist Jonathan French, who book we have been following her was given a well-deserved round career on the professional stage of applause. Adjudicator Sara and most recently as a cast mem- Clethero made pertinent comments ber in the very successful, acclaimed and gave helpful advice to each touring production of Bernstein's singer individually afterwards. great musical "West Side Story". She decided to split the prize, awarding it jointly to Carrie-Ann Sue and I went along to the Alex- Williams and Jessica Wise. Sue Bates andra Theatre in Birmingham to see her on a day when unfortu- nately she was not singing the cen- tral part of Anita. Even so, she shone on stage - we had not seen her dance before - wow, what a talent - look out for her as soon as you can and try to get to see her!! Sinead appeared on The One Show on July 14th promoting her West Side Story production. Martin Bates Sinead Kenny returns to Arthur Terry 7 Composition Prize 2014 Bonfire Night 2013 brought a Love”, a setting of a William few fireworks to Birmingham Blake poem for alto and strings. Conservatoire’s Recital Hall This proved to be suitably sombre in the form of cracking new with some effective string writing compositions. After Philip’s “Idea and word setting in the opening 1” heralded the opening of the Philip Bates Prize for Composers and Songwriters final, we heard two songs from ‘Sideshows’ by Leo Geyer. Leo is currently studying in and the complete ‘Sideshows’ cycle comprises four songs, all to poems by Martin Kratz . “The Dancing Bear” displayed rhythmic, idiomatic and accomplished writing both for the instrumentalists and mezzo-soprano Blanka Stachelek section. However, this was not maintained to quite the same level throughout and could have done with more variety in the texture. The remaining composers were all from Birmingham Conservatoire. ‘Tryptyk’ by Blanka Stachelek was a cycle of three songs to poems by Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński, a Polish poet who died in the Leo Geyer Warsaw Uprising at the age of 23. Rachel Maby. “The Bearded Lady” The mood of these songs for alto, was more sinuous but equally viola and cello was mysterious, dark effective. Rose Hall from York and gloomy. These pieces were University was next with “Broken beautifully and effectively written.

8 I was looking forward to hearing performed by soprano Carrie-Ann ‘Student Cookbook’ by Rob Jones as Williams and an ensemble which it sounded like fun. The four songs included a tubular bell and organ. were named after typical student Two songs by jazz student Josh fare – “Cheesy beans on toast”, Herring, “The Librarian” and “The “Vodka Jelly”, “Pot Noodle” and Holy Man”, were performed by him “Bacon”. However, in spite of an and his ensemble The Steady Hands excellent performance by mezzo- to provide a great conclusion to soprano Suzie Purkis and ensemble the competition. These two songs and some interesting props and were from an album ‘Fault Lines’ business I didn’t find the music featuring songs about a number of itself as interesting as the concept. different occupations. Influences ‘When Morality Becomes Lax’ for Josh ranged from pop and by Tom Armitage examined folk to contemporary classical. the viewpoint of a person torn This was a really interesting between her conscience and her competition and the adjudicators, desires. Some violent instrumental after much deliberation, awarded the writing contrasted with the use two first prizes to Blanka Stachelek of words from a Lenten prayer and Leo Geyer with Josh Herring to indicate her conflict. Overall receiving the audience prize. Sue Bates this was an effective piece, ably

Josh Herring with ‘The Steady Hands’ 9 A Touch Of Basil 2014 tween rehearsal and concert last Who “headlines” a Touch of Basil? year preventing her performance. The answer might seem rather tricky Ex Cathedra Vocal Academies will but after a little thought I realise it is follow up last year’s great success. quite easy to fathom. All participants Prize winners are there in abun- are headlining, whether professional dance: Chloe Child from John or amateur, adult or youngster, so- Willmott School and Lucy Licence loist or member of a larger group. from Bishop Vesey’s, Jessica Wise Everyone takes part on equal terms and Carrie-Ann Williams from the at one of the country’s most pres- Ashleyan Opera Prize and Blan- tigious music colleges - Birming- ka Stachelek with her composi- ham Conservatoire. For 2014 many tion from the Philip Bates Prize young performers return; wel- for Composers and Songwriters. come back to violinist Georgina Many many thanks to all of our Bloomfield and clarinettist Sarah wonderful performers, some of Brienza, who you may remember whom sing each year and travel great had an unfortunate accident be- distances to be with us. Martin Bates

Rebecca Ledgard directs the Ex Cathedra Junior Academy 10 Inspiring Academies Martin & Sue’s Big Do Back in 1998 Philip was one of the On 15th April 2014 Martin & Sue very first members of Ex Cathedra’s Bates celebrated their ruby wedding Academy of Vocal Music. Ex anniversary, marking 40 years since Cathedra, a purely adult choir, their big day! They celebrated on sang from strength to strength Easter Monday at Castle Bromwich during the last quarter of the 20th Hall which provided a fabulous set- century and is now a choir of ting. They enjoyed a meal with fam- national and international prowess. ily at lunchtime and were joined by Ex Cathedra runs a lively education friends for a ceilidh in the evening. programme. As well as “Singing Playgrounds” in schools around the city and “Singing Medicine” in local hospitals it also now runs a comprehensive programme with its own training choirs: Sue and Martin • Children’s Choir (Boys and The weather was fine and a good Girls): School Years 1 – 3 time was had by all. Instead of • Junior Academy (Boys and gifts they asked for donations to Girls): School Years 4 – 8 The Philip Bates Trust or Water Aid. When these donations were • Girls Academy: School Years 9 – 13 counted up the collection had • Boys Academy: School Years 8/9 – raised an amazing £715 for The 13 (when the voice begins to break) Philip Bates Trust and £80 for Wa- ter Aid. Sue and Martin and the The Philip Bates Trust has recently trustees would like to thank any- been able to renew its support one who contributed to this; what of Ex Cathedra’s education an amazing sum of money! Con- programme and Sue and I were gratulations again to Martin & Sue. inspired during a Sunday choir workshop visit a few weeks ago. New Arrival Welcome to Jessica There was so much skill being shown Lorna Larkin who was by these young people but they were born on 31/08/2013. also having so much fun. Come Many congratulations and see them again at Touch of to proud parents Basil on September 27th. Martin Bates Julie and Kieran 11 Forthcoming events

A Touch of Basil 2014 Saturday 27th September 7:00 p.m. Adrian Boult Hall Birmingham Conservatoire ADULTS £9 CHILDREN/STUDENTS £7 GROUP - 4 TICKETS £30 Cheques made out to: “Philip Bates Trust” Please send a stamped self-addressed envelope to:- Martin Bates, 24 Elmfield Road, Castle Bromwich, B36 0HL Tel: 0121 747 5705

Games and Quiz Night Saturday March 14th 2015 Arden Hall Castle Bromwich Doors open 7:00 p.m.

Ashleyan Opera Prize Provisional date Wednesday April 15th 2015 Recital Hall Birmingham Conservatoire 7:00 p.m.

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