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Musician Support
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Dartington (North Devon) Trust YOUNG MUSICIANS' SUPPORT Young Musicians Support Newsletter December 2009 Season’s Greetings! At this point in the year we have an opportunity to reflect on the past year’s events and look forward to what the future has in store. In April Lord and Lady Arran generously allowed YMS to make use of the West Wing at Castle Hill at Filleigh which enabled us to host a formal dinner with exceptional and lively entertainment from two delightful young singers, Ellie Laugharne and Louise Lloyd. This was a marvellous occasion for those fortunate enough to be present and the proceeds considerably boosted YMS funds. We were delighted that several of our awardees joined us to provide music in the spectacular setting of the garden at The Elms, Bishops Tawton, which Hugh and Rachel Thomas opened for our benefit. Sadly, the turnout for this May weekend was disappointing but all who braved the weather were well rewarded for their effort. In June the 8-piece Berkeley Ensemble, featuring Barnstaple clarinettist John Slack, brought contrasting programmes using innovative combinations of instruments for three concerts across Devon. Performing in Barnstaple, at Colleton Manor and in Exeter as part of the city’s Festival, they supplemented their visit to the south-west with a series of school workshops. Encouraging these young artists as they embark on their professional careers is very rewarding but can be rather expensive and we were reminded of the need to balance the cost of promoting such events and our principle aim of fundraising! Carol Hadrill and the Friends of Pilton Church asked YMS to provide a few of our more advanced young instrumentalists to help with their concert of words and music at the end of the July Green Man Festival. This produced some great performances in a lovely relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Another aspect of YMS’s commitment to giving youngsters performance opportunities was realised later in July with a Showcase concert at the Queen’s Theatre which featured 23 youngsters - a great display of local talent. Our greatest thrill was provided by 16 year old Zoe Cartlidge. This talented girl first came to YMS when she was just 7, and now, having achieved Grade 8 on both piano and oboe, she has started her studies at Chethams as a music scholar. The fully funded place in the Sixth Form is giving Zoe amazing opportunities to develop her own talent and to mix with other equally gifted young people. After the summer break, Jeanine Thorpe’s lunchtime recital at the Queen’s Theatre provided a refreshing change to the weekly routine for many shoppers and office workers. Accompanied by Semra Kurutak, she gave a brilliant and passionate performance of some very challenging works. YMS has concentrated its efforts this autumn on promoting an outreach programme to schools. To this end we organised a social evening for the area’s music teachers, performers and enthusiasts which enabled us to make some valuable contacts and identify areas of common concern. We are now working on a number of proposals to improve co-operation between the various agencies working in North Devon to encourage the performance and appreciation of classical music in schools. Having sought the views of music professionals we are also seeking your opinion on some of the issues facing YMS, reviewing the ways in which we raise funds, as well as how those funds are distributed. Please take a few moments to complete and return the enclosed question sheet. An addressed envelope is also enclosed, so even if you don’t wish to complete the questionnaire, please return the sheet to indicate your continuing support. In the meantime we are making plans for various events in 2010 and beyond. January and February will be busy with preparations for our annual auditions in March. March Our favourite pianist Susan Steele and mezzo-soprano Carolyn Harries, a much sought-after performer in the West Country, will give a lunchtime recital in support of YMS at The Queen’s Theatre on Wednesday 17th March. The programme will include Elgar’s ‘Sea Pictures’. May brings renowned baritone Sir Thomas Allen who will honour us with an evening of recollections of a life in opera. Provisionally this is arranged for Friday 21st May. June We hope for good weather when our annual garden party will be given a touch of class with a greater emphasis on sumptuous catering and elegance – tea and tiaras at the Winkleigh Ritz! July We hope to present a special evening at Woolhanger Manor near Parracombe – Exmoor’s answer to Glyndebourne – with a gala supper following a recital by the former Organist of Rochester Cathedral, Barry Ferguson. Born in North Devon, Barry started his career in music as a chorister at Exeter Cathedral School. September provides another opportunity for our young musicians to contribute to the success of the West Buckland Festival. October We are considering a complete change of pace with a dinner dance featuring music from The Swing Commanders, a group of classically trained musicians who have found their niche evoking the sound of 40’s big band classics. More details will follow. Looking forward to 2011, we are excited to announce the highlight of the year - a concert by YMS patron, Imogen Cooper, which will be promoted by the Queen’s Theatre as part of their 2010/11 Classical Season. I apologise
for not being able to be more specific about these events yet as they
are still at the planning stage, but when dates and venues are confirmed
in the New Year I will send out a detailed programme of events. I hope
you will join us or will be able to support the work of YMS in other
ways. In the meantime, I wish you a merry Christmas and peaceful New
Year.
Heather Shorten, Chairman
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