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Public Performances
Admittedly, we dont
spend as much time as we'd like putting updates of all of the events
we do on the website. Life takes over and we focus on upcoming performances,
new challenges and all that life throws our way, and rarely sit
down to dutifully update the website with upcoming events. Because
we don't want to leave you frustrated with a list of 'upcoming'
events and performances that have already come and gone, we won't
attempt such a feat. Instead we heartily invite you to contact us
to ask if you are interested seeing us live in public performance.
Instead here we humbly list a
handful of events which we have done recently which were of particular
interest...
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The Verdi Requiem
The English Schools' Orchestra
returned to The Birmingham Symphony Hall to perform two monumental
works in this ideal setting. Fine young orchestral musicians from
around the country join the wonderful City of Birmingham Choir and
four outstanding soloists for this spectacular event.
Programme
Verdi: Requiem
Respighi: The Pines of Rome
Robert Pepper MBE conductor
Sara Hartley soprano
Lisa Byrnes mezzo-soprano
Octavio dos Santos Neto tenor
Gerard Delrez bass-baritone
Sixteen years on from the very first concert
given in London's Barbican Hall, subsequent generations of youthful
and talented members of the English Schools' Orchestra have not
only consistently maintained the initial high standards achieved
by their predecessors, but have even managed to outstrip all expectations
and each year shown themselves capable of tackling ever more ambitious
musical challenges with hugely successful results.
This year was no exception. Respighi's four-part
symphonic poem, The Pines of Rome and the Messa da Requiem by Verdi,
represented stern challenges for the 80+ members of the orchestra;
challenges they met with immense success, both technically and musically.
The five-day build up to the concert in the
magnificent Symphony Hall in Birmingham, was held as usual at The
Haberdashers' Boys' School, in Elstree, Hertfordshire, where the
splendid facilities for making music are probably second to none
and which the orchestra and tutors enjoy year after year. Students
attending this year's course came from schools countrywide, but
two very special Russian players merited the long-distance prize
in travelling from Moscow to join their English counterparts. Such
is the English Schools' Orchestra's reputation that HRH Prince Michael
of Kent, who has established a charitable foundation in Russia,
arranged for two teenaged violinists to join the orchestra, and
they were warmly welcomed by all.
Following
four days of section rehearsals with distinguished tutors and full
rehearsals under the baton of musical director Robert Pepper, the
orchestra travelled to Birmingham and gave a memorable concert.
The orchestral colours and musical pictures contained in Respighi's
Pines of Rome were impressively captured, and at least one member
of the appreciative audience was overheard to say that it was a
performance that would have graced any concert hall in the country.
Following the interval, the orchestra and the superb City of Birmingham
Choir performed Verdi's great Requiem Mass.
Again, those present were privileged to hear
fine orchestral playing, reaching a standard of professionalism
far beyond what might be expected of such youthful players. Together
with the sensitive and exciting choral contribution from the Birmingham
singers, this great choral masterpiece was played and sung with
memorable technical skill and mature musicianship. Players and singers
fully deserved the prolonged ovation accorded them. There is no
doubt that this year's players in the English Schools' Orchestra
set a standard that next year's students will find difficult to
better, but bearing in mind that year by year something like 65%
of the players return until their teen-age years run out, it would
not be at all wise to wager on that. Alan Taylor (Course Director)
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Classical Radiance in Song
As a professional classical soprano Sara divides
her time between performing for events in London and around the
UK, directing her music agency and juggling family commitments.
Though she spends most weekends captivating the hearts of audiences
for their personal and corporate events she rarely finds the time
to fulfill goals which derive closer to home.
"A
big part of the reason I began singing was to share the beautiful
melodies that I love so much with people. To me success is not fame,
but rather the ability to inspire people to enjoy music which they
hadn't considered before. These days many people rarely consider
attending a live classical event, but I find it so rewarding that
at the types of events that I often sing for I get to perform for
many of these such people and absolutely love the reaction that
many of them have to the performance. You can almost see them considering
what they might be missing and thinking about seeking out other
similar experiences. It is this experience that I want to take this
rare opportunity to bring to my friends, family and neighbors whom
share other aspects of my life with, but with whom I don't usually
get to share this amazing experience."
This is why it is with great joy that Sara
has found the time recently to approach St Mary's Church, an acoustically
and aesthetically beautiful setting, who have welcomed her request
to put together a programme of some of her favourite music to share
with us in Welwyn for a Sunday afternoon performance on the 28th
of June at 2:30pm.
The programme will be accompanied by Sara's
exceptionally talented colleagues, pianist Scilla Stewart, harpist
Rebecca Hooper, and local professional violinist and violin teacher
Pia Jeppesen.
Sara has chosen a short 45 minute performance
beginning with haunting melodies by Caccini,
Handel, Purcell and Grieg many of which you will recognise even
without knowing by name, followed by a set of Welsh
folk songs, some opera favorites by Puccini and Bizet,
and finishing with the laughter of two of Johann
Strauss's waltzes. "I'm very excited to be able to design this
programme based on what I love and want to sing for my friends because
usually my performance is dictated by the event. It's really liberating
to be able to design a performance the other way around."
Sara
has been a highly successful performer living among us in Hertfordshire
for the last nine years, and thoroughly enjoys each opportunity
to sing at each and every of the countless stunning and humble venues
alike for the countless events locally and all over the UK. Though
you will no doubt detect a subtle American lilt to her spoken voice,
as she spent most of her childhood growing up in Seattle, her mother's
family has been living in London and Hertfordshire for generations.
She earned her Masters Degree in 2001 with Distinction in Vocal
Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where
she studied with the talented mezzo-soprano and vocal department
chair Wendy Hillhouse. Her operatic lead roles include that of Gretel
in Hansel & Gretel in San Francisco, Susanna in The Marriage of
Figaro in Berkeley, Loretta in Gianni Schicchi in Minnesota and
Julie in Carousel in St Albans. Some of Sara's many achievements
in competition include San Francisco Conservatory of Music Scholarship,
Burlingame Music Club Voice Competition First Prize, California
Federation of Music Clubs Competition Prize, St. Olaf Orchestra
Senior Soloist, and the Winston Cassler Music Scholarship.
Since returning to Hertfordshire in 2002 Sara
has been performing professionally and building up her musicians
agency, Hartley Voices, which is a leading online agency for classical
singers and familiar source to many of the events companies in London
and the UK for singers and musicians for events in the UK and abroad.
Sara works with a particular interest in helping recent graduates
of the music colleges (the Guild Hall, Royal Academy, Royal College,
and Trinity Collage of Music particularly) to function successfully
within the tricky world of the modern music industry, performing
to the standard that helps to create vibrant returning audiences.
The recital will take place to mark the end
of the Welwyn Festival Week, and proceeds from the sale of tickets
will be given to support the festival's charities, The Friendship
Club, 2nd Welwyn Scouts & The Cat Survival Trust caring for endangered
species of cats in captivity.
Tickets for the performance are £8 and can
now be purchased at Hill & Co, High Street, Welwyn, by phoning Hartley
Voices on 0207 096 1637, or at the door. Advance ticket holders
will receive priority seating.

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