1st and 8th March 2020

Saffron Walden

County High School

Festival Programme Outline

S A F F R O N W A L D E N

M U S I C F E S T I V A L 2020

This will be County High’s eighth Music Festival and we are delighted to announce

that we will be sponsored by the Saffron Walden Rotary Club. As well as financial

support for the Festival, our overall winner will have the opportunity to go

forward to the Rotary Club Young Musician District Finals. We are very much

looking forward to another great opportunity to celebrate the musical talents of

local young people and to our Winners’ Concert in the magnificent Saffron Hall.

A B O U T T H E F E S T I V A L

The Music Festival is taking place on two Sundays, 1st and 8th March, and is divided

into six sections with an adjudicator for each one. The Brass, Woodwind, Strings

and Guitar sections will take place on 1st March and with Junior and Senior Piano

and Vocal sections on 8th March. Our adjudicators are all professional musicians

who will listen to the performances and give feedback to the young musicians.

Every performer will receive written feedback and a certificate and medals will be

awarded for exceptional or very promising performances. Each instrument section

has various classes ranging from Pre-Grade 1 to advanced level and the winner of

the Challenge Cup Class (Grade 7-8) will receive a trophy. The adjudicators will

choose an overall winner from each section to go forward to the Winners’

Concert. In order to celebrate the importance of playing together, there are also

ensemble classes in all sections and the adjudicators will give feedback on these.

T H E W I N N E R S’ C O N C E R T

The Festival culminates in the Winners’ Concert, which will be held in Saffron

Hall.at 7pm on Sunday, 8th March. The six section winners will perform in a Young

Musician of the Year style final to decide the overall Festival winner. Our concert

adjudicators this year will be Jane Patterson and Philip Sunderland.

S A F F R O N W A L D E N

C O U N T Y H I G H S C H O O L

Saffron Walden County High School is hugely excited once again to be hosting the

Saffron Walden Music Festival. SWCHS has a deserved reputation for musical

excellence. Over 320 pupils receive instrumental tuition and the school has 17

different musical ensembles. Students are also given numerous opportunities to

perform in any of the four annual concerts or as part of a more informal

lunchtime recital series. We are also extremely proud of our successful Music

Academy Programme, which continues to draw in high numbers of the most

talented musicians from across Essex, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. In

recent years, the school’s musical reputation has also been enhanced by the

addition of Saffron Hall. The Hall and its programme has allowed our pupils to not

only perform in a world-class concert venue but also to work together with

professional musicians of the highest standard. It is in collaboration with Saffron

Hall that we have greatly enhanced singing and string playing in the school over

the last few years. In addition to this, we are proud to work in partnership with

the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Saffron Hall and Essex Music Hub to

host the Saffron Centre for Young Musicians (SCYM), a specialist Saturday school

offering high quality musical training to students aged 5 to 18.

Music is at the heart of SWCHS and the Music Festival chimes perfectly with the

ethos of the school. Not only does it provide young people with the opportunity

to compete with each other in a friendly atmosphere but it also gives them the

opportunity to learn more about themselves as performers and how to

communicate successfully to an audience. We look forward to hearing what this

year’s musicians can achieve.

Caroline Derbyshire Polly Lankester Executive Headteacher Associate Headteacher

F E S T I VA L C O M M I T T E E

Ellie Morrow

Hilary Curtis

Jacquie Lucas

Amanda Shaw

Karen Semken

S U N D A Y 1 S T M A R C H

S T R I N G S E C T I O N ADJUDICATOR : SUE DOREY

Cellist Sue Dorey studied at the Menuhin School with

Maurice Gendron, and on Scholarship at the Royal

Academy of Music with David Strange. She completed

her studies with Jaqueline du Pre in London and

Wolfgang Mehlhorn in Hamburg. Sue’s career has

embraced chamber music, orchestras and teaching,

and she is now also curating the music programme at

Omnibus Theatre in Clapham.

She was a founder member of piano trio Trio Zingara which won the Munich

International Competition, and spent many years touring and broadcasting in the

UK and abroad. Performances included Beethoven Triple concerto in Berlin,

Buxton and London and numerous broadcasts for the BBC. She was the cellist of

Ambache Chamber Ensemble, recorded for BBC Music Magazine and Oboe

Classics, and was a member of the cello octet of the Academy of St Martin in the

Fields.

For many years Sue was a member of two of London’s busiest Chamber

Orchestras. She was Principal cello of City of London Sinfonia for 17 years, with

whom she made numerous recordings and toured UK and abroad. And for over

twenty years she was a member of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields,

collaborating with Murray Perahia, Iona Brown and many other distinguished

musicians. Her career as a freelance cellist has included Principal cello of Kent

Opera and Ambache Chamber Orchestra and numerous engagements with the

major London Orchestras.

S T R I N G S E C T I O N

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Class Time

Pre-Grade 1 9.30am

Grade 1 - 2 10am

Grade 3 - 4 10.40am

Break 11.25am

Grade 5 - 6 11.40am

Baroque and

Classical 11.55am

Romantic and

Modern 12.35pm

Challenge Cup 1.10pm

S U N D A Y 1 S T M A R C H

W O O D W I N D S E C T I O N ADJUDICATOR: EMMA HALNAN

In demand flautist Emma Halnan first came to prominence as the woodwind category winner of BBC Young Musician 2010. She has since appeared at major venues worldwide, and has performed concertos with orchestras including the London Mozart Players, the European Union Chamber Orchestra, and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Other competition successes include first prize in the Sir Karl

Jenkins/Arts Club Classical Music Award 2016, in association with Classic FM. As a result, she recorded and broadcast on Classic FM a piece specially composed for her by Sir Karl Jenkins. Emma has also been selected as a “Making Music” Philip & Dorothy Green Young Artist 2018-20. Emma was principal flute of the European Union Youth Orchestra 2014-16. She has also performed as guest principal of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and guest principal piccolo of English National Opera. In recital, Emma has worked with pianist Daniel King Smith since 2008. Together, they have performed at venues including St. David’s Hall (Cardiff), Gower Festival, St. Martin-in-the-Fields and the “La Côte” International Flute Festival 2016 (Switzerland). Emma also works regularly with harpist Heather Wrighton and violist Jordan Sian (the Aurora Trio); they held a prestigious Chamber Music Fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music for 2014-16. Emma is also a highly reputed and very dedicated teacher, her pupils having gained places in the National Children’s Orchestra, National Children’s Wind Orchestra and at Junior Trinity. Emma has taught students at Cambridge University and King’s College London, and given numerous masterclasses, most recently at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. Emma studied at the Royal Academy of Music with William Bennett and Kate Hill, and afterwards with Robert Winn. She has been generously supported by the Hattori Foundation and the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund. Emma also won the 2014 Kenneth Loveland Gift, and is a City Music Foundation Artist. (Photograph with kind permission from Ian Dingle)

W O O D W I N D S E C T I O N

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxaphone

Class Time

Pre-Grade 1

Grade 1 - 2 2pm

Grade 3 - 4 2.15pm

Grade 5 - 6 2.50pm

Baroque and

Classical 3.15pm

Romantic and

Modern 3.30pm

Ensemble

Class 4.05pm

Break 4.15pm

Challenge Cup

Class 4.30pm

S U N D A Y 1 S T M A R C H

B R A S S S E C T I O N ADJUDICATOR : JAMES DAVISON

Winner of the Smith-Watkins Trumpet Award (2016), at the Royal Academy of

Music, James Davison is now pursuing a busy and varied freelance career based in

London. He was lead trumpet in

the National Youth Jazz Orchestra

(2014-2017) and is currently lead

trumpet with the Scottish National

Jazz Orchestra and second

trumpet in the London Jazz

Orchestra. He has performed with

the BBC Big Band, The Syd

Lawrence Orchestra, Pete Long’s

Echoes of El-lington Orchestra and

the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.

Since graduating with a MA in Jazz

Performance at the Royal

Academy of Music, James has

become a regular trumpet deputy

in West End Shows including

Aladdin, 42nd Street, Book of

Mormon, Beautiful, An American

in Paris and Guys and Dolls. He has

performed with the London

Symphony Orchestra and as guest

Principal with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hallé Orchestra. James is

also a member of the award-winning Misha Mullov-Ab-addo Group, Jonny

Mansfield’s Elftet, the Patchwork Jazz Orchestra, the Sam Watts band, Joe Hill’s

North Ark, as well as his own band co-led with Callum Au, playing the music of

Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer.

In 2018 James was awarded the Musicians Company Young Jazz Musician of the Year award.

B R A S S S E C T I O N

Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Tenor Horn, French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba

Class Time

Pre-Grade 1

and Grade 1 -

2

6pm

Grade 3 - 4 6.15pm

Grade 5 - 6 6.35pm.

Baroque and

Classical 7.10pm

Romantic and

Modern 7.20pm

Challenge Cup

Class 7.35pm.

S U N D A Y 1 S T M A R C H

G U I TA R S E C T I O N ADJUDICATOR : VINCENT LINDSEY-CLARK

English guitarist Vincent Lindsey-Clark is well

known for his compositions for the instrument. He

writes music for both students and professionals,

much of which, has been used extensively by the

major exam boards and performed all round the

world. He has also written two guitar concertos and

gave the first performance of both works himself.

He is published by Montague Music Publishing in

the UK and Les Produtions d’Oz in Canada.

In 2003 he was asked to compose a piece for 100 young guitarists, for a Gala

concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In 2009 he was commissioned to write

the set pieces for the Beatty Guitar Competition in Washington DC and his very

popular ‘Five Pictures of Sark’ were recorded by one of the world’s leading

guitarists, Berta Rojas from Paraguay. Other distinguished performers that have

played his music include The English Guitar Quartet, David Russell, Craig Ogden

Amanda Cook, Detlev Bork, Davis Owen Norris and The Agostino Duo.

As a performer he made his London debut at the Wigmore Hall in 1983 and has

travelled extensively since then, including a tour of Venezuela as a member of The

Segovia Guitar Trio. He is a regular visitor to the Hong Kong Guitar Festival where

he gives concerts and master classes. He also performs with The Modern Guitar

Trio and has recorded several CDs. For a period of ten years he regularly

appeared at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden as an on stage musician

playing for the Royal Ballet and Darcy Bussell.

Vincent Lindsey-Clark’s teaching positions include Southampton University,

London’s Centre for Young Musicians and Eton College.

G U I T A R S E C T I O N

Classical Guitar, Lute

Class Time

Pre-Grade 1 5pm

Grade 1 - 2 5.15pm

Grade 3 - 4 5.45pm

Grade 5 - 6 6.15pm

Romantic and

Modern 6.30pm

Break 6.55pm

Challenge Cup

Class 7.10pm

Ensemble

Class 7.30pm

S U N D AY 8 T H M A R C H

S E N I O R P I A N O S E C T I O N ADJUDICATOR: JOHN YORK

Following studies in London, Paris (where he won the

International Debussy Prize) and Vienna, John York`s

career has taken him around the world, the majority of

his work being with cellist Raphael Wallfisch and York 2

piano duo.

His most recent recordings are all on Nimbus. York 2

were recently released in their unique four-hands

repertoire of 20th century `orchestral` blockbusters

including Le sacre du printemps and The Planets.

With Raphael the catalogue grows exponentially from the complete Beethoven

cycle to the works of Schnittke and James MacMillan, including world premieres,

rarely heard 19th Century works and major cello and piano masterpieces.

Before these duos became established, some 25 years ago, he had played

concertos with such orchestras as the London Mozart Players and the LPO,

founded the successful York Piano trio and Quartet and accompanied a list of

illustrious performers. He was Senior Music Head at St Paul`s Girls` School, a

position from which he retired in 2014.

He is a composer, festival adjudicator and lecturer, and has no intention of letting

up on any of these activities, even though his commitment to St Paul`s Girls`

School has come to an end. He fully intends to develop these aspects and enjoy

his grandchildren, now that he has a little more time.

S E N I O R P I A N O S E C T I O N

Class Time

Grade 5 - 6 10am

Baroque and

Classical 10.25am

Romantic and

Modern 10.55am

Break 11.35am

Challenge Cup

Class 11.45am

S U N D AY 8 T H M A R C H

J U N I O R P I A N O S E C T I O N ADJUDICATOR: PHILIP SUNDERLAND

Philip Sunderland was born in Norwich and

attended the Cathedral School. He studied at the

Royal Academy of Music as an undergraduate and

postgraduate and it was here that he caught the

opera bug which took him to the National Opera

Studio upon graduation from the Academy.

Philip began professional work as a repetiteur and

worked extensively for English National Opera,

Opera North and Glyndebourne. His first professional engagement was with

English Touring Opera who took him under their wing and encouraged him to

conduct – The Marriage of Figaro was his conducting debut and he continued to

conduct several more operas for the company. Philip then moved to Leeds,

appointed as Chorus Master to Opera North where, as well as training and

managing 36 choristers, he conducted and organised concerts with the chorus

and orchestra – most notably the Durufle Requiem in Leeds Parish Church and the

Brahms’ Requiem in York Minster. He also conducted Sweeney Todd and La

Traviata during his time with the company.

Philip now lives in Saffron Walden and continues a busy freelance career. Most

notably he recently conducted Paul Bunyan for English Touring Opera and won an

Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera. He returned to the

company this year with Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann.

Philip’s second opera The Glass Knight, with a libretto by Gareth Prior, was

performed in Saffron Hall in 2016 with a cast of over 300 students and

professionals. It was designed by Neil Irish. Philip is currently Head of Vocal

Faculty and Preparatory Opera at the Royal Academy of Music.

J U N I O R P I A N O S E C T I O N

Class Time

Pre-Grade 1 3pm

Grade 1 - 2 3.45pm

Grade 3 - 4 4.25pm

W I N N E R S’ C O N C E R T

A N D A W A R D S

7pm S A F F R O N H A L L

SAFFRON WALDEN MUSIC FESTIVAL RULES 2020

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES 23rd JANUARY 2020

General Rules

i. You must perform by yourself and not in a group unless you are taking part in the ensemble class.

ii. You can enter any number of classes but only one entry per class.

iii. You are responsible for your instruments and belongings on the day of the competition. Saffron

Walden Music Festival and Saffron Walden County High School cannot accept any liability for them

in any way before, during or after the competition.

iv. To enter, you must be attending a school in Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk or Cambridgeshire or

attend SCYM.

v. By entering the competition, you agree that should you win your section, you will be available to

take part in the Winners’ concert on the Sunday. (Concert time to be confirmed)

vi. You agree that any official photography taken will be allowed to be used for publicity purposes.

Accompanying and Photocopies

vii. You may bring your own accompanist, or you can use our official accompanist.

viii. If you use our accompanist, all music and the relevant fees must be received with your entry form

by the closing date.

ix. Backing tracks will not be permitted.

x. You must bring an original, purchased copy of your music for the adjudicator on the day,

otherwise you will not be allowed to perform.

Application Forms & Fees

xi. All applications must be on an official entry form, or a copy of the official entry form, duly signed

by your parent/guardian.

xii. To be accepted, your application, music and fee must be received by the closing date on the

application form. You will be contacted regarding all relevant dates and times.

xiii. If posting your entry, please ensure that the correct postage is paid. We will not collect from a

sorting office if undelivered.

xiv. The fee for each class entered is £6.00

xv. The fee for our official accompanist is an additional £10.00 per class. This fee includes a rehearsal

prior to the festival.

xvi. Cheques should be made payable to SWCHS, these fees are non-refundable.

xvii. The Winners’ Concert is open to the public and there is no entry fee. We will collect any donations

at the door. All proceeds will go towards funding the next festival.

xviii. Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Classes may be amalgamated or

split depending on the number of applications received. Class Rules

xix. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the time of your class.

xx. We welcome audiences to all classes and sections, please feel free to come and listen.

Programmes for the festival will be available once all applications have been received and times

confirmed.

xxi. The adjudicators’ decision is final, they reserve the right to cut short a performance if they feel

that they have heard enough to make a valid adjudication. This will only occur should time be

running short.

Certificates, Cups & Medals

xxii. Each applicant will receive written feedback and a certificate at the end of their class.

xxiii. Medals will be awarded to those candidates whom the adjudicator feels are most deserving, these

medals will be presented at the Winners’ Concert.

xxiv. Challenge Cup class winners will receive a cup. The winner of this cup is not necessarily the section

winner.

xxv. Ensemble classes will not be put forward to the Winners’ Concert.

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

We would like to say a very big thank you to everybody who has helped to make

this event possible. Some have helped by giving their time and others have helped

financially.

Thanks go to all of our participants, without your enthusiasm for music, this

festival would not be able to happen. We wish you all the best of luck and we

hope that you all enjoy the festival. Thank you, too, to the parents of our young

musicians, who support and encourage them in their musical journey.

Finally, particular thanks to Saffron Walden County High School for their continued

support and to Saffron Hall for allowing us to use their wonderful venue.

C O N TA C T D E TA I L S :

musicfestival@swchs.net

Saffron Walden County High School

Audley End Road

Saffron Walden

Essex

CB11 4UH

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