Benjamin, his harp and some friends. An evening of harp music in aid of BBC Children In Need Appeal 2003

Transcription

1 Benjamin, his harp and some friends An evening of harp music in aid of BBC Children In Need Appeal 2003 Benjamin J. Creighton Griffiths with compere Mari Griffith and special guests (aged 7) Huw Chidgey & Catherine Handley (folk duo) Ann Griffiths (harp) Eluned Pierce (harp) Mwynion Mai (flute & harp Duo) Wingfield String Ensemble and Triawd Telyn Táf Martha Holeyman Tomos Xerri & Benjamin Norwegian Church Arts Centre Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay SUNDAY 16th November 2003 Sponsored by: Pencerdd Harps Pilgrim Harps Telynau Vining Harps Programme BBC Children in Need Appeal

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4 Dosbarthwr telynau Camac Distributor of Camac harps 8-10 Arcêd Heol Fawr, Caerdydd, CF10 BB Ffôn: High Street Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1BB Tel: Cerddoriaeth i bob offeryn Music for all instruments

5 incorporating Shelleys Delicatessen PURVEYORS OF THE FINEST HAND MADE PATISSERIE OUTSIDE CATERING SERVICES FOR EVERY OCCASION FROM CHRISTENINGS TO WEDDINGS - BANQUETS TO BOARDROOM BUFFETS CORPORATE BREAKFASTS TO COSY DINNER PARTIES MENUS & PRICES MAY BE TAILORED TO YOUR EXACT REQUIREMENTS CALL INTO OUR LICENSED AIR CONDITIONED DELICATESSEN AND EXPERIENCE THE EXCELLENCE OF Best wishes to Benjamin for his concert for BBC Children In Need at The Norwegian Church Arts Centre DELICATESSEN (029) CATERING SERVICES (029) FAX (029) CATHEDRAL ROAD, PONTCANNA CARDIFF, CF11 9PP

6 i y ti s on and conferences - CAD drafting -Lighting Design and specification - L ig w o r ks f o r ex h i b h t i n g cr e w s a n d t e n r e ut p om C - c n a 3 coplow terrace, coplow Street, birmingham, b16 0dq telephone +44 (0) fax +44 (0) info@cmeventservices.co.uk Consult - Management Technical - Production Management - nicians Benjamin would like to thank cmes for lighting the concert for the second year running and the Stag Owners Club for their generous collection when Benjamin played for them in August 2003 which raised 250 for BBC Children in Need h c e q u i p m e nt - A V T e Formed in 1979 to ensure the continued existence of, and increase interest in, the Triumph Stag, and probably the largest single model car club in Britain Tel: wish Benjamin, his harp & friends all the very best for the future

7 Mari Griffith (Compere) Born in Maesteg and initially trained as a singer, Mari Griffith began her broadcasting career as a presenter in music, schools and children's programmes - both radio and television. Based at the time in London, her output included presenting the flagship series Music Time for BBC network television Schools, as well as several educational series for BBC Radio 4. She was a resident singer on the Radio 2 series Music for Your Pleasure for some 18 months and made regular appearances in Friday Night is Music Night and other Radio 2 programmes. On television she was one of the four regular performers in the BBC2 series Poems and Pints and had her own series entitled With a Little Help on BBC Wales television. Mari has presented prestigious concerts all over the country in venues including the Albert Hall and was the first person to present a broadcast orchestral concert from St. David's Hall in Cardiff, with John Dunn and the BBC Concert Orchestra for Radio 2 in A career change brought a move to the BBC Wales Presentation Department and a period of four years as a bi-lingual staff Continuity Announcer, again working in both radio and television. Moving on, Mari then trained as a television director and was invited to set up and run the first-ever programme promotions department within BBC Wales. In 1990 Mari changed direction again and left the BBC to run her own production company and to free-lance as a presenter and Voice Over artist. During the last ten years she has been busily employed as a newsreader, a presenter and narrator chiefly for BBC Wales. Ann Griffiths is equally distinguished as harpist, harp historian and teacher. Having read Honours Welsh at Cardiff University, she then entered the Paris Conservatoire where she was the first-ever British harpist to gain the Premier Prix, subsequently gaining the degree of Master of Arts (Musicology) from the University of Birmingham. Her major interest is in the development of the harp and its music and in the makers, composers and other colourful characters who gave it life. Because of this she has a large collection of harps representing the various stages of the harp's development, and she has written a great deal on harp-related topics, including 46 articles in the latest edition of the New Grove Music Dictionary. Formerly Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, as well as teaching at Cardiff University and the Welsh College of Music and Drama, Ann is a committed teacher, with a brilliant roster of students. She has also edited and composed much harp music, and she is delighted that two pieces from her beginners harp book are included on Benjamin's brilliant new CD. Currently, Ann is an Associate Lecturer at Cardiff University and she is Chairman of the newly-formed Cymdeithas Gwenynen Gwent (the Lady Llanover Society).

8 Jane Groves was born in Hartlepool in She studied the flute with David Haslem in Newcastle and then, while at the Welsh College of Music & Drama, with Doug Townsend and Jonathan Burgess of Welsh National Opera. After graduating in 1990 Jane freelanced with the BBC and WNO. She plays regularly with the Welsh Sinfonia and Bristol Philharmonic. In 1989 Jane and harpist Eluned Scourfield formed Mwynion Mai Flute & Duo. The duo is in great demand for performances at weddings, functions and conferences. Their own arrangements of Welsh melodies have proved so popular that the duo have not only released then on CD, they have also published the scores. Jane also performs with the Welsh Flute Trio and is the Musical Director of CAFÉ (Cardiff Amateur Flute Ensemble). Jane teaches the flute at Howells School as well as running her own private teaching practice and is Benjamin s mother. Martha Holeyman was born in Cardiff in She has studied the harp with Eluned Scourfield since 1999 and this year passed her Grade IV ABRSM with Distinction. Her first public appearances were in 2001 at St Davids Hall with the Junior Schools Harp Ensemble and a Christmas Concert with Telynau Morgannwg. In 2002 she played at the 50yr Celebrations of Welsh Education in the Vale and won second place in the Junior Solo competition at the Gwyl Cerdd Dant in Dolgellau. This year she won third prize in the Junior Ensemble Group at the Urdd Eisteddfod and last weekend came third in the Senior Solo competition of the Gwyl Cerdd Dant at Aberystwyth. Martha is Welsh speaking and is in her first year at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz and modern dancing since the age of 3. Martha enjoys playing with Tomos and Benjamin in their group Triawd Telyn Taf and is looking forward to raising lots of money for Children in Need.

9 Eluned Pierce began her harp playing in Wales. Guided by her harp tutor Mary Stephens some of Eluned s early successes included four consecutive wins at the Urdd National Eisteddfod and at the age of 16 the privilege of soloist with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales on their annual concert tour. Eluned was awarded a foundation scholarship to study with Marisa Robles at the Royal College of Music, London. She received several college awards and it was whilst still a student that she first performed at the Wigmore Hall. As well as recital work throughout Britain, together with radio and television broadcasts, she has played at many festivals, including Edinburgh, Harrogate and also in Germany, Poland, Japan & Slovenia. On moving to Scotland she was Principal Harp in turn with the Scottish Ballet, BBC Scottish Symphony, Royal Scottish National and Scottish Chamber Orchestras. Whilst there she tutored harp at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama, and is now associated with its Welsh equivalent and also the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. Eluned was invited to join the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in 1994 beginning with the Orchestra s Centenary tour of the United States. Now established as one of the UK s leading harpists, working as a soloist and guest of other orchestras, the most recent invitations have come from the Philharmonia Orchestra and The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. She has recently recorded a CD of flute and harp music - Music of the Northlands. Eluned Scourfield studied the harp with Ann Griffiths at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Graduated with Distinction in 1990 and thereafter pursued a year s Advanced Performers Course. She was awarded the Annual Harp Prize during her period of studies at the College. Eluned has pursued a varied career ranging from teaching pupils and students to recitals performances at concerts, weddings and general functions. She has performed to members of the Royal Family and took part in the BBC Songs of Praise Millennium 2000 spectacular held at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. In 1989 she formed Mwynion Mai Flute & Harp Duo with flautist Jane Groves. The Duo has released a CD and the musical scores for a selection of Welsh Melodies which the duo arranged themselves. Eluned is also as one of the resident harpists for the Medieval Banquets at Cardiff Castle.

10 Highlights of 2003 Thank you for coming to the concert. I hope that you will enjoy the music and that we will raise lots of money for BBC Children in Need. Thank you to every one who has helped with the concert especially the sponsors, advertisers, raffle prize donors, shops putting up posters, Mari for being our compere, all the musicians, the audience and special thanks to Tomos & Martha. Benjamin A picture paints a thousand words

11 Programme Nataliana Deborah Henson-Conant Benjamin (harp) A medley from their light repertoire The Wingfield Ensemble (String Quartet) Duo No. 1 Allegro Eluned Pierce (harp) Rondeau Philipp Joseph Hinner & Eluned Scourfield (harp) Canon Pachelbel Eluned Pierce (harp) Canzonetta Peter J Stanton Eluned Scourfield (harp) Jane Groves (flute) Catherine Handley (flute) Y Deryn Pur Traditional Benjamin (harp) (arr. Meinir Heulyn) Vienna Woods Johann Strauss Martha Holeyman (harp) (arr. Shari Pack) Tomos Xerri (harp) Benjamin (harp) Intreval Two Fantasias on Welsh Folksongs Beth yw'r Haf i Mi Arr. Ann Griffiths Gwenni aeth i ffair Pwllheli Arr. Ann Griffiths Ann Griffiths (harp) Intermezzo Sinfonica P. Mascagni Mwynion Mai Flute & Harp Duo (From Cavalleria Rusticana) Grand Duet in Eb minor John Thomas Eluned Pierce (harp) & Eluned Scourfield (harp) Viejo Zortzico Guridi Eluned Pierce (harp) A medley from their set Huw Chidgey & Catherine Handley (Acoustic Folk Duo) Off She Goes (Jig) Trad arr. Deborah Henson-Conant Benjamin (harp) She s Gone (Reel) Deborah Henson-Conant & Eluned Pierce (harp) Benjamin started to learn to play the harp when he was 4 years old. Despite his young age he has developed a very mature passion for the instrument. He loves performing to an audience and he hopes that you will enjoy this evening as much as he intends to! Tonight is just part of the fund raising Benjamin is doing for BBC Children in Need. In the summer he raised 250 by playing for the Stag Owners Club and in October he performed at a special BBC Children in Need Jazz Night at Pizza Express. Sales of his single Ben Jamming is also raising more money and he has a number of other events lined up including performances for the Rolls Royce Owners Club and at Llanover Hall, both next March.

12 Acoustic Folk Duo Huw Chidgey & Catherine Handley Huw and Catherine are a South Wales based acoustic folk duo comprising the formidable talents of two of the country's finest musicians. Their recently formed partnership has resulted in a top class CD "In the Tradition" which has been received with much critical acclaim and radio play on the BBC. Their repertoire is based on the traditions of the British Isles, either directly, in their arrangements of traditional material, or indirectly from the work of contemporary writers working in the Folk idiom. When other commitments allow, they can be found every Sunday night at the Star Inn, Llansoy, near Raglan, where they currently host the Folk Club. Huw Chidgey has been a professional musician for five years - the first four as bass player for the Hanky Panky Band on the Irish circuit, and latterly playing solo or with various members of the Raglan Band on the folk circuit. In the early eighties he ran the Lanch Poly Folk Club in Coventry - following Bill Caddick and Steve Knightly among others, and followed this with a spell as resident at Dingles folk club in London. He resumed his music career in 1998 after working for fifteen years in the film industry, and this collaboration with Catherine is a natural progression. Huw has recorded 5 cd's - two with the HP band, one solo and one with Raglan, and most recently 'In the Tradition' with Catherine Catherine Handley was brought up in a musical family in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and learned to play the piano at a very tender age. Taking the flute as her first instrument she studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and after graduating pursued a successful career in the classical world as both performer and teacher. A relative latecomer to the British folk music, scene Catherine brings a polish and a passion with her playing. A chance meeting with Huw at a session in South Wales led to a few tentative rehearsals, and from there, their set developed with 'In the Tradition' being the result. This passion and her classical sense of disciplined playing combines uniquely with Huw's largely chaotic approach to life in general and singing in particular.

13 Leader - Ann Jones (Violin) The Wingfield Ensemble is an ensemble of flexible constitution and performs recitals of music ranging from classical to modern and is often joined in its music making by distinguished musicians. The group originated as a group of musicians who met socially to play the rich chamber music repertoire for fun. The enjoyment factor is still paramount in the group's concert performances. Its first concert was many years ago at Tredegar House, Newport and included the Trout Quintet. The Wingfield Ensemble has built up a wide ranging repertoire over the years embracing trios, quartets and quintets from Haydn to Shostakovich including the wonderful Schubert quintet with two cellos. They play regularly at the Beautiful Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, and at various Music Clubs in Wales. Apart from these serious activities, the trio and quartet play at functions for weddings, conferences, promotions etc incorporating a lighter approach for the listeners. They offer an extensive repertoire from the Baroque era through to modern musicals The musicians are of the highest calibre both in the classical and the light music world. They play regularly at the Miskin Manor, Peterstone Court (Brecon) and St. Pierre Hotel as well as other well known venues including the Copthorne Hotel, Manor Park, Celtic Manor and Cardiff Castle. Available at: Abergavenny Music, 23 Cross Street, Abergavenny. Andy's Records, 4 Northgate Street Aberystwyth. Cardiff Music, Castle Arcade Cardiff. Dew, 31 Mortimer Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff. DJ Driscoll & Sons, 221 Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff. Lisvane Store, Crown Precinct, Church Road, Lisvane, Cardiff. Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay. Renwicks Peugeot, Marsh Barton Road, Exeter. Clive Morley Harps, Goodfellows, Filkins, Nr Lechlade. Pencerdd Harps, 4 Station Approach, Penarth. Telynau Vining, 8-10 High Street Arcade, Cardiff. And on line from We are very grateful to all these shops for their great efforts in selling Benjamin s single.

14 Tomos Xerri was born in Cardiff in He has studied the harp with Eluned Scourfield for five years. He also studies piano and flute at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and has passed Grade V with distinction on the harp and takes his Grade V piano this Autumn. In 2001 Tomos played in the Junior Schools Harp Ensemble at St David's Hall and was invited to play the harp in the BBC Radio 2 Masterclass Orchestra at the City Hall. In 2002 he won the Under 12 category for both piano and harp, and came second in the voice category at the South Glamorgan Festival for Young Musicians. In the same year also won two Gold Medals at the Abertawe Festival for Young Musicians. This year he won the Under 12 category for piano and harp, and came second in the voice duet class at SGFYM. They also awarded Tomos the Alex Robinson Trophy for the Most Promising Pianist and the Maid of Sker Plate for the Best Harp Performance. At the AFYM this year he won four gold medals and one silver medal for piano and harp classes and was awarded the Lloyd Bank Trophy for the Most Outstanding Pianist and a special award for his performance on the harp. His latest competition was BBC Choirboy of the Year where he reached the final 25 singers. In September this year Tomos was invited to play the piano at the Vale of Glamorgan Music Festival in St Donat's Castle featuring the works of a living composer, Stephen Montegue. Tomos is a fluent Welsh speaker and attended Ysgol Pencae in Llandaff until he was awarded a choral scholarship to The Cathedral School in January Although the schedule for a chorister is pretty grueling, Tomos loves to sing at the Cathedral and never tires of it. Although no longer in a Welsh medium school, he still competes in the Urdd Eisteddfodau has reached the county finals for piano, harp and voice and the National Finals in 2002 for the harp. When Tomos is not engaged in his music he enjoys rowing, athletics and riding his bike, reading, origami and playing on the computer ing all his friends. On sale in the foyer - featuring some of tonight s performers Creighton s Collection also provides design & print and web site design services with special rates for musicians CREIGHTON S COLLECTION Tel: tim@creightonscollection.co.uk Web Quick Link Moniker:

15 Raffle Prizes on the table in the foyer BBC Children in Need 3-D Lapel Badge Hand made greeting cards tt o b A e l of r e Three prizes - three wonderful undistributed albums d w in e 50p a strip A bottle of white wine Raffle tickets will be on sale before the concert and during the interval with the draw taking place during the second half of the concert.

16 Christmas on the Waterfront 2003 With Mwynion Mai Flute & Harp Duo Jane Groves (flute) & Eluned Scourfield (harp) and special guests Catherine Handley (flute) Triawd Telyn Táf (Taff Harp Trio) Martha Holeyman Benjamin Creighton Griffiths Tomos Xerri Norwegian Church Arts Centre Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay Sunday 21st December pm Tickets 7.00 ( 5.00 concessions, Under 10 free) Box Office Tel: Designed & Printed by Creighton s Collection. Tel

17 The Cathedral School, Llandaff warmly supports Children in Need and in particular, Benjamin Creighton Griffiths, who is a pupil at our School, with his evening of harp music. The Cathedral School offers Academic, Sporting & Musical Excellence for Girls and Boys aged from 3-16 years. For further information about the school, please contact the Registrar on or registar@cathedral-school.co.uk The School is a Registered Charity which exists to provide education for children (Number )

18 Adlais Music Publishers Specialist Publishers of Harp Music Principal Publishers of Music by JOHN THOMAS ( ) ELIAS PARISH ALVARS ( ) PO BOX 28 ABERGAVENNY NP7 5YJ Fax:

19 D.J. DRISCOLL & SONS 221 Cathedral Road Pontcanna, Cardiff Tel: Free Range Pork and Chickens are our speciality They are fed no antibiotics, hormones or growth promoters.

20 CREIGHTON S COLLECTION Hard to find classical/folk music from independent artists & labels We sell undistributed classical, folk and traditional recordings, including contemporary works, on-line. Browse our pages and listen to the samples in the comfort of your own home. If you like what you hear buy on line and we will post your purchases to your door or where ever you want them sent. Creighton s Collection, 244 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9JG Tel: Screen shot from an Album Information Page on our web site From here you can:- Listen to sound clips View full track listings Read what is in the CD Book Go to Artist pages to learn more about the artist and Go to our shop to buy the CD WE NEVER SHUT - POP IN & BROWSE AT