Plymouth Music Accord May Music Festival 2007

Performers

A range of top quality local and international musicians are taking part in the Plymouth Music Festival:

The Broadway Syncopaters - leader Trevor Meen

Their music is centred around the great songwriters of the "Golden Age of Song" - Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George & Ira Gershwin and more.

It is of course ideal to dance to!

University of Plymouth Choral Society,
with Denise Leigh - soprano

The UOPCS, conductor Simon Ible, consists of University students, staff and members of the community who have an enthusiasm for singing. Public concerts are performed during the academic year at venues in Plymouth. The Choir also participates in the university Carol Service.

The repertoire is drawn from classical mainstream works, part songs and madrigals, anthems, motets and opera from the 16th century to the present day. Professional soloists are engaged for concert performances.

Denise Leigh is the blind soprano who won the English National Opera / Channel 4 reality TV programme Operatunity

Stephen Hough - Piano

Since winning the Naumburg International Piano Competition in New York in 1983, Stephen Hough has appeared with most of the major European and American orchestras.

Stephen's forty or so CDs have won many international prizes including the Diapason d'Or, the Deutscher Schallplattenpreis, Classic CD and Gramophone awards; he has received spectacular reviews for his recordings, and in 2005 won the Critics Award at the Classical Brit Awards with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and conductor Andrew Litton, for their Rachmaninov piano concertos.

South West Sinfonietta

One of the leading professional orchestras in the South West since 1993, the SWS is continuing to enhance its reputation under its President Julian Lloyd Webber and new conductor Tim Boulton (pictured right), who replaces the late Derek Kitt.

The Orchestra chooses programmes to cover a wide range of styles, from the Baroque to the 20th Century, as illustrated in the two highly acclaimed, digitally recorded CDs of 'In Concert' performances.

Ten Tors Orchestra

The Ten Tors Orchestra was launched at an inaugural concert in Tavistock in the heart of rural Devon in December 1998. It is now established as the premier professional chamber orchestra in Devon & Cornwall performing a year round series of concerts in the region.

Sussex Jazz Kings

The Sussex Jazz Kings were formed in early 2005 and have a residency at Box Hill, Surrey.

Real Steel

Started with eight members of Estover Community College forming a steel band known as the Estover Steel Band. Since then, hard work and dedication have turned that small group in to a 25-strong all-girl steel ensemble now known as the much-acclaimed Real Steel

Mark Kesel - Trumpet

Mark studied trumpet with Sidney Ellison at the Royal Academy of Music. After obtaining a degree in music from the University of Reading, Mark was appointed their trumpet teacher. After twelve years as principal trumpet with the touring opera company Opera East he now works as a freelance trumpet player and guest soloist.

Waterson:Carthy

Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy can rightly be regarded as the founders of modern British folk music. For the PMA Festival concert Norma (vocals) and Martin (guitar) are joined by their daughter Eliza Carthy (fiddle) and Saul Rose for an evening of contemporary and traditional folk.

O Duo - Percussion Duo

Owen Gunnell and Oliver Cox graduated from the Royal College of Music with First Class Honours. Their repertoire spans more than 300 years and is a mix of popular classics and accessible contemporary music played on two marimbas, vibraphone and a huge array of percussion.

Owen and Oliver’s performances are hugely popular with both young and old, as they communicate with immediacy and brilliance.

Jacqui Dankworth

Jacqui Dankworth is a remarkable artist of the highest calibre. With her beautiful, subtly powerful voice and assured technique, Jacqui defines a category of her own. She performs unique and exciting arrangements of jazz, original and contemporary songs, complemented by a band of wonderful musicians.

She has toured with the Brodsky Quartet and recorded with them on their latest CD, alongside such guests as Sting, Elvis Costello, Bjork, Ian Shaw and Sir Paul McCartney

‘one of our finest singers regardless of category’ The Sunday Times

Peter Fisher - Violin

A frequent and always welcome performer in Plymouth, Peter has local roots but has made his name on a much wider stage.

He established the Chamber Ensemble of London in 1997, and has co-operated previously with the Dankworth family: John wrote Mariposas for Peter's Wigmore Hall debut in 1996.