Here are just a few of the talented musicians performing at the Gala Concert...
Hope Russell-Winter
Hope’s songs are "informed largely by issues such as loss, illness, the fragility of life, family and belonging", says Jack Hobbs, managing director of Jacket Records (and grandson of Stanley Kubrick). "She has been through so much as a young person.”
Her second EP ‘Optimist’ is out now [available on iTunes] and reached No. 8 in the Singer Song-Writer charts.
Philip Clouts
Philip’s CD trio 'Direction South' has received great acclaim. Jazz UK described it as "enormously enjoyable ... accessible but distinctive". He plays a set consisting of mainly of his original compositions, influenced by Latin and African jazz. Philip’s career has included playing at Ronnie Scotts, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Glastonbury and Womad festivals, and his music has recently been played on BBC Radio’s Jamie Cullum Show.
STOP PRESS: unfortunately professional commitments now mean Philip cannot be with us for this concert
“Clouts has particularly subtle judgement when it comes to harmonising simple melodies, making them neither too bare nor over-elaborate.” The Observer
Nicholas Mannoukas
Nicholas is currently in his final year at the Royal College of Music, studying organ and piano. His early musical life centred on Southwark Cathedral, where he was a chorister, becoming head chorister in his final year. Nicholas performs frequently in concerts, masterclasses and recitals and also teaches.
Colin Hodgetts
Colin lives in Hartland where he ran the Small School. In the ’70s he was chaplain/warden of the Othona Community in Bradwell, Essex. While at Bradwell, he wrote the Othona Psalms, some of which were recorded by Evelyn Tubb.
Colin conducted the Hartland Chamber Orchestra and also played double bass in a folk group. He now plays in the Hartland Town Band. His puppet opera, A She-Fox of Shinoda, toured the West Country and Japan. The soprano Angela Henckel, who starred in it, will be giving the first performance of his settings of Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience in October.
Brenda, Clare and Mark will play together - piano, violin and clarinet
Brenda Stevenson studied music at university and plays piano, viola, and percussion. She mostly plays classical music but also enjoys jazz, folk and world music. Brenda spent time during a sabbatical exploring improvisation and learning about music therapy. Brenda has provided wonderful piano accompaniment at entertainment evenings here at Othona West Dorset. Thank you Brenda!
Claire Tocknell studied music at the Royal Academy. She now teaches for the Shropshire Music Service, leads The Ludlow Orchestra and Shropshire Chamber Orchestra and plays in a number of other local ensembles.
Mark Tocknell has performed in a variety of orchestras, ensembles and choirs, both school and church-based.
After meeting Brenda at Othona in 2009, Mark, Claire and Brenda have given many recitals together, exploring the repertoire for clarinet, violin and piano.
STOP PRESS: sadly illness means Mark and Claire will not be with us but Brenda will play solo
Other artists:
Rachel Bennetts
Pia Kruithof
Janina Pudenz