Well done to everyone who took part in our student concert on Friday at the Tithe Barn in Shirehampton. The concert was primarily for younger students although a couple of my adult learners appeared too. The programme began with a recent hit from The Greatest Showman, and went on to include Disney classics, favourite film and tv themes, exam pieces, pupil's own compositions, piano duets, and classic repertoire by Beethoven, Schubert and Tchaikovsky. A big thank you to all those who came along to listen and create a friendly and encouraging atmosphere! |
Cantabile Ladies choir, conducted by Tracey Hansford and accompanied by Helen Wilkins, gave a programme of music commemorating the first World War in their summer concert in Wells. After a thought-provoking poem 'Killed in Action', read by Peter Hancock, the Last Post was played by trumpeter Matt Drury. With a medley of songs arranged by Alan Simmons and an arrangement of 'Tunes from the Trenches', familiar favourites such as Good-bye-ee, It's a long way to Tipperary, Roses in Picardy, and Keep the homes fires burning, were heard alongside Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Inscription of Hope, and Home, together with repertoire by Ivor Novello, John Rutter, and a world premier of an arrangement of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, which was specially arranged for the choir. This nostalgic and moving programme was interspersed with humorous, well-chosen and often poignant songs, beautifully performed by tenor Iain Macleod-Jones, before the combined encore of We'll Gather Lilacs by Ivor Novello. Thank you for my flowers and gifts, ladies!
Funds raised for Tormarton church at a 'most enjoyable evening'...
The musical partnership of Gillian Wells and Helen Wilkins is back! We're returning to Tormarton Church on Saturday 2nd June and are looking forward to performing a great programme!
A bit of fun, but I enjoyed visiting Killerton house, Greenways and Coleton Fishacre and had the chance to play the grand pianos at all three houses. Lady Acland had two pianos, including one that was portable for travelling! Agatha Christie's Steinway grand piano at Greenways was in a stunning setting, overlooking the River Dart. Here are some photos from Coleton Fishacre. It was quite something to play Clair de Lune by Debussy, Chopin's Nocturne in E flat and the Pathetique Sonata by Beethoven on the D'Oyly Carte family's Blüthner!
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Helen WilkinsProfessional self-employed graduate musician, pianist, accompanist, piano teacher and qualified Archives
May 2022
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