SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 2 & 3 MARCH 2024
CLOSING DATE: 31 JANUARY 2024
Redmaids’ High School, Westbury Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3AW
PIANO SECTION INFORMATION
HELEN LEEK
Helen was a scholar and prize winner at the Royal Academy of Music and was awarded the JBR trophy at the Royal Over-Seas League competition. She subsequently studied with Alexander Satz in Vienna with the help of an Austrian Government Scholarship. Helen was one of the major prize winners at the International Young Concert Artists Competition and was runner-up in the Birmingham International Piano Competition.
In the last decade, she has performed across Europe both as soloist and chamber musician, with her innovative multi-media programmes drawing much critical acclaim.
´With the multifaceted creativity of the pianist Helen Leek, Clara Schumann herself would have been proud.´
The Frankfurter Allgemeine
'The real hero of the performance was undoubtedly Helen Leek... here was ensemble playing of the highest order, spiced up by dazzling virtuoso performances from all six musicians'.
The Straits Times, Singapore
Helen teaches piano at Royal Holloway, University of London, has given masterclasses in the UK, Singapore and Thailand and runs her own residential piano course in South-West France, from where she also delivers on-line workshops. Her website is www.pianoatlemaillard.com.
Her students have enjoyed success in competitions in the UK and internationally and have gone on to have successful careers in music. She adjudicates festivals in the UK, has acted as adjudicator for competitions within the Royal College of Music and is an examiner and trainer for the ABRSM. Helen is particularly in demand in the Far East, having adjudicated the Euroasia Piano Competition, the Bangkok International Piano Competition and the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival.
Helen Leek
www.pianoatlemaillard.com
ANTHONY WILLIAMS
MMus GRSM(Hons) LRAM ARAM
Concert pianist, writer, lecturer, examiner and adjudicator, Anthony Williams studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and then at Reading University.
Following international competition success, he embarked on a career as a concert pianist and alongside this, quickly established an international reputation as a piano teacher and a passionate educator of pianistic musicianship of all ages and levels, giving piano masterclasses, public lecture-recitals and seminars on performance and the art of teaching both in the UK and abroad, including China and Hong Kong. He also coaches on International Summer Schools and Residential Courses.
Anthony has given talks on piano performance for Radio 3 and is author and editor of various publications including The Best of Grade and Fingerprints (Faber), Teaching Notes (ABRSM), EPTA Piano Journal, and the highly acclaimed Piano Teacher’s Survival Guide (Faber).
He is an ABRSM examiner (diploma, jazz and classical), educational consultant, and a member of the examiner training and review team. He is also a member of BIFF, Chair of EPTA Europe and President of Chipping Norton Music Festival. He was Head of Keyboard and Instrumental at Radley College, Oxfordshire, for 34 years until recently retiring to focus on his freelance and consultancy work.
Helen was a scholar and prize winner at the Royal Academy of Music and was awarded the JBR trophy at the Royal Over-Seas League competition. She subsequently studied with Alexander Satz in Vienna with the help of an Austrian Government Scholarship. Helen was one of the major prize winners at the International Young Concert Artists Competition and was runner-up in the Birmingham International Piano Competition.
In the last decade, she has performed across Europe both as soloist and chamber musician, with her innovative multi-media programmes drawing much critical acclaim.
´With the multifaceted creativity of the pianist Helen Leek, Clara Schumann herself would have been proud.´
The Frankfurter Allgemeine
'The real hero of the performance was undoubtedly Helen Leek... here was ensemble playing of the highest order, spiced up by dazzling virtuoso performances from all six musicians'.
The Straits Times, Singapore
Helen teaches piano at Royal Holloway, University of London, has given masterclasses in the UK, Singapore and Thailand and runs her own residential piano course in South-West France, from where she also delivers on-line workshops. Her website is www.pianoatlemaillard.com.
Her students have enjoyed success in competitions in the UK and internationally and have gone on to have successful careers in music. She adjudicates festivals in the UK, has acted as adjudicator for competitions within the Royal College of Music and is an examiner and trainer for the ABRSM. Helen is particularly in demand in the Far East, having adjudicated the Euroasia Piano Competition, the Bangkok International Piano Competition and the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival.
Helen Leek
www.pianoatlemaillard.com
ANTHONY WILLIAMS
MMus GRSM(Hons) LRAM ARAM
Concert pianist, writer, lecturer, examiner and adjudicator, Anthony Williams studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and then at Reading University.
Following international competition success, he embarked on a career as a concert pianist and alongside this, quickly established an international reputation as a piano teacher and a passionate educator of pianistic musicianship of all ages and levels, giving piano masterclasses, public lecture-recitals and seminars on performance and the art of teaching both in the UK and abroad, including China and Hong Kong. He also coaches on International Summer Schools and Residential Courses.
Anthony has given talks on piano performance for Radio 3 and is author and editor of various publications including The Best of Grade and Fingerprints (Faber), Teaching Notes (ABRSM), EPTA Piano Journal, and the highly acclaimed Piano Teacher’s Survival Guide (Faber).
He is an ABRSM examiner (diploma, jazz and classical), educational consultant, and a member of the examiner training and review team. He is also a member of BIFF, Chair of EPTA Europe and President of Chipping Norton Music Festival. He was Head of Keyboard and Instrumental at Radley College, Oxfordshire, for 34 years until recently retiring to focus on his freelance and consultancy work.
- Age of performers is as on 1 March of the Festival Year. Adults are those who are 18 years or over on or before 1 March of the Festival Year.
- In all classes, a copy of the music must be provided for the Adjudicator before performing. Performers may use a copy or purchased copy for performance, but a purchased copy must be available at the time of playing.
- Only one piece to be performed unless playing in the Repertoire class or where otherwise indicated.
- Time limits must be strictly adhered to.
- The title and composer of items to be performed should be submitted at the time of entry. Please include opus numbers where relevant. Pieces must be stated on the online entry form before the closing date. The programme will be published in mid-February.
- Substitution of duet or ensemble partners is only allowed at the discretion of the Piano Section Secretary.
- Own choice classes are designed to include players of different standards. It is important to understand that each performance is judged primarily on the quality of playing regardless of the grade of the piece. Performers playing at a much higher standard than their age group may consider entering classes above their age group. This may be necessary in order to remain within the time limit of the class.
- Performers may not enter more than one class of the same type in different age groups. For example, a performer may play in either Repertoire class 13 years and under or Repertoire class 15 years and under, but not both. This does not apply to the Grade classes.
- In the event of a class having a large number of performers, the Piano Section Committee may decide to split the class into two. Performers will be allocated a section at random. Two different trophies may then be awarded.
- No performer may perform any piece more than once during the Festival.
1. How do I make an online entry?
Click ‘enter online’ above. Create an account with your details. Then add each player’s details by pressing ‘Create a New Individual’ pink box. When you have added all your players you can then enter them into classes. Click on the green ‘Enter’ button. Find the relevant class and click ‘Add to Basket.’ You will then need to give permission, or not, for the official photographer, and enter the details of the piece to be played and composer. You can then press the green ‘Add to Basket’ button. You can continue to enter all players in this way. You will need to add the ages of the performers when prompted if you are entering a class with an age restriction. When you have everything you need in the basket, you can then click ‘Checkout’ and pay the fee.
2. How do I enter a duet or ensemble in the Festival?
You will need to click on the pink box ‘Create A New Group With People’. From there you can select a performer by clicking on their name and then the arrow facing right. You can also remove a performer by clicking the arrow facing left. When all the performers are in the right hand box called ‘Members of Ensemble’, you can click Save. Then you will be able to enter the group into a class in the normal way.
3. When will I be notified of the day and time of my class(es)?
The programme will be created after all the entries are in, and entrants will be informed of their class times shortly after.
4. Will there be parking?
There is plenty of parking on the Redmaids school site and surrounding roads.
5. Will there be any food at the Festival?
Yes, there will be snacks and drinks available to purchase. There will be a dining room where you can eat your own food and drink too.
6. Can I bring anyone with me?
We strongly encourage you to bring as many friends and relations as possible. A friendly audience is as important as the performers. You can listen to as many classes as you like.
7. What is the entry cost for the audience?
For a 1-DAY PASS: An adult ticket is £3 (concessions £2), child £2, and family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £8. For a 2-DAY PASS: An adult ticket is £5 (concessions £3), child £3, and family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £12. There is a small charge for programmes. You can pay by cash or card.
8. Is there a practice room?
Unfortunately we do not have a room to warm up in. There is a quiet room which you are welcome to use. To make it fair, no one gets to play before their class, but you may play a few notes and try the pedals before you start.
9. Is a page turner available?
No, but if you can't bring a friend to do this, you can ask another player or one of the stewards to help you.
10. Will footstools be provided?
We don’t provide footstools or pedal extenders, but feel free to bring your own.
11. What happens if I am late?
If you are arrive late and the class is still in progress, you can play at the end of the class and will still receive an adjudication and certificate.
Click ‘enter online’ above. Create an account with your details. Then add each player’s details by pressing ‘Create a New Individual’ pink box. When you have added all your players you can then enter them into classes. Click on the green ‘Enter’ button. Find the relevant class and click ‘Add to Basket.’ You will then need to give permission, or not, for the official photographer, and enter the details of the piece to be played and composer. You can then press the green ‘Add to Basket’ button. You can continue to enter all players in this way. You will need to add the ages of the performers when prompted if you are entering a class with an age restriction. When you have everything you need in the basket, you can then click ‘Checkout’ and pay the fee.
2. How do I enter a duet or ensemble in the Festival?
You will need to click on the pink box ‘Create A New Group With People’. From there you can select a performer by clicking on their name and then the arrow facing right. You can also remove a performer by clicking the arrow facing left. When all the performers are in the right hand box called ‘Members of Ensemble’, you can click Save. Then you will be able to enter the group into a class in the normal way.
3. When will I be notified of the day and time of my class(es)?
The programme will be created after all the entries are in, and entrants will be informed of their class times shortly after.
4. Will there be parking?
There is plenty of parking on the Redmaids school site and surrounding roads.
5. Will there be any food at the Festival?
Yes, there will be snacks and drinks available to purchase. There will be a dining room where you can eat your own food and drink too.
6. Can I bring anyone with me?
We strongly encourage you to bring as many friends and relations as possible. A friendly audience is as important as the performers. You can listen to as many classes as you like.
7. What is the entry cost for the audience?
For a 1-DAY PASS: An adult ticket is £3 (concessions £2), child £2, and family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £8. For a 2-DAY PASS: An adult ticket is £5 (concessions £3), child £3, and family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £12. There is a small charge for programmes. You can pay by cash or card.
8. Is there a practice room?
Unfortunately we do not have a room to warm up in. There is a quiet room which you are welcome to use. To make it fair, no one gets to play before their class, but you may play a few notes and try the pedals before you start.
9. Is a page turner available?
No, but if you can't bring a friend to do this, you can ask another player or one of the stewards to help you.
10. Will footstools be provided?
We don’t provide footstools or pedal extenders, but feel free to bring your own.
11. What happens if I am late?
If you are arrive late and the class is still in progress, you can play at the end of the class and will still receive an adjudication and certificate.