Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School
Soloists Concert 2012 A Word of Welcome
to this very special event in the Vesey calendar through which we showcase our talented young Musicians as soloists. This evening we offer you a rich and diverse programme with both instrumental and vocal items. Do enjoy learning about our students through the pen‐portraits below. It is always fascinating to find out more about the journeys performers have taken and to learn of their future aspirations. Here at BVGS, it is our great pleasure to work with such gifted young people, to nurture their talents and to fuel their ambitions. Our sincere thanks for your continuing support for Vesey Music. Maryann Dye Director of Music Joanne Conway As Long As He Needs Me: Oliver! ‐ Lionel Bart I Hate Men: Kiss Me, Kate ‐ Cole Porter
Jo plays classical and rock school guitar, flute, violin and oboe and has a particular passion for singing in Musical Theatre. She holds an Associate Ballet teaching qualification and enjoys teaching music. A memorable moment to date was competing in the Irish Music World Championships which she dreams of winning! Now playing with South Bir‐ mingham Comhaltas she has the ambition of achieving three Grade 8s from her current line‐up of Grades 8,6,6,5,4,3 & 2!
Nathaniel Coxon Etude Op. 25 No. 12 ‐ Chopin
Working towards Grade 8, Nathaniel began playing the piano aged 8. He has already composed a concert waltz for piano and also a nocturne, en route, he hopes, to becoming a professional composer. He plays in B’ham Schools Concert Band and Training Jazz Band and has experience of a composition course at The Purcell School. He plays flute and Saxophone both at Grade 6.
Sebastian Heley 3rd Movement from Sonata in G Minor ‐ J S Bach In A Sentimental Mood ‐ Duke Ellington
Sebastian plays alto saxophone at Grade 8 with B’ham Schools Jazz Ensemble, having begun at the age of 10. His proudest moment was achieving distinction in Grade 7 piano and Grade 6 Saxophone in the same month aged 13! He wishes to study Music at A Level and be‐ yond, maybe becoming a professional performer or songwriter, if not recruited for a rugby academy! Having ambitions to be at least a semi‐pro with the oval ball, he already has representative honours.
Victoria Hill 4th Movement: Allegro from Violin Sonatina ‐ Dvor̆ ák
Victoria plays at Grade 8+ having started at age 3. She is vio‐ linist /singer in an acoustic band ‘Faded Cadence’ and plays in a Chamber Strings group ‘Bravura’, having been a member of B’ham Schools Symphony Orchestra. A keen dancer and fu‐ ture student of Accountancy, she has remarkable experience as a musician, having played at Glastonbury and in Barcelona Cathedral in 2010, such diverse venues!
Janak Howard Prelude from Suite 1 ‐ J S Bach
Janak, now in Yr 10, has played the cello since the age of 5 and is currently working towards Grade 7, having achieved Grade 6 with Merit. He won the ‘Green Ribbon’ for Best Per‐ former in the BVGS House Music Competition in Yr7 and won Best Strings Player in Yr8. He plays with B’ham Schools Con‐ cert Orchestra and played solo in a special ‘Scholars Concert’ in 2011. He lists hockey and Art amongst his other pastimes and presents this evening his favourite piece of music.
Taleisha Hutton When You Believe ‐ Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston Smile ‐ Kirk Franklin
‘V Factor’ Winner in 2010, Taleisha has performed solo in the musi‐ cal ‘Fame’ at The Alexandra Theatre, at women‐empowerment con‐ ferences in Northampton in 2011 & 2012 and at numerous charity events. She sings with the Handsworth New Testament Church of God Gospel Choir and would love to see more gospel music at BVGS. With offers to read Law at university, she lists amongst her pastimes netball, dance, baking and helping young children with dyslexia.
Deanne Leslie Bleeding Love ‐ Leona Lewis Jar of Hearts ‐ Christina Perri
Dreaming of singing in the West End, Deanne has already made her mark on the Vesey stage with outstanding lead performances in Musical Theatre. Drawing on her talent since age 6, she has performed with ‘Raw Talent’ and ‘Round Midnight’ amateur dra‐ matics society. She holds offers to study Genetics at university and has a wide range of sporting and cultural interests, including Level 1 Cricket Umpire.
Lucy Licence Someone To Watch Over Me ‐ George Gershwin Think of Me: The Phantom of the Opera ‐ Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lucy holds a vocal scholarship and Grade 8 in Voice and is con‐ sidering studying Musical Psychology at university. Singing in a band and a choir as well as Solihull Music Service Ensembles, she enjoys violin, piano and dancing. She has gained an Arts Award and contributes widely to the extra‐curricular musical life of the school , including a recent appearance in Guys & Dolls.
Philip Reader Gigue from Sonata in D Minor ‐ Veracini
Philip began with the violin aged 5 and is already at Grade 5, with the ambition of reaching Grade 8. He plays in B’ham Schools Concert Orchestra and contributed to the musical life of Whitehouse Common Primary before joining BVGS. A top academic in Yr 7, a 1st Dan Black Belt in Karate, Philip enjoys playing the piano and the guitar and reading in his spare time! A remarkable young man.
Michael Riley 3rd and 4th Movements from Concertino for Clarinet ‐ Tartini
Michael, who passed Grade 8 clarinet aged 13, plays with B’ham Schools Symphony Orchestra and would like to study Sound Engi‐ neering at university. He wrote the business plan for our new sound and lighting installations in Big School and was Technical Director for the recent production of Guys & Dolls. An expert behind the scenes and performing throughout his school career at BVGS, Michael un‐ derstands the demands of both performance and production.
Richard Slater Rondo ‐ Beethoven King for a day ‐ Dave Brubeck
Richard, who has played piano since the age of 4, gained his Grade 8 with Distinction in Autumn 2011. He enjoys composing in his spare time and would like to become recognised as a minor com‐ poser. He has performed in concert at the Adrian Boult Hall and has the ambition to compose music for films. He enjoys playing the guitar as well as piano and lists Art, in particular drawing, as one of his other pastimes.
Daniel Sturch Largo From Winter: The Four Seasons ‐ Vivaldi Pick a Pocket or Two: Oliver! ‐ Lionel Bart arr. John Iveson
Daniel, now in Yr 11, took up the tuba at the age of 12. A regular performer on the BVGS concert circuit, he also plays with B’ham Schools Concert Band and Brass Band at Grade 6. He is currently receiving extra special tuition on his brand new tuba, kindly pro‐ vided by B’ham Music Service. He sees music as a hobby and lists rowing and ice‐skating amongst his other pastimes.
Nick Tuck Prejudice ‐ Nick Tuck Bring Him Home : Les Misérables ‐ Claude‐Michel Schönberg
Nick lists ‘Moonlight Sonata’ as his favourite piece of music. A BVGS ‘V Factor’ winner in 2011, Nick aspires to be a singer‐ songwriter recording artist, having one of his songs already out on iTunes for us to download...at a price! A memorable mo‐ ment was playing B’ham Artsfest in front of an audience of 300. A familiar figure on the Vesey stage, Nick played a lead in Guys & Dolls. He enjoys guitar at Grade 5 and also plays the piano.