Newsletter Spring 2010

MATTHEW RHODES made his opera debut in February in a successful performance of Mozart's Die Zaubeflote with City Music Services.

On 26th June Matthew will be guest soloist with the Chiltern Choir, conductor Michael Cayton, in a programme of English Anthems when he will sing Vaughan Williams' Silent Noon and songs from a setting of a Shropshire Lad by Somervell.

MICHAEL CAYTON writes:

"When I was a student at the Royal College of Music I really used to enjoy accompanying singing lessons with some of the world's leading vocal coaches and singing teachers. Now I am a full-time professional musician it is brilliant that I am able to continue this experience working with Catharine Robinson. She not only has an extraordinary knowledge of repertoire and a really sharp ear, but the experience and patience to really communicate with her students who just seem to get better and better."

In March ELIZABETH JENKIN was invited to join a select group of singers, Quintessential Opera, in a concert performance of Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito in Hampstead.

ELIZABETH writes:

"I came to study with Catharine after a break from training as a singer of classical music. She gave me the space and had the patience to rediscover my voice, range, repertoire and confidence. Her calm attitude enabled me to take a more holistic approach and she has supported my work thereafter on many occasions. Her enthusiasm and ability to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses within the voice and build on them is intuitive. I cannot recommend her highly enough."

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Choral training day

The Bach Choir invite singers to join them for a choral training day at 10am on Saturday 26th June to sing Haydn's Nelson Mass at St John's, Smith Square with conductor David Hill. Sign up to Come and Sing or phone 01223 365110.

Summer weddings

AISLING RIDGE and MILLY CAMPBELL are both singing at weddings this summer. Milly is singing Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod) and Aisling will sing the same setting as well as Mozart's aria Voi che sapete (in Italian!).

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Concerts

Catharine's students will be singing in the following concerts:

The Bach Choir sing Bach's B Minor Mass on Tuesday 22nd June at 7.30pm at the Royal Festival Hall. (FIONA HALLINAN, a former member of the Bach Choir who studied with Catharine, has just joined the Bach Choir in Hong Kong where she now lives.)

The London Orpheus Choir sing Bach's B Minor Mass on Thursday 24th June at 7pm at St. George's Cathedral, Lambeth SE1. Special greetings to the conductor James Gaddarn on the occasion of his retiremement. Tickets 020 8657 4772.

The St Peter's Singers sing Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle on Saturday 26th June at 7.30pm at St Peter's Church, Ealing W5. Tickets 020 8979 8414.

Young pupils

Among the younger pupils Catharine teaches, UGOCHI (14) plays the clarinet and piano, and describes singing as a serious hobby. ISOBEL (11) is working for a music scholarship and MADDIE (10) from New York has fun singing music theatre while learning to sight read.