Newsletter Spring 2009

So far this year Catharine Robinson has had an unprecedented number of singers come to see her through personal recommendation, referral through London choirs or by finding her website.

In the first lesson Catharine assesses the voice and discusses what singers hope to achieve whether they are looking for a sound vocal technique, a wider repertoire or seeking an honest appraisal and expert advice regarding their future plans from children to professional singers. Everyone is equally important.

After a year at the Royal Academy of Music on the postgraduate Music Theatre Course ANDRE REFIG launched his professional career by appearing in a brand new musical in Bristol and went on to play Prince Charming in Cinderella over the Christmas season at Theatre Clwyd North Wales.

Now back in London, ANDRE has returned to study singing with Catharine and looks forward to adding to his classical repertoire as well as appearing in musicals. In February, he sang a small part in a private concert performance of Beethoven's Fidelio with Lyric Opera and the Philharmonia Chorus.

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On 15th February JUDY BOOTH mezzo, DAVID PEDDY tenor and JAMES WIGRAM baritone sang in a Schubertiade at St. John's Wood Church with Director of Music Michael Cayton piano. James included a group of songs from Schumann's Dichterliebe. On Saturday 18th July the St. John's Wood Church Chamber Choir will be giving a Summer Concert.

In January JAMES WIGRAM auditioned successfully for the Philharmonia Chorus. His first concert was Beethoven's Fidelio at the Cadogan Hall. The next collaboration between the chorus and Lyric Opera will be Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus on 16th June at 7pm at the Cadogan Hall.

ALICE GRANDE recently auditioned successfully for Goldsmith's Choral Union. Their next concert will include Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle at the Cadogan Hall on 3rd July.

PATRICIA HOLE has successfully re-auditioned for the Bach Choir. Along with other pupils she will be singing in their next concert, A Mass of Life by Delius, conductor David Hill, at the Royal Festival Hall on 21st May.

JAMES PERRY has just begun lessons with Catharine and already has a long list of music theatre credits to his name. He wants to improve his voice and is characterising his songs with accents when necessary. Oliver! Guys & Dolls and Cabaret. He is to be part of the ensemble in Imperial College's summer production of Sweet Charity which will be on tour in Devon in August.

Events of interest

In April Catharine and her husband Adrian Edwards attended all the rounds of the Kathleen Ferrier Award for young singers noting their progress from the preliminary round to the Final Concert on 24th April at the Wigmore Hall. The winner this year is the soprano, Sarah-Jane Brandon.

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On May 5th Catharine and Adrian will attend the Final Concert given by the winners of the Royal Overseas League Competition at the QEH which includes the soprano Madeleine Pierard.

Throughout 2009 there are monthly performances of Bach Cantatas on Sundays in term time at the Royal Academy of Music in the Duke's Hall at 12noon when talented young students are joined by distinguished musicians. 10th May and 7th June.

The Studio. Youth Music Theatre invite young people aged between 11 and 21 to be involved in a week-long music theatre workshop 17th - 22nd August at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The London Orpheus Choir are giving their Summer Concert on 26th June at St. James's Piccadilly when they will perform Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem and Elgar's Spirit of England. Tickets 020 7381 0441.

Regent's Park Theatre Company are presenting Hello Dolly! this summer from 7th June for a month.

British Youth Opera's Summer Season at the Peacock Theatre runs from 6th - 12th September with a Rossini double bill of comedies , Il Signor Bruscino and La Scala di Seta alternating with Stravinsky's Rake's Progress. Tickets 0844 412 4322.

St.Stephen's Festival of Arts and Faith (30th May - 7th June) at St. Stephen's Church Gloucester Road SW7 includes regular free lunchtime recitals at 1pm, a number of evening concerts and an Art Exhibition featuring 3 artists and a sculptor which will be opened officially on Monday 1st June at 6pm. For enquiries and brochures, call Adrian Edwards Festival Administrator 020 7289 2322.