Name: Guildhall School Graduation 2019: Gary Beecher Speech @guildhallschool
Uploaded: 2026-09-21T08:17:00-05:00
Duration: 8 min 17 s
Description: Guildhall School Graduation 2019: Gary Beecher Speech

Guildhall School Graduation 2019: Gary Beecher Speech

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2026-09-21 | Guildhall School Graduation 2019: Gary Beecher Speech

Behind the scenes on Antigone

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2023-06-28 | “It feels there’s a real group endeavour and commitment to making something wonderful and of the moment.”

Hear director Orla O'Loughlin and cast members Obadiah, Nora Knop, Malikah McHerrin-Cobb & Tristan Samek talk about Stef Smith's contemporary retelling of the classic Greek tragedy 'Antigone', and how they're feeling about giving the play its world stage premiere in Guildhall School's Silk Street Theatre in July.

Performances take place from 5–12 July, and tickets are just £10.

Find out more and book tickets:
gsmd.ac.uk/antigone

Drama Summer Schools

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2023-06-14 | Discover our Summer Schools in Drama at Guildhall School.

Led by experienced Guildhall School teachers and industry-leading guest tutors, offering an insight into Guildhall’s world-class learning environment in a fun and supportive setting.

Drama Summer Schools take place across the School’s campus in central London, which includes state-of-the-art venue Milton Court and our iconic Silk Street building.

Select 'Drama' using our course filter via our website: gsmd.ac.uk/summer-schools

Music: Sam Dinley, BMus Electronic Music

Music Summer Schools

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2023-06-07 | Discover our Summer Schools in Music at Guildhall School.

Led by experienced Guildhall School teachers and industry-leading guest tutors, offering an insight into Guildhall’s world-class learning environment in a fun and supportive setting.

Music Summer Schools take place across the School’s campus in central London, which includes state-of-the-art venue Milton Court and our iconic Silk Street building.

Select 'Music' using our course filter via our website: gsmd.ac.uk/summer-schools

Music: Sam Dinley, BMus Electronic Music

Production Arts Summer Schools

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2023-05-31 | Discover our Summer Schools in Productions at Guildhall School.

Led by experienced Guildhall School teachers and industry-leading guest tutors, offering an insight into Guildhall’s world-class learning environment in a fun and supportive setting.

Production Arts Summer Schools take place across the School’s campus in central London, which includes state-of-the-art venue Milton Court and our iconic Silk Street building.

Select 'Production Arts' using our course filter via our website: gsmd.ac.uk/summer-schools

Music: Sam Dinley, BMus Electronic Music

Guildhall School Summer Schools

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2023-05-05 | Pursue your passion, discover a new hobby, develop your skills and realise your potential with a Guildhall School Summer School.

Summer Schools are led by experienced Guildhall School teachers and industry-leading guest tutors, offering an insight into Guildhall’s world-class learning environment in a fun and supportive setting.

Our in-person Summer Schools take place across the School’s campus in central London, which includes state-of-the-art venue Milton Court and our iconic Silk Street building.

Alternatively, join us from wherever you are in the world with our online Short Courses.

Discover our full range of Summer Schools: gsmd.ac.uk/summer-schools

Music: Sam Dinley, BMus Electronic Music

Guildhall Young Artists Trailer

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2023-04-27 | Guildhall Young Artists (GYA) provides inspiring performing and production arts training for children and young people up to the age of 18. Formed of five Saturday centres and one online centre, the GYA network offers high-quality teaching and support. Each centre is run and overseen by Guildhall School, in partnership with arts venues and local providers of education, including schools, local authorities and Music Hubs.

Guildhall Young Artists is part of Guildhall School’s commitment to lifelong learning and continuous education for all, introducing children and young people to a range of artforms and genres, with means-tested bursaries available for tuition and travel. The network aims to build children’s confidence, creativity and give them valuable life skills, as well as support to pursue the artform as a career or further study if they wish.

By being part of the Guildhall Young Artists network, participants benefit from exclusive opportunities, performances and workshops, including competitions, invites to concerts, gigs and performances from students at Guildhall School.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Music: Sam Dinley, BMus Electronic Music

Guildhall Symphony Orchestra & Chorus cond. Marius Stravinsky - Psalm 130, Lili Boulanger

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2023-02-24 | In September 2022 more than 200 Guildhall School musicians joined forces at the Barbican for their first concert of the academic year.

The all-French programme conducted by Marius Stravinsky featured the daring drama of Boulanger’s 'Psalm 130, Du fond de l'abîme', featuring vocal soloists mezzo-soprano Alexandra Achillea Pouta and tenor Steven van der Linden. Enjoy their performance in this video.

Guildhall School Short Courses

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-10-28 | Pursue your passion, discover a new hobby, develop your skills and realise your potential with a Guildhall School Short Course.

Short Courses are led by experienced Guildhall School teachers and industry-leading guest tutors, offering an insight into Guildhall’s world-class learning environment in a fun and supportive setting.

Our in-person courses take place across the School’s campus in central London, which includes state-of-the-art venue Milton Court and our iconic Silk Street building.

Alternatively, join us from wherever you are in the world with our online Short Courses.

Discover our full range of Short Courses: bit.ly/3SXpFsj

Music: Sam Dinley, BMus Electronic Music

Live Over London | An online concert

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-25 | An online concert from somewhere in Camden.

Streaming between 25/7/2022 - 1/8/2022

https://liveoverlondon.cargo.site/
instagram.com/liveoverlondon

Performers in the order of appearance:
itsverysunny - N7
The Temporary Lovers
Please Don’t Hang His Photo
She Said
Half Lite
Sunset Spot
XEXA
Assim
Nha Dêdê
Dança Sónica
Prendes Nh'Alma
Toque
itsverysunny - Untitled
Lila Yin
Bittersweet
Do U
Overdrive
Itsverysunny - Truce

Team:
Artistic director, film & sound post - Oskari Halsti
Camera operators - Jenny Shen, Adam Zhu
Sound - Robert Southby, Samuel Mumford
Lighting and set design, graphic design - Chloe Mason
Promotion and marketing - Chloe Mason, Oskari Halsti, Jamie Rudd
Website design - Jamie Rudd, Oskari Halsti
Artist Host - Jenny Shen
Set design assistant - Isabelle Brawn

The team would like to thank Martyna Knitter, Guildhall School’s Electronic & Produced Music department, Quentin Lentz, Sonja Järvisalo & folks in Flat 28 and the rest of the building.

Jacob Cavendish - The Tragedy

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Jacob won second prize with composition ‘The Tragedy’, in the Concert Music category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Jacob, from Junior Guildhall says: "With my music, I hope to spark emotions of sadness and personal loss. If it were a movie, perhaps a shocking occurrence takes place in which a character watches their hometown as it is destroyed, or maybe they lose their family and friends in a terrible conflict. I am immensely excited to have my music performed by such an amazing string quartet and I hope you enjoy it!"

The category judge for Concert Music was Judith Weir CBE, Composer and Master of the Queen's Music.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Casey Joan Whyte - Laying It On The Line

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Casey won first prize with composition ‘Laying It On The Line’, in the Songwriting category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Casey, from Guildhall Young Artists Online says: "My song is about a breakdown of a professional relationship and the disappointment and anger that comes with this. It’s also about making a very hard decision. However the end section shows that I’m happy with my decision and I’m looking forward to the future with hope. I was inspired to write this song by listening to Paul McCartney, The Beatles and The Bluetones. The song has a bluesy-ish melody which was inspired by my interest in listening/playing jazz but also Liam Gallagher’s solo songs."

The category judge for Songwriting was Sasha Siem, Singer-Songwriter.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Erin Snape - Nothing Here is Promised

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Erin won first prize with composition ‘Nothing Here is Promised’, in the Off the Page category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Erin, from Junior Guildhall says: "My piece is inspired by Lin Manuel Miranda’s 2016 Tony Award acceptance speech, where he performs a sonnet on love and pride. The awards were hosted on the same night as the tragic shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and the last line “Now fill the world with music love and pride” speaks to the importance of celebrating one’s community through music - I wanted my piece to be a celebration of these words and the staying power of love six years on from the event. The features of the piece include use of autotune and odd metric groupings to create an unique sound, and to continue my exploration of electronic music in combination with elements of music theory I find particularly interesting."

The category judge for Off the Page was Scott Stroman, Jazz Professor at Guildhall School.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Finty Woolf - Morning in the Streets

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Finty won second prize with composition ‘Morning in the Streets’, in the Music to Picture category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Finty, from Guildhall Young Artists Norwich says: “I wrote Morning in the streets with the intention to create an atmosphere of abandoned but peaceful streets. As the music progresses and the day fills with busy life and the feeling of the human race invading, the music reflects this with a crescendo in sound and orchestration creating a thicker texture. After this build, we go back to the abandoned and empty streets of evening and peace as the music rejoices in the tranquility."

The category judge for Music to Picture was Rob Lane, Film & TV Composer.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Finty Woolf - The Golden Days

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Finty won third prize with composition ‘The Golden Days’, in the Off the Page category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Finty, from Guildhall Young Artists Norwich says: “I created The Golden Days with the aim to create a piece reminiscent of the tone created by the rise of jazz saxophone in 1920, and the sound created in that era. I wanted to utilise this sound and create a piece that contained new modernistic ideas. I create the majority of my work completely unplanned and improvised and with this piece I used only first takes to capture all imperfections. I feel this is what makes an utterly original and free piece that is inimitable."

The category judge for Off the Page was Scott Stroman, Jazz Professor at Guildhall School.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Jack Murray - SEBSTENSTIEN

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Jack won third prize with composition ‘SEBSTENSTIEN’, in the Music to Picture category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Jack, from Junior Guildhall says: "Even though I still get terrified watching them to this day, I have always been obsessed with horror and monster movies. Apart from all the jump scares, the thing I find my most captivating about them is the music and the way it can evokes abject fear. As a genre, horror encompasses a world of different sounds - from a haunting lullaby of children singing, contemporary strings manically performing, dramatic choral chants, to eerie experimental soundscapes. For this piece I went old school, mixing gothic romantic orchestral scores with “spooky” surf rock. I was heavily inspired by composers such as Bernard Hermann, Max Steiner, and Danny Elman. My favourite thing about writing this piece was using a theremin – I love the ethereal but dated presence the instrument can bring to the music."

The category judge for Music to Picture was Rob Lane, Film & TV Composer.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Mylo Pape - Triptych August 1972

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Mylo won third prize with composition ‘Triptych August’, in the Concert Music category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Mylo, from Guildhall Young Artists Online says: "This piece lifts its title from the Francis Bacon Triptych ‘August 1972’, on which the piece is also based on. Structured in much the same way, the first violin embodies the central figure of anguish. Sitting impotently the violin is prohibited from the wonders of their bow. In the second canvas this anger is exploded with angry pizzicato and violent stamping, eventually submitting into the bed of mutters. In the third, the opening canvas is recapitulated, but turned away. The first violin is intentionally isolated from its family, as anguished souls often are."

The category judge for Concert Music was Judith Weir CBE, Composer and Master of the Queen's Music.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Pheobe Apfel - Blood Moon

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Phoebe won first prize with composition 'Blood Moon’, in the Music to Picture category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Phoebe, from Junior Guildhall says: "Blood Moon is an experimental short film that I made and wrote the soundtrack for - it's inspired by experimental and surrealist film from the 20th century such as the works of David Lynch and Cecelia Condit. I wanted the music to feel very stilted and awkward at times and alien at others, evoking an uncanny-valley kind of uneasiness rather than using a typical horror music style. I also gave it a vintage quality which was achieved via EQ filters and imitating the sounds of early synthesizers. As well, the exclusion of nearly all diegetic sound was deliberate as it makes it silent-film-esque, and puts an emphasis on music rather than dialogue."

The category judge for Music to Picture was Rob Lane, Film & TV Composer.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Rosie Trentham - Girl That I Outgrew

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Rosie won third prize with composition ‘Girl that I Outgrew’, in the Songwriting category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Rosie, from Junior Guildhall says: "Girl that I Outgrew, is a bitter sweet song about a relationship coming to a close. It is about growing with someone and then apart from them; acknowledging the importance of the person but admitting that it has to come to an end. I take inspiration from singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Carole King."

The category judge for Songwriting was Sasha Siem, Singer-Songwriter.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Steele Forbes Thomas - Squeeze My Hand

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Steele won second prize with composition ‘Squeeze My Hand’, in the Songwriting category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Steele, from Centre for Young Musicians London says: "I wrote ‘Squeeze My Hand’ after my dad passed away last July. It’s about the moment just after a loved one has died, and the painful, inconceivable reality that the person you loved is gone forever and has left you behind. Deep down, you know that no amount of wishing will bring them back, but it doesn't change the fact that you would give anything for a few more minutes with them...

I’m playing the piano and singing the vocals in this recording and I digitally added some strings on Garageband. When someone is very ill like my dad was, squeezing your hand is the only way they can let you know that they hear you and, when they don't squeeze back, you know they've really gone. My grief was very raw at the time I wrote this song, and the lyrics allowed me to come to terms with my loss. It’s a song which I think many people who have suffered bereavement will relate to, and I hope that it can be a comfort to them and help them to deal with their own feelings."

The category judge for Songwriting was Sasha Siem, Singer-Songwriter.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Torin Christopherson - Two Weeks

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-07-08 | Torin won first prize with composition ‘Two Weeks’, in the Concert Music category for Guildhall Young Artists competition 'RELEASE'.

Torin, from Junior Guildhall says: “As a cellist, I am intrigued by the percussive elements of the cello such as the Bartok pizz. My piece, Two Weeks, exploits these elements throughout, as well as the use of complex rhythms and syncopation. This makes the cello part very difficult and almost a concerto in itself - I’m incredibly grateful to the Coalitio Quartet for bringing it to life. I called it Two Weeks as that was the amount of time Jeffery gave me to write it.”

The category judge for Concert Music was Judith Weir CBE, Composer and Master of the Queen's Music.

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists: gsmd.ac.uk/guildhall-young-artists

Routes: a collection of short, stand-alone solo performance works | Trailer

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-04-22 | Routes is a collection of short, stand-alone solo performance works, written, directed and performed by Guildhall School’s final-year Acting students.

Filmed at Guildhall and on location across the UK, Routes invites you on a journey through very different stories, told by distinctive artists. This eclectic series of films sees the actors take full creative control and gives audiences unique insight into the diverse range of perspectives, artistry and experiences that exist within Guildhall’s student community.

Created by Guildhall School students
Luke Barnes dramaturg

Find out more and watch the performances online from Monday 25 April: gsmd.ac.uk/whats-on/routes

PGCert Performance Teaching

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-04-01 | Programme Leader Carlos Lopez-Real and Roberta Wolff introduce the PGCert Performance Teaching at Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Available one year part-time or two years part-time, the PGCert Performance Teaching is a distance learning programme delivered online designed to support professional musicians, actors, production artists and dancers who also teach. It presents a unique opportunity to develop creative and reflective practice in performance teaching.

Find out more about the PGCert: http://bit.ly/2WzuwDd

0:00 Intro / Who is it for?
3:22 Ethos
4:31 How you’ll learn
8:45 Pros of online learning
13:51 What you’ll learn
15:24 Reflective Practice
18:24 How you’ll be assessed
20:47 Pathways & timelines
23:46 PGCert vs PGCE
27:33 After the PGCert
29:39 Application process

Creating an Opera Double Bill at Guildhall

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-03-25 | "To see everyone pull together and make this end product, it's amazing."

We went behind the scenes during rehearsals of our Spring Opera Double Bill and spoke to some of the cast & production team to find out what went into creating this epic production and what makes opera at Guildhall so special.

Huge well done to our cast, orchestra, production & creative teams and all involved in the production!
Two performance recordings of the production are available to watch online, free & on demand, until 11.59pm on Friday 1 April: gsmd.ac.uk/spring_2022/opera_double_bill

Miss Fortune
by Judith Weir

The Telephone
by Gian Carlo Menotti

Dominic Wheeler conductor
Martin Lloyd-Evans director
Anna Reid designer
Anthony Doran lighting designer
Joseph Beesley assistant conductor
Rachel Wise assistant director/movement

Full production credits are available online: barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2022/event/guildhall-opera-double-bill

Creating Urinetown, The Musical at Guildhall School

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2022-03-14 | "With the musical there's so many elements, and each element really adds to the storytelling."

Cast members Tyler-Jo Richardson & Sarah Slimani, Stage Manager Ross Carmichael, Sound no.1 Sam Ferstenberg and Saxophone player Holly Marriott share their experience of bringing this #GuildhallDrama production of 'Urinetown, The Musical' to life.

Find out more about this production of 'Urinetown, The Musical', which is available to watch free and on demand from 11–18 March 2022: gsmd.ac.uk/spring_2022/urinetown_the_musical

Urinetown, The Musical

Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann
Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis

Ashley Zhangazha - director
Steven Edis - musical director
Libby Watson - designer
Jonathan Chan - lighting designer
Takiyah Campbell - sound designer
Vicki Igbokwe - choreographer
Jack Bennett - assistant musical director

Cast

Officer Lockstock – Matthew Broome
Penelope Pennywise – Boni Adeliyi
Bobby Strong – Tyler-Jo Richardson
Little Sally – Frankie Hart
Hope Cladwell – Sarah Slimani
Senator Fipp/Little Becky Two Shoes – Annabella Jennings
Joseph ‘Old Man’ Strong/Hot Blades Harry – Aaron Gill
Officer Barrel – Tom Coleman
Caldwell B. Cladwell – Kishore Walker
Mr McQueen – Samuel Armfield
Josephine ‘Old Ma’ Strong – Annie Cordoni

Production Team

Costume Supervisor
Amy Hill

Wardrobe Manager
Emily Robertson

Costume Assistant
Holly Hooper

Chief Electrician
Emma Horne

Lighting Programmers
Abu Mensah
Oliver Brown

Follow-Spot Operators
Sam Bernstein
Oliver Hynds
James Calliss

Production Manager
Matthew Servant

Technical Manager
Rosie Roberts

Production Assistants
Sammy Lacey
Ben Shepherd

Prop Maker
Em Dethick-Jones

Assistant Prop Maker
Fran Johnson

Scenic Art Co-ordinator
Allegra Totaro-Wainwright

Scenic Artist
Charlotte Cross

Assistant Scenic Artists
Issy Jordan
Ema Cunha
Kyra Coppini

Production Sound Engineer
Anja Urban

Sound no.1 (mixer)
Sam Ferstenberg

Stage Manager
Ross Carmichael

Deputy Stage Manager
Kate Buxton

Assistant Stage Manager
Qian Yan Tan

ASM/Book Cover
Teia Johnson

Additional Production Staff

Staff Production Manager
Zara Janmohamed

Freelance Stage Management Supervisor
Laura Flowers

Band

Clarinet & Bass Clarinet
Jonny Ainscough

Soprano & Alto Saxophone
Holly Marriott

Trombone & Euphonium
Jamie Reid

Double Bass
Campbell Masson

Drum Kit/Percussion
Will Miles

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe)

Music Education Islington - Winter Sing 2021

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-12-16 | Music Education Islington’s Winter Sing was a fantastic opportunity for children to come together and celebrate the end of the winter term through songs and poems.

Over 200 children participated from 7 primary schools in Islington, some in person and some online, and it was wonderful to witness their enjoyment and pride in sharing the songs they had been working on. Joined by some excellent professional musicians and led by Rachel Maby, the children produced a magnificent winter concert available to view here.

Find out more about the work of Music Education Islington at gsmd.ac.uk/youth_adult_learning/music_education_islington

Seasons greetings from Guildhall School

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-12-14 | Wishing our students, staff, alumni, friends, and everyone in the Guildhall community a restful festive period, with all best wishes for the new year.

To celebrate the season, we're delighted to share this special performance by Guildhall pianists Aïda Lahlou and Luke Lally-Maguire.

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Aïda Lahlou, Luke Lally-Maguire – piano

Tchaikovsky (arr. Eduard Langer) – Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Filmed in Milton Court Concert Hall by Guildhall Recording & AV

Studying Stage Management at Guildhall

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-12-14 | The Stage Management pathway of Guildhall's BA Production Arts is all about developing your craft to professional standards in a fully professional context. By the end of the programme, you will bring all your skills to bear on full-scale productions, taking lead roles in managing shows from rehearsal room to final performance.

Stage Managers are at the centre of any production or event. Stage managers are organised and creative individuals who require all manner of skills and competencies, but chief among these are ‘people skills’. Only through good interaction, communication and negotiation with people will stage managers be able to understand and work with performers, directors, designers and all the production departments.

As a Stage Management student, you will learn about managing rehearsal rooms and performances, props sourcing and show calling, as well as team management and budgeting.

Find out more about studying Stage Management at Guildhall: gsmd.ac.uk/production_arts/programmes/ba_hons_production_arts/stage_management_pathway

Production and backstage images by Mihaela Bodlovic, Helen Murray and Matthew Ferguson (FG Studios).

Fit-up timelapse from Barbarians by Joshua Collins, Hayden Gurney and Kate Buxton.

Studying Costume at Guildhall

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-12-14 | Find out more about training to become a Costume professional for stage and screen from our students and tutors.

Students on the Costume pathway of the BA Production Arts at Guildhall School gain a broad based understanding of all aspects of the costume industry. This unique pathway will enable you to follow the costume process from design to realisation.

As a Costume student, you will:

- Explore a broad range of relevant skills including costume design, construction, alterations, dyeing, ageing and distressing; fabric sampling, styling; costume fittings, dressing, and running wardrobe; costume sourcing, hiring and buying; costing, budgeting and administration
- Work alongside professional costume designers and supervisors, and learn costume craft on fully staged projects and productions
- Undertake a Costume for Design Project
- Have the opportunity to enhance areas of costume practice on placements, making projects and realised productions
- Research the history and culture of fashion
- Focus on practice for costume industry employment

Find out more about Costume at Guildhall at: gsmd.ac.uk/production_arts/programmes/ba_hons_production_arts/costume_pathway

Production and backstage images by Mihaela Bodlovic, Helen Murray, David Monteith-Hodge and Matthew Ferguson (FG Studios)

Stage Managing a Guildhall Drama Production

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-12-09 | "You always can learn something from someone else. So whether that be somebody who this is their first show in a theatre or it's somebody who has got 30 years of experience, with the creative teams that come in, you can learn something different from every single person on the production and that will make you a better person ready for your next show."

Stage Manager Kate Buxton, Deputy Stage Manager Emma Peace and Assistant Stage Managers Tom Licence & Beri Valentine share what it's like to work in the Stage Management team on a Guildhall production, what their roles involve and what they enjoy about working on productions at Guildhall.

Find out more about Production Arts training at Guildhall: gsmd.ac.uk/production_arts

Find out more about this production of Anna Karenina, which is available to watch free and on demand from 9-16 December 2021: gsmd.ac.uk/autumn_2021/anna_karenina

Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy
Adapted by Marina Carr

Derek Bond - director
Amy Jane Cook - designer
Jamie Platt - lighting designer
Dyfan Jones - composer/sound designer
Lucy Cullingford - movement director
Dan Light - video designer
Yarit Dor - fight & intimacy director
Jonathan Chan - assistant lighting designer
Emmy Briggs - assistant director

Cast

Anna Karenina – Annie Cordoni
Alexei Karenin – Tom Coleman
Grisha/Seryozha – Connor Porter

Princess Sherbatsky – Lois Pearson
Prince Sherbatsky – Jonny Burman

Dolly – Ema Cavolli
Stiva Oblonsky – Samuel Armfield
Tanya/Women 2 – Sarah Slimani
Masha/Women 1 – Amma-Afi Osei
Doctor/Ambassador/Vanya – Aaron Gill
Nikolai Oblonsky – Séamus McLean Ross

Kitty – Anabella Jennings
Kostya Levin – Kishore Walker

Countess Vronskaya – Boni Adeliyi
Alexei Vronsky – Matthew Broome
Countess Nordston – Julé Michelo
Princess Myakhaya – Maisie Ayres
Tushkevich – Tyreke Leslie
Countess Lydia – Sesley Hope
Dance Master/Turovtsyn – Diyar Bozkurt

Betsy/Dance Captain – Laura Euler-Rolle
Betsy’s Husband – Jake Dunn
Ambassador’s Wife/Assistant Dance Captain – Frankie Hart

Matvei – Tyler-Jo Richardson
Ignat – Os Leanse
Nanny – Isobel Fairchild

See CVs for our final year actors:
gsmd.ac.uk/drama/final_year_actors/final_year_actors_2021_22

Production Team

Construction Manager
Charlotte Cross

Scenic Carpenters
Mary Deakes
India Mills

Assistant Carpenters
Issy Jordan
Finley Wellspring

Costume Supervisor
Amy Hill

Wardrobe Manager
Olivia Hilton-Foster

Costume Assistants
Jack Garner-Greene
Sophie Presswell

Production Electrician
Adi Currie

Lighting Programmers
Bradley Halliwell
Ethan Howlett

Production Manager
Emma Horne

Technical Manager
Rosie Roberts

Production Assistants
Stanley Olden
Alex Gasson-Gray

TA/Automation Operator
Jonny Reeks

Head of Flys
Georgie Bottone

Prop Makers
Takiyah Campbell
Kyra Coppini
Ema Cunha

Scenic Art Co-ordinator
Chloe Rushbrook

Scenic Artist
Allegra Totaro-Wainwright

Assistant Scenic Artists
Holly Hooper
Fran Johnson
Levi Meehan-Powell

Video Engineer & Operator
Ben Shepherd

Production Sound Engineer
Sam Ferstenberg

Sound Operators & Mic Runners
Ros Chase
Ashe De Waal
Ben Mills

Sound no.1 (mixer)
Anja Urban

Stage Manager
Kate Buxton

Deputy Stage Manager
Emma Peace

ASM/Book Cover
Sammy Lacey

Assistant Stage Managers
Iben Bering Sørensen
Tom Licence
Beri Valentine

Additional Production Staff
Freelance Staff Stage Management Supervisor
Laura Flowers

See CVs for our final year Production Arts students: gsmd.ac.uk/production_arts/final_year_students/2021_22

The School would like to thank Marcus Hall Props and the Almeida Theatre for lending props for this production.

Q&A with Prema Mehta

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-11-30 | We caught up with Lighting Designer and Guildhall alumna Prema Mehta to find out more about her time at Guildhall, the role of a Lighting Designer, memorable shows she's worked on and her advice for young Production Arts students today.

Find out more about Production Arts training at Guildhall: gsmd.ac.uk/production_arts

Find out more about Prema and her work: premamehta.com

Anna Karenina – Behind the Scenes

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-11-29 | "It's so full of life and joy and humour and tragedy. In that way, it's epic, but it feels very true to life."

Cast members Matthew Broome, Boni Adeliyi, Annie Cordoni and Samuel Armfield share what it's been like working on our production of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, adapted by Marina Carr and directed by Derek Bond.

Find out more about the production, which runs through to Wednesday 1 December: barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2021/event/anna-karenina-by-leo-tolstoy-adapted-by-marina-carr

Trailer music by Dyfan Jones - composer/sound designer

Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy
Adapted by Marina Carr

Derek Bond - director
Amy Jane Cook - designer
Jamie Platt - lighting designer
Dyfan Jones - composer/sound designer
Lucy Cullingford - movement director
Dan Light - video designer
Yarit Dor - fight & intimacy director
Jonathan Chan - assistant lighting designer
Emmy Briggs - assistant director

Cast

Anna Karenina – Annie Cordoni
Alexei Karenin – Tom Coleman
Grisha/Seryozha – Connor Porter

Princess Sherbatsky – Lois Pearson
Prince Sherbatsky – Jonny Burman

Dolly – Ema Cavolli
Stiva Oblonsky – Samuel Armfield
Tanya/Women 2 – Sarah Slimani
Masha/Women 1 – Amma-Afi Osei
Doctor/Ambassador/Vanya – Aaron Gill
Nikolai Oblonsky – Séamus McLean Ross

Kitty – Anabella Jennings
Kostya Levin – Kishore Walker

Countess Vronskaya – Boni Adeliyi
Alexei Vronsky – Matthew Broome
Countess Nordston – Julé Michelo
Princess Myakhaya – Maisie Ayres
Tushkevich – Tyreke Leslie
Countess Lydia – Sesley Hope
Dance Master/Turovtsyn – Diyar Bozkurt

Betsy/Dance Captain – Laura Euler-Rolle
Betsy’s Husband – Jake Dunn
Ambassador’s Wife/Assistant Dance Captain – Frankie Hart

Matvei – Tyler-Jo Richardson
Ignat – Os Leanse
Nanny – Isobel Fairchild

See CVs for our final year actors: gsmd.ac.uk/drama/final_year_actors/final_year_actors_2021_22

Production Team

Construction Manager
Charlotte Cross

Scenic Carpenters
Mary Deakes
India Mills

Assistant Carpenters
Issy Jordan
Finley Wellspring

Costume Supervisor
Amy Hill

Wardrobe Manager
Olivia Hilton-Foster

Costume Assistants
Jack Garner-Greene
Sophie Presswell

Production Electrician
Adi Currie

Lighting Programmers
Bradley Halliwell
Ethan Howlett

Production Manager
Emma Horne

Technical Manager
Rosie Roberts

Production Assistants
Stanley Olden
Alex Gasson-Gray

TA/Automation Operator
Jonny Reeks

Head of Flys
Georgie Bottone

Prop Makers
Takiyah Campbell
Kyra Coppini
Ema Cunha

Scenic Art Co-ordinator
Chloe Rushbrook

Scenic Artist
Allegra Totaro-Wainwright

Assistant Scenic Artists
Holly Hooper
Fran Johnson
Levi Meehan-Powell

Video Engineer & Operator
Ben Shepherd

Production Sound Engineer
Sam Ferstenberg

Sound Operators & Mic Runners
Ros Chase
Ashe De Waal
Ben Mills

Sound no.1 (mixer)
Anja Urban

Stage Manager
Kate Buxton

Deputy Stage Manager
Emma Peace

ASM/Book Cover
Sammy Lacey

Assistant Stage Managers
Iben Bering Sørensen
Tom Licence
Beri Valentine

Additional Production Staff
Freelance Staff Stage Management Supervisor
Laura Flowers

See CVs for our final year Production Arts students: gsmd.ac.uk/production_arts/final_year_students/2021_22

The School would like to thank Marcus Hall Props and the Almeida Theatre for lending props for this production.

Sundial Court - Accommodation at Guildhall

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-11-04 | Located just around the corner, our Hall of Residence Sundial Court has 39 flats, each with between three and six bedrooms, with 176 rooms in total. There's Wi-Fi throughout, 24-hour security and a real sense of community. Students Ted, Marco and Annie and Students' Union President Harry take us on a mini tour of the bedrooms, flats and communal areas.

Each flat has a communal kitchen with dining area, shower room and separate toilet. Some bedrooms are large enough to accommodate an upright piano and are furnished to a high standard. All rooms are equipped with internet access. There is also a wheelchair accessible flat with a specially adapted kitchen and bathroom. There is also a Deaf Alerter system for the hard of hearing.

Music students may practise in their bedrooms during permitted hours. Local amenities, including supermarkets, bars, restaurants and sports facilities are all within easy walking distance. Two underground stations are within minutes of the residence. Underneath the accommodation is the Basement, which houses the School Bar, a self-serve laundry, practice rooms and a communal television room.

Find out more about living in Sundial Court: gsmd.ac.uk/about_the_school/shared_left_nav/life_at_the_school/accommodation

Supported Application Scheme at Guildhall School

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-11-01 | Guildhall School encourages applications from students whose backgrounds are underrepresented in higher education, with 350 places on the Supported Application Scheme available for all our undergraduate programmes in Music, Drama and Production Arts for 2022 entry.

Successful applicants to the scheme will receive:

- A free application for the undergraduate course they are applying
- Invitations to workshops and events, both online and at the School (COVID-19 restrictions permitting), including the week-long Festival of Support.
- Free tickets for a Guildhall School performance or access to digital performances (dependent on availability – each participant will be invited to at least one show, with a choice of dates available)
- Advice and guidance from the Access and Participation Team
- A Travel Bursary if travelling to an on-site audition from outside of Greater London

In addition:
- Where an offer is made, support with scholarship applications and transition to the School will be offered.

Find out more about the Supported Application Scheme: gsmd.ac.uk/about_the_school/shared_left_nav/how_to_apply/supported_application_scheme

Joshua Weilerstein talks Guildhall Chamber Orchestra

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-10-14 | Joshua Weilerstein, artistic director of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, conducts the Guildhall Chamber Orchestra's performance on 27 October 2021 in a concert that shines a light on works by Polish, British and American composers.

We caught up with Joshua to ask him a few questions about the programme, what he's most looking forward to about the performance and what he enjoys about working with Guildhall musicians.

Find out more about the concert, including the pre-concert talk with Roxanna Panufnik, at: barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2021/event/guildhall-chamber-orchestra-conducted-by-joshua-weilerstein

The performance will also be available to watch free online from 4–11 November 2021: gsmd.ac.uk/autumn_2021/guildhall_chamber_orchestra

Featuring Roxanna Panufnik’s harp concerto, 'Powers & Dominions', alongside her late father’s 'Harmony', a poem for chamber orchestra, this evening celebrates the power of music in bringing people together.

‘I’m on a mission to shout from the rooftops the beauty of all these different faiths’ music. It’s about bringing us together’ (Roxanna Panufnik, Gramophone).

William Grant Still composed over 150 works, including 'Mother and Child', originally a movement from his 1943 Suite for Violin and Piano and later expanded for string orchestra.

Staying in America, the performance concludes with Aaron Copland’s 'Appalachian Spring' suite. Originally a collaboration with choreographer and dancer Martha Graham, the resulting score has become an enduringly popular concert work that is performed in halls across the world.

Fit-up timelapse from Barbarians

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-09-28 | Ever wanted to see what it's like when the Silk Street Theatre gets transformed for a show?

Shout out to Joshua Collins, Hayden Gurney and Kate Buxton for creating the timelapse and capturing so much of the hard work that went into creating this production of Barbarians 🎥

Find out more about Production Arts training at Guildhall: gsmd.ac.uk/production_arts/programmes

Barbarians
by Maxim Gorky

Translated by Kitty Hunter-Blair and Jeremy Brooks

Co-directed by Oliver Dimsdale and Victoria Moseley for Filter Theatre

Oliver Dimsdale - co-director
Victoria Moseley - co-director
Amy Jane Cook - designer
Ieva Vaiti - composer and sound design
Lucía Sánchez Roldán - lighting designer
Thomas Dixon - sound designer
Sarah Jane Schostack - associate director

Cast

Conor McLeod - Yegor Petrovich Cherkoon
Dolly Webb - Anna Fyodorovna Cherkoona
Zachary Nachbar-Seckel - Sergei Nikolayich Tsyganov
Grace Cooper Milton - Tatiana Nikolaevna Bogayevskaya

Genevieve Lewis - Lydia Pavlovna Bogayevskaya
Millie Smith - Vassilia Ivanovna Redozubova
Sonny Pilgrem - Grisha
Catlin Ffion Griffiths - Katya

Dan Wolff - Arkhip Fomich Pritykin
Kitty Hawthorne - Pelageya Ivanovna Pritykina
Felix Newman - Mavriky Ossipovich Monakhov
Lily Hardy - Nadiezhda Polikarpovna Monakhova

Aoife Gaston - Pavlina Golovastikova
Sam Thorpe-Spinks - Drobyazgin
Isla Lee - Doctor Makarova
Umi Myers - Maria Vesyolkina

Jidé Okunola - Police Superintendent
Noah Marullo - Ivan
Justice Ritchie - Stepan Lukin
Levi Brown - Dunya’s Husband

Hassan Najib - Matvey Gogin
Hope Kenna - Styopa
Tara Tijani - Yefima
Alyth Ross - Dunya / Foley Operator

Production Team⁣
⁣
Construction Manager⁣
Max Rodriguez-Thorp⁣
⁣
Assistant Carpenters⁣
Ross Carmichael⁣
Robbie Lynch⁣
Chloe Rushbrook⁣
Jess Wilson⁣
⁣
Costume Supervisor⁣
Alice Dearman⁣
⁣
Wardrobe Manager⁣
Lucy Rodgers⁣
⁣
Costume Assistant⁣
Amy Hill⁣
⁣
Dressers & Wardrobe Maintenance⁣
Sophie Presswell⁣
⁣
Wigs, Hair and Make Up⁣
Jack Garner-Greene⁣
Iben Bering Sørensen⁣
⁣
Lighting Programmers⁣
Emma Horne⁣
Ben Tinniswood⁣
⁣
Production Manager⁣
Joshua Collins⁣
⁣
Technical Manager⁣
Aled Roberts⁣
⁣
Assistant Technical Manager⁣
Hayden Gurney⁣
⁣
Production Assistants⁣
Kate Buxton⁣
Hayden Gurney⁣
⁣
Stage Crew⁣
Teia Johnson⁣
Sammy Lacey⁣
Tom Licence⁣
Benedict Rattray⁣
Qian Yan Tan⁣
Beri Valentine⁣
Monika Zwierzchowska⁣
⁣
Props Co-ordinator⁣
Fiona Newton⁣
⁣
Assistant Prop Makers⁣
Charlotte Cross⁣
Em Dethick-Jones⁣
Dani Diego⁣
⁣
Scenic Art Co-ordinators⁣
Zoe Bridger⁣
Danielle Da Costa⁣
⁣
Assistant Scenic Artists⁣
Charlotte Cross⁣
Mary Deakes⁣
Em Dethick-Jones⁣
Dani Diego⁣
Miriam Houghton⁣
Imogen Leather⁣
Robbie Lynch⁣
Anja Urban⁣
⁣
Design Realisation Assistants⁣
Kyra Coppini⁣
Iza Fordham⁣
Holly Hooper⁣
Fran Johnson⁣
Issy Jordan⁣
Ema Soares Da Cunha⁣
⁣
Associate Video Designer⁣
Georgie Bottone⁣
⁣
Video Assistant⁣
Pete Reavey⁣
⁣
Video Operators⁣
Georgie Bottone⁣
Adi Currie⁣
Peter Reavey⁣
⁣
Video Engineer⁣
Adi Currie⁣
⁣
Production Sound Engineer⁣
Molly Barron⁣
⁣
Sound Operators & Mic Runners⁣
Grace Duff⁣
India Mills⁣
Ed Walters⁣
⁣
Sound no.1 (mixer)⁣
Maisie Roberts⁣
⁣
Stage Manager⁣
Chloe Jones⁣
⁣
Deputy Stage Manager⁣
Rose Dayan⁣
⁣
ASM Bookcover⁣
Devon James-Bowen⁣
⁣
Assistant Stage Managers⁣
Lucy Lawless⁣
Livvy Meeks⁣
Emma Peace⁣
Kate Stockwell⁣
Additional Production Staff⁣
⁣
Camera Operator⁣
Rin Akiyama⁣
⁣
Staff Production Electrician⁣
Tom Mackey⁣
⁣
Freelance Stage Management Supervisor⁣
Laura Flowers⁣
⁣
Freelance Costume Assistant⁣
Sian Clare⁣
⁣
Freelance Wigs, Hair & Make-Up⁣
Gemma Tyler⁣
⁣
Special thanks to:⁣
Ferdy Roberts⁣
Tom Haines⁣
James Dacre⁣
Orla O’Loughlin⁣
Andy McNamee

Backcloth painting timelapse for Barbarians

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-09-28 | We absolutely love a painted backcloth, and our Drama production of Maxim Gorky's Barbarians, designed by Amy Jane Cook, gave our Scenic Art team the chance to paint this incredible forest 🎨🖌️

Shout out to the whole team for capturing this timelapse showcasing their fantastic work 🎥

Find out more about Design Realisation at Guildhall: gsmd.ac.uk/production_arts/programmes/ba_hons_production_arts/design_realisation_pathway

Designer
Amy Jane Cook

Scenic Art Co-ordinators
Zoe Bridger
Danielle Da Costa

Assistant Scenic Artists
Charlotte Cross
Mary Deakes
Em Dethick-Jones
Dani Diego
Miriam Houghton
Robbie Lynch

Production Photographer
Mihaela Bodlovic

Read more about Barbarians: gsmd.ac.uk/summer_2021/barbarians

Music Gold Medal 2021

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-09-02 | 2021 Music Gold Medal winner Tom Mole performs arias by Verdi and Bizet in our 2021 Music Gold Medal final in the Barbican Hall with the Guildhall Symphony Orchestra conducted by Natalie Murray Beale.

Fellow 2021 Music Gold Medal finalists were:
Thando Mjandana - tenor
Laura Lolita Perešivana - soprano
Olivia Boen - soprano

Accompanists:
Josh Ridley - piano (accompanying Thando Mjandana)
Toby Hession - piano (accompanying Laura Lolita Perešivana & Olivia Boen)
Inês Costa - piano (accompanying Tom Mole)

Find out more about the Music Gold Medal: gsmd.ac.uk/music/performance_and_collaboration/the_gold_medal

Guildhall Studio Orchestra - The Beatles Reimagined; Come Together

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-09-02 | In Spring 2021, the Guildhall Studio Orchestra drew upon the legacy of the Lennon and McCartney songbook in a performance which celebrated Guildhall alumnus Sir George Martin’s pivotal role in the creation of these timeless songs, presented by BBC Radio 3's Jumoké Fashola.

The programme featured arrangements by Guildhall’s Head of Jazz Malcolm Edmonstone which were originally commissioned by BBC Radio 2 for 'Friday Night is Music Night'.

To allow for social distancing, the musicians' performances took place simultaneously across three different venues, synced using the School's groundbreaking low latency Dante network.

Guildhall Studio Orchestra
Malcolm Edmonstone - director
Clare Wheeler - vocal director
Jumoké Fashola - presenter

Come Together
by John Lennon, arranged by Malcolm Edmonstone

Vocals - Jonny Moses-son

Guildhall Studio Orchestra - The Beatles Reimagined; Lady Madonna

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-09-02 | In Spring 2021, the Guildhall Studio Orchestra drew upon the legacy of the Lennon and McCartney songbook in a performance which celebrated Guildhall alumnus Sir George Martin’s pivotal role in the creation of these timeless songs, presented by BBC Radio 3's Jumoké Fashola.

The programme featured arrangements by Guildhall’s Head of Jazz Malcolm Edmonstone which were originally commissioned by BBC Radio 2 for 'Friday Night is Music Night'.

To allow for social distancing, the musicians' performances took place simultaneously across three different venues, synced using the School's groundbreaking low latency Dante network.

Guildhall Studio Orchestra
Malcolm Edmonstone - director
Clare Wheeler - vocal director
Jumoké Fashola - presenter

Come Together
by Paul McCartney, arranged by Malcolm Edmonstone

Vocals - Fran Confortini

The World Keeps You Waiting - New York Voices & Guildhall Jazz

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-09-01 | The Guildhall Jazz department has no fewer than four vocal ensembles running throughout the academic year and featuring both vocal students and instrumentalists.

COVID-19 restrictions meant fewer opportunities for these vocal ensembles to get together and sing, but that didn’t stop them wanting to make music together. Instead, the Jazz department invited the internationally renowned vocal group New York Voices to collaborate from across the Atlantic on a recording project.

Each member of New York Voices gave their own masterclass, and through Soundtrap (an online digital audio workstation, or DAW), the Guildhall musicians were able to get direct feedback on the recordings as they were working on them, almost as if New York Voices were in the room.

Find out more about the project: gsmd.ac.uk/music/principal_study/jazz/new_york_voices

Credits:

The World Keeps You Waiting

Guildhall Jazz Choir and Guildhall Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Music and worlds Peter Eldridge and Lauren Kinhan
Sax solo: Florence Pugh

Piano: Peter Eldridge (NYV)
Bass: Mark Fincham
Drums: Tom Potter

Audio Mixes by Nick Girard
Produced by Clare Wheeler and Kevin Fox

Shadows Of A Strong Woman Gospel Choir & Interviews by Guildhalls African Caribbean Society

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-08-16 | Live performance of Guildhall’s African Caribbean society taken from the Shadows Of A Strong Woman project by BA P.A.C.E. Undergrad student Nikisha Reyes. This element of the project explores with explore the restorative properties of negro spirituals, and gospel music combined with singing bowls.

Directed and produced by Nikisha Reyes.
Music Arranged by Nikisha Reyes
Piano Accompanist - Innes Yellowlees
Audio Mixing Engineer - Gauthier Gareau
Guildhall Recording & AV Team - Annie Smith, John Duckett
Photography by Skins Elliot

Choir Performers:
Marlon Hibbert, Daria Phillips, Jule Mukamajule Michelo, Hannah Franklyn, Abdul Sessay, Shayde Sinclair, Malikah Cobb, Wesley Hope, Danielle Mahailet, Kaidi Akinnibi, Chuma Sijeca, Innocent Masuku, Lois Graham, Nikisha Reyes.

Lead Singer:
Nikisha Reyes

Supporting Lead Singers:
Lois Graham, Julienne Danielle Mahailet, Chuma Sijeca, Innocent Masuku

Follow the Guildhall African Caribbean Society on Instagram: instagram.com/guildhallacs

Universe provides medley; So Many / Hold On/The Universe Provides
So Many/ The Universe Provides Composer; Nikisha Reyes.
Includes the spiritual -Hold on just a little while longer by Rev. Cleophus Robinson Jnr.

For My Good
Composer; Nikisha Reyes

Tried So Many Times Medley (Tried so many times/ Up to the River )
(Re-adaptation of spirituals)
I don’t feel no way tired - Curtis Burrell
Down by the river to pray - Jubilee Singers

'Shadows of a Strong Woman' multimedia film was showcased as part of Guildhall School's ‘Of Shadow and Light’ Festival.

With thanks to
Samuel Ziajka, Dylan Bate and the AV team
Annie Smith, John Duckett.
Joao Costa, Gauthier Gareau
Raphael Peart, Simeon Roberts, Skins Elliot
May Curtis, Justin O’Shaughnessy.

Special thanks to the PACE team including;
Gilly Roche
Jose Martins
Detta Danford
Endy McKay
Jacob Sam-La Rose
Naomi Nathan
Paula Varjack
Jamie Bradley

Shadows of A Strong Woman Classical Opera Performances by Guildhalls African Caribbean Society

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-08-16 | Classical music performances from Guildhall’s African Caribbean Society, taken from the 'Shadows Of A Strong Woman' project by BA PACE undergraduate student Nikisha Reyes. This element of the project explores with representation of classical opera singers from the African Diaspora.

Directed and produced by Nikisha Reyes

Music Arranged by Nikisha Reyes
Piano Accompanist - Innes Yellowlees
Audio Mixing Engineer - Gauthier Gareau
Photography by Skins Elliot

Follow the Guildhall African Caribbean Society on Instagram: instagram.com/guildhallacs

The Prayer
Performers - Nikisha Reyes & Thando Mjandana
Composer/lyricists - David W. Foster / Tony Renis / Carole Bayer Sager / Alberto Testa.

The Flower Duet
Performers - Nikisha Reyes & Julienne Danielle Mahailet
Lyrics - Nikisha Reyes
Composer - Leo Delibes

I Feel Pretty
Performers - Nikisha Reyes, Thando Mjandana & Julienne Danielle Mahailet
English Lyrics - Nikisha Reyes
Composer/lyricist - Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein,

The 'Shadows of a Strong Woman' multimedia film was showcased as part of Guildhall School's ‘Of Shadow and Light’ Festival.

With thanks to
Manuela Rey-Alvarez (Guildhall Costume); Gauthier Gareau - Audio mixing engineer; Nik Kennedy, Kendell Foster, Burcham Johnson and the Barbican Pit Theatre team; No Class creations, Em Davis, Karl Dixon (Editor) & Esther Vardy (Director of photography); Simeon Roberts, (Videographer)
Luke Mason, Justin O’Shaughnessy.

Special thanks to the PACE team including;
Gilly Roche
Jose Martins
Detta Danford
Endy McKay
Jacob Sam-La Rose
Naomi Nathan
Paula Varjack
Jamie Bradley

George Floyd, Joy Gardner & UK victims of systemic racism | By Guildhalls African-Caribbean Society

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-07-28 | The African-Caribbean Society on their commemoration film:

"Guildhall’s African-Caribbean Society has curated a 9:29 video in commemoration of George Floyd, Joy Gardner and UK victims of systemic racism and published on the 28 July 2021, marking 28 years since Joy Gardner was unjustly detained and met her untimely death by immigration police.

The video commemorates 20 UK victims of systemic racism. It is our hope that this video will serve to continue the dialogue and contribute to the ongoing progress of anti-racism legislation across the UK. This video also acts to uphold and recognise the society’s presence here at Guildhall- thus calling everyone to engage with the ACS for more events in support of Black Lives Matter.

Curated by Sesley Hope, Tyreke Leslie, Daria Phillips, and Nikisha Reyes.
George Floyd Photo by Joe Cummings.

Video Credits
Poetry by Tyreke Lesley
Music by Nikisha Reyes
Research by Sesley Hope, Tyreke Leslie, Daria Phillips, and Nikisha Reyes
Co-Directed by Sesley Hope, and Nikisha Reyes

Instagram & Twitter @Guildhallacs

BLM Resource:
How can schools tackle racism?
youtu.be/alGHM-0n0PA
Black Lives Matter: Why do the George Floyd protests resonate so strongly in the UK?
youtu.be/9k2zogxvXYU
Thousands in London protest to say 'Black Lives Matter'
youtu.be/4OwYGHOZnqo

21 Victims of Systemic Racism.

US
George Floyd, 46
25-MAY-2020 Died during police arrest. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
time.com/5850040/uk-anti-racism-protests

UK
Mohamud Mohammed Hassan, 24
09-JAN-2021 Died shortly after being released from police custody. Cardiff, Wales, UK
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56999411

Kevin Clarke, 35
09-MAR-2018 Died in police custody. Catford, UK
inquest.org.uk/kevin-clarke-close

Dalian Atkinson,46
15-AUG-2016 Died in police custody. Telford, UK
inquest.org.uk/dalian-atkinson-police-officer-sentenced

Sarah Reed, 32
11-JAN-2016 Died in police custody. Islington, UK
inquest.org.uk/sarah-reed-inquest-conclusions

Sheku Bayo, 31
03-MAY-2015 Died in police custody. Kirkcaldy, Scotland UK
inquest.org.uk/sheku-bayoh-inquiry

Julian Cole, 27,
06-MAY-2013 At the age of 19, Brain-damaged and paralysed after Police arrest. Bedford, UK
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-52964679

Kingsley Burrell, 29
31-MAR-2011 Died in psychiatric custody after police restraint. Birmingham, UK
inquest.org.uk/kingsley-burrell-misconduct-conclusion

Jimmy Mubenga, 46
12-OCT-2010 Died in the custody of G4S Security/UK Border Agency. Heathrow, London UK
inquest.org.uk/jimmy-mubenga-jury-conclusions

Olaseni Lewis, 23
03-SEP-2010 Died in psychiatric custody, after police restraint. Croydon, UK
inquest.org.uk/olaseni-lewis-officers-cleared

Michael 'Mikey' Powell, 38
07-SEP-2003 Died in Police custody. Birmingham, UK
inquest.org.uk/blog/a-legacy-for-mikey-powell

Sean Rigg, 40
21-AUG-2008 Died in police custody. Brixton, London, UK
inquest.org.uk/sean-rigg-miscondcut

Roger Sylvester, 30
18-JAN-1999 Died in police custody. Islington, London, UK
irr.org.uk/article/roger-sylvester-police-condemned-for-black-death

David (Rocky) Bennett, 38
30-OCT-1998 - Died in psychiatric custody, Norwich, UK
irr.org.uk/article/rocky-bennett-killed-by-institutional-racism

Christopher Alder, 37
01-APR-1998 Died in police custody, Kingston Upon Hull, UK
inquest.org.uk/christopher-alder-inquest-concludes

Oluwashijibomi (Shiji) Lapite, 32
16-DEC-1994 - Died in police custody, Hackney, London, UK
inquest.org.uk/no-cps-action-against-shiji-lapite-death-officers

Joy Gardner, 40
01-AUG-1993 Died after being detained by Immigration Police. Haringey, London, UK
amnesty.org/download/Documents/172000/eur450051995en.pdf

Cynthia Jarrett, 49
5-OCT-1985 Died after police raided her home. Broadwater Farm, London, UK
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-26362633

Cherry Groce, 63
28-SEP-1985 Paralysed at 37, after being shot by a police officer. Brixton, London, UK
inquest.org.uk/cherry-groce-inquest-family-statement-in-full

David Oluwale, 38
04-MAY-1969 Found dead in River Aire after harassment by Police. Leeds, UK
itv.com/news/calendar/2019-04-17/draft

Kelso Cochrane, 32
17-MAY-1959 Died after being stabbed by a gang of white youths. Notting Hill, London UK
irr.org.uk/article/fifty-years-on-remembering-kelso-cochrane

Performers:
Members of the Guildhall School African-Caribbean Society

Music arranged by Nikisha Reyes
Universe Provides Medley
The Prayer Duet
Motherless Child/Head on The Plough
Tried So Many Times

Singers:
Lois Graham, Nikisha Reyes, Innocent Masuku, Chuma Sijeca.
Marlon Hibbert, Daria Phillips, Jule Mukamajule Michelo, Hannah Franklyn, Abdul Sessay, Shayde Sinclair, Malikah Cobb, Sesley Hope, Danielle Mahailet, Kaidi Akinnibi, Thando Mjandana."

Night by Jacob Cavendish

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-07-12 | Jacob won joint first prize with composition 'Night', in the Music to Picture category for Guildhall Young Artists competition, 'RELEASE'.

Jacob, Age 17 says: "Night is written to accompany an imaginary film in which a haunted forest is discovered by mankind. In this scene, a stranger enters the deserted forest. As the piece rises in tension the film hints that all is not as it seems. The leaves rustle and the sound of distant animals grows louder until the stranger is too frightened and finds the quickest passage out of the forest. From bar 42 to the end, the stranger realises he hasn't escaped when the trees extend from the forest and pull him back in, completely destroying him. It is dramatic indeed!”

In March 2021, all 1,600 students who access a Saturday music school across the Guildhall Young Artists network, including Junior Guildhall and the Centres for Young Musicians, were invited to submit a composition to four categories: Songwriting, Digital Media, Music to Picture and Concert Music. As well as cash prizes for the top 3 compositions in each category, participants could also win other prizes including an online masterclass with an industry leading artist.

Jacob attends Junior Guildhall, which is part of Guildhall Young Artists.

‘Winters Lights’ by Will Everitt

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-07-12 | Will Everitt won first prize with composition 'Winter's Lights', in the Songwriting category for Guildhall Young Artists competition, 'RELEASE'.

Will, Age 17 says: "Winter’s Lights was inspired by the serene winter landscapes of the northern hemisphere, and the phenomenon of the Northern Lights in particular. In this piece I try to paint a picture of this landscape, and the Northern Lights. The piece is written for solo treble, string orchestra and electronics, and I used Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening as the text, as I found it to be particularly emotionally relevant to the mood I wanted to create. As the core idea of the piece originated from an improvisatory sound world rather than from the text, I adapted certain accompanying moments in the piece to be more subliminally juxtaposed to the emotions portrayed by the voice, as I wanted to convey the slight sense of longing and loneliness of the winter landscapes."

In March 2021, all 1,600 students who access a Saturday music school across the Guildhall Young Artists network, including Junior Guildhall and the Centres for Young Musicians, were invited to submit a composition to four categories: Songwriting, Digital Media, Music to Picture and Concert Music. As well as cash prizes for the top 3 compositions in each category, participants could also win other prizes including an online masterclass with an industry leading artist.

Will attends Junior Guildhall, which is part of Guildhall Young Artists.

‘Brain Dance’ by Oscar Ruddick-Trentman

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-07-12 | Oscar Ruddick-Trentman won first prize with composition 'Brain Dance', in the Digital Media category for Guildhall Young Artists competition, 'RELEASE'.

Oscar, Age 18 says: "The main inspirations for this work were the production styles of Aphex Twin and Death Grips. The piece meanders through a constantly shifting soundscape, with no two sections being the same. Through varying rhythmic structures and constant tonal and textural shifts, the piece reinvents itself over time, constantly updating itself.

The piece transitions from cerebral, ambient IDM to harsh industrial hip-hop style production, and then fades back into ambience before fading out. The title takes it name from the genre "braindance", and the piece is supposed to mimic exactly that feeling."

In March 2021, all 1,600 students who access a Saturday music school across the Guildhall Young Artists network, including Junior Guildhall and the Centres for Young Musicians, were invited to submit a composition to four categories: Songwriting, Digital Media, Music to Picture and Concert Music. As well as cash prizes for the top 3 compositions in each category, participants could also win other prizes including an online masterclass with an industry leading artist.

Oscar attends Junior Guildhall, which is part of Guildhall Young Artists.

Supercalifragilistiespialidoso’ by Fionrenza Newland

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-07-12 | Fionrenza Newland won second prize with composition 'Supercalifragilistiespialidoso', in the Digital Media category for Guildhall Young Artists competition, 'RELEASE'.

Fionrenza, Age 16 says: "Because the theme is release, I decided to create a piece of music that tells the story of someone trying to escape after being abducted by aliens. I was inspired by artists like Giant Swan and Burial.
I created this piece on Logic Pro X, and used a combination of midi instruments and samples I recorded myself. Throughout the piece there is a repeated motif, used to signify changing floors on an alien ship, much like an elevator tone.
I created different segments to show different aspects of what each floor might contain. The first segment is meant to show flashing light, and cause confusion. The second, you can hear a muffled sample of a voice. This is meant to show panic and distress. In the third segment, I imagined entering a dimly lit bar, while an alien pianist serenades you. The final segment is meant to be mysterious and tension building, with the drum mimicking a heart beat. The motif is repeated at the end to show that the mothership continues forever, implying you are stuck there."

In March 2021, all 1,600 students who access a Saturday music school across the Guildhall Young Artists network, including Junior Guildhall and the Centres for Young Musicians, were invited to submit a composition to four categories: Songwriting, Digital Media, Music to Picture and Concert Music. As well as cash prizes for the top 3 compositions in each category, participants could also win other prizes including an online masterclass with an industry leading artist.

Fionrenza attends Centre for Young Musicians Taunton, which is part of Guildhall Young Artists.

YIZKOR (Remembering) by Avram

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-07-12 | Avram won second prize with composition 'YIZKOR (Remembering)' in the Music to Picture category for Guildhall Young Artists competition, 'RELEASE'.

Avram, Age 12 says: "The painter Chagall depicted life in a typical Polish “shtetl”, like the one my family fled from to the UK. Any family left behind perished. So I wanted to create a sound-memory of their lost world, inspired by Chagall’s images – which often include musicians.
In lockdown I had only myself as musician, so I wrote for four cellos, then played and recorded in layers.
I wanted a mode, so I invented my own nine note scale (inspired by Freygish). And I used mostly a 5/4 time signature, for a peasant feel. I wanted active village life, a thoughtful middle part, a sense of threat, and finally an echo from one lone voice - maybe a child.
Sometimes I wrote conflicting rhythms, which I think would sound much better live than assembled. And I’d love lots of rubato, which will have to wait for a live performance... I need three other cellists to play it with me!"

In March 2021, all 1,600 students who access a Saturday music school across the Guildhall Young Artists network, including Junior Guildhall and the Centres for Young Musicians, were invited to submit a composition to four categories: Songwriting, Digital Media, Music to Picture and Concert Music. As well as cash prizes for the top 3 compositions in each category, participants could also win other prizes including an online masterclass with an industry leading artist.

Avram attends Junior Guildhall, which is part of Guildhall Young Artists.

Raindrops by Thomas Sewell

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-07-12 | Thomas Sewell won second prize with composition ‘Raindrops’, in the Concert Music category for Guildhall Young Artists competition, 'RELEASE'.

Thomas, Age 17 says: “Raindrops is a trio for flute, violin and cello, three of my favourite sounding instruments. At first I was sceptical about how they would blend together and the limitations of writing for a smaller chamber ensemble (without the luxury of a piano), however as I continued to write I think this instrumentation best fits the style of the piece and blends together really well.
The title Raindrops was something I decided a while after I was done with the piece, but I feel that it is reflected in some ways within the instrumentation, harmony and structure.”

In March 2021, all 1,600 students who access a Saturday music school across the Guildhall Young Artists network, including Junior Guildhall and the Centres for Young Musicians, were invited to submit a composition to four categories: Songwriting, Digital Media, Music to Picture and Concert Music. As well as cash prizes for the top 3 compositions in each category, participants could also win other prizes including an online masterclass with an industry leading artist.

Thomas attends Centre for Young Musicians London, which is part of Guildhall Young Artists.

Itll Change For The Better by Rosie Trentham

Guildhall School of Music & Drama 2021-07-12 | Rosie Trentham won third prize with composition ‘It’ll Change for the Better’, in the Songwriting category for Guildhall Young Artists competition, 'RELEASE'.

Rosie, Age 17 says: "It'll Change For The Better was written on the eve of the December 2020 lockdown when the days were getting shorter and darker. The song is about hope for the future. I wrote the song to play with my dad, who is a cellist."

In March 2021, all 1,600 students who access a Saturday music school across the Guildhall Young Artists network, including Junior Guildhall and the Centres for Young Musicians, were invited to submit a composition to four categories: Songwriting, Digital Media, Music to Picture and Concert Music. As well as cash prizes for the top 3 compositions in each category, participants could also win other prizes including an online masterclass with an industry leading artist.

Rosie attends Junior Guildhall, which is part of Guildhall Young Artists.