The Future .......
by Maureen Lehane Wishart
When I founded Jackdaws in 1993 as a major extension of the Great Elm Festival, it was because of my great desire to see classical music made more accessible and less intimidating. I felt that if I could achieve that, there were many people who would be inspired and nourished by it, as I have been all my life.
Over the years it has become something so special to so many, I have watched you arrive on a Friday, often stressed by everyday life, to leave on a Sunday walking on air. It has brought me great joy, thank you all. I have also been enormously excited and fulfilled by the many, varied outreach projects we have developed over the years and have been so inspired and astonished by the future generations and what they have achieved, there is so much talent and generosity.
Now it is time for another major development in our history – I have decided the time has come to retire as Artistic Director and to hand on the baton to a new generation. Although I am very sad to be retiring from full time involvement with Jackdaws, I am delighted to tell you that we have appointed the wonderful Saffron van Zwanenberg as my successor.
She has worked in the UK, Europe and Japan as a singer and director and in recent years has had a particular passion for music education, directing large projects for English National Opera, Mid Wales Opera, Garden Opera and of course Jackdaws where she has worked often in the last 4 years, she directed our Ring Cycle to great acclaim. She is very in tune with the ethos of Jackdaws and has some fantastic ideas for the future, she has my full support and I look forward to an exciting time for us all.
Jackdaws is based in the picturesque
Vallis Vale at
Great Elm in Somerset
"I see in Jackdaws something quite unique and so very, very worthwhile. The experience of people there is so positive, and the atmosphere so supportive (and the food so good!!) that it must, must continue and go from strength to strength".
Alison Wray - a weekend workshop participant. |
Young Artists Programme
Opera Plus Course 19 -25 June 2010
"The Magic Flute"
A seven day course working in depth on the Magic Flute by Mozart and culminating in a semi- staged performance.
Work intensively on your characters interpretation and music with Jackdaws
Artistic Director, Saffron van Zwanenberg
This production will also work with local schools and offer them a workshop and the chance to be a part of the performance.
This is a great chance to get a step ahead in the outreach field which forms a part of every singer’s career nowadays, whilst also focusing on a role and production.
Course Fee £250
Auditions for all roles in March/April tbc in London.. Apply with CV and brief covering letter by Monday 15 March enclosing a £10 admin fee
(cheue payable to Jackdaws)
Full details from: Jackdaws 01373 812383 music@jackdaws.org.
Open to singers aged up to 30.
Further details on Courses page
The Jackdaws Vocal Awards 2010
Sponsored by Ludmilla Andrew
Open to singers aged between 22 and 30, the competition offers a First Prize of £2,000.
The Judges for this year’s competition will be Ludmilla Andrew, Audrey Hyland, Maureen Lehane and Rosa Mannion.
Candidates will offer, for the preliminary round, a song or aria by Handel, a song or aria by Peter Wishart and a song or aria of their own choice.
The Finals will be held at the Wigmore Hall on Tuesday 19 October 2010. Full details and application forms can be obtained from Jackdaws 01373 812383 music@jackdaws.org |
