This unique concert showcases some of the superb music written by renowned British composer Graham Fitkin over the last 15 years especially for the students of Cambridge Suzuki Young Musicians. His repertoire includes scores for 4-pianos (4 and 7 players), plus two pianos and string quartet, and displays in an uncompromising way his captivatingly energetic, attractive, and addictive idiom.
Complementing this will be some of his more intimate chamber music for strings and piano, and pieces of a contemplative nature by Ravel (from the ‘Mother Goose Suite’) and Bach (from the f minor Keyboard Concerto). CSYM piano students and friends will be joined by experienced professional chamber musicians, Rose Hinton (violin), Henrietta Hill (viola) and Andrew Power (cello) in a wonderful collaboration between students (ages 8-17) and professionals.
The concert forms a culmination to part of a 5-day Chamber Music Summer School, largely devoted to the music of Graham Fitkin, during which time the students will have had the rare opportunity to work with the composer, who will be present, at what promises to be a fabulous Fitkin Festival.
more about Cambridge Suzuki Young Musicians
In 1982, Stephen Power organised the Granta Suzuki Group which in turn evolved into Cambridge Suzuki Young Musicians (CSYM). CSYM is a constituted non-profit association which aims to provide musical education for children with a commitment to excellence through the educational approaches of Suzuki and Kodály. Its activities provide support for children, parents and teachers in the planning, organisation and hosting of concerts, workshops and fundraising events.
An annual CSYM family membership fee helps cover general group expenses, including the costs of mounting two group concerts each academic year, allowing all families, students & friends to attend free of charge
Besides committee members, many other parents make practical contributions to the work of the group, particularly at special events such as concerts and workshops, contributing time, energy and skills. The CSYM relies on, and is strengthened by, the involvement of parents through its 'Friends of the Committee'.
Over the years, CSYM has organised many successful musical events. In recent years, for example, the group has helped organised:
- A string of unique & inspiring summer workshops
- CSYM concerts at prestigious Cambridge venues including West Road Concert Hall, Queen's Building at Emmanuel College, and St John's Divinity School
- Production of a DVD of the CSYM Christmas concerts, (2005, 2006 and 2007)
- June 2008 concert commemorating the life of Dr Shinichi Suzuki, performed by Suzuki Piano students from the UK, USA and Germany with all proceeds donated to 'Save the Children'
- Spring concerts in aid of charity (RNID's 'Don't Lose the Music' campaign in 2007, the Music Therapy Programme at Milton Children's Hospice in 2006 and Save the Children's Tsunami appeal in 2005)
- Joint duet concert in Cambridge with pupils from the London Suzuki Group
- A visit to Copenhagen for a joint concert with a Danish Suzuki group; the hosting of a return visit to Cambridge by Danish Suzuki families
- Fundraising to enable the group to commission new pieces and workshop visits from composers (including Graham Fitkin in 2007 and 2004; Huw Watkins in 2006)
- A one-day piano masterclass and Dalcroze session
- Research into possible new teaching premises in Cambridge.