New for 2020
Pandemic Special -
As a result of the restrictions brought this year by Covid19, Maidstone Music Festival will not be held in its usual form at Invicta Grammar School. There will, however be a revised event for performers to take part in. The classes remain the same, the adjudicators remain the same, and the entry fees remain the same. Each performer will, as always, be given a written adjudication and, where appropriate, a first, second or third position in their class.
The difference will be in the fact that the performances will be recorded before the event. This is how it works:
1. Entries are made in the usual way, and when the entrant has made their video they upload it to their own private cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, Onedrive, YouTube etc). They retain control over who can see the video and they can delete it after adjudication.
2. The entrant updates their entry with the URL of their video, and they also upload a copy of their score for the adjudicator to use. For the score it's the equivalent of taking a photocopy for the adjudicator to use before destroying it afterwards. It is only available to the adjudicator and festival admin user.
3. After the closing date for entries (which is now 14 November, with absolutely no entries after this point) each adjudicator logs in with their own account which allows them to view the score and watch the video of entries in their section. The adjudicator enters their comments on the performance into Play and Perform, the online entry system.
4. A formatted PDF adjudication sheet is created which can be emailed by the system to the entrant.
Certificates will also be emailed to the entrant.
5. The URL of the video and copy of the score can be deleted after the event.
The difference will be in the fact that the performances will be recorded before the event. This is how it works:
1. Entries are made in the usual way, and when the entrant has made their video they upload it to their own private cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, Onedrive, YouTube etc). They retain control over who can see the video and they can delete it after adjudication.
2. The entrant updates their entry with the URL of their video, and they also upload a copy of their score for the adjudicator to use. For the score it's the equivalent of taking a photocopy for the adjudicator to use before destroying it afterwards. It is only available to the adjudicator and festival admin user.
3. After the closing date for entries (which is now 14 November, with absolutely no entries after this point) each adjudicator logs in with their own account which allows them to view the score and watch the video of entries in their section. The adjudicator enters their comments on the performance into Play and Perform, the online entry system.
4. A formatted PDF adjudication sheet is created which can be emailed by the system to the entrant.
Certificates will also be emailed to the entrant.
5. The URL of the video and copy of the score can be deleted after the event.
CLASS DEDICATIONS
In response to popular request, we have decided to dispense with marks for performances in competitive classes. Performances will still be awarded "Performance", "Merit", "Commended", "Distinction" and "Honours", with the appropriate sticker added to the certificate and there will still be a First Place and, in larger classes, Second and Third places; these placings will be given at the discretion of the examiner and announced as usual.
We have taken this step for two main reasons:
First, it will mean that the competitive element, although still present, will be slightly diminished; performers within the same award category will be seen as equal to each other, apart from the over all class winner (s).
Second, it will make adjudication much easier and more interesting; if an adjudicator doesn't have to spend time trying to decide exactly how many marks to award, then he/she can take more time for the verbal adjudication.
We have taken this step for two main reasons:
First, it will mean that the competitive element, although still present, will be slightly diminished; performers within the same award category will be seen as equal to each other, apart from the over all class winner (s).
Second, it will make adjudication much easier and more interesting; if an adjudicator doesn't have to spend time trying to decide exactly how many marks to award, then he/she can take more time for the verbal adjudication.
Our adjudicators for 2020
NANCY LITTEN(piano classes)
Nancy Litten LRAM(Piano); FLCM (Keyboard); LRAM(violin); Prof CertRAM, Cert Ed(Exeter); ATCL(Voice); FISM; FRSANancy won an Arts Council award to study with Julius Isserlis in London at thirteen, and an openpiano scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at sixteen, winning prizes during her studies there.She has performed as a pianist in solo, orchestral and chamber music, and as a piano accompanist,being well known in Kent. She is an all-round musician, also having been a freelance orchestralviolinist and leader of a string quartet. Alfred UK have published many of her books, includingkeyboard tutors Keyed Up; violin tutors Playing with Colour; Choral and Vocal Warm-Ups forPianists; Choral and Vocal Sight Singing with keyboard harmony, and Rounds with PianoAccompaniment. Her original keyboard pieces and piano arrangements can be found in Trinity andABRSM grade books, and other publications such as Piano Mix and Piano Star. Nancy is aware of the importance of posture and a relaxed hand position at the piano, havingstudied the application of the Alexander Technique to pianism with Nellie Ben-Or in London.Tutoring has formed a large part of her life, from beginners through to diploma level; she has taughtprivately and in many different types of school; and on piano courses and masterclasses. Nancy hasbeen an Associated Board examiner since 1998, entailing much travel in the UK and abroad; shehas adjudicated for the British and International Federation of Festivals since 2014 and has beenvoted onto the Adjudicators' Council. She was on the management committee of EPTA UK(European Piano Teachers' Association) for nine years, and chairs EPTA Kent. She is one of theorganisers of the Maidstone Young Musician competition and is a trustee of the Kent and Medway
ROY ROBINSON (strings classes)
Roy studied the viola and piano at the Royal College of Music with Frederick Riddle and Angus Morrison. As well as gaining 5 performing and teaching diplomas on his two main instruments and the violin, he won the Leslie Alexander Viola Competition, the highest award available at the RCM. He was subsequently awarded an MA in Music Education.
Roy has spent most of his career combining teaching, performing, examining and adjudicating. After working at St Swithun’s School and Cheltenham College, he was Director of Music at Castle Court School. He has taught academic music to A Level and his main instruments to Diploma level. After a recent period of completely freelance activity, Roy has returned to school life, this time as a Director of Music at Alton School.
He has performed in orchestras and ensembles, as a solo recitalist, as an accompanist and member of piano duet partnerships. He is a busy ABRSM Grade, Diploma and Jazz examiner and has worked extensively overseas, including tours to Malaysia, Hong Kong, Qatar, Jordan, South Africa, Namibia, USA and Germany (the latter examining in German!). He has also presented a number of teacher workshops at home and abroad.
He has a passion for arranging and composing and has had many of his works performed (some have also been published). He particularly enjoys working with choirs of all ages and has coached a number of choral societies. He has also organised and conducted numerous orchestral and choral courses for children, some under the umbrella of SATIPS. He is an adjudicator member of the British Federation of Music Festivals and in demand at some of the country’s largest Music Festivals.
Away from music, Roy’s interests include playing tennis and being actively involved in the classic car movement in his old Morris camper!
PAUL HARRIS(wind classes, contemporary composer class, mixed ensemble classes, solo versatility classes, additional instrument class)
BENJAMIN COSTELLO (singing classes). MA PGDip BMus FRSA
Ben is a freelance musical director, adjudicator, singing coach and accompanist, working internationally. He is also Artistic Director of Thames Concerts, Founding Director of Kingston Chamber Singers, Chorus Master for the Leith Hill Musical Festival, on the faculty at Laine Theatre Arts, and a visiting musical director at Trinity Laban and Mountview Academy. He is a generalist music adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals.
Born and based in London, Ben initially trained as a flautist, before majoring in piano, singing and conducting, and his early career included répétiteur work for the London Symphony Orchestra and other London opera and theatre companies. A specialist in musical theatre, he has been an MD on numerous productions, and has taught at most of the major London performing arts colleges. Countless of his former singing students enjoy successful careers in London’s West End and beyond. His performing and adjudicating work takes him around the world. Closer to home, he is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, organising and chairing the Company’s musical direction annual scholarship. Outside of music he is a keen motorcyclist.
Nancy Litten LRAM(Piano); FLCM (Keyboard); LRAM(violin); Prof CertRAM, Cert Ed(Exeter); ATCL(Voice); FISM; FRSANancy won an Arts Council award to study with Julius Isserlis in London at thirteen, and an openpiano scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at sixteen, winning prizes during her studies there.She has performed as a pianist in solo, orchestral and chamber music, and as a piano accompanist,being well known in Kent. She is an all-round musician, also having been a freelance orchestralviolinist and leader of a string quartet. Alfred UK have published many of her books, includingkeyboard tutors Keyed Up; violin tutors Playing with Colour; Choral and Vocal Warm-Ups forPianists; Choral and Vocal Sight Singing with keyboard harmony, and Rounds with PianoAccompaniment. Her original keyboard pieces and piano arrangements can be found in Trinity andABRSM grade books, and other publications such as Piano Mix and Piano Star. Nancy is aware of the importance of posture and a relaxed hand position at the piano, havingstudied the application of the Alexander Technique to pianism with Nellie Ben-Or in London.Tutoring has formed a large part of her life, from beginners through to diploma level; she has taughtprivately and in many different types of school; and on piano courses and masterclasses. Nancy hasbeen an Associated Board examiner since 1998, entailing much travel in the UK and abroad; shehas adjudicated for the British and International Federation of Festivals since 2014 and has beenvoted onto the Adjudicators' Council. She was on the management committee of EPTA UK(European Piano Teachers' Association) for nine years, and chairs EPTA Kent. She is one of theorganisers of the Maidstone Young Musician competition and is a trustee of the Kent and Medway
ROY ROBINSON (strings classes)
Roy studied the viola and piano at the Royal College of Music with Frederick Riddle and Angus Morrison. As well as gaining 5 performing and teaching diplomas on his two main instruments and the violin, he won the Leslie Alexander Viola Competition, the highest award available at the RCM. He was subsequently awarded an MA in Music Education.
Roy has spent most of his career combining teaching, performing, examining and adjudicating. After working at St Swithun’s School and Cheltenham College, he was Director of Music at Castle Court School. He has taught academic music to A Level and his main instruments to Diploma level. After a recent period of completely freelance activity, Roy has returned to school life, this time as a Director of Music at Alton School.
He has performed in orchestras and ensembles, as a solo recitalist, as an accompanist and member of piano duet partnerships. He is a busy ABRSM Grade, Diploma and Jazz examiner and has worked extensively overseas, including tours to Malaysia, Hong Kong, Qatar, Jordan, South Africa, Namibia, USA and Germany (the latter examining in German!). He has also presented a number of teacher workshops at home and abroad.
He has a passion for arranging and composing and has had many of his works performed (some have also been published). He particularly enjoys working with choirs of all ages and has coached a number of choral societies. He has also organised and conducted numerous orchestral and choral courses for children, some under the umbrella of SATIPS. He is an adjudicator member of the British Federation of Music Festivals and in demand at some of the country’s largest Music Festivals.
Away from music, Roy’s interests include playing tennis and being actively involved in the classic car movement in his old Morris camper!
PAUL HARRIS(wind classes, contemporary composer class, mixed ensemble classes, solo versatility classes, additional instrument class)
BENJAMIN COSTELLO (singing classes). MA PGDip BMus FRSA
Ben is a freelance musical director, adjudicator, singing coach and accompanist, working internationally. He is also Artistic Director of Thames Concerts, Founding Director of Kingston Chamber Singers, Chorus Master for the Leith Hill Musical Festival, on the faculty at Laine Theatre Arts, and a visiting musical director at Trinity Laban and Mountview Academy. He is a generalist music adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals.
Born and based in London, Ben initially trained as a flautist, before majoring in piano, singing and conducting, and his early career included répétiteur work for the London Symphony Orchestra and other London opera and theatre companies. A specialist in musical theatre, he has been an MD on numerous productions, and has taught at most of the major London performing arts colleges. Countless of his former singing students enjoy successful careers in London’s West End and beyond. His performing and adjudicating work takes him around the world. Closer to home, he is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, organising and chairing the Company’s musical direction annual scholarship. Outside of music he is a keen motorcyclist.
Class Dedications
The Helen Turner Class in the piano section was brought about when a friend asked Maidstone music Festival to help her find a way in which to commemorate her mother. She suggested providing a cup, but it was decided that a more worthwhile way to honour her mother’s memory would be to name a class after her. Her mother loved piano music, especially that which could be described as "easy listening”, so the popular music class was renamed.
We are now able to offer this opportunity to anyone who would like a class dedicated either to themselves or to a loved one. For £250, a class will be dedicated to the person of your choice for 10 years. After this time, you will be given the opportunity to renew this if you would like to do so.
For more information, please email the Festival Chairman, Sue Greenham info@maidstonemusicfestival.org.uk
We are now able to offer this opportunity to anyone who would like a class dedicated either to themselves or to a loved one. For £250, a class will be dedicated to the person of your choice for 10 years. After this time, you will be given the opportunity to renew this if you would like to do so.
For more information, please email the Festival Chairman, Sue Greenham info@maidstonemusicfestival.org.uk
