Sophie beat bassoonist Karen Geoghegan and guitarist Ian Watt to the title and has secured the prize of a recording contract with top label Universal Classics and Jazz.

The judges Charles Hazlewood, Chi-chi Nwanoku, Steve Abbott and Jason Lai had to review the three candidates as they performed at LSO St Luke’s alongside the 40-piece City of London Sinfonia Orchestra.

Their decision was split which meant that the 100-strong audience, randomly selected from the website, had the deciding vote.

Sophie said: “I think all of us who performed here tonight really gave as much as we could and I think that for us the most important thing was playing.

“It’s been wonderful to get to know all of these people and to play and just enjoy making music because that’s what it’s all about really.”

Acclaimed musician and Classical Star Musical Director, Matthew Barley, commented: “I think Sophie will make a fantastic CD. I think she’s really ready for that, she’s dying to do it. She’s it, she’s the Classical Star. She’s off!”

View the original post Sophie Cashell Wins Classical Star on Unreality TV

Bassoonist Karen Geoghegan and guitarist Ian Watt from Scotland, along with Irish pianist Sophie Cashell have been selected by the judges to compete in the final.

The final takes place at the prestigious LSO St Luke’s, where they will be accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra, the City of London Sinfonia.

For one of these exceptional young musicians, the opportunity of a lifetime is just one step away.

To win a recording contract with top label Universal Classics and Jazz, they will have to impress the judges: conductor Charles Hazlewood; double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku; artist manager Steve Abbott and conductor Jason Lai. There is nothing more their Music Director and mentor Matthew Barley can do to help them.

Matthew said: “Karen, Sophie and Ian now have to appear in front of a professional orchestra, it’s a huge challenge. I think really it’s a level playing field. They start again when they come out on that stage. At the moment I have no sense of who is going to come out of that as a winner.”

There is still a great deal of work to do as the three must work on the constructive criticisms offered by the judges:

Chi-chi Nwanoku explained to Karen: “There is a bit of an issue still – as far as you almost apologising for the fact that you are playing a less popular instrument. Stop apologising for the fact it’s a bassoon.”

Steve Abbot advised Sophie: “One of the comments we made to you was about your apologetic sort of approach to your music. We still feel like you’re excusing the fact that you’re about to go and play your piece. If you are to go forward in this programme it’s a vital part of your development that needs to be worked on if ever you are to be successful especially at this stage in your career.”

Charles Hazelwood said to Ian: “We still feel that you do need to work on loosening up. It’s not just a postural thing it’s also to do with the way you engage with the music and therefore through the music with the audience. So that actually you can stand up and scream from the highest rooftop that the guitar can be king.”

The finalists

Sophie Cashell, 19, from Balbriggan in Ireland started playing the violin when she was just four years old but turned her attentions to the piano when she was ten or 11. With a performance in Wigmore Hall already under her belt, Sophie’s ultimate ambition is to have a performance career with solo and chamber music. In her spare time she reads, listens to a wide range of music including Radiohead and The Kinks, and is an avid supporter of the Irish Rugby team.

Karen Geoghegan, 19, grew up with her musical family in West Lothian. She started playing the violin aged six but discovered the bassoon on a shelf when she was 12 and just gave it a go. Since then she won the junior department concerto competition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and now studies at the Royal Academy of Music London. Karen loves the versatility of the bassoon and wants to show the world the bassoon as a solo instrument. If she couldn’t be a musician she would be a mathematician.

Ian Watt’s passion for the guitar was sparked by Dire Straits but it was the Beatles that inspired him to take up the guitar seriously when he was nine. The 16-year-old from Fraserburgh in Scotland performed with a local rock band before he turned his attentions to the classical guitar. Ian strongly believes that people don’t appreciate the beauty in classical music or indeed listen carefully enough in a society surrounded by ugly sounds. He dreams of being an international ambassador for classical music.

View the original post Final Three Named In BBC Classical Star on Unreality TV

For one exceptional young musician, the opportunity of a lifetime is one step nearer, as the judges: Charles Hazlewood, Chi-chi Nwanoku; Steve Abbott and Jason Lai revealed the nine contestants selected to attend the Music Academy under the watchful eye of Classical Star Music Director Matthew Barley.

They are:

* Danielle Audley-Wiltshier
* Sophie Cashell
* Karen Geoghegan
* Victoria Goldsmith
* Emily Hooker
* Ben MacDougall
* Tyler Rix
* Jeanine Thorpe
* Ian Watt

One of these talented youngsters will win a top record deal with Universal Classics and Jazz, and the chance to launch their dream career.

The series continues next Tuesday 23 October at 9pm and follows the contestants as they stay at the academy to hone their skills and learn the new ones they will need to become well-rounded musicians and recording artists.

Acclaimed musician and mentor Matthew Barley will take them through a series of masterclasses including recording, performance, presentation, collaboration, and improvisation.

Over the next three weeks, viewers will see the students perform a final challenge before the panel of judges, which sees two contestants heading home, leaving just three for the grand final.

The three have just six weeks to prepare for the final performance that has the potential to make them classical music superstars and change their lives forever.

The finalists

Danielle Audley-Wiltshier from Chesterfield found a cornet in a cupboard when she was four and started having lessons. She moved on to the trumpet and loves the versatility of the instrument and how it plays in a wide range of styles including jazz, blues, orchestral and classical. Danielle has a wide range of musical influences including rock, techno and jazz and believes that classical music isn’t for geeks as most people think. At 14, Danielle is the youngest student in the Classical Star Fame Academy and the only brass player.

Sophie Cashell, 19, from County Dublin in Ireland started playing the violin when she was just four-years-old but turned her attentions to the piano when she was five. With a performance in Wigmore Hall already under her belt, Sophie’s ultimate ambition is to have a performance career with solo and chamber music. In her spare time she reads, listens to a wide range of music including Radiohead and The Kinks, and is an avid supporter of the Irish rugby team.

Karen Geoghegan, 19, grew up with her musical family in West Lothian. She started playing the violin aged six but discovered the bassoon on a shelf when she was 12 and just gave it a go. Since then she won the concerto competition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and now studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Karen loves the versatility of the bassoon and wants to show the world its beauty as a solo instrument, something not often seen.

Victoria Goldsmith, 16, is half Russian and divides her time between her studies in Russia and her family home in Chesterfield in Essex. She discovered her gift for the violin when she was 13 whilst studying in New York. She is passionate about music having played the piano since she was three or four. Inspired by a visit to a music school in St Petersburg, Victoria took up the violin when she was six-and-a-half. Also a fan of jazz, Victoria loves performing in public and hopes this competition will be the beginning of her career as a musician and the freedom to develop as a musician.

Emily Hooker, 18, from Woodham in Surrey was introduced to the piano at the age of six by her parents. Their instinct that she may enjoy it was absolutely right as she started to win local competitions. Now she has a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music and spends five hours a day practicing. Her musical highlight so far was a performance she gave last year in the Czech Republic. If she can’t fulfil her dream of playing in the greatest concert halls across the world, she would love to be a sports commentator.

Ben MacDougall, 19, from Appleby-in-Westmoreland, Cumbria, grew up surrounded by music. His aunt, a professional opera singer gave him singing lessons at an early age while he waited until his hands were big enough to play the flute. For Ben a future outside music is not a possibility and his dream in 20 years time would be to make the flute – and classical music – mainstream in popular culture. His career highlight is being complimented by William Bennett when he performed at the BFS International Convention.

Tyler Rix, 14, has played the saxophone since the age of nine. Tyler, from North London, is also a talented footballer and was signed to West Ham when he was eight and was part of this year’s winning English School’s FA National Cup team. Tyler progressed quickly once he started playing the saxophone and recently was proud to have played as part of Junior Guildhall’s Symphony Orchestra. As well as football, Tyler has a wide range of interests including fishing and playing pool.

Jeanine Thorpe from Framlingham in Suffolk used to sit on her grandfather’s lap and watch the Proms when she was just two, fixated by the violin. Her pleading for a violin paid off when she was given one for her fourth birthday. Jeanine, 18, now studies at the Royal College of Music and aims to be a solo artist-in-residence for a Symphony Orchestra. She believes that music shouldn’t be for perceived as music for the upper class and wants to be able to bring music to young people who haven’t had a chance to play an instrument before. She is also enjoys drama and reef diving.

Ian Watt’s passion for the guitar was sparked by Dire Straits but it was the Beatles that inspired him to take up the guitar seriously when he was nine. The 16-year-old from Fraserburgh in Scotland performed with a local rock band before he turned his attentions to the classical guitar. Ian strongly believes that people don’t appreciate the beauty in classical music or indeed listen carefully enough in a society surrounded by ugly sounds. He dreams of being an international ambassador for classical music.

View the original post Final Nine Classical Stars Named For Academy on Unreality TV

Acclaimed musician and Classical Star Musical Director, Matthew Barley, is searching for a top-class performer who has the ability to broaden the appeal of classical music. Aged between 12 and 19, and already at least grade 8 in their chosen instrument, the winner must have that extra-special something to impress the prestigious judging panel.

Through nationwide auditions, 18 candidates have been shortlisted but only the best nine candidates will be selected to attend the Music Academy, where Barley has developed a rigorous and demanding three-week schedule.

He will oversee an intensive programme of teaching, practice and master classes from top artists and industry specialists, all aimed at developing the contestants’ all-round performance skills and abilities.

Each week, the expert judging panel will choose two of the academy pupils who, in their view, have not made the grade and who will be sent home – until only three finalists remain.

These young musicians will have just six weeks to prepare for the final performance that has the potential to make them classical music superstars and change their lives for ever.

View the original post Classical Star Coming To BBC Two on Unreality TV

Matthew’s musical world has virtually no geographical, social or stylistic boundaries and he lives and breathes music education, making him the ideal choice as Music Director for the academy.

Matthew is a top soloist who has performed with some of the world’s biggest orchestras on some of the world’s greatest stages. His passion for new music has led him to première works, many of them his commissions, and many non-classical collaborations with artists including Django Bates and Julian Joseph.

Matthew has frequently worked with the BBC Proms, and has led major projects all around the world with enormous success – working very closely with the British Council.

In 1997, Matthew founded Between The Notes (BTN), a performance and education group which works with music and other arts.

BTN has been involved in major projects at the Sydney Opera House, London’s Royal Opera House (with the Royal Ballet), the International Symposium of Contemporary Music in Hong Kong, and on tour in Bangladesh, Greece, Spain, Germany, Norway, Croatia, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belgium.

In the academy, Matthew will nurture and guide the contestants – spending each day with them as they attend masterclasses and undertake challenges. For Matthew, this role is a natural extension of his life’s work, and is his first role on prime-time television.

View the original post Classical Star Judge: Matthew Barley on Unreality TV

Jason started his musical studies at the age of 12 when he took cello, piano and composition lessons, which continued with the help of a scholarship at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester.

He studied at Worcester College, Oxford, where he became music director of the Oxford University Philharmonia, and then went on to achieve a Masters in composition and a Diploma in cello at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

As a young star prodigy himself, Jason has first-hand experience of the pressure of competitions, the qualities needed to emerge as a winner and the determination and dedication it takes to carve out a successful career in the classical music industry.

View the original post Classical Star Judge: Jason Lai on Unreality TV

Chi-chi studied at the Royal Academy of Music, in London, and has become one of England’s most sought-after double bassists – developing a worldwide reputation as one of the finest exponents on her instrument today.

She is currently Principal double bass with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment – of which she is also a founder member – and Endymion Ensemble and Professor of Double Bass Historical Studies at The Royal Academy of Music, Professor of Double Bass at Trinity College of Music in London and a visiting Professor for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

She was awarded an MBE for Services to Music in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2001 and frequently works for BBC Radio.

Chi-chi has a wide range of musical interests, resulting in her involvement in the cutting-edge of diverse styles of performance practice and her wide repertoire of recordings.

To the judging panel, she brings a consummate knowledge of the skills and personality needed to become both a solo performer and recording artist.

View the original post Classical Star Judge: Chi-chi Nwanoku on Unreality TV

He has authored and conducted the music in several groundbreaking films including Vivaldi Unmasked (BBC One), The Genius Of Mozart (BBC Two and BBC Four), Beethoven (BBC Two and BBC Four) and Tchaikovsky (BBC Two and BBC Four). Charles also presents a weekly show on BBC Radio 3, Charles Hazlewood Discovering Music.

Charles’s passion to explore music of all varieties with the widest possible audience has led him to work with some of the most celebrated contemporary composers, with the rawest new South African vocal talent and at the cutting-edge of the pop music scene.

Charles has conducted over 50 world premières, and worked on projects as diverse as the recent Urban Classics – fusing five Grime MCs with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Hackney Empire.

As one of the academy judges, Charles brings an encyclopaedic knowledge of the music industry, knowing both what it takes to succeed and how to bring music to a wider audience. He will be looking out for this potential in the contestants, as well as an exceptional musical talent.

View the original post Classical Star Judge: Charles Hazelwood on Unreality TV

He manages young New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra, violinist Nicola Benedetti and pianist Lang Lang and produces top-selling albums – recent successes of note include The Choirboys (320,000 UK sales) and All Angels (250,000 UK sales).

Steve began his career as a singer in a punk band with which he toured the world, released two albums, five singles and achieved three No. 1 records in the UK and two in the US. He then changed track to classical guitar and made a name for himself composing music for theatre and television.

In 1988, Steve formed Big Cat Records Ltd, a diverse label including alternative rock, jazz and experimental and classical and produced albums with artists including Emma Kirkby and Ian Bostridge.

In 1997, the company was bought by the Virgin Group and became known as V2 records. Steve worked as Head of International, setting up the company around the world, and became head of A&R and General Manager V2 /Virgin Records North America – signing, amongst others, Moby, The White Stripes, RZA and the Alvin Ailey Ballet Company.

Steve returned to London in 2003 to reform Bedlam Artist Management.

Other credits include producing the music programme of Princess Diana’s funeral service, working with Master of Choristers Martin Neary and personally introducing Sir Elton John into the proceedings.

View the original post Classical Star Judge: Steve Abbott on Unreality TV

The show will see young people aged 14 to 19 battle it out to win a prestigious recording contract.

Show boss John Silver said: “The kids are all virtuoso performers and will be judged on their musicianship.

“We’re also looking for someone who can be a soloist and appear on the cover of CDs.”

View the original post Classical Star Coming To BBC Two on Unreality TV