Resident string ensemble Albion Quartet returned to the College last week for their regular masterclasses working with string students, working on subjects ranging from rehearsal discipline practise to performance enhancement.
“One of the main strengths of our string programme is that the students get so much face to face time with leading professional performers,” explained Head of Strings Simon Jones.
“The Albion Quartet is an important part of this approach, providing regular personal interaction with our chamber ensembles, mentoring them and inspiring them to achieve their very best.”
Tamsin Waley-Cohen working with our student ensemble
The Albion Quartet, Tamsin Waley-Cohen and Emma Parker on violin, Ann Beilby on viola and cellist Nathaniel Boyd, have performed together all over Europe since forming in 2016:
“Each quartet member approached working with the ensemble differently, yet each of them pushed us to strongly discipline ourselves when rehearsing, which is so valuable to sustain a high quality of musicianship,” said post-graduate student Tabitha Selley
They were each so inspirational in the way they opened our ears and awareness of chamber playing, and we felt after the sessions that we had begun to play more coherently and with a much more collaborative approach.
We were then lucky enough to hear them perform the next day at a concert to hear how all the various techniques we learned in coaching are actually put into practice by an established and successful quartet!”
Ann Beilby leading a viola session
I wasn’t coaching at all… I was actually practising my Hamlet monologue…. “to be… or not to be….?” 🤣 lovely to come back and hear all the progress these students are making! #albionquartet https://t.co/ilKloSAroc
— Ann Beilby (@AnnBeilbyViola) October 30, 2019
Perfecting the cello with Nathaniel Boyd
Hello Cardiff!! At @RWCMD for @Albion_Quartet concert tonight!! Just rehearsed 3 of my pieces with them in a row… I am so lucky to have my music performed by these incredible & dedicated musicians! 💛💛💛💛💛 pic.twitter.com/F9A8b7PviP
— Freya Waley-Cohen (@freyawaleycohen) October 30, 2019
Emma Parker working with our violinists
Find out more about our Strings department here.
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