In Conversation

Music is, above all, about communication, speaking to its listeners across time and space. This autumn we invite you to drop into conversations in concerts and masterclasses in the North East and in London, where you can see the whole range of our work, from the youngest Samling Academy Singers to our celebrated Samling Artists.

Samling Academy

We are looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of Academy Singers in October for six intensive days of masterclasses and workshops. Alongside our regular leadership team, directed by Caroline Dowdle, we welcome Samling Artist baritones Dominic Sedgwick and James Newby who will coach our Academy Singers. Both are enjoying busy careers: Dominic regularly sings at the Royal Opera House where he was previously a Jette Parker Artist and James has just released his second solo recital album with fellow Samling Artist pianist Joseph Middleton. See our Samling Shorts feature to read more about James.

Some of the new singers who will join Samling Academy in October auditioned after attending our Samling Futures visits to state schools across the North East – a strong testimony to the effectiveness of this programme. However, we want to do more, and we are now finalising plans for an exciting expansion of our work in schools that will share our expertise in teaching classical singing with even more students.

In July, this year’s Academy cohort ended their year with a semi-staged concert project, ‘Conversation Pieces’, when we said goodbye to those who are moving on. These include singers who will be continuing their studies at undergraduate and postgraduate level at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, on full scholarships.

Samling Artist Programme

Six Samling Artists pick up the threads of conversation at our Wigmore Hall Showcase on Tuesday 7 November. Soprano Harriet Burns, mezzo-soprano Bethany Horak-Hallet, tenor Ted Black, baritone James Newby and pianists Ian Tindale and Krystal Tunnicliffe give a programme that includes songs by Gabriel Fauré, Johannes Brahms, Hugo Wolf, Jonathan Dove and Cheryl Frances-Hoad (see here for the full programme). Reflecting our support for emerging artists, Bethany and Ted will be continuing the tradition of Samling Artists making their debut at Wigmore Hall, one of the world’s most prestigious venues, as part of our annual showcase.

In November we welcome eight new Samling Artists to Marchmont House for an intensive residential week of musical discovery, led by soprano Yvonne Kenny AM, pianist Simon Lepper and actor Alex Hassell, supported by staff pianist Samling Artist Michael Pandya. We are delighted that Michael has just joined the BBC New Generation Artist Programme. You can find out more and read other news from our Samling Artists in the news bulletin published every month on our website and social media.

Our public masterclasses at Marchmont House are proving very popular. They offer you an intimate and informal chance to hear insights from world-renowned artists and see the stars of the future, and to meet them over tea and delicious home-made cakes served in the elegant public rooms. A shuttle-service will be available from Berwick-upon-Tweed station, connecting with trains from Newcastle and Edinburgh.

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Main image: Samling Academy’s summer concert ‘Conversation Pieces’ Photo: Mark Pinder