Sowerby Music, Thirsk, UK

Children joined together for a session of music sponsored by Sowerby Music

Music for Life performers:
Stephen Ridley and Alex Thorneloe

Steinway

Stephen Ridley - piano and Alex Thorneloe - bassoon

Stephen Ridley at Music for Life

Stephen is a much sought after freelance accompanist, chamber pianist and musical director based in Birmingham. He was an award-winning student and received the accompaniment prize in the Lies Askonas Competition in 2003 at the Royal College of Music. Since leaving college he has performed in venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room and at music societies and festivals throughout the UK. In addition he has recorded for BBC Radio 3 and TV. Locally, he has performed several times at Middlesbrough Theatre, and at Sowerby Music concerts in November 2004 & February 2006.

Recently he has been widening his experience as musical director of several professional shows. For example, he has toured the country with ‘High Society’ and Cole Porter’s ‘Anything Goes’. He has also been at the West Yorkshire Playhouse with Christmas productions.

Alex was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain during which time she was the principal bassoon player for two years. She graduated from the Royal College of Music (RCM) winning prestigious prizes. Since leaving RCM, Alex has embarked on a successful freelance career playing with major orchestras such as City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia and with opera companies. She has performed in the major concert venues of the UK and Europe.

She dedicates much of her time to chamber music particularly her woodwind trio, ‘The Thorne Trio’. They give recitals around the country and are also heavily involved in the education work of the Wigmore Hall both as musicians and workshop leaders. The trio is also committed to performing for vulnerable adults and young people through their contribution to Live Music Now scheme and the Council for Music in Hospitals.

Concert programme

Introducing Italian terms, using basic rhythms and expressing moods through music

Concert Programme to include

Milda - Tarantella Opening piece
Bozza - Sicilienne and Rondo Intro Bassoon
Harry Potter theme Theme
Rachmaninov - Vocalise Intro Italian terms
Mozart - Rondo Rondo, theme
Jacob - Afternoon of the dinosaur Marching
Gershwin - Preludes Inside Piano, perc
Saint-Saens - The Elephant Intro Flash cards
The Zoo Flash cards
Telemann - Sonata Conduct
Saint-Saens - The Swan Close eyes
The Simpsons or High School Musical

Full schedule : Full list of performers