THE second Martin Read Foundation Festival will take place this Sunday (April 17) at the Farnham Maltings and the organisers have called on singers (sopranos and altos) to join the chorus for Martin’s ‘Mary Rose Songs’.
To be accompanied by the Festival Orchestra, this work was originally written for children as part of Martin’s Hampshire Millennium commission. David Gibson will direct these fun and poignant songs, hot on the heels of an epic performance by the Hampshire massed choir and Hampshire County Youth Orchestra at the Music for Youth\s Prom, held in November last year at the Royal Albert Hall.
The songs - easily worked up on the day - describe the excitement of Henry VIII’s flagship changing to mournful at it’s sinking in the Solent.
Martin was a published composer and head of music at Alton College for 23 years until his sudden death in 2012 age 53. Many of Martin’s works were premiered by Alton students, and current Alton College students will be taking part in the pestival.
His wife, Beccy, said: “Martin was passionate about composition and the teaching of it. This passion is backed up by his mention in the 2016 publication: ‘Beyond Britten: the composer and the community’.”
As a trustee of the Martin Read Foundation, Beccy had confirmed that it has this year selected three burgeoning young composers from Hampshire sixth form colleges.
The Martin Read Foundation plans to improve specialist provision for aspiring composers, a subject that was very close to Martin’s heart.
The scheme is aimed primarily at young composition students, aged 14 to 19, and is designed to give them support not otherwise available at secondary level, thereby strengthening applications for study at conservatoire or university.
She explained: “The support they receive from the foundation includes working with performers at the annual Festival, which will give a public performance of their pieces. The foundation is thrilled that the Ernst String Quartet will be ‘in residence’working closely with these selected composers.
“Other eminent musicians will include: Joseph Spooner - ‘cello, Alex Ling - clarinet, CoMA south - flexible ensemble, and Howard Skempton - patron.”
The festival starts at 4pm and ends at 9.30pm, with tickets at £20 for two concerts from the Farnham Maltings.
Readers can find more information at www.facebook.com/martinreadfoundation/ or visit www.martinreadcomposer.com/