Blackpool Sixth Students join the BSO for a Conducting Masterclass
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"The Orchestra goes from strength to strength"
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Mozart's sublime Flute Concerto, K313 was performed for a packed audience last night by the BSO's Principal Flautist, Lindsay Benson. Lindsay, who lives locally, performs with groups and orchestra throughout the area. She has been in the orchestra for 17 years, 15 of which as Principal Flautist. Lindsay is also a specialist woodwind teacher. The performance was a great success and very enthusiastically received by a full house.
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Tim Jackson, Principal Horn, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra - "I was really impressed with the how hard the wind section worked; the Orchestra is lucky to have such high quality wind players in its midst". (Recent Master Class for the BSO wind and brass).
Recently, the Blackpool Symphony Orchestra wind players enjoyed a masterclass given by Tim Jackson, the principal Horn player from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Tim's masterclass focussed on the various wind instruments in the Orchestra from clarinets, flutes, bassoons and oboes to French horns and trumpets.
Tim is no stranger to the Blackpool Symphony Orchestra. Born and bred in Lancashire Tim gained valuable early playing experience with the Orchestra as a young player as well as holding the principal horn seat in the Lancashire Students' Symphony Orchestra. A junior student at the Royal Academy of Music, Tim continued his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Manchester. Since then Tim's career has gone from strength to strength and he has played with all the major Orchestras in the country.
Tim commented, "It was great to be back and to see so many faces I still recognised after more than twenty years! What a tribute to the Orchestra and the place it has in its members' hearts."
Blackpool Symphony Orchestra's wind players thoroughly enjoyed the Masterclass and went home feeling inspired. Players commented, "Tim was so encouraging and positive. He helped us so much with his experience and insight of how to improve tricky corners; the time flew by!".
Russell Beaumont, Chairman of the Orchestra commented, "As a horn player myself - playing in front of such a top class player could have been terrifying but Tim really put us all at ease. From the Orchestra's point of view it is a real coup that Tim has spent time coaching the wind players in our ensemble."
Helen Harrison, Blackpool's recently appointed Music Director and Conductor added, "We were so pleased Tim could join us. Here at Blackpool, we are fortunate to have dedicated players in the Orchestra and are building on this foundation to take the Orchestra to the next level. We are planning to hold similar events for our players in the future to provide an added dimension to their musical experiences.
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"The Brahms Academic Festival Overture is an old favourite with the BSO's audiences and they were not disappointed. They were also moved by the magnificent Reformation Symphony by Mendelssohn".
"The BSO string sound and ensemble is a delight".
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"The Orchestra's new home is the theatre at the Blackpool Sixth. Opened in September 2011, this has proved to be a superb space. The tiered seats are electronically moveable allowing the Orchestra to bodily move toward the centre of the hall - a particularly important feature for the audience who now feel closer to the musicians. The lighting is computer controlled and is easily suited to the Orchestra's needs. A great new home!"