PROGRAMME
The Clarinet Quintet
Kaleidoscope is a flexible ensemble of CBSO musicians, using wind, brass and strings in various combinations.
Initially set up to perform to schools audiences, it has developed into a multi functional ensemble regularly performing classical chamber music repertoire in the CBSO’s Centre Stage Series and further afield.
In their schools presentations, Kaleidoscope aims to bring a different, accessible dimension to a chamber music performance, explaining musical concepts in an entertaining way enhanced by PowerPoint projections. With repertoire from Bach to Piazzolla alongside contemporary popular and gaming music (Angry Birds has appeared on occasion!), they hope to share with their young audiences that music is more part of everyday life than they might assume.
Centre Stage
Devised and performed by the musicians of the CBSO, Centre Stage provides a series of intimate chamber concerts designed to complement the music being performed at Symphony Hall. With a ‘close enough to touch’ atmosphere, these concerts put the talents of our musicians in the spotlight, and provide the perfect setting in which to get near to the performers and the music they’ve chosen.
All Centre Stage events are held at CBSO Centre, a landmark building in the heart of Birmingham between The Mailbox and Symphony Hall. Events start at 1.10pm and normally last about 50 minutes. Snacks and a licenced bar are available before every performance.
Joanna Patton (Clarinet)
Jo comes from the Wirral and studied at Chetham’s School of Music before gaining her honours degree and performance diploma at the Royal Northern College of Music.
She has performed numerous concertos with various orchestras including the Tomasi concerto as part of the Aix-en-Provence festival, the Mozart concerto with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Strauss duet concertino with the Southern Sinfonia and the Finzi concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra as part of the Shell/LSO scholarship final. She has given numerous recitals at many of the UK’s music festivals and on leaving the RNCM, she was invited to contribute to a CD of David Ellis’ music. At this time she was also invited to join the staff of Chetham’s School of Music, a post she held for thirteen years.
Jo enjoyed a busy freelance career working with most of our major orchestras such as the Hallé, Northern Sinfonia, BBC Philharmonic, RLPO, BBCSSO and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra until, in 2006, she was appointed by Sakari Oramo as Principal 2nd and Eb clarinet with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Jo enjoys a busy life in Birmingham playing with the CBSO, BCMG and teaching at the Birmingham Conservatoire. In her spare time she enjoys socialising, running, reading, cooking - and drinking nice wine.
Jane Wright (Violin)
Jane began playing the violin at the age of 5, being taught by her mother who was herself, previously a violinist in the CBSO, Jane's father played the violin in the RLPO. Jane studied at the RSAMD in Glasgow and during her last year of study succeeded in joining the Orchestra of Scottish Opera. After 5 wonderful years of opera, lots of chamber music, walking Munros, teaching and freelancing in Scotland she joined the CBSO in 2002.
As well as performing with the orchestra, Jane takes part in many chamber groups and is passionate about education in schools, taking music into the classroom, encouraging the children to compose, sing, to express themselves and to find music fun.
Michael Jenkinson (Viola)
Michael Jenkinson grew up in Rotherham and first began learning the viola at the age of 9. He continued to have lessons in school until he was 18 when he then gained a place to study at Huddersfield Polythechnic Music Department with Vivienne Campbell. After a year in Huddersfield he then moved to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where he studied for 4 years with Roger Bigley and Yuko Inone and went on to graduate with GRNCM.
After graduating he spent three years freelancing in the North West before securing a full time position with the CBSO in August 1996 and in 2004 he was promoted to Sub Principal Viola.
Michael makes regular chamber music appearances with various ensembles in the CBSO’s Centre Stage series and throughout the UK.
When not playing the viola Michael’s other interests include cars, homebrew beer and house renovation.
Helen Edgar (Cello)
Before joining the CBSO 9 years ago, Helen was a cellist in the BBC Concert Orchestra and performed regularly in chamber ensembles in London and all over the world. Teaching and ensemble playing have always featured high in her career, and last year she combined the two, forming The Stringcredibles, a quartet of CBSO musicians dedicated to inspiring creativity and introducing new audiences to music.. Stringcredibles uses traditional string quartet repertoire as well as special arrangements, stories, projected visuals, and interactive activities, to give presentations a multidimensional quality that accelerates learning.
Libby Golding (Violin)
Libby was born in Watford and grew up in Surrey, where she took up the violin at primary school. She later went on to study with a David Takeno at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
After 2 years with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Libby joined the first violin section of the CBSO. In addition to her work with the orchestra, Libby really enjoys playing chamber music and regularly performs in the CBSO's Centre Stage series. Another delight is her chamber music work in schools. Libby is married to David and has two children, four cats - and a collection of fine wine!
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