|
|
|
|
|
Philip Dewhurst BA Hons PGCE |
|
|
Philip Dewhurst was born and educated in Bolton, Lancashire. He read music at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne under Professor Denis Matthews and specialised in performance on the oboe. After completing his degree, he completed a Post Graduate Certificate of Education after which he went into teaching full-time teaching. Philip gives occasional recitals and enjoys orchestral and chamber music playing on a freelance basis when his teaching commitments permit. As well as adjudicating at music festivals around the country, Philip is an examiner for Trinity College, London and an experienced GCSE and A level examiner and moderator. At present he is Director of Music at a leading independent school in Cheshire. |
|
|
Marie’Louise Lane G.Mus RNCM, ALCM, PGCE |
|
|
Marie’Louise is a local girl, born, brought up and educated in Penwortham. Whilst growing up in Penwortham she studied with Margaret Heylings and Barbara Robotham. She then went to the Royal Northern College of Music where she studied with Dianne Matthews and Glenville Hargreaves. After obtaining her degree she came back to teach locally. During her time at College she took part in various opera productions and vocal workshops with leading opera singers. In the last 20 years she has trained various school bands and choirs and taken her own choir on tour. In an advisory capacity she has assisted local schools with their primary and secondary music curriculums, and helped the staging of school productions. During this time she has helped raise money for local charities and this has included working with John Christos in the staging of large concerts. Marie’Louise and her Choir have also sung with John at the M.E.N. arena in Manchester. Marie’Louise has been a soprano soloist with Preston Opera for many years performing diverse leading roles from the operatic repertoire. She performs regularly with Choral Societies and has guested at numerous musical events. She has sung with international opera singers and worked with some of the best conductors in the profession. Marie’Louise conducts her school choir and musical ensembles and also arranges music and leads her church musical instrumental group. Marie’Louise is delighted to be able to come to take part in the Penwortham Youth Music Festival and wishes you all well in your performances and knows you will treasure the experience as much as she will. |
|
|
Mary Powney LRAM, ARCM, PGCA |
|
|
|
Born into a family of talented musicians in the North of England, Mary Powney's early training was shaped by her involvement in the Mary Wakefield Festival - the oldest competitive festival in the country. At the age of 18, she was accepted at the Royal Academy of Music to study both piano and singing as equal first studies and remained there for four years specialising in piano accompaniment. On leaving the Academy, she built up a successful free-lance career as an accompanist and coach to the singing profession. In 1967 she returned to her native town of Kendal and immediately established a large teaching practice, specialising in singing and piano. She also concentrated more on her own solo singing and, over the next twenty years, appeared as a recitalist and soprano soloist in many choral works with a number of Choral Societies. In 1969 she became conductor of the K Shoes Male Voice Choir which, during recent years, has come to be recognised as one of the finest choirs of its type in England and receives great acclaim on its tours abroad. In 1991 she was accepted as a music adjudicator member of the British Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech. Early in 2000 she was one of the first thirty adjudicators to be awarded the Post Graduate Certificate of Adjudication. Her deep commitment to the Festival movement and her practical knowledge of Festival organisation means that she is thoroughly at home with all types of marking methods and recognises the need for cheerful, concise, educative and encouraging critical assessments of competitors. |
|
David Straughan BA ARCM Cert ED. |
|
|
|
David Straughan has been involved with education and music making throughout his career. Having trained as a teacher, his initial teaching years were spent in the West Midlands as a classroom teacher of secondary music, and as an instrument teacher to pupils and adults of all ages. After a period as head of music in secondary schools and a senior position as a head of arts faculty, he took on the responsibilities of a local authority schools’ inspector for music in Wirral. This post, which he held for twenty two years, included responsibility for the visual arts. As an educationalist, he has worked with all ages of children and his work as an OFSTED inspector took him into all sectors of education. As a musician, he has performed at a professional level across a wide spectrum of musical styles but now is more active as a conductor of youth and community groups, particularly wind bands and orchestras. He has travelled and worked extensively throughout Europe with youth and adult ensembles. He works as an adjudicator across the United Kingdom, and is a member of The British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech. |
