COMMITTEE MEMBERS
President
Vacant
Chairman
Jane Dixon
Vice Chairman
Vacant
General Secretary
Alexandra Gamble
Publicity
Liz Bostock
Chief Steward
Vacant
Programme Secretary
Vacant
Treasurer
Maurice Fennell
Entries Secretary
Ruth Watson
Music Co-ordinator
Audrey Needham
Trophies Secretary
Norma Wright
Advertising & Sponsorship
Maurice Fennell
Patrons Secretary
Jane Dixon
Catering
Maureen Godfrey
Website
Marcus Garratt
2010 Adjudicators
Elizabeth Childs
(Hons) LRAM
Elizabeth is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied flute with Gareth Morris and piano with Graeme Humphrey. Whilst at the RAM she performed regularly with all the orchestras, and was also engaged in many internal and external teaching projects, a subject that has always interested Elizabeth. International engagements have taken her to both the USA and to many parts of Europe, and she has performed extensively throughout the UK as soloist, recitalist and orchestral player. From 1987 to 1994, Elizabeth was principal flute with the Sinfonia of Scotland, Dundee Opera and Dundee and Perth Light Operatic Company which complimented her work for both 'Travel Scotland' and a busy teaching schedule. Elizabeth has recorded programmes for the Open University and other children's programmes and gives Organ duo recitals with her husband.
Elizabeth has a broad and extensive teaching career and is in demand as a flute tutor as well as being flute tutor for the National Children's Wind Orchestra of Great Britain. She has successfully prepared pupils for scholarships to leading public schools, Junior Conservatoires and Specialist Music Schools and now has many ex-students working in the profession. She regularly directs summer schools and other courses for young wind players. It is a mission of hers to encourage as many children to have the experience of taking part in a Federation Festival.
Currently, Elizabeth is engaged in a busy teaching schedule which includes Wells Cathedral School, works part time for Harpenden Musicale, plays in Quintessimo (Wind Quintet) based in Hertfordshire and directs several successful flute choirs and is flute tutor for undergraduates at the University of East Anglia. One of her main aims is to provide as many performing opportunities for all her pupils as possible and firmly believes that encouraging children to perform enhances and benefits all areas of their education. Elizabeth regards it as an enormous privilege to sit on the Board along with the role as Chair to the Adjudicators Council for BIFF. She herself grew up in the Hull and Hornsea Festivals and knows first hand how valuable these experiences are. In 2009 Elizabeth adjudicated in Sri Lanka as well as at many UK Festivals and will be adjudicating in Hong Kong in 2010. Elizabeth is also a full member of the ISM, a committee member of the Royal Academy of Music Club and a Committee member of the Hitchin Festival of the Arts. Elizabeth is married with three children who are all heading for musical careers.
Gaynor Keeble
B.Ed Hons ARAM ARCM ALCM
Gaynor Keeble gained scholarships to the University of Warwick and the Royal Academy of Music. She combines a busy performing career with teaching both privately and at the University of Warwick and extensive adjudicating. She has also worked extensively with English Touring Operas Education Programme She was a member of Welsh National Opera for three years and has worked for the Royal Opera, Opera North, D'Oyly Carte Mid-Wales and English Touring Opera. Roles with these companies include Carmen, Marchioness (Daughter of the Regiment) Baba the Turk (Rake's Progress) Mrs Sedley (Peter Grimes) Meg Page (Falstaff) Maddalena (Rigoletto) Marcellina (Marriage of Figaro) Orpheus (Orpheus and Euridice) and Tisbe (Cenerentola) Concert include appearances with the London Mozart Players, London Bach Orchestra, CBSO Royal Philharmonic and The Philharmonia. In December 2001 she was the winner of the London Lieder Prize .She maintains a busy operatic career with recent engagements including title role Carmen, Delilah (Samson and Delilah) and Amneris (Aida) for Kentish Opera, Katisha (Mikado) for Carl Rosa Opera in USA and Rome and performances of Berlioz Nuits d'ete , Elgar's Sea Pictures, Verdi Requiem. In 2006 she made her debut with English National Opera as Katisha and in 2008 made her debut at the Royal Opera House as 3rd Lady Magic Flute. Roles in 2008 include Gertrude (Romeo & Juliet) Hippolyta (Midsummer Nights Dream) both for Opera North and the "Voice of the Mother" Hoffmann for Royal Opera House.
In 2009 she was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, a discretionary award for distinguished former students.
Sheila Kent
Sheila Kent M.Sc, GNSM, LTCL, Cert. Ed.
Sheila Kent graduated from the Northern School of Music in Manchester before training as a teacher at Manchester University.
She headed music departments in schools for over twenty years, teaching all ages, and now gives in-service training to other teachers, as well as being an associate tutor for Leicester University. Many of her former pupils are now professional musicians.
The Festival movement has been part of Sheila's life since she was a regular school-age competitor. She spent over 10 years on a Festival Committee, and still regularly enters her pupils for a wide range of classes.
Sheila Kent plays chamber music and in orchestras on a freelance basis, conducts a long established choir, and has been musical director for amateur performances of many of the most popular musicals. She teaches vocal technique and a number of different instruments and is an examiner for both Music and Music Theatre for Trinity Guildhall. As an adjudicator for the British Federation of Festivals she has worked at Music Festivals across the UK, and as far afield as Hong Kong and Zimbabwe.