BIOGRAPHY
Colin Farlow
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
As a leading music educator in the county for over 30 years, Colin has been responsible for the development of the Worcestershire Youth Wind Orchestra (WYWO) and has a reputation for high quality performances as both a musician and conductor. His leadership style has lead many to describe him as 'a musician's musician'.
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Colin's musical journey began when his teacher (George Jackson) gave him a trumpet to play in the school band. A flame was ignited. Colin found his passion within music, as well as a long and successful career. Working with young people and championing music education has been a defining feature of Colin's work as a peripatetic brass teacher, conductor of WYWO and leading the county music service as deputy and acting head.
Following retirement from his role as Acting Head of Worcestershire Youth Music in 2014, Colin turned his passion for performing challenging and exciting wind orchestra music to the creation of Black Pear Symphonic Winds.
Rebecca Eldridge
Soloist
In 2012, Rebecca won a scholarship to study on the MMus orchestral course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Graham Sheen, Helen Simons, Gordon Laing and Martin Field. Prior to this, Rebecca graduated with first class honours from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, studying with Meyrick Alexander, Martin Bowen, Steve Marsden and contrabassoon with Chris Vale.
During her studies, Rebecca won the Three Choirs Festival Ensemble Prize, Howarth Double Reed prize, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s Concerto prize, June Emerson Wind Ensemble Launchpad prize and the Abergavenny Eisteddfod.
Rebecca has worked with various orchestras including the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Shakespeare Company, Sinfonia Viva and Orchestra of the Swan. She was also contrabassoonist with the Young Musician’s Symphony Orchestra and has participated in side-by-side schemes with the Philharmonia Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Rebecca was Co-principal Bassoon with Southbank Sinfonia 2017.
As a soloist Rebecca has performed concertos with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s Chamber Orchestra, Chandos Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia of Birmingham, Leamington Chamber Orchestra and Inkberrow Sinfonia. Also, as a keen chamber musician,Rebecca is a founding member of the Aquilon Ensemble. This has lead to performances on BBC Radio 3, UK and European tours and coaching from Andrew Marriner, Francois Leleux, Sarah Burnett and Neil Black.
Tom Martin
SOLOIST
Biography coming soon
Janine Saxon
SOLOIST
At the age of 14, Janine demonstrated her promise as a musician by gaining her Grade 8 flute. She continued to study at Trinity College of Music and The Royal Academy of Music. She was a finalist in the Concerto Competition in 2005 and won the Harold Clarke Woodwind Prize I 2005 and 2006. Following her graduation with a BMus (Hons), Janine gained distinction in her Postgraduate Diploma in performance from The Royal Welsh College of music and Drama, also representing them at the prestigious STAFFA Awards in 2008.
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Janine is a passionate teacher, using her talent and passion to inspire her pupils in woodwind and piano. Her performance of the Flute Concerto with BPSW showcased her beautiful, delicate sound and, although her playing appears effortless, the quality of her performance is a true sign of a dedicated and talented musician.
Martin Yates
COMPOSER
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Born in Birmingham in 1954, Martin began learning the trombone at the age of 12, overcoming the challenges presented to him by cerebral palsy. His career has taken him all over Europe as a professional musician, eventually returning to teach music in Worcestershire.
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Following his retirement from teaching, Martin has been able to enjoy a focus on his true passion; composition. He has created pieces for a range of organisations, including the music to accompany the ending credits on BBC's Newsnight.
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BPSW were excited to premier Martin's Birmingham Symphony, a piece which was composed to showcase the different elements of Martin's place of birth, and the pride he has of this famous city.
