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New CD now available

only.connect@mac.com — 2012-02-16T17:38:51+00:00

Please click here to buy the new CD, 'Clameur.

More information can be found here.

'Clameur' CD Launch Concert

only.connect@mac.com — 2012-01-09T17:05:41+00:00

On February 11th 2012 Peter Kenny and I will be officially launching our first collaborative CD titled 'Clameur' at a special launch concert at 8pm at the Brighton Unitarian Church on New Road.

The programme will include music from the Shakespeare Trio and the live world premiere of 'Clameur' for mixed choir and marimba, as well as another chance to hear our first work 'This concert will fall in love with you'.

Meanwhile, here's a sneak preview of some of the brilliant artwork and photos that are part of the booklet:

New appointment

only.connect@mac.com — 2011-09-09T16:40:25+01:00

I’m very pleased to have been appointed as an Associate Lecturer at the University of Chichester Music Academy (UCMA) based at Lancing College, working with talented and enthusiastic young people to develop their broad musical skills.

More information on the Chichester University website.

Recordings

only.connect@mac.com — 2011-09-09T16:40:19+01:00

So far this year I’ve been very busy working on two fantastic recording projects. Singing the Rainbow is the first recording by the Rainbow Chorus, featuring a wide array of music including Found, a piece I wrote with Peter Kenny especially for the choir.

You can read more at www.rainbowchorus.org.uk

Also to be released very soon is Clameur: Matthew Pollard and Peter Kenny Collaborations Vol.1 which includes This concert will fall in love with you, Clameur, and Minotaur. As well as Peter and I, the recording features outstanding performances from Glen Capra (piano), Jem Muharrem (violin), Adam Bushell and Tom Norrell (percussion) and a specially-selected choir.

More details of this release to follow: watch this space!

Upcoming Premiere

only.connect@mac.com — 2011-09-09T16:40:43+01:00

University of Sussex 50th anniversary concert with Tacet Ensemble, featuring my new piece Intrada and works by Sussex composers, past and present.

2pm on Saturday 10th September at the Meeting House, University of Sussex.

Brighton Festival Fringe Concert

only.connect@mac.com — 2010-04-22T21:49:52+01:00

Conducting summer school

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-06-30T12:00:00+01:00

In late June and early July I took part in an inspirational conducting summer school, led by Allan Withington and hosted by Soli Brass in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. Allan is a trumpet player with the Bergen Symphony Orchestra in Norway, and also Musical

Director of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. It was a challenging but hugely rewarding week, during which I wrote a new work for percussion, solo euphonium, and town hall bells in A and D major – a work that is unlikely to receive a second performance. Check out the link on my ‘Links’ page for information on the fabulous Soli Brass.

Recent Premieres

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-07-28T19:30:00+01:00

On July 28th Ian Glen and Glen Capra gave the premiere of my piece, Pastoral for bassoon and piano, at the Chapel Royal in Brighton. Check out their website through my links page.

On September 19th the Musicians of All Saints, conducted by Jem Muharrem, gave the premiere of Music for Strings at the All Saints Centre in Lewes.

I hope to have recordings available to listen to on my ‘catalogue of works’ page soon!

Hallelujah! It's Christmas

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-10-12T19:30:00+01:00

During December I will be conducting Rainbow Chorus on Friday 18th December at 7.30pm, at St.Nicholas Church, Dyke Road, Brighton. The choir will be performing movements from Messiah by Handel, plus some more modern Christmas favourites.

Hangleton Band with Glen Capra (piano): Brighton Festival Fringe concert

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-05-22T20:00:00+01:00

Friday 22nd May, 8pm, St. Michael and All Angels Church, Brighton

Including a rare performance of Concertino for Piano and Brass Band by Roy Newsome.

Rainbow Chorus: Choral Propaganda (Brighton Festival Fringe performance)

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-05-21T19:45:00+01:00

Thursday 21st May, 8pm, The Old Market, Hove

A repeat performance of our RFH concert, with other favourites from our current repertoire.

Hangleton Band: Crawley Entertainment Contest

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-05-17T13:00:00+01:00

Sunday 17th May, from 1pm at The Hawth, Crawley

Rainbow Chorus: Choral Propaganda (Various Voices performance)

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-05-04T12:00:00+01:00

Monday 4th May, 12pm, Royal Festival Hall (London Southbank Centre)

The choir will be performing in a concert as part of Various Voices, sharing the stage of the Royal Festival Hall with Vancouver Men’s Chorus. Our programme is based around political music and comprises March of the Women by Ethel Smyth, Solidarity Song and Coal for Mike by Eisler and Brecht, The Lavender Song by Mischa Spoliansky, Homphobia by Chumbawamba and Advance Democracy by Britten. One not to be missed!

Rainbow Chorus and Vancouver Men’s Chorus: Informal Concert and Social Event

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-04-30T19:30:40+01:00

Thursday April 30th, 7.30pm, Unitarian Church, Brighton

Hangleton Band: Hove Contest

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-04-05T13:00:00+01:00

Sunday 5th April from 1pm, Hove Town Hall

The band will be performing Music of Thanksgiving by Kenneth Downie.

Hangleton Band: National Qualifying Contest

only.connect@mac.com — 2009-03-21T10:00:00+00:00

Saturday 21st March from 10am, Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre

Last year the band qualified for the National Finals, achieving runners-up position out of 17 bands in this contest. This year the test piece is The Once and Future King by Andrew Baker.

Contest Success

only.connect@mac.com — 2008-06-26T11:11:50+01:00

In March 2008 Matthew entered the National Association of Brass Band Conductors competition and won the Midlands heat conducting Newstead Band in a performance of Paganini Variations by Philip Wilby. In June Matthew competed against the winners of the other heats in the National Final and won, conducting Lowry Sketchbook by Philip Wilby, with the Virtuosi GUS Band. He is the NABBC “Conductor of the Year 2008” and inaugural winner of the Roy Newsome Challenge Shield.

Matthew here receives the Shield from Roy Newsome