MASTERCLASS AND INTERVIEW CONCERT FROM PRIZE-WINNING CONCERT PIANIST

14 May 2014

On Thursday 1st May, Olga Paliy, the prize-winning Ukrainian concert pianist, visited Farlington to give a masterclass and interview concert to music students.

In the afternoon, as part of the Music Department’s enrichment programme, Olga gave a piano masterclass to three Grade 8 piano students – Janet Yeung, Olivia Middleton and Bethany Dawson, imparting invaluable musical advice on how to practise and perform. The audience comprised invited senior pupils and music scholars.

In the evening Olga gave an Interview Concert, sponsored by Worthing Symphony Society (WSS), with the theme, “Poetry and Dance in Music”. This was a rare cross-curricular opportunity for senior pupils, parents and friends to attend an intimate evening of music and poetry. Olga played piano pieces from Schumann to Glinka; Susannah Gordon recited poetry to complement Olga’s music and WSS’s Development Officer, Tim Chick, held an informal question and answer session.

Anne Stearn’s, Farlington’s Director of Music, said, “ Since December, I have been working together with Tim Chick and John Gibbons, Principal Conductor of Worthing Symphony Orchestra, to see how the WSS could support schools, such as Farlington, helping them to provide and enrich the musical experience for our students. We also wanted to find ways to encourage young people to go to classical concerts. The outcome of these conversations was this Piano Day. It was a great success and a wonderful opportunity for our pianists, music scholars and Farlington’s family and friends. We hope this is the first of many collaborations.”

 

Photo: Anne Stearns, Jane Thomas, Tim Chick (Worthing Symphony Society) and Olga Paliy with Janet Yeung at the piano