Brecon Welcomes New ISM President

Clarinettist Colin Bradbury takes over at the ISM’s Annual Conference

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18 May 2006

The distinguished clarinettist Colin Bradbury is the President of the Incorporated Society of Musicians for 2006-07. He took over from Robert Lloyd CBE at the conclusion of the Society’s annual conference in Brecon on 18-21 April 2006.

At the same time, the eminent accompanist Roger Vignoles became President Elect for the year. He will take over as President from Colin Bradbury at the ISM’s next annual conference, in Torquay on 10-13 April 2007.

Colin Bradbury commented: 'I am delighted to be President of this illustrious Society at a time when the status of good music – what I would call “real music” – in our national culture has become such a prominent issue. I shall concentrate this year on maintaining and raising that status, and that of its practitioners.’

At the Society’s annual Specialist Section meetings, also held in Brecon during the annual conference, John McLeod became the Warden of the Performers & Composers Section for 2006-07, Helen Marcus the Warden of the Private Teachers Section, and Professor Grenville Hancox MBE the Warden of the Music in Education Section.

The three-day annual conference, entitled ‘A Welcome in the Hillside’, was chaired by Robert Lloyd. It explored the theme of building bridges between different genres of music, and also focused on music and music education in Wales, assisted by Edmond Fivet, principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, with his colleagues and students, and by Alan Davies, director of South Powys Youth Music. There were sessions by Dr Rajeeb Chakraborty, who gave a talk and demonstration on Indian classical music, and Paula Gardiner, head of jazz studies at the RWCMD. An illustrated talk on Cerdd Dant was given by Dr Aled Lloyd Davies and harpist Meinir Heulyn. There was also a discussion of contemporary music, led by a panel consisting of composers John Hearne, Richard Allain, John McLeod, Ian Parrott and Sarah Rodgers. The annual gala dinner, at which Edmond Fivet was the guest speaker, took place at the Castle Hotel. Excursions included a visit to Craig-y-Nos, Adelina Patti’s romantic retreat in the hills, and a concert in Brecon Cathedral directed by David Gedge MBE, at which Mozart’s Requiem and Piano Concerto in A K414 were performed, along with works by John Hearne, John McLeod, Ian Parrott and Sarah Rodgers.

Ends: 04 / 2006

Note to Editors: The Incorporated Society of Musicians, founded in 1882, is the UK’s professional body for musicians. It aims to promote the art of music and uphold the honour and interests of the musical profession by protecting the interests of musicians, raising professional standards, and providing legal advice and other benefits to its members. Its 5,000 members include performers, teachers, composers, conductors, organists, writers and others involved in professional musical work.

Presidents of the ISM (and Wardens of the Society’s three Specialist Sections) serve for one year. They precede their 12 months of office with a year as President Elect (or Warden Elect), and follow it with a year as Past President (or Past Warden).

Contact: Neil Hoyle, Chief Executive, T. 020 7629 4413