Masterclass for young clarinettists
29th October 2024
Essex young musicians aged 12-26 and of at least Grade 6 standard are invited to join a Masterclass hosted by renowned clarinettist, Emma Johnson, MBE. This will be held on 10 November in the Budworth Hall, in Ongar, starting at 2pm.
The Masterclass has been organised by Ongar Music Club with support from the Belinda Starling Memorial Fund, the Essex Young Musicians’ Trust and the Brian and Julie Cue Fund.
During the afternoon, Emma will work with the young clarinettists, and at 6:15 pm, selected applicants will present a short recital. Following this, the EYMT Norman Harper Bursary of £1,000 will be awarded to a student showing the most promise in the 12 to 18 age category, and the Belinda Starling Award of £1,500 will be awarded to the student showing the most promise in the 19 to 26 age category and deemed most worthy by Emma Johnson.
Applicants should:
- be aged between 12 and 26, and of at least Grade 6 standard
- have lived or studied in the county of Essex. This includes any town or village that was part of Essex prior to 1965. Also villages or towns which straddle the Essex border and which have an Essex-based postcode will qualify.
Places are limited and applicants are asked to email Jane Webster, Chair of Ongar Music Club in the first instance. For selection, applicants will be required to submit a CV and a short video recording of no more than five minutes duration if possible by 31 October.
Successful applicants will be asked to pay an entry fee of £30.
The Masterclass is open to the public and there will be a limited number of tickets available on the door. Tickets can be purchased ahead of the day by using this link. Alternatively, go to ticketsource.co.uk and search Ongar Music Club. Tickets are priced at £15 (all day) or £8 (evening recital only). Under 18/Student all-day-ticket, including evening recital: £5. Soft drink refreshments will be available throughout the event. Doors open at 1pm. If you wish to reserve a ticket at the door, please call the box office on 07970 791945.
Emma Johnson is one of the few clarinettists to have established a career as a solo performer. Emma grew up in London and her career was launched when at the age of 17 she won BBC Young Musician of the Year followed by the Young Concert Artists Auditions in New York. She studied Music and English at Pembroke College, Cambridge before embarking on music full time and since then she has performed all over the world. Emma was the first woman to be made an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge and in 2017 the college commissioned a portrait of her. She was honoured by the Queen with an M.B.E. in 1996.