Park Lane Group New Year Concert Series 2003

Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall, London

Programme:

"The Park Lane Group's prestigious Young Artists New Year Series returns for its annual display of highly gifted young artists in programmes of contemporary music plus some earlier classics.

A triple opportunity is thereby created for imaginative programming, a powerful demonstration of the musicians' talents, and vibrant performances of a wide range of music.

The success of this format over many years has created in the PLG Series a prominent platform for young artists, very many of whom are now among the best-known and respected performers.

A tiny random choice from those who made initial appearances in the PLG Young Artists Series includes Thomas Ades, Sir Thomas Allen, David Atherton, Andrew Ball, Emily Beynon, David Campbell, Imogen Cooper, Coull String Quartet, Stephanie Gonley, Clio Gould, John Harle, Steven Isserlis, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Julian Lloyd Webber, Jane Manning, John McCabe, Medici String Quartet, the Nash Ensemble, John Ogdon, Antony Pay, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Sarah Walker, John Wallace, Moray Welsh and many others.

For the 2003 Series, nearly 200 artists in their twenties auditioned last Spring in the Purcell Room and, after a long selection process, 34 have been chosen playing a wide range of instruments.

The Series Programme Committee, chaired by Martin Cotton, has selected 59 works by 54 composers. There are thirteen premieres.

The week's concerts will be recorded and a composite programme will be broadcast."

Excert from the Derby Evening Telegraph, 20 Dec 2002:

Concert joy for talented pianist

Jane (27) will play at the Royal Festival Hall

A pianist is celebrating after being chosen to play at a prestigious concert for outstanding young musicians at the Royal Festival Hall in London

Jane Ford who has been playing piano since the age of six, will be performing in a Young Artists New Year Series concert in January. A composer friend has written a musical piece especially for her.

The 27-year-old, of Hall Farm Close, Castle Donington, who performs recitals around the country and hopes to become a full-time concert pianist, was one of 200 hopefuls to audition for 15 places.

She said the concert, organised by musical charity Park Lane Group (PLG), was a dream come true, She said: “This is the biggest event I’ve ever done and I’m really thrilled to have been given the opportunity.

“When I’m playing I feel absolutely exhilarated and alive. It’s an incredible feeling that I couldn’t live without.”

Mrs Ford’s big break comes after a lifetime of devotion to music. Brought up in Devon, she finished her education at a specialist music school in Somerset before completing a degree in music and drama at Birmingham University.

She moved to Derby in 1997 while her husband was studying at the city’s university, and recently moved to Castle Donington

She teaches at Repton Preparatory School and at St Mary and St Ann’s School, in Abbots Bromley, as well as offering a private piano teaching service.

She said: “I love teaching and working with children who really care about music, because I’m so passionate about the piano.

“But my dream is to be a full time performer, so there has to be a balance between teaching and playing.”

As well as the opportunity to perform in front of the national press, the PLG concert will also give Mrs Ford the opportunity to play a world premier of a piece by friend and Bristol composer Geoffrey Poole.

She said: “It’s more than I could have hoped for and such a wonderful chance. The music is challenging and varied.”

John Wolf, director of PLG, said the concert was in its 47th year and aimed to help young musicians realise their full potential.

He said: “We provide a prominent platform for outstanding young musicians, which is demonstrated by some going on to become well known names in music.”

Mrs Ford will be playing at the Purcell Room of the Royal Festival Hall, London, at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 9.

Derby Evening Telegraph | 20 Dec 2002 | by Grace Henderson