23rd October 2017 |
Geoff Parkin is Director of Arts at the Royal Over-Seas League, holding responsibility for running their renowned Annual Music Competition, programming concerts, exhibitions and talks, as well as providing opportunities for young musicians, visual artists and writers from all corners of the Commonwealth. He previously ran the chamber music programme at the Royal College of Music and has also worked for Young Classical Artists Trust, Royal Academy of Music and Royal Northern College of Music.
Geoff studied at the Royal Northern College of Music graduating with both a PGDip and a Masters in clarinet performance. His took his undergraduate degree in music at the University of Birmingham. He has performed with orchestras including Orchestra of Opera North, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Manchester Camerata and Northern Ballet Sinfonia and remains a keen performer of both orchestral and chamber music in his spare time.
We are delighted that Geoff has agreed to support the Commonwealth Resounds as our patron and look forward to continuing our close partnership and friendship with the Royal Over-Seas League.
21st October 2017 |
On Saturday 21 October, an enterprising group of talented young musicians and staff from
The Commonwealth Resounds (TCR) will travel to Uganda to work in schools and orphanages
and collaborating in fundraising concerts with our Ugandan musical partners and friends.
This exciting international project has been organised by TCR Trustees Sarah and Nick Oliver
from Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester.
The Kampala Music School says
“At the Kampala Music School, we aim not to turn away talented, would-be composers and
players despite their financial state. With this in mind, the school needs bursary options to
sustain its program. The forthcoming Commonwealth Resounds Gala Concert on October 29th
aims to raise funds for the music programmes at KMS, including the bursary program”.
11th March 2017 |
Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Scotland, stopped and spoke to our young people with such warmth, friendliness and encouragement, and showed a genuine interest in them. THANK YOU, Secretary-General!
Today has seen a wonderful rehearsal at Westminster Abbey with The Commonwealth Resounds, featuring our Commonwealth Festival Choir and Orchestra. This is all in preparation for Monday’s Commonwealth Service. Our contribution to the day will include six beautiful songs, many written by school children, a superb ensemble of string players from The Purcell School and the Royal Academy of Music, plus some wonderful singing from the Apollo Youth Choir, the Peckham Harris Academy and many others.
Halfway through the rehearsal, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Baroness Scotland of Asthal, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth walked in! She spent a long time listening to the groups rehearse and chatted with many of the children involved. It was lovely to see her and we are very grateful for her kindness and generous donation of her time. She commented:
“They sing like angels”
Baroness Scotland
The Service of Celebration for Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey takes place on Monday 13th March and will be broadcast on BBC One, BBC World Service and will be available later on the BBC iPlayer. Tune in from 2:45pm.
