2022
AESS Unsung Heroes Day – Presenter
Concert Artistes Association
Sunday, October 16th 2022
The AESS occasional series of music days ‘Unsung Heroes’ was inaugurated about 15 years ago when a member suggested that Armstrong Gibbs was an underrated and neglected composer of English song, and that the association should present a day of his music, exploring his oeuvre and putting his works into context. This year, the chosen Unsung Heroes were Rebecca Clarke, Christopher Le Flemming and Peter Warlock.
On Sunday October 16th the AESS had another in the occasional series of Unsung Heroes Days.
The venue was the Concert Artistes Association in Bedford Street London WC2.
The singers were Sophie Clarke, ( who won our 2022 Patricia Routledge International Singing Competition) Sarah Leonard ( Chairman), James Hay, Richard Decker, Nicola Harrison, Shaun Holley, Patricia Williams, Veronika Rettich and Mahtab Ghamsari.
The accompanists were Diana Bickley, Nigel Foster, Stephen Gutman and Patricia Williams.
The day was compered by Stephen Miles.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Patricia Williams for organising and co-ordinating the day.
Patricia Williams & Richard Decker
We would also like to thank the CAA for allowing us to use their intimate concert hall which was so perfect for this event.
A new feature on this occasion was the opportunity for members to choose their own Unsung Hero, and we heard a great range of songs in English in part one – by Armstrong Gibbs, Poston, Clay , Munroe, Ireland, O’Brien, Quilter and Capel, and readings about music by Barnfield, Chidi, Walter de la Mare, Moore, Harrison and French.
In part two, after a reading of The Choirmaster’s Burial by Thomas Hardy, we focused on songs by Rebecca Clarke, Christopher le Fleming and Peter Warlock.
My thanks to all the performers for a wonderful day of music making which the audience thoroughly enjoyed. We all heard gems that were new to us and many people said they would perform and pass on the songs heard today.
Nicola Harrison
The full programme and further pictures below.
Sarah Leonard – Chairman
Stephen Miles
Unsung Heroes
Performers: Sophie Clarke, Richard Decker, Mahtab Ghamsari, Nicola Harrison, James Hay, Shaun Holley, Sarah Leonard, Stephen Miles, Veronika Rettich,
Accompanists: Diana Bickley, Nigel Foster, Stephen Gutman, Patricia Williams
AESS Patricia Roputledge National English Song Competition – Co-ordinator
Final – June 26th at the Royal Academy of Music
A Song for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons
‘This is a unique tribute to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’
For the first time in history, on June 2nd 2022, as the Beacons are lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and in the Capital Cities of the Commonwealth countries in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a specially-composed Song for the Commonwealth will also be sung by choirs of all sizes and age groups.
On June 2nd 2021, the official Song for the Commonwealth Competition was launched, inviting people everywhere to create lyrics and music suited to this historic occasion and moment in The Queen’s life on 2nd June next year. We had an amazing response and have received many wonderful and meaningful entries from all over the Commonwealth.
The chosen song will be announced on December 2nd 2021.
This song will be made available from January 2nd 2022 online and carefully prepared for choirs to learn in readiness to perform it on June 2nd 2022 at 9.45 p.m. (evening) in local time zones around the world. The song can be performed by choirs in central locations of their choice within their local communities. This can happen whether or not a Beacon is being lit there, uniting the world through the sound of music and song in tribute to Her Majesty The Queen on that evening.
The words, musical score and parts will be available to view and download from 2nd January 2022. There will also be audio recordings for choirs who don’t read music and the song can be sung either as a solo or in harmony.
All choirs are welcome to take part and we strongly encourage them to confirm their involvement by using the link below.
https://www.commonwealthresounds.com/qpjb/
We do hope that many thousands of choirs throughout the UK and overseas will participate in this special, unforgettable occasion and look forward to receiving confirmation of their involvement, enabling us to register and promote their part in this historic Jubilee.
Bruno Peek – LVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons
Alison Cox OBE, Founder and Chair of Trustees, The Commonwealth Resounds
Useful links:
https://www.commonwealthresounds.com
https://www.queensjubileebeacons.com/guide
2021
Folk Songs & Other Ditties – Clun, Shropshire – July 24th and 25th
The AESS Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition 2021 July 3rd
Co-ordinator
Visit the AESS website
AESS Courtney Kenny Award – preliminary round judge May 30th
Visit the AESS website
2020
AESS
Courtney Kenny Award and Patricia Routlendge National English Song Competition
Co-ordinator
2019
Masterclass with pupils of Jane Roberson
Dentford Heights Studio, Gressenhall
November 17th
The AESS Patricia Routledge Nation English Song Competition – June
The AESS Courtney Kenny Award – March
Co-ordinator for both competitions
2018
The AESS Patricia Routledge Nation English Song Competition – June
Co-ordinator
Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year Norfolk Heat
Gresham’s School, Holt
Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year Norfolk Heat Judge
Sunday January 28th 2018
Eastern Daily Press Release:
Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year Regional Final
Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year Regional Final – Judge
Sunday, February 25th
2017
Messiah at Gresham’s School
Messiah from Scratch – Tenor soloist
Gresham’s School, Holt
Sunday, December 10th 2017
7.30pm
Hindringham Methodist Guild
November 10th 2017
AESS Unsung Heroes Concert Cambridge – September 24th at 3.00pm
Rotary Young Musician of the Year North Norfolk Heat – Adjudicator
Sunday, 29th January 2017 at 2.30pm
Chapel of Gresham’s School
2016
North Walsham Opera Appreciation Club
The recorded legacy of an opera house built on a convent garden
The Highways and Byways of Opera
No matter how well one thinks one knows one’s opera, there are always some surprising facts, figures and episodes that surprise. I enjoy walking the highways and byways of opera, exploring some of the lesser know comings and going of the operatic world in its history and practice. In this lecture, I am looking at the recorded legacy of an opera house situated on what was once a convent garden west of the City of London. Currently, The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the building is the third theatre on this site and it has a varied, rich and sometimes surprising history.
North Walsham Opera Appreciation Club
Tuesday, November 1st at 7.30pm, The Atrium, North Walsham
The Great American Songbook
My Life Around Opera
Stephen recounts how he got the ‘opera bug’ after singing as a child at Covent Garden. A humorous romp through a life lived immersed in opera, both as a performer and connoisseur, with audio examples.
St Ninnian’s Church, North St, Moniaive, Dumfriesshire
Sunday August 21st at 3.00pm for one hour
Admission: £10
The Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition 2016 – Co-ordinator
The Guildhall School of Music & Drama on Wednesday, May 25th from 6.00pm
Let Us Garlands Bring – April 23rd 2016
On the occasion of Her Majesty, the Queen’s 90th birthday and Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary of death, Let Us Garlands Bring celebrates all that is best in British music and the English language with a programme of songs across four centuries.
With Kathleen Wyatt – piano
Saturday, April 23rd at 5.00pm for one hour
Christ Church, Fulmodeston NR21 0LZ
Free entry, retiring collection for the church
Folk Songs & Other Ditties
The AESS Courtney Kenny Award 2016 – Co-ordinator
The final will take place at Tonbridge School on Sunday March 6th
Rotary Young Musician of the Year, District Final – Judge
February 28th, Big School, Gresham’s School at 2.30pm
February 28th, Big School, Gresham’s School at 2.30pm
Norfolk District Final
Norfolk District Final
2015
FROM FLANDERS TO THE TOWER November 28th at 3.00pm
Jennifer Thomas narrator
Stephen Miles tenor/reciter
Kathleen Wyatt piano
The story behind the ceramic poppies in words, music and pictures, devised by Jennifer and Stephen with a script by Richard Thomas, gives a special insight not just into that wondrous display at the Tower of London to commemorate the start of the First World War, but also of life in the trenches and the dreadful wartime days the poppy commemorates. This extended tapestry of poems and songs is incredibly moving.
Saturday 28 November 2015, 3pm
The Old Chapel, South Creake, NR21 9JF
Tickets £10, refreshments available.
Booking through the Yorke Trust website www.yorketrust.org or 01328 823501
The Life, Times and Artistry of Maria Callas. November 3rd at 7.30pm, the Atrium, North Walsham
An illustrated talk about one of the most important singers of the 20th Century.
North Walsham Opera Appreciation Society at 7.30pm, The Atrium, North Walsham
November 3rd
A Night at the Musicals
with Nicholas Hills – piano
St Mary’s Church, Tittleshall PE32 2PN
Saturday, October 10th at 6.00pm for one hour
Free Entry, retiring collection for the church
The Bishop’s Prize for Music 2015, Co-ordinator. Prize-giving at a service of evensong on September 22nd at Norwich Cathedral
Bishop’s Prize for Music: http://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/article?id=2076
Wymondham Choral Society
St. Mary’s Church Attleborough
Sat 18 Jul 2015 7.30
Every Purpose under the Heavens by Howard Goodall
In the Mood – Classic popular songs
Karen Harries – Mezzo-soprano Stephen Miles – Tenor
http://www.wymondhamchoralsociety.org.uk
Review:
“… a highlight of the evening, ‘Stranger in paradise’, ‘With a song in my heart’ and ‘All the things you are’ were the seductive songs chosen by the fine tenor, Stephen Miles.”
Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury 13/08/15
Folk Songs & Other Ditties, Thursford Church, July 11th at 5.00pm
Folk Songs & Other Ditties at Hindolveston Church, June 27th at 5.00pm
Spring Concert, Fakenham Methodist Church, April 18th at 7.00pm Withdrew due to illness
The AESS Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition – Co-ordinator
Final to be held Wednesday May 13th
Visit: http://www.aofess.org.uk/competitions/
The AESS Courtney Kenny Award – Co-ordinator
Final to be held on Sunday March 15th
Visit: http://www.aofess.org.uk/competitions/
Love Songs with Peter Macken – Piano and Peter Trent – Lute
The Norton Rooms, The Shrine of Our lady of Walsingham February 13th
Burns Night at Sheringham Golf Club January 24th As part of a Burns Night supper at Sheringham Gold Club Stephen will sing some Burns songs with James N. Laird at the piano.
2014
November 1st at 11.00am. Thornage Parish Church – Songs of Memory with James. N Laird as part of the opening of the WW1 exhibition.
November 4th at 7.30pm – Tenorissimo! A talk about favourite operatic tenors, their voices and repertoire. The Atrium, North Walsham Opera Appreciation Club,
July 25th at 12.30pm – Songs of Memory to commemorate the Great War with Kathleen Wyatt – Piano at St Andrew’s Church, Holt as part of the Holt Festival Fringe. Visit: http://www.holtfestival.org/
July 22nd at 12.00pm – Folk Songs & Other Ditties at the Wells-next-the-Sea Methodist Chapel with Kathleen Wyatt – Piano
June 13th Masques and Masquerades, King’s Lynn Town Hall http://www.visitwestnorfolk.com/explore/kings-lynn/history/the-burney-family
http://www.visitwestnorfolk.com/sites/default/files/Burney_Festival.pdf
An evening of words and music
from the Early Diaries of Fanny Burney
http://www.karinfernald.com/?page_id=222
May 7th – AESS Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition – Co-ordinator Visit: http://www.aofess.org.uk/competitions.php
Eaton Parishes Concert, Norwich April 6th at 7.00pm St Nicholas Mass- Hayden, Dixit Dominus -Handel
March 9th – AESS Courtney Kenny Award – Co-ordinator Visit: http://www.aofess.org.uk/competitions.php
March 1st at 5.30pm – Folk Songs & Other Ditties at St Mark’s Church, Newnham, Cambridge CB3 9JZ with Kathleen Wyatt – Piano
2013
- Wymondham Choral Society Christmas Concert – Attleborough
- Songs of Memory – Hindringham
- Songs of Memory for Remembrance Day – Fakenham
- War Requiem – Britten – Shanghai
- The History of Opera – Illustrated Lecture. – North Walsham
- Folk Songs & Other Ditties – Holt
- A Night at the Musicals – Thursford
- The Threepenny Opera – Director
- AESS Courtney Kenny Award Final – Coordinator – Tonbridge
- My Life as a Singer & A Matinee – Wells Next the Sea
- Out of Joint: Unsettling Songs for Wintry Days – Fulmodestone
2012
- An Evening on the High Seas – Fulmodeston
- ‘A Night At The Musicals’
- ‘Let Us Garlands Bring’ – Holt
- ‘Let Us Garlands Bring’ – Wells Next the Sea
- Elements at the Wellcome Collection
- ‘Long May She Reign’
- ‘A Night At The Musicals’ Great songs from Broadway and the West End – Kings Lynn
- A talk given to the North Walsham Opera Appreciation Club – North Walsham
- Britten’s Albert Herring – Director and Designer – Holt
- The AESS Courtney Kenny Award Final – Co-ordinator – Tonbridge
2011
- Messiah (Handel) – Eaton Parishes, Norwich
- ‘Back to Broadway’ – Wells Next the Sea
- Workshop for Singers with Susie Self
- Holt to Holt – Holt
- Curry and Choral ‘Folk Songs & Other Ditties’ – Wells
- Love Songs with David Lane – Fulmodestone
- ‘Back to Broadway’ Seastar Festival – Hindringham
- Concert to Celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Kings James Version of the the Bible – Fulmodestone
- Love Songs – Sacred & Profane – Holt
- A Plainsong Workshop followed by an Act of Worship – Holt
- ‘From the Briny Sea’ with Kathleen Wyatt – Weasenham
- AESS Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition Final – Coordinator – Trinity Laban
- Concert to celebrate two Elizabethan Reigns – Fulmodeston
- Recital with lutenist Peter Trent – Great Ryburgh
- Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition Final – Co-ordinator
- Nelson Mass, Haydn – Norwich
- Suor Angelica by Puccini – Director – Holt
- Mass in C Minor K139, Waisenhausemesse – Eaton
- Stibbard WI Concert – Stibbard
- Gresham’s Prep School ‘In Concert’ – Fulmodestone
- Hindringham Guild Concert – Hindringham
- AESS Courtney Kenny Award Final – Coordinator
- Song Competition – Adjudicator – Leatherhead
2010
- Christmas Concert: Messe de Minuit, Charpentier and Magnificat – Fakenham
- Paukenmesse, Haydn – Eaton
- ‘Songs of Memory’ – Fulmodestone
- Workshop of scenes and arias with North Norfolk Chamber Opera – Wells-next-the-Sea
- Singers Intensive – Hindringham
- The Choir of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge In Concert – Fulmodestone
- ‘Tenor & Baritone’ Two Voices: One Concert – Fulmodeston
- Love Songs, Sacred & Profane – Little Walsingham
- ‘Folk Songs & Other Ditties’, – Weasenham
- Village Arts Week – Fulmodeston & Barney
- From The Briny Sea – Wells Next the Sea
- Carmen – London
- The AESS, Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition Final – Coordinator
- Ayres & Graces – Great Ryburgh
- Folk Songs and Other Ditties – Suffolk
- Schubert Mass in G – Norwich
- Choral Concert – Norfolk
- Haydn The Seasons – Norwich
- Armstrong Gibbs Concert -Unsung Heroes Series for the AESS – Ongar
- Messiah – Norfolk
2009
- Creation (Haydn), Octagon Singers – Norwich
- Songs My Mother Taught Me – Recital – Stibbard
- Messiah (Handel) – Norwich
- Fulmodestone Arts Weekend – Director – Fulmodestone
- Folk Songs & Other Ditties – Recital – High Kelling
- Coronation Mass (Mozart), Nelson Mass (Haydn) – Fakenham
- Co-ordinator for the AESS Patricia Routledge National Song Competition
- A 20th Century Life – Recital – Fulmodestone
2008
- Juror: Catherine Lambert Junior Recital Prize, AESS
- The Music of Betty Roe – For the AESS, London
- Folk Songs & Other Ditties – Concert For All Saints’, Kettlestone
- Gregorian – Summer tour of Germany
- Messiah – Fakenham Choral Society
- Messiah Arias – Winburga Singers, Dereham
- The Golden Compass film soundtrack
2007
- Norwich Cathedral Choir
- Ligeti Requiem – Lucerne Festival
- La Passion de Simone – CBSO, Barbican
- Crucifixion/St Matthew Passion/Messiah Excerpts – Fakenham Choral Society
- Come Unto Him – Winburga Singers, Dereham
- Auden Cabaret – Gresham’s School
- Recital – Stibbard Church
2006
- Recording and DVD for PBS America in Vienna with German vocal group
2004
- Gregorian Tour of Russia – Gregorian
2002
- Agent working with Talent Artists Ltd 2002-2007
2001
- Hatfield House Tudor Evenings (Earl of Essex)
2000
- St. Matthew Passion world tour – English Concert
- Der Fliegender Holländer – De Vlaamse Opera, Antwerp and Ghent
- Opera Concerts – Lyric Voices
1999
- Cosi Fan Tutte (Ferrando) – St Albans Chamber Opera
- Carmen (Don Jose) – Belcanto Festival Opera
- Mefistophele – Royal Opera
1998
- Parsifal – Royal Opera at the Rome Opera House
- Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu) – Surrey Opera, Minack Theatre
- Buxom Joan (the Tinker) & Boatswain’s Mate (the Boatswain) – St Albans Chamber Opera
1997
- Lohengrin, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Apprentice) Covent Garden
- Otello, Simon Boccanegra – Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
- The Winter’s Tale (vocalist) – Shakespeare’s Globe opening season
1996
- Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu) – Southgate Opera
- Götterdammerung, Nabucco – Royal Opera
- Moses und Aaron – Royal Festival Hall
- Lucia di Lammermoor (Arturo) – Opera della Luna, Guildford and York
1995
- Season Opera de Lyon, France
- Kismet – Radio 2
1994
- Cappriccio (Ein Diener) – Garsington Festival Opera
- The Seasons, Holliger – European tour and recording
- Peter Grimes (Bob Boles) – Mumford Theatre, Cambridge
- Curlew River – Music Theatre Ulster, Covent Garden Festival
1993
- Der Fliegender Holländer – Royal Opera
- Acis and Galetea – Wiltz Festival, Luxembourg
- Sinfonia, Berio – Amsterdam Concergebouw
1992
- Alcione – Les Arts Florissants, Paris and European tour
- Pygmalion – Les Arts Florissants, recording
1991
- The Magic Flute (Monostatos and First Armed Man) – Regency Opera, York Theatre Royal
- Pan and Syrinx (Sylvan) – London Baroque Opera, St George’s Hanover Square
- Le Nozze di Figaro – Georg Solti, conductor. European tour
1990
- Aix en Provence Festival
- Sinfonia – Pierre Boulez, conductor. Barbican Hall
- Kurt Weil Retrospective – Almeida Festival and BBC 2 – Robert Ziegler and the Matrix Ensemble
1989
- Aix en Provence Festival
- Carmen – Earls Court
1988 – 1979
- Cappriccio (Light Music Group) – tour of France
- Trial by Jury (Defendant) – Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond Festival
- Kent opera (nine seasons) – UK, Singapore, Valencia, Vienna
- Coronation of Poppea (Arnalta) – Kent Opera
- Mikado – New Sadlers Wells Opera, Jerusalem Festival
- Camelot (Sir Lionel cover and performance) – Apollo Theatre, West End
- The Dancing Years (Ceruti) – Theatre Royal, Norwich
- Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus) – Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
- Katarina – Northcott Theatre, Exeter
- Cats (Vocal Booth) – New London Theatre (six years)
- Gilbert & Sullivan shows – touring Northern Europe
- ILEA workshops for schools
- Carmen, Manon Lescaut, La Clemenza di Tito (actor) – Royal Opera
- Gilbert and Sullivan productions around England with World of G&S
- Graduated, Royal College of Music, London. GRSM Hons 1979
- Freelance session singing
- Friday Night is Music Night for Nigel Brooks and Serenata Voices
- Member of Guards Royal Military Chapel Choir (1990 – 1997)
- Gentleman of the Choir, Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy (1997 – 2007)
- Film soundtracks including the Star Wars Franchise, The Lord of the Rings franchise, A Christmas Carol, Crimson Tide, Enemy At The Gate, The Golden Compass, with London Voices
- BBC Proms performances with various consorts
© Stephen Miles