OMS Latest:

Nell - The Musical

'Nell', the brainchild of Dominic Sandford and Millfield English and Media Tutor Suzanne Skinner, is a brand new, original musical chronicling the life and times of actress Nell Gwyn.

Directed by Don Dryden, Musical Director Matt Holmes and Choreography by OM Gemma Wright,' Nell' is set for its World Premiere at the Strode Theatre, Street, in September.

For information about this exciting showcase event , and a chance to be involved in helping it to the local stage, then a wider audience, please go to the website: www.nellthemusical.co.uk

Hannah Miller and The Moulettes

Hannah Miller’s(1998-2003; Day) band; ‘The Moulettes’, which also includes Ruth Skipper (1991-2002; Edgarley and Acacia) on vocals and bassoon, have just finished recording their first 11-track studio CD. It is anticipated that it will be released soon, with details and samples of songs on the Moulettes’ site on My Space. The songs, all by Hannah, are ‘narrative driven’ and feature virtuoso playing from all the members of the band, including violin and drums/percussion. Check them out on My Space.

Ben Hur Live

Stewart Copeland (1967-1969; Orchards), Police drummer and former OM of the year, exclusively composed the soundtrack for the “Ben Hur Live”. Stewart has composed scores for more than 60 films and television shows. He said “I was really thrilled to be taking on the role of narrator in this production. Nothing like Ben Hur Live will have been seen before and I was delighted to take an active role in the live production as well as writing the music. The production, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the famous film, was a great success

Lily Hits the Heights

Lily Allen (1996-97; Edgarley) topped the singles, albums and airplay charts in February 2009. TV couldn’t get enough of her and she appeared on numerous TV shows, both here and in the US, as well as on the cover of 'Glamour' magazine and in TIME and Q Magazines. She toured Australia and Japan in the summer before returning to sing at the Glastonbury Festival, as she has done for the last three years, just down the road from Millfield and Edgarley Hall. Her star continues to rise.

New “Tarka the Otter” Project

Harry Williamson (1964-68; Millfield), son of Henry Williamson, author of Tarka, visited Millfield in the summer en route to Tarka country in Devon. Harry has written a symphonic orchestral work based upon his father’s book and went on to capture footage of the West Country to be shown during future concerts. A fascinating project.

Former Music Tutor Releases CD

“Found in the Rain” is a recording of twelve songs without words, composed by Helen Habershon, former Music Tutor and parent of OMs James (1997-2002; Day) and William (2005-08; Day). This album, photographed by Georgina Clifford (1996-2002; Portway), is a compilation of pieces featuring Helen on clarinet with world-renowned pianist John Lenehan. It is already receiving good reviews and is available on www.amazon.co.uk . Have a look at www.helenhabershon.com to hear sample tracks.

A Musical All-Rounder

Annette Saunders (1984-86; Acacia) regularly performs with instrumental ensembles and singers, giving concerts in Great Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland and the USA, including several live broadcasts for Classic FM and Radio 3. Having studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, where she won a number of prizes for solo recitals and accompaniment, she is now an official accompanist for the Britten-Pears School at Aldeburgh, the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Music, where she recently became a vocal coach. As a repetiteur and coach, she works for English National Opera, Opera North, Buxton Festival, Garsington Opera, Glyndebourne and the Vilar Young Artists at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Quite a talented music all-rounder!

Rupert Has His Own Telegraph Arts Section

Rupert Christiansen (1968-72; Millfield), Chief Opera Critic for the Telegraph, has now been awarded his own section so that, on an irregular basis, he can report and comment on a wide variety of arts news.

Upside Down in a Lavatory

In August, Charles Saatchi published a book about himself. He answered a series of questions put by the Daily Telegraph and printed on 7th September. One concerned Marc Quinn (1978-1982; Ivythorn): “I once suspended a Marc Quinn life-size figure hanging upside down in a small, but tall, guest lavatory. It was a dark orangey rubber cast of his body, looking rather like a shed skin, dangling by its feet so that its head was alongside yours as you sat. I don’t normally play silly games with art, but the artist was coming over for supper and I thought he would appreciate my connoisseurship”