University News Last updated 14 January 2016
One of the world’s greatest living flautists – Sir James Galway – has announced his only UK residency of 2016 will be held at Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University.
Sir James will be joined by his wife Lady Jeanne Galway and together they will host a series of workshops and masterclasses for flute players of all levels and ages during the early May bank holiday this year.
These sessions will be preceded by a concert from the duo on at 3pm on Sunday 1 May in the Conservatoire’s Adrian Boult Hall.
Nicknamed ‘The Man with the Golden Flute’, Sir James Galway is globally renowned as the supreme interpreter of the classical flute repertoire and has sold in excess of 30 million records during a career that spans over 40 years. During this time, the Belfast-born flautist has worked with artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, Sir Elton John and Roger Walters, as well as performing on ‘The Lord of the Rings’ film trilogy soundtracks.
Sir James studied in London and Paris before embarking on his orchestral career in London’s major opera and symphonic orchestras. He took up the coveted position of solo flautist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Herbert von Karajan in 1969, before becoming one of the very first flautists to establish an international solo career in 1975. As well as receiving a Knighthood for Services to Music in 2001, Sir James Galway received the Gramophone Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
"We are thrilled to be associated with such a well-regarded music education establishment, under the new leadership of Julian Lloyd Webber, and are looking forward to our future collaborations together."
One of the leading female flute soloists of the decade, Lady Jeanne Galway is also an accomplished chamber musician and regular performs in the major cultural capitals of the world. A native of New York, Lady Galway dedicates much of her time to working with the younger generation through her educational articles, masterclasses, blogs and recordings.
During their residency at Birmingham Conservatoire, Sir James and Lady Galway will run concurrent workshops and masterclasses on Monday 2 May. These interactive sessions will see the Galway’s share their knowledge for music-making, encouraging flautists of all abilities to improve their techniques, both as solo performers or as part of an orchestra. The day will close with all participants performing together in a large flute choir, conducted by Sir James.
Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, Principal at Birmingham Conservatoire, said:
“Birmingham Conservatoire is delighted to welcome Sir James and Lady Galway for their first residency. Their visit continues our tradition of bringing the world’s finest musicians to the Conservatoire, both for our students and our public audience.
“The Galway residency forms part of Birmingham Conservatoire’s Learning and Participation programme, with the concert, workshops and masterclasses open to players of all ages and abilities. We are looking forward to welcoming flute players from across the country to Birmingham Conservatoire to attend the concert and the learning activities as a joint educational package.”
The Galway Residency at Birmingham Conservatoire takes place between Sunday 1 and Monday 2 May 2016. Information about how to book for the concert and masterclass will be available shortly.