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A flair for passion and spirit

Featured soloists: (left to right) Flautist Nancy Smith and horn player Kent Hayward are soloists in tonight's penultimate Bermuda Festival performance, 'Concerti through the Ages', at St. Paul's Church, Paget.

Tonight's penultimate offering of the 2009 Bermuda Festival brings together four fine soloists and the Bermuda Festival Chamber Orchestra for what promises to be an outstanding evening of classical music at St. Paul's Church in Paget.

On this occasion, the 48-strong Orchestra, including overseas musicians, has the unprecedented opportunity to perform four concerti under the baton of renowned visiting conductor and musician Dr. Madeline Frank.

Former Bermuda music teacher Gaynor Gallant is the soloist in Marcello's 'Oboe Concerto in D Minor'. Among her many accomplishments, the former resident founded the Daylesford Singers choir; was musical director for BMDS pantomimes, and played principal oboe with the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra.

Bermudian horn player Kent Hayward is the soloist in Mozart's 'Horn Concerto No. 4 in E flat major, K.495'. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, and a Master's degree in horn performance from Western Michigan University.

He was also a member of the university's graduate woodwind quartet, and performed for the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Battle Creek Symphony, and the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre's pit orchestra.

Today, Mr. Hayward is head of music at Warwick Academy. His is a member of Brass Works, the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Bermuda Regiment Band. He has also performed in pit orchestras for various Gilbert & Sullivan musicals.

Nancy Smith is the soloist in Reinecke's 'Flute Concerto in D'. She performs with the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra as a soloist, is a regular performer with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and is part of duo 'Tooz Company' with Stephen Crawford. Ms Smith recently made her debut as a jazz flautist with the Daylesford Singers playing Cole Porter.

In addition to being the teacher/librarian at Somersefield Academy, Ms Smith also teaches flute privately.

Adrian Ridgeway earned both his Associate in organ performance and his Licentiate in organ teaching and composition at the Royal College of Music in London. While in the British capital, he also completed an organ building apprenticeship at J.W. Walker Ltd. before returning to the Island to become head of music at Mount St. Agnes Academy. Later he worked as a jazz pianist, and was the resident pianist and music director for the Marriott Castle Harbour hotel. Today, he owns an organ maintenance and organ building company.

Mr. Ridgeway will bring tonight's concert to a dramatic conclusion as the soloist in Poulenc's 'Organ Concerto'.

Directing 'Concerti through the Ages' is internationally acclaimed conductor Dr. Madeline Frank, who has performed in concert and conducted master classes throughout the world. Career highlights include being the first woman, first American, and first violist to perform with the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra in China; being principal violist with the New York City Opera; and performing with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet Orchestra for the Bolshoi, Kirov and Royal Ballet companies.

Dr. Frank has been described as a "brilliant violist who conveys vigour, passion and spirit". For more than 25 years she has also helped adults and children overcome problems through music, and is the author of books and CDs in which she shares her passion for music and learning.

Tonight's concert begins at 8 p.m. For further information/tickets visit website www.bermudafestival.org.