UKAO catches up with 17 year old UK accordionist Thom Hardaker from North Yorkshire who has been invited to study the accordion at the St Petersburg Conservatory in Russia by the well respected Russian virtuoso accordionist Professor Oleg Sharov…

Thom started off by learning playing the keyboard with a local music teacher called Harry Hinchcliffe who teaches keyboard, piano, guitar and accordion. Thom soon found his interests were with the piano accordion and started playing accordion at the age of 7. At the age of 11 by which time Thom had reached grade 5 Harry recommended that he change from a piano to a button accordion. Starting afresh and after 4 years of hard work and much practice Thom achieved grade 8 in his practical exam and grade 6 in theory and now regularly plays in local concerts and fundraising events both solo and with the Craven Accordion Orchestra and the Rob Thorn Band
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In mid-november 2006 whilst playing with the Craven Accordion Orchestra in Giggleswick, North Yorkshire Thom met Professor Oleg Sharov – the main star of the event and prolific Russian virtuoso accordionist well known all around the world. Harry Hinchcliffe had organised with Professor Sharov beforehand for Thom to attend a Master Class with Professor Sharov to have a fresh set of eyes on his repertoire and for Professor Sharov’s valuable and well respected input. Thom had a challenging one hour which he enjoyed immensely having had an insight as to what study was like at the highest level and found he had gained a great deal from the master class, with Professor Sharov being extremely friendly and helpful. Following a brief discussion about Thom’s future career aspirations Professor Sharov suggested that he would like Thom to come study with him in St. Petersburg in the next year adding that he considered that Thom had the potential to become a professional performer. Thom passed his contact details to Professor Sharov and left it at that, six months later he received a phone call from Oleg asking "Is that Thom? - are you still interested in coming to study in Russia with me?" to which Thom without hesitation replied – “Yes please..” - an offer of a lifetime he couldn’t refuse!
 

Thom intends to go to St. Petersburg in September 2007 for one years study initially on the conservatory’s preparatory programme; he will then have the option after this time to stay for another year or possibly 4 years – the four year course teaching up to doctorate level giving a D.M.A. qualification (Doctor of Musical Arts).  Thom was excited to learn that he will be staying in a special accommodation block built for the conservatory students.

Thom will be funding this study course by himself and is currently saving everything he can towards the costs of this exciting educational opportunity, if anybody would like to sponsor him (no matter how small the amount) they can contact Thom direct on Tel: 01535 - 632332 or write to him at:-

Thom Hardaker - The Kings Arms, High Street, Sutton-in-Craven, North Yorkshire, BD20 7LP

Or email Thom on:- This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

UKAO have set up an online donation fund for Thom called 'Tom Russia with Love Fund' where anyone can donate no matter how small an amount via Paypal and a safe secure connection.

Owen Murray, professor of classical accordion at the Royal Academy of Music, London will be playing in a chamber music concert at the Wigmore Hall on Friday 8th June 2007 at 7.30pm. Pieces in the concert to include W.A. Mozart Adagio and Rondo K617, Arnold Schoenberg Second String Quartet, and the London premiere of Poul Ruders On the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean (dedicated to Owen Murray).

Ailish Tynan soprano
Owen Murray accordion
Alexandra Wood violin
Vanessa McNaught violin
Hayley Wolfe viola
Oliver Coates cello

Including
W.A. Mozart Adagio and Rondo K617
Arnold Schoenberg Second String Quartet
Poul Ruders On the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean
(London premiere) dedicated to Owen Murray

36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP
Tickets £18, £16, £12, £10
Box office telephone: +44 (0) 20 7935 2141
Online booking: Wigmore Hall

NMCAC ANNOUNCES THE 16TH ANNUAL NARCISO MARTINEZ CONJUNTO FESTIVAL

The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, with the help of Miller Lite, the San Benito Chamber of Commerce, Su Clinica Familiar, and the City of San Benito is proud to announce the 16th Annual Conjunto Festival. This three-day event has become a staple event for the community, attracting over 5,000 people for a celebration of live Texas-Mexico Conjunto music.

The Conjunto Festival is NMCAC’s largest project of the year and emphasizes preserving a deep south Texas cultural treasure – conjunto music. Narciso Martinez, a native of San Benito, Texas, is credited as being “the father of Texas Mexican conjunto.” “This festival is the only show of its kind, closely related to what Don Narciso originated in the 1930’s,” says Rogelio Nuñez, co-founder and board member of NMCAC. “All these musical groups are loyal to the conjunto tradition. We invite everyone to come learn about this tradition and celebrate with us in an event that connects you to the past.”

Schedule subject to change: