Adjudicators
Piano classes will be adjudicated by Nancy Litten on Sunday 5 May, Monday 6 May (Bank Holiday) and Sunday 12 May 2019
Nancy Litten (piano) won an Arts Council award to study with Julius Isserlis in London at thirteen, and an open piano scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at sixteen, winning prizes during her studies there. She has performed as a pianist in solo, orchestral and chamber music, and as a piano accompanist, being well known in Kent. She is an all-round musician, also having been a freelance orchestral violinist and leader of a string quartet. Tutoring has formed a large part of her life, from beginners through to diploma level; she has taught privately and in many different types of school and on courses and masterclasses. She is an ABRSM examiner, an adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals (serving on the adjudicators’ council), and chair of EPTA (European Piano Teachers’ Association) UK’s Kent region. Alfred Music UK has published a range of her books: ‘Keyed Up’tutors for electronic keyboard, ‘Playing with Colour’tutors for violin (co-authored with Sharon Goodey), ‘Choral and Vocal Warm-ups for pianists’, and ‘Choral and Vocal Sight Singing, with keyboard harmony’. Her original keyboard pieces and piano arrangements can be found in Trinity and ABRSM grade books, and other publications such as Piano Mix andPiano Star.
Singing classes will be adjudicated by Benjamin Costello on Sunday 5 May & Monday 6 May (Bank Holiday) 2019.
Benjamin Costello (singing) is a freelance musical director, adjudicator, singing coach and accompanist, working internationally. He is also Artistic Director of Thames Concerts, Founding Director of Kingston Chamber Singers, Chorus Master for the Leith Hill Musical Festival, Musical Director of Southampton Choral Society, Assistant Artistic Director of Thames Philharmonic Choir, and on the vocal faculty at Laine Theatre Arts. He adjudicates throughout the UK and overseas as a generalist music adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals.
A specialist in musical theatre, with his work in that field embracing musical direction, singing teaching, lecturing and dramaturgy, Ben’s permanent posts have included Arts Educational, Laine Theatre Arts, Guildford School of Acting and the London College of Music, whilst also working for the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity Laban, Mountview Academy, Drama Studio London, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. Outside music he is a keen motorcyclist.
String and Guitar classes will be adjudicated by Kay Tucker on Sunday 12 May 2019
Kay Tucker (Strings and Guitar) was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire and began studies on the cello at the age of 12, continuing studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since 1998, Kay has been in popular demand as an Adjudicator throughout the UK, having worked at well over 200 festivals including the National Festival of Music for Youth. ‘Encouragement’ is a key word in all aspects of Kay’s work and she has great joy in working alongside musicians of all ages, particularly the very young. Kay’s passion for teaching led her to develop an early years strings & general musicianship system known as ‘Stringbabies’. Since its’ inception in 2004, ‘Stringbabies’ has become well established and accepted as a leading approach in strings teaching (surprisingly to all ages!) and is being delivered throughout the UK and abroad in individual teaching practices, schools and music services. In 2013 and 2014, Stringbabies was shortlisted for the Inaugural Rhinegold Music Teachers Awards for Excellence in music education. In 2014 Kay was also a finalist in the BBC Community Heroes Awards in Education in respect of her work in developing ‘Stringbabies’. In 2016, Musicbabies for Recorder was published, being the first adaptation of Stringbabies for a non-stringed instrument. Over recent years, Kay worked as a consultant to Trinity Guildhall, selecting and co-selecting repertoire for graded exams and diplomas. Kay became an Adjudicator Member of the British and International Federation of Festivals in 1997.
