Sue Aston: Violin BA Honours GBSM ABSM (Performance) ABSM (Teaching)

Sue Aston Inspirational Journey GLCD1002

I don't think I can recall one album that has touched me so deeply as Inspirational Journey by Sue Aston.

Sue Aston's violin playing reaches out with such emotion that I felt I was listening to the soundtrack of life itself. All aspects of life are here, from the village community of 'Sketches of Newlyn, rural folklore with maypole dance and the orchestral sweep of Elly's Theme. The compositions and melodies are so strong that its hard to pick individual highlights. It won't be long before Sue Aston's name starts to appear on film and TV credits. For me I am going back to the CD to play it yet again! Richard Phillips

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Private violin and piano tuition (masterclasses available)

Sue Aston BA Honours GBSM ABSM (Performance) ABSM (Teaching)

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Sue Aston: Violin and Piano

BA Honours GBSM ABSM (Performance) ABSM (Teaching)

Sue Aston has appeared on professional classical recordings, radio broadcasts, and television (Classic FM TV), both nationally and internationally, and worked with eminent musicians such as: Simon Rattle, Nigel Kennedy (violin), Peter Donohoe, Yehudi Menuhin, Sir Charles Groves, Esa Pekka Salonen, Gordon Giltrap and Chris De Burgh.

Private Violin Tuition (children and adults)

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Private Piano Tuition (children and adults)

'I took up the piano in my late twenties, but gave up when I had children. Ten years on I decided to continue learning the piano. In a short period of time, Sue Aston has taught me how to play with confidence and with feeling, and most importantly, the lessons are fun and relaxed'. Jackie Woolley Piano Student

'Katie has made a marked improvement with her piano lessons under the excellent tuition, Sue, with her enthusiastic and friendly approach, makes piano lessons fun and enjoyable. She has an excellent rapport with her music students. Sue has a way of encouraging her students to do well. Katie has always been keen to practice the homework Sue has set without it being a chore. Sue has always made Katie’s lessons as varied as possible, slotting in the occasional' chart’ hit in addition to examination pieces. I cannot praise Sue highly enough. Katie has improved dramatically over the last couple of years. She is now reading music fluently and will attempt any piece of music with confidence. Sue has given Katie an excellent grounding for which I am eternally grateful'. Lisa Smith

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'I took up the piano in my late twenties, but gave up when I had children. Ten years on I decided to continue learning the piano. In a short period of time, Sue Aston has taught me how to play with confidence and with feeling, and most importantly, the lessons are fun and relaxed'. Jackie Woolley Piano Student

On holiday in Cornwall?

Why not book a violin lesson or piano lesson with Sue Aston and use the Cornish landscape to inspire your playing

Sue Aston Violin

Birmingham Conservatoire

1987 A.B.S.M. Violin Teaching Diploma – With Merit

1988 B.A. Honours Degree in Music – Second Class, Division One

1989 A.B.S.M. Violin Performing Diploma – With Distinction

1989 G.B.S.M. Specialism in Performing studies - Distinction in Practical Performance

Playing experience

Member of various Conservatoire orchestras, including:

Symphony Orchestra – Principal 2^nd Violin and Deputy Leader

Chamber Orchestra - Principal 2^nd Violin and Deputy Leader

String Orchestra

Baroque Orchestra – Leader

Opera Orchestra – Principal 2^nd Violin and Deputy Leader

New String Orchestra – Leader for a concert at the Imperial College London<, with a performance of ‘Variations on a theme by Thomas Tallis’, by Vaughan Williams – with the Conservatoire Chamber Orchestra at Birmingham Cathedral, for a performance of Vivaldi’s concerto for four violins.

Competitions

1988 – Finalist in the Sylvia Cleaver Chamber Music competition, with a performance of Yuji Takahashi’s work ‘For you I sing this song’

1989 – Runner up in the B.M.I. String finals

1990 – I represented the Conservatoire in the Shell / L.S.O. String competition, and also in the British Music Society Awards for Strings

I have taught both adults and children from beginner to advanced levels, many of whom have successfully passed the ABRSM exams with merit and distinction. Some of my pupils – adults in particular – prefer to ‘play for pleasure’, rather than take formal music exams. I find this equally rewarding, and encourage the study of a broad range of musical styles to suit the individual’s needs.

2004 - Violin and piano teacher for the Cornwall Music service. Also coaching the Cornwall Youth Orchestra

Professional playing experience

Since graduating from the Birmingham Conservatoire in 1989, I have freelanced with the following orchestras: The D’oyly Carte Opera Company, The Cotswold Sinfonia and Orchestra Da Camera – with whom I took part in a documentary about the composer Rodriguez. This was entitled ‘Shadows and Light’, and was filmed by a Canadian film crew and broadcast on Channel Four. I have also played for Peter Donohoes’ Corinthian Orchestra, and work included a televised concert which formed part of the Jersey Music Festival. We also took part in the Solihull Music Festival, and also performed at Coombe Abbey to provide music for an outdoor firework display.

As a soloist, I worked with the Australian guitarist Pete Hawkes, which involved supporting Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick at a concert at Whitby Pavilion Theatre, as well as playing at various folk clubs. This provided me with a wealth of experience, as I had only one week to learn music from two of his albums. We were working as a duet, and there was no sheet music available.

I have, and still continue, to lead various string quartets which perform at weddings and social functions. My own ensemble is ‘Classical Strings’, and has its own website, www.classicalstrings.co.uk I have also worked as a soloist for a wedding proposal!

Professional recordings

‘The Marshes of Glynn’ and ‘Centenary Firedances’, by Andrew Downes. While still at the Conservatoire, I was a soprano in the chorus for ‘The Marshes of Glynn’, and for the ‘Centenary Firedances’, I was Deputy Leader of the orchestra.>

‘Abandon Hope’, an EP by ‘The Liberty Thieves. I was leader of a string quartet which accompanied an Indie band.
‘Music for the Small Screen’, by Gordon Giltrap. I was featured as a soloist on Gordon’s CD, on the track ‘The Unbroken Promise’. The album also featured Brian May, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, and Midge Ure.
‘Quiet Revolution’, by Chris de Burgh. I was a member of the first violin section for ‘The Heart of England Philharmonic’, which provided backing music on four tracks for the recording of this CD.
‘Sacred Landscapes’, by Sue Aston. This was my first solo CD which was a collection of sixteen tracks which I wrote after drawing inspiration from the Cornish landscape. The instruments I use are violin and keyboard. Gordon Giltrap is featured as the guitarist on two tracks, and my husband, Phil – who co wrote a couple of the tracks - plays guitar on the others.
‘Inspirational Journey’, by Sue Aston. This is my follow up CD, and again is composed as a tribute to Cornwall The work consists of ten tracks, and is the result of a collaboration with Mark Lane who produced and recorded the album with me.

Radio broadcasts.

As a result of my two solo CDs, I was invited to give interviews about my composing work on BBC Radio WM, BBC Radio Cornwall, and CKFM. My music has also been played on Stephen Freygood’s show, on CBC Radio Halifax, in Canada. I have also appeared in several local newspapers.

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