Soloists
Below can be found a list of instrumental soloists that Craig has recently collaborated and worked with. Further information on each can be found by clicking on the links to the artists' own sites, where applicable.
Further information on various projects involving these artists can also be found in the projects section of this site, while information on vocal soloists Craig has worked with can be found in the vocalists section
Further information on various projects involving these artists can also be found in the projects section of this site, while information on vocal soloists Craig has worked with can be found in the vocalists section
Steve Bingham
Electric Violinist Steve was the featured soloist of the Electric Brass performances in 2006/07. In the performances Steve performed, with Craig conducting, Dr. Mick Wilson's Concerto for Six String Electric Violin and Brass Band, alongside numerous other innovative works for electric violin.
Steve's own composition, Duplicity, was also featured at the Electric Brass performance at the Royal Academy of Music, London in September 2006.
Further information on Steve can be found at his own site www.stevebingham.co.uk
Steve's own composition, Duplicity, was also featured at the Electric Brass performance at the Royal Academy of Music, London in September 2006.
Further information on Steve can be found at his own site www.stevebingham.co.uk
David Childs
Euphonium virtuoso David was the featured soloist of the 2002 Welsh Brass Arts Festival. At the event David premiered, with Craig conducting, Dr. Michael Ball's Concerto for Euphonium, which had been commissioned that year by the event.
Further information on David can be found at his own site www.davechilds.com
Further information on David can be found at his own site www.davechilds.com
Catrin Finch
Unsurpassed in the skill with her instrument, leading virtuoso harpist Catrin truly deserves her title "Queen of Harps". Aptly described as "one of classical music's most exciting, prodigiously brilliant young stars" Craig has been fortunate to work with Catrin on a number of occasions including her appearances as featured soloist of the 2003 Welsh Brass Arts Festival, soloist in the 2006/07 Electric Brass performances and soloist of the 2008 production The Planets.
Further information on Catrin can be found at her own website www.catrinfinch.com
Further information on Catrin can be found at her own website www.catrinfinch.com
Joji Hirota
Craig worked with percussion virtuoso Joji on the 2007 project World Dances. The collaboration between Joji's Japanese Taiko Drummers and the traditional British-style brass band was without doubt one of the most satisfying projects of the entire festival series.
Further information on Joji, his current activities, and truly outstanding achievements over the years can be found at his own website www.jojihirota.com
Further information on Joji, his current activities, and truly outstanding achievements over the years can be found at his own website www.jojihirota.com
Nick Hudson
Son of star cornetist John Hudson, Nick was appointed principal trombone of the world famous Foden Motor Works Brass Band at the age of just fifteen. During his fourteen years in that position he established an international reputation as one of Europe's finest trombone players and teachers.
On both resident and freelance levels, Nick has played with most of the UK’s top brass bands; Britannia Building Society Band, Leyland Band, Yorkshire Building Society Band, Black Dyke Mills Band, Grimethorpe Colliery and the Fairey Band; and been guest soloist with many ensembles including the New York Staff Band, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland, NJBB Graubunden, National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand, Enfield Citadel Band, Kortrijk Brass Band, Brass Band De Bazuin Oenkerk, Maple Leaf Brass Band, Brass Band Willebroek and Lyngby-Taarbaek Brass Band.
Craig worked with Nick in 2003 where he was guest soloist, with Craig directing, at the Northop Festival of Music.
On both resident and freelance levels, Nick has played with most of the UK’s top brass bands; Britannia Building Society Band, Leyland Band, Yorkshire Building Society Band, Black Dyke Mills Band, Grimethorpe Colliery and the Fairey Band; and been guest soloist with many ensembles including the New York Staff Band, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland, NJBB Graubunden, National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand, Enfield Citadel Band, Kortrijk Brass Band, Brass Band De Bazuin Oenkerk, Maple Leaf Brass Band, Brass Band Willebroek and Lyngby-Taarbaek Brass Band.
Craig worked with Nick in 2003 where he was guest soloist, with Craig directing, at the Northop Festival of Music.
Claire Jones
In 2007, Claire Jones was appointed Official Harpist to His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. Born in Crymych, Pembrokeshire in 1985 Claire began her musical education at the age of 7. She excelled equally on the violin, harp and piano before deciding to pursue a career as a harpist. As a schoolgirl she performed extensively on all three instruments receiving numerous prizes at competitions and festivals including the National Eisteddfod and National Urdd Eisteddfod of Wales. Perhaps a sign of things to come, at the age of 16 she first performed for Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
In 2003 Claire began her studies at the Royal College of Music. Notable solo performances during this period included concertos with the Welsh Sinfonia and the National Youth String Academy of London and recitals at the Fishguard International Music Festival and Aberystwyth MusicFest. She also participated in masterclasses with some of the world’s finest harpists, including Marisa Robles and Isabelle Perrin. In 2006 Claire won the Royal College of Music Harp Competition as well as the solo harp competition at the National Eisteddfod. She was also a finalist at both the 3rd International Harp Competition in Lille, France and the Camac Harp Competition, North London. Under the guidance of her then teacher Ieuan Jones she graduated from the Royal College of Music in 2007 with 1st Class Honours.
Since being appointed HRH’s official harpist Claire has performed for members of the Royal Family on numerous occasions. Engagements have included performances at Windsor Castle, St. James’ Palace, Highgrove House, Clarence House, Cardiff Castle, and Dumphries House, Scotland. In December Claire was invited by Valery Gergiev to join the Mariinsky Theatre Ballet Orchestra as guest artist for a concert at Windsor Castle in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses. She was also asked by the Royal Academy of Music to conduct a private performance for Her Majesty the Queen when she visited the Conservatoire earlier this year.
Notable public appearances over the past year have included solo performances at the opening ceremony of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival (in association with Live Music Now) and Cambridge Summer Music Festival. Alongside fellow harpists Catrin Finch and Jemima Phillips, Claire also performed a specially commissioned piece by Karl Jenkins at the opening gala of the European Harp Symposium at the Millennium Centre Cardiff. Live television and radio broadcasts last year included appearances on GMTV, BBC, HTV, S4C news, S4C Wedi 7, Classic FM, Radio 3, Radio Cymru, and Radio Wales.
Claire recently made her London debut at Cadogan Hall with the English Chamber Orchestra for the premiere of Patrick Hawes’ Lazarus Requiem. Later in the year Claire will again collaborate with Patrick Hawes for the premiere of his piece for solo harp and string orchestra – a specially commissioned piece for HRH the Prince of Wales’s 60th birthday celebrations.
Other highlights for 2008 include a performance of the Mozart flute and harp concerto with William Bennett and the ECO, concertos with the European Union Chamber Orchestra, and performances at London, Bryn Terfel’s Faenol, Plaxtol and Howden Music Festivals.
In December Claire launched her debut CD ‘Touching Gold’ through Kissan Records and will be hosting further launches in Cardiff and London during the summer. In addition, she will be making appearances in support of her chosen Charities – The Prince’s Trust, The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts, and Wellbeing of Women. With support from the Victor Salvi Foundation she will be conducting harp workshops in schools and also working on behalf of Live Music Now throughout the UK.
Currently studying with Skaila Kanga as a postgraduate scholar at the Royal Academy of Music, Claire is one of the first recipients of the Prince of Wales Advanced Study Awards Scheme, aimed at helping Wales’s most outstanding young musical talent. She is kindly supported by the Victor Salvi Foundation and the Cork Fund.
Craig worked with Claire on the 2010 arts project The Red Lady of Paviland, further information on which can be found in the projects section of this site
In 2003 Claire began her studies at the Royal College of Music. Notable solo performances during this period included concertos with the Welsh Sinfonia and the National Youth String Academy of London and recitals at the Fishguard International Music Festival and Aberystwyth MusicFest. She also participated in masterclasses with some of the world’s finest harpists, including Marisa Robles and Isabelle Perrin. In 2006 Claire won the Royal College of Music Harp Competition as well as the solo harp competition at the National Eisteddfod. She was also a finalist at both the 3rd International Harp Competition in Lille, France and the Camac Harp Competition, North London. Under the guidance of her then teacher Ieuan Jones she graduated from the Royal College of Music in 2007 with 1st Class Honours.
Since being appointed HRH’s official harpist Claire has performed for members of the Royal Family on numerous occasions. Engagements have included performances at Windsor Castle, St. James’ Palace, Highgrove House, Clarence House, Cardiff Castle, and Dumphries House, Scotland. In December Claire was invited by Valery Gergiev to join the Mariinsky Theatre Ballet Orchestra as guest artist for a concert at Windsor Castle in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses. She was also asked by the Royal Academy of Music to conduct a private performance for Her Majesty the Queen when she visited the Conservatoire earlier this year.
Notable public appearances over the past year have included solo performances at the opening ceremony of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival (in association with Live Music Now) and Cambridge Summer Music Festival. Alongside fellow harpists Catrin Finch and Jemima Phillips, Claire also performed a specially commissioned piece by Karl Jenkins at the opening gala of the European Harp Symposium at the Millennium Centre Cardiff. Live television and radio broadcasts last year included appearances on GMTV, BBC, HTV, S4C news, S4C Wedi 7, Classic FM, Radio 3, Radio Cymru, and Radio Wales.
Claire recently made her London debut at Cadogan Hall with the English Chamber Orchestra for the premiere of Patrick Hawes’ Lazarus Requiem. Later in the year Claire will again collaborate with Patrick Hawes for the premiere of his piece for solo harp and string orchestra – a specially commissioned piece for HRH the Prince of Wales’s 60th birthday celebrations.
Other highlights for 2008 include a performance of the Mozart flute and harp concerto with William Bennett and the ECO, concertos with the European Union Chamber Orchestra, and performances at London, Bryn Terfel’s Faenol, Plaxtol and Howden Music Festivals.
In December Claire launched her debut CD ‘Touching Gold’ through Kissan Records and will be hosting further launches in Cardiff and London during the summer. In addition, she will be making appearances in support of her chosen Charities – The Prince’s Trust, The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts, and Wellbeing of Women. With support from the Victor Salvi Foundation she will be conducting harp workshops in schools and also working on behalf of Live Music Now throughout the UK.
Currently studying with Skaila Kanga as a postgraduate scholar at the Royal Academy of Music, Claire is one of the first recipients of the Prince of Wales Advanced Study Awards Scheme, aimed at helping Wales’s most outstanding young musical talent. She is kindly supported by the Victor Salvi Foundation and the Cork Fund.
Craig worked with Claire on the 2010 arts project The Red Lady of Paviland, further information on which can be found in the projects section of this site
Paul Shallcross
Craig worked with pianist Paul on the live music and film project Brass Tracks in 2005. Silent movie expert Paul has composed many works to accompany silent movies, notably the early works of Welsh film pioneer William Haggar.
Craig worked with Paul to transcribe a number of Paul's scores for band, which were then conducted by Craig and Paul in live performances to Haggar's original films in the Brass Tracks performances in Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Leicester
Paul continues to be in high demand performing for live film performances across the UK
Craig worked with Paul to transcribe a number of Paul's scores for band, which were then conducted by Craig and Paul in live performances to Haggar's original films in the Brass Tracks performances in Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Leicester
Paul continues to be in high demand performing for live film performances across the UK
James Watson
Craig was fortunate enough to play under legendary trumpet soloist James
Watson as a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales between
1997 and 2001, the entire period James was Artistic Director. Craig also
played under James at the Canford School of Music, and in concert with
the famous Black Dyke Band, under James' baton, at Manchester's
Bridgewater Hall in 2000.
Former principal trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Opera House, London Sinfonia and Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, James was Craig's first choice as featured soloist of the inaugural Welsh Brass Arts Festival in 2001. At the event James premiered Andrew Powell's 'Concerto Melyncoch' for solo trumpet and brass band, which had been commissioned especially for him by Craig for the occasion. Craig conducted that first performance, in the presence of the composer, and also shared the stage with James in performances of the Goedicke Concert Etude, Joy Webb's 'Share My Yoke' and a four piece Ted Heath Big Band Set.
An internationally renowned performer, conductor and tutor James was Head of Brass at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Music until his sudden and untimely death at the age of 59 in February 2011. He continues to be sorely and sadly missed across the musical world.
Former principal trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Opera House, London Sinfonia and Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, James was Craig's first choice as featured soloist of the inaugural Welsh Brass Arts Festival in 2001. At the event James premiered Andrew Powell's 'Concerto Melyncoch' for solo trumpet and brass band, which had been commissioned especially for him by Craig for the occasion. Craig conducted that first performance, in the presence of the composer, and also shared the stage with James in performances of the Goedicke Concert Etude, Joy Webb's 'Share My Yoke' and a four piece Ted Heath Big Band Set.
An internationally renowned performer, conductor and tutor James was Head of Brass at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Music until his sudden and untimely death at the age of 59 in February 2011. He continues to be sorely and sadly missed across the musical world.
