The Hafren Wind Quintet - Launchpad Winners 2011

The Hafren Wind Quintet

The Hafren Wind Quintet was formed by a group of friends who began studying as BMus (hons) students at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in September 2007. They came together through a mutual love of ensemble playing and their motivation, drive and determination together with their sense of fun, passion and ambition has proved a winning formula. Following the success of their first recital just a few months after their formation, the Quintet have performed at music societies and in concert series across Wales and England, gaining a reputation for exciting and musical playing. Keen to make the best use possible of their creative music making, the quintet have raised money for many good causes and taken part in outreach projects for the Touch Trust and school children both locally and further afield. Lovers of new music, the quintet have performed premieres of many works, not only for wind quintet, but also in collaborations with string quartets, singers, and other performers.

The Hafren Wind Quintet have played in masterclasses with many renowned artists and coaches, their main coaches being Meyrick Alexander (former Principal Bassoon, Philharmonia Orchestra) and Christopher Vale (Sub-Principal Bassoon, Orchestra of Welsh National Opera). They took part in the Welsh National Opera Elgar Project in 2007 and as a result, were asked to coach ensembles at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Junior Department. Many members of the Quintet have since been invited to perform as members of the Welsh National Opera Elgar Quintet. In just their second year at the College, the Quintet won second place in the RWCMD Woodwind Chamber Prize. In 2009 they were invited to be the Welsh National Opera Young Players of the Year, culminating in a performance with the National Dance Company of Wales.

The future looks bright for the talented Quintet. They are grateful and privileged to have won the June Emerson Prize, providing them with support at the crucial time when many members graduate from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. With many recitals and outreach projects to come, the Quintet are looking forward to a great deal more years of very enjoyable music making.

Dolce Cinque are to Play at The Bridgewater Hall

On Friday 20th May 2011 at 12.30 pm Dolce Cinque are going to play in the foyer (free admission) at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Award-winning woodwind quintet Dolce Cinque, formed in September 2007 at the Royal Northern College of Music. After playing together for just five months, the quintet won the RNCM Woodwind Chamber Music Competition and Trevor Wye chamber music award.

Dolce Cinque - Emily Berridge (Clarinet), Jo Wilcox (Oboe), Helen Wilson (Flute), Amy Briggs (Bassoon), Kirsty Howe (French Horn)
image: www.dolcecinque.com

Since then the quintet has covered a large and diverse set of repertoire and has performed together in several recitals, always keen to discover new works. Dolce Cinque were asked to premiere new works at the RNCM Chamber Music Festival in 2009 and 2010, and in May 2009 they won the Chris Rowland prize for chamber music performing Poulenc's Sextour for Piano and Winds with Duncan Ward. Most recently, Dolce Cinque have been awarded the June Emerson Launchpad Award.

For more information visit their website: www.dolcecinque.com

Venue Details

The Bridgewater Hall is in the centre of Manchester, easily accessible by public transport and by road.

Metrolink tram passengers should alight at St Peter’s Square. Discounted Metrolink vouchers are available to purchase from the Box Office or online when you buy your concert tickets. The discounted fare is £3.50 adult and £1.50 child; vouchers are valid for unlimited travel from any Metrolink stop after 9.30am.

The nearest bus stops for major routes into the city centre are St Peter’s Square, Portland Street or Deansgate.

The nearest rail stations are Deansgate and Oxford Road.

Coaches can drop off and pick up outside the main entrance on Lower Mosley Street; longer term coach parking is available near Piccadilly Station.

The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS

Event information was taken from www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk