Fairfield Halls’ flagship Piano Academy opens to new students in April 2020.
The Phoenix Piano Academy will launch at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls, a world-renowned performing arts venue with a world-class music offer on site, from April 2020.
Charitable social enterprise and venue operator BH Live has an inspiring commitment to music education, leading to the formation of the Academy, which is aimed at advanced level young pianists up to the age of 18 and beyond Grade 6 level. It is staffed by an impressive team of tutors widely experienced as performers and teachers. Students will have the unique opportunity to perform with resident orchestra, the London Mozart Players.
Students will enjoy the use of Phoenix Pianos which have been installed throughout Fairfield Halls and who are sponsors of the Academy. Phoenix Pianos are a British company that pride themselves on leading the piano manufacture industry with new, high-end piano technologies.
The Phoenix Piano Academy is led by Fred Scott who trained at the Royal Academy of Music. His performing and teaching career has spanned nearly four decades during which time many of his students have achieved success in their own musical and academic pursuits winning awards, prizes and places at prestigious schools, conservatories, universities and performing at the Royal Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Barbican and Fairfield Halls itself.
Fred is extremely passionate about developing skills in music and said,
“We’ve all seen the reports that learning a musical instrument has great benefits. Over the years I’ve seen the potential of a great diversity of students enhanced by music. Physical and emotional well-being, creativity, analytical skills and problem solving are transferable to so many other study and work fields. Music makes life better!”
In addition to the Phoenix Piano Academy, the following opportunities will be offered:
- Beginners (Phoenix Juniors – individual lessons)
- Adults (Phoenix Masters – individual lessons and masterclasses)
- Jazz (Phoenix Jazz – individual lessons)
- A group session for adult beginners is planned for those parents and carers wishing to support their child’s learning and encouraging good practice habits.
The possibility of building an Academy around a programme in every way comparable to a Conservatory-based experience has been long cherished by ambitious young musicians and their families across South London. With the majority of conventional music schools located north of the river or rurally, a significant shortage of world-class opportunities has emerged within easy reach of London and the wider South-East.
For further information and to apply to the Phoenix Piano Academy, contact Fred Scott: Fred.Scott@bhlive.org.uk
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Notes to Editors:
FAIRFIELD HALLS, Park Ln, London CR9 1DG
0203 292 0001
Facebook – @fairfieldcroydon
Twitter – @fairfieldhalls
Instagram – @croydonfairfield
ABOUT PHOENIX PIANOS
Phoenix Pianos are a British company that pride themselves on leading the piano manufacture industry with new, high-end piano technologies.
Founder and Chairman, Richard Dain, is a man of impressive engineering pedigree and tireless vision, who in the early 2000s began to combine his passion for pianos and music with his wide-ranging engineering skills.
A series of ground-breaking innovations have led to the most technologically advanced pianos in the world.
The Phoenix mission is twofold:
- To once again offer inspiration to artists in new levels of acoustic performance, after a century of near complete stagnation within the piano industry.
- To make highly practical improvements to piano design, such as climate resistance, longevity of parts, reliability of performance, and touch response.
Phoenix instruments benefit from:
- Carbon fibre and Kevlar soundboard designs
- A new highly responsive action comprising 3D printed and carbon fibre parts
- Patented bridge technology to improve the power and efficiency of acoustic transfer, giving artists access to a wider dynamic range
The installation of a fleet of Phoenix instruments in the Fairfield Halls, and their sponsoring of the Phoenix Academy, represent a very special moment for both piano design and manufacture, and for this premier venue.
ABOUT CROYDON FAIRFIELD HALLS
At the completion of a multi-million-pound development, Fairfield Halls formally reopened on Monday 16 September 2019.
It is now one of the biggest arts centres in the UK, the largest in South London, and the largest multi-disciplinary arts and entertainment space in South London and the South East.
Its first season runs until March 2020 and includes an eclectic mix of theatre, music, comedy and family entertainment in the 809-seat Ashcroft Playhouse, the world-class 1,802-seat Phoenix Concert Hall, and in spaces across the building, including the Arnhem Foyer – an aspirational community hub with a free programme of events and exhibitions.
New spaces including The Recreational (750-capacity standing live music venue), the Savvy Studio, Talawa Studio, John Whitgift Community Cube, Business Lounge and Terrace Bistro.
With a long and distinguished history, Fairfield Halls is at the heart of Croydon’s new cultural quarter. Talawa, the UK’s primary Black led touring theatre company, the award-winning and inclusive Savvy Theatre Company, and London Mozart Players are companies in residence at the venue.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother opened the Fairfield Halls on Friday 2 November 1962. The inaugural concert in the Phoenix Concert Hall was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent, with renowned soloist Yehudi Menuhin also performing.
The Ashcroft Playhouse (formerly Ashcroft Theatre) was opened on 5 November by Croydon-born Dame Peggy Ashcroft, with the opening ceremony including a monologue by Sir John Betjeman called ‘Local Girl Made Good’. The first play performed was Royal Gambit, starring Dulcie Gray.
The Arnhem Foyer is named after Croydon’s twin-town of Arnhem in Holland.
About BH Live
Fairfield Halls is managed by BH Live in partnership with Croydon Council.
BH Live is a social enterprise and leading operator of leisure and event venues.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
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