Overview

Peter Beaven's tale leads us through the pitfalls and triumphs of a career in choir directing and church music, orchestral conducting, and professional singing in choirs and stage works. His teaching experiences are just as hair-raising as his performing life. Being there at the inception of the GCSE music exam, as a teacher, he felt it wasn't an improvement on the previous exam and became disenchanted with education, in general, and music education in particular. The author maintains that he failed every exam he ever sat, adding much weight to his argument, but also admits to a modicum of success along the way. Despite earlier difficulties with a genetic neuropathy, he conquered the disabilities to regain an organ technique at the age of fifteen, which has served him well for over fifty years. His adventures with the military have been a twenty-year expedition through extraordinary happenings, personalities, and experiences. All worthwhile but in marked contrast to many other facets of his career.

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9781789632477

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Peter Beaven studied at Trinity College of Music, London with Dr Harry Gabb, Charles Proctor and James Gaddarn. He was, for thirteen years, a member of the academic staff of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he taught organ and musicianship. For two years Peter was Assistant Director and Senior conducting clinician of the St. Paul's Experience, a widely acclaimed and prestigious International Summer School for organists, choral directors and choral singers, held at St. Paul's Cathedral, London. He also sang with and was for many years Assistant Director of the Wren Singers of London and had the distinction of being a Deputy Vicar Choral at St. Paul's Cathedral for several years. He was, for 23 years, conductor of the Ashford Choral Society. During his tenure he conducted the choir in some 80 concerts covering most of the major repertoire, at least once! In collaboration with the late Carlo Curley, Peter Beaven recorded a highly successful CD in 1997 with the Society entitled Joy to the World. For several years he was also Music Director of the Carlo Curley Gala Christmas Concerts in London. Two were broadcast and one had the distinction of being the first live Christmas concert to be heard on the then fledgling Classic FM. Peter has played and conducted in many prestigious venues from St Paul's Cathedral, London and the Cathedral of St John the Divine, NYC to the Chapel of Wormwood Scrubs Prison, London. Peter was appointed Organist and Director of Music of The Royal Memorial Chapel, The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in March 2002 and in the same year was honoured by receiving Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts.

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