Music at GMC

David Briggs is an internationally renowned organist who has built a worldwide reputation as an innovative musician and dazzling performer. Increasingly sought after for his orchestral transcriptions and improvisation, his performances are applauded for their musicality, virtuosity and ability to excite and engage audiences of all ages.
He studied organ with Jean Langlais in Paris. The first British winner of the Tournemire Prize at the St Albans International Improvisation Competition, he also won the first prize in the International Improvisation Competition at Paisley. At the age of 17 he obtained his FRCO diploma, winning the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
David is also Organist Emeritus of Gloucester Cathedral and is increasingly in demand as a composer.
With an extensive repertoire spanning five centuries, David is also frequently asked to perform improvisation to silent films such as Phantom of the Opera, Nosferatu, Jeanne d’Arc and Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. His annual silent film performance in Nurnberg’s Sebaldplatz has become a highlight of International Organ Week.

Combining the talents of northerners STU HANNA and DEBBIE HANNA, the duo Megson are fast becoming hot property on the British folk and roots scene. Their four albums, ON THE SIDE, SMOKE OF HOME, TAKE YOURSELF A WIFE and the new release THE LONGSHOT have chronicled that blossoming creative talent.
Three times nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and winners of the 2010 Spiral Earth Awards the husband and wife duo of Stu Hanna and Debbie Hanna hail from Teesside and draw heavily on this heritage to create their unique brand of folk music. Their infectious sound is a mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and driving rhythmic guitars and mandolas.
Since the duo’s genesis in 2004 the couple have played up and down the country at numerous folk clubs and festivals picking up a strong fanbase along the way and selling out their extensive tour dates. Their growing talent was recognised with 2 nominations for BEST DUO in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2009 & 2010. The Independent has listed Megson in their 5 GIGS TO SEE section on numerous occasions and they recently received a 4 star review for their live show from THE FINANCIAL TIMES.

Gedymin Grubba was born in 1981 in northern Poland. He is an organist, composer, conductor and artistic director. In 2006 he graduated from the Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdansk, where he studied organ with Roman Perucki and composition with Eugeniusz Glowski.
Since 2003 he has been the Chairman of the Promotion of Art Gabriel Fauré Foundation in Gdansk, which organizes about forty concerts a year, including The International Festival of Organ Music in the Pelplin Cathedral. Gedymin Grubba has taken part in numerous master classes in Europe (there have been 14 so far).
Since 1996 he has performed in more than fifty concerts each year in different cities all over the world and last year (2011) he celebrated the 15th anniversary of his artistic work.

Consisting of cellist Rebecca Hewes and organist Julian Collings, Svyati Duo take their name from their first collaboration as cellist and conductor in a performance of Sir John Tavener's masterpiece Svyati for choir and cello solo. Since then they have established a tremendous rapport as the only regular cello and organ duo in the UK, gaining an outstanding reputation for their innovative concerts. Sir John Tavener became their patron in 2009, and they now pursue a busy concert schedule, taking their seldom heard instrumental combination to venues across the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and the United States of America.
The duo maintain a diverse and exciting repertoire, ranging from baroque sonatas through to substantial romantic and contemporary works.

Odi is an Irish singer/songwriter whose music combines folk, acoustic, pop, rock and indie. Odi played her first gig four years ago, since that time she has supported Eleanor McEvoy, Brian Kennedy and Seth Lakeman as well as playing gigs in Ireland, the UK, Germany and Switzerland. Dave Redfearn joins Odi on vocals, harmonica and guitar.
Odi’s debut album MASLOW’S SONGBOOK was recorded with producer Karl Odlum, who has worked with the likes of Fionn Regan, The Frames & Kila. Already playlisted on Irish national radio RTE1 and described by Maverick Music Magazine as "an album bursting with top quality vocals and strong songs. One listen will never be quite enough".

Hiding behind the apparently respectable image of a Baroque recorder and harpsichord duo, Louise and David are on a mission to entertain. Through a programme spanning centuries, they present highly charged performances of Baroque masterpieces, virtuoso showstoppers, and repertoire in a variety of 20th Century and contemporary styles – with some wholly original work thrown in for good measure. Combining serious musicianship with a thoroughly infectious sense of fun, an evening with Baroquenroll promises musical satisfaction with a zesty twist of irreverence.
Louise spent a number of years as a leading member of the renowned Orlando Singers, Dorset Chamber Opera, Ely Consort, Norwich Cathedral Consort and the Norfolk and Norwich festival chorus. She graduated in Music from the University of East Anglia in 1998, where she had been the holder of the Britten-Pears and the Hansell Stevenson Scholarships. Later, she achieved an MMus from the University of Hull. Louise is currently Director of Music at Hall Grove School, Bagshot.
David lives in Cardiff, South Wales. He was educated at Christ College, Brecon, before winning an Organ Scholarship to Peterhouse in Cambridge in 1995. He studied at Cambridge for 4 years, gaining a degree in Music and directing Peterhouse Chapel Choir as well as studying the organ under Peter Hurford and Anne Page. He is currently organist and choirmaster of St Paul's Church, Cardiff, and directs 'Voces Petrensium', a choir for former singers of Peterhouse.

Professor Ian Tracey is one of Britain's best known and most widely respected musicians, having been organist at the monumental Anglican Cathedral in his home town of Liverpool for almost 30 years. His performances there on the famous 'Willis' organ - the largest in the UK - have thrilled the instrument's thousands of fans around the world and met with praise from the critics. He holds several other official positions and combines them with a busy freelance career as a recitalist and conductor.
Our audiences never tire of Ian's fantastic musicianship and playing style - not forgetting his amusing stories - and we are delighted to welcome him back to GMC in 2012 for his eighth visit and an exciting Battle of the Organs!

Keith Hearnshaw was born in West Bromwich and began learning the organ at the age of thirteen. He spent four years at Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied with David Saint,and also with Mark Shepherd at Lichfield Cathedral. During this time,he gained his associateship diploma of both the Royal College of Music,and the Royal College of Organists.
While studying in Birmingham, Keith held the position of organ scholar at St Chad's R.C. Cathedral under John Pryer. He was later assistant organist at St Columba's Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield, and toured Germany with both of these choirs. In 1991 he was a prize winner at the Oundle International Organ Festival and in 1993 was awarded the Leonard Gibbons Memorial Prize by the Birmingham Organists' Association.
From September 1994-95 he was organ scholar at Lincoln Cathedral studying with Colin Walsh.