ADJUDICATORS for the 2008 Festival

David Watkins, FGSM, Hon ARAM Harp
While still at school, David was a member of the National Youth Orchestra and a finalist in a Daily Mirror Competition for young instrumentalists. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, a French Government Scholarship enabled him to continue his studies in Paris. Returning to London, Solti him chose to play with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. It was a 'Golden Age' which included performances by Callas, Sutherland, Schwarzkopf, Fonteyn and Nureyev. He then became a founder member of the new Welsh National Opera Company under the direction of James Lockhart and after a short time with the Royal Philharmonic, joined the London Philharmonic under the batons of Boult, Solti, Haitink and Tennstedt. His solo concerts have taken him all over the world, performing many of the compositions that have been written especially for him. He has also performed as soloist with the London Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, etc., and appeared as soloist with the London Sinfonietta at the London 'Proms' with Sir Simon Rattle conducting. Since winning first prize in an International American Competition with his composition 'Petite Suite' for Harp, he has written many pieces including the 'Concertino Pastorale', which he played with the London Philharmonic at the Royal Festival Hall, Walter Susskind conducting. With Princess Grace of Monaco, he devised a recital of poetry and music for the official engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. In 2000 he was Principal Harpist at a ‘Prom’ Concert given by the “World Orchestra for Peace“ conducted by Gergiev. This orchestra was composed of principal musicians from the world’s great orchestras. Recent concerts have included a performance of his solo harp concerto and his new concerto for two harps with the Budapest Strings, and a solo recital attended by the widow of Zoltan Kodály. In 2004 he gave concerts and master classes in France, Germany and Italy. He has recently formed a Duo with the distinguished violinist Michael Bochmann. His recording of Ravel's Introduction & Allegro with the National Philharmonic became a best-seller in the USA, and other highly acclaimed recordings have been issued by RCA, Meridian and Pyramid. For many years he was Professor of Harp at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has written a 'Method' for the harp published by Boosey and Hawkes.

C. Brian Buckley EurChem., C.Sci., C.Chem., C.Env., F.T.C.L., L.T.C.L., A.L.C.M Instrumental, Orchestras and Ensembles
Holding Conducting, Performing and Teaching Diplomas, Brian has remained a busy and widely travelled adjudicator, conductor and examiner for many years. He adjudicates at all levels of brass and wind band festivals throughout the United Kingdom and enjoys regular invitations to adjudicate at the Brass Solo, Ensemble and Full Band National Championships - these remain an integral part of his schedule. One of the early products of the progressive Youth Music policy in the former county of Monmouthshire, Brian enjoyed several tours with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales - an experience that has left an indelible impression upon his music making activities. From his early teens, Brian established a sound reputation as a cornet and trumpet soloist of quality, winning many prizes at major competitive festivals and also enjoying the thrills of high obbligato trumpet playing. Since taking up the baton in 1968, Brian has focused his attention on bands and ensembles within Wales and the West Country. This successful track record includes many National honours during this period. He continues to enjoy the challenges of freelance conducting particularly at competitive events. He acts as mentor to young people, benchmarking their progress in their progress in their studies and careers. As a member of the Friends of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, Brian is active in helping to fund talented, disadvantaged young people who are otherwise unable to afford attendance at music courses where places are offered following competitive auditions. Brian is currently Secretary of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (ABBA) and Chair of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors (Wales Region). He is also a leading Consultant in Water Science and Risk Management.

June Rayner, FRSA. AGSM. LRAM. (Hon)FLAM (Hon) IEMS Speech & Drama
Since training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, June Rayner has performed, directed, lectured and taught speech and drama all her working life. An experienced and widely travelled adjudicator and a former examiner for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, she is an international judge of public speaking and an authority on the spoken word in worship. Her presentations for teachers, festival organizers and conferences, especially on combining the three disciplines of music, dance and speech, are an indication of her interest in every area of performance. She is a competition judge of opera, musical comedy and dramatic productions in the South West of England. Mrs Rayner chaired the Federation of Festivals’ committee that conducted a review of festivals and adjudicators. She is delighted to be invited to Devon Performing Arts Festival and looks forward to meeting you all.

Rosslyn Farren-Price MMusSurrey BMusMelbourne Piano
Rosslyn was born in Melbourne, Australia where she was educated and graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Music at the University of Melbourne. She later continued her piano studies with Ruth Nye, John Lill and Rafael de Silva in London and Paris. She has recorded for Move Australia and has been engaged by the Australian Broadcasting Commission for radio and television as recitalist and soloist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She has been a Tutor in the Faculty of Music, University of Melbourne, examined for the Australian Music Examinations Board, and lectured for the Council of Adult Education. Later she became Head of Music at the Frances Holland School, London, then from 1980 to 1990 was Assistant to the Director of the Hampshire Specialist Music Department at Peter Symonds College, Winchester. During this time she remained an active performer and concerto soloist. She was awarded a Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of Surrey in 1992. Presently she is a free-lance composer and pianist and has a strong affinity with contemporary music. Compositions cover a diversity of styles. A song cycle for young voices Ultreia! was first performed by 400 voices in Central Hall, Westminster in 1996. Rosslyn also examines, teaches piano and adjudicates both in the UK and abroad. She has worked as a mentor in professional development for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and the University of Reading. She has recently taught academic aspects of A level Music at Winchester College where her husband is a housemaster and at Alton College.