Will Hay

Author: Will Hay

  • The lonely little piano

    The Lonely Little Piano 2nd Edition Front Cover

    One of my first posts on the blog last year, reviewed a story book for piano lovers by Tom Allan, published by Penketh Publications. The book is now in second edition and has an appealing new cover design worthy of mention. 

    “… The latest book from Penketh Publications written by Tom Allan is destined to delight piano lovers aged from 8 to 80.

    “A little blue-and-gold piano was just what Jessica and Jack had always wanted. But as the children grew older they played it less and less. The little piano was lonely – until he was joined by a strange new companion!”

    Available only direct from the publisher, priced £4.99 …”

  • Teaching dates this term – Summer 2009


    Click on the links below to view lesson times for this half term

    St. Werburgh’s: 20/22nd, 27/29th April, 6th, 11/13th, 18/20th May, 8/10th, 15/17th, 22/24th, 29th June, 1st, 6/8th July.

    Upton Heath: 21st, 28th April, 5th, 12th and 19th May, 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June, 7th and 14th July.

    St. Oswald’s: 21st, 28th April, 5th, 19th May, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June, 7th and 14th July.

    Chester Catholic High: 30th April, 7th, 14th, 21st May, 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th June, 2nd, 9th July.

    Tattenhall Park: 23rd, 30th April, 7th, 14th, 21st May, 4th, 11th, 18th June, 9th July.

    Saighton: 23rd, 30th April, 7th, 14th, 21st May, 4th, 11th, 18th June, 9th July.

  • Piano Points Results – Easter 2009

    Piano Points CertificateAt the end of the term, the top 11 total piano points achievers are as follows:

    1. Mollie from St. Oswald’s with 42 points,
    2. Alison and Katherine from Upton Heath with 40 points,
    3. Sophie from Queen’s with 39 points,
    4. Laura from St. Oswald’s, Emily from Tattenhall Park, Bella from St. Werburgh’s, Huw from Chester Catholic High and Jacob from Ellesmere Port Catholic High with 38 points,
    5. Beth and Kate from St. Werburgh’s with 37 points.

    68% of students have achieved the target 28 points for the term and will be receiving a certificate shortly.

    The top 5 Average points achievers for the term are:

    1. Mollie from St. Oswald’s on 4.20 points per lesson,
    2. Alice from Tattenhall Park on 4.00 points per lesson,
    3. Laura from St. Oswald’s on 3.80 points per lesson,
    4. Daniel from St. Werburgh’s on 3.78 points per lesson, and#
    5. Beth from St. Werburgh’s on 3.70 points per lesson.

    60% of students have managed and average of 3 or more points per lesson.

  • Piano Concert raises £160 for Kampala Music School

    Students at 150309 piano concertA big thankyou to all those who attended or performed at the last piano concert held at All Saint’s Church, Hoole which raised £160 towards a piano bursary for Kampala Music School. 

    Some parents have asked about a DVD of the concert as there was video and audio recorded. I have considered this and thought about maybe selling them to further boost the KMS fund however I have decided instead just to make available digital videos of individual student’s performances to their parents if they contact me to request them. They can be available in either DivX for playback on Windows PC or 3GPP for mobile phones.

    Technology did not quite permit the live webcast stream with video as originally intended though there was a low bandwidth audio stream captured by the webcam.

    Some higher quality audio clips of the concert will become available on my gallery or by special request.

     

  • Fauré Requiem, Songs of Praise and Rutter Mass of the Children

    Forthcoming choral events this month include:
    French Evening Poster

    An evening of French Favourites with Chester Cathedral Choir – Saturday 4th April 1930. Tickets are priced at £10 (children £5) and are available from the cathedral box office on 01244 500959 or on the door.  Baritone solos in the Fauré Requiem will be sung by myself.

    Neston Songs of Praise

    Neston Sings Songs of Praise  – Sunday 5th April 1830 at Parkgate United Reformed Church. Join the Neston Ecumenical Singers in a DIY version of Songs of Praise singing some of Britain’s favourite hymns. Entry is free.  The programme will also feature some favourite anthems including Bruckner – Locus Iste, Elgar – Ave Verum and Purcell – Rejoice in the Lord.

    Neston Easter Concert 2009

    Neston Ecumenical Singers Easter Season Concert with Chester Music Society Youth Choir featuring the first Neston performance of Mass of the Children by John Rutter on Saturday 25th April 1930 at Neston Parish Church. Soloists in the mass include Becky Hay– Soprano and James Goddard – Bass. I will be conducting the concert along with Helena Thomas – Conductor of the Chester Music Society Youth Choir. The concert will also feature Graham Eccles – International Concert organist and conclude with Vivaldi’s Gloria.