Jess Hughes Harpist and Evie King Flautist

Jess Hughes is a young harpist (16), who has been studying the harp for five years and has recently been awarded a Specialist Musician Scholarship at the Wells Cathedral School to study under Ruth Faber.

Jess was first inspired to play the harp when she heard it as a young child, watching ‘The Clangers’ on an old VHS cassette of her parents!

Recent appearances include ‘A Night at the Abbey’ in Glastonbury, ‘The Women of Wells’ International Women’s Day’, The Mayor of Wells Christmas Carol Concert and numerous appearances at the Mid-Somerset and Taunton Music Festivals. 

Jess was recently invited to play with the National Youth Orchestra during an ensemble residency under the guidance of Eleanor Hudson.  In March this year, Jess won the Advanced Solo Harp class at the Mid-Somerset Festival, Bath.

Jess loves to share the repertoire of this beautiful instrument and in Stogumber this year she will be playing a selection of classical pieces and folk tunes that should provide something for everyone to enjoy!

                                                        Repertoire for Jess Hughes

'Priere' ('Prayer') by Marc Delmas

 3 pieces by Romantic French composers:

        Chanson de Mai' ('May Song') by Hasselmanns

       'Berceuse Russe' ('Russian Lullaby') by Marcel Tournier

       Au Bord de Ruisseau' ('On the River Bank') by Henriette Renie

'O'Carolan's Concerto' by Turloch O'Carolan

'Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn' ('Watching the Wheat')    Traditional Welsh

'Moon River' arranged by Skaila Kanga.

Evie King 15, is a flautist who recently achieved Grade 8 Distinction under the tutoring of Stogumber’s own Wendy Cavey, with support from the Hestercombe Centre for Young Musicians (HCYM), a division of the Guildhall School, London.

Evie lives for music. Her typical Saturday involves attending HCYM in the morning, and volunteering at John Packers Music Shop in the afternoon. Her interests are widely spread and she loves to compose, being particularly inspired by modern Japanese composers. A recent composition, Fluto no Uto, (collaborating with two students from HCYM - Michael and Yasmine Qureshi) was selected to be performed at the BBC Ten Pieces Proms with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in July 2016.

She works regularly with On the Record projects run by Actiontrack Performance Co. which enables her to develop her composing skills and record her own or joint compositions which are produced on CD.

She was invited to join the Somerset County Youth Orchestra, and this summer travelled to Holland with an exciting programme including Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony. As well as classical, Evie is also inspired by folk music and has just finished her second Summer Hothouse course at Halsway Manor- the National Centre for Folk Arts. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was thrilled for the opportunity to perform at the International Sidmouth Folk Festival once again.

Evie’s chosen a varied programme which she hopes is going to delight all ages.

                                                                    Repertoire for Evie King

Georg Friedrich Händel- Arrival of the Queen of Sheba 

Elgar- Chanson du Matin 

Jules Massenet - Méditation  from Thaïs

Gabriel Fauré- Sicilienne 

John Rutter - Prelude from Suite Antique

Yoshihisa Hirano - Sinfionetta in C-dur

W.A. Mozart - Allegro aperto, 1st movement from Flute Concerto in D Major, K.314/285d

Evie and Jess will play together two pieces by Georges Bizet - Entr'acte from the Third Act of ‘Carmen’ and Minuet from ‘L'Arlésienne’ arranged by Kurt Walther for flute and harp.

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