Adjudicators

Instrumental Music

Adjudicator: Information not yet available (instrumental)

Keyboard Music

Adjudicator: Information not yet available (keyboard)

Singing

Adjudicator: Irene Grant-Jones BA(Hons),LRAM,QTS

Irene is a specialist singing adjudicator and teacher based in Bedford.

Regularly coaching pupils for auditions, grades and diplomas, pupils have gone on to study at Mountview, Italia Conti, Emil Dale, and The Royal Northern College of Music.

Her enthusiasm for inspiring singers of all ages underpins her vocal journey. She won the soprano prize at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in North Wales as a teenager before continuing her studies at the Royal Academy of Music under Flora Nielsen and Clara Taylor and being awarded the Parepa Rosa prize.

Irene’s work covers opera, oratorio, solo recitals and musical theatre. Most recent performances include the Messiah, Carmina Burana, Bach Cantata 51 and operatic arias from Carmen, La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Russalka, Gianni Schicchi, Cavalleria Rusticana, La Traviata and Lucia di Lammermoor, as well as many of the show songs from musicals and soloist at the Bedford Proms in the Park with the London Philharmonia.

In recent months, Irene has enjoyed adjudicating at the following Festivals: Isle of Wight, Northfield, Worcester, Oundle, Chipping Norton, Leamington Spa, Burton upon Trent, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Broadstairs, Gorleston, Suffolk, Sudbury, Rochester, Darlington, Dudley, Leamington Spa, Hatfield, Leicester, Worcester, Chelmsford,

Speech & Drama

Adjudicator: Tish Nicoll LGSMD

Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, but now bases in Suffolk, Tish is a Licentiate of The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a wide range of experience in teaching all age groups in schools, colleges and the business world. Tish now lives in Suffolk, and works freelance. She is visiting lecturer in Vocal Communications in colleges in the UK and in Italy. She also examines for The English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. and was their Chief Examiner for seven years. She has travelled widely both in the UK and overseas lecturing, running workshops, examining and adjudicating.

As well as “Voice Over” work for advertising, Tish has television experience as a performer and stage experience as a performer and director. She is also a trained singer, specialising in recitals of poetry and song.

From an early age Tish took part in Festivals and well remembers how it feels to be a participant! Herself a Festival organiser and adjudicator, she knows the importance of these events and welcomes the opportunities offered to performers of all ages, giving them a platform for their work and a chance to celebrate music, poetry and drama.

—