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Bristol Symphony & Sara Lovell Supporting Penny Brohn UK
This is going to be a wonderful concert. We are really looking forward to this event and proud to be supporting such a great locally based charity such as Penny Brohn UK. We will be performing a stunning programme with our soloist, Sara Lovell (cello). For programme, directions and ticket information details, please click HERE.
About Sara Lovell (Our soloist) Sara began to play the cello aged seven, joining the National Youth Orchestra at thirteen. At the age of sixteen she was offered places at both the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, but opted to study at the Royal Northern College of Music where she gained her G.Mus. with honours. From there she went on to study at the Royal College of Music, taking an Advanced Performers Course and gaining her Diploma RCM (teachers) with honours. In Manchester, Sara studied with Raphael Sommer and in London with Joan Dickson, Nancy Green and later Bruno Schrecker. As a winner of the Norman Educational Foundation trust, she also played in numerous masterclasses both in England and abroad, notably with Ralph Kirschbaum, Zara Nelsova and Arto Noras. Sara has played in concerts at the Lucerne festivals; at the International Cello Festival in Nemours, France and has performed as soloist with numerous orchestras. She has both recorded and broadcast live for radio, recorded for film and appeared in solo recitals and talks for festivals and music societies throughout the UK, Canada, the EU and Switzerland to wide acclaim, and currently works with several chamber ensembles. Sara has been teaching for thirty years and has an elite practice in the South-West. She coaches students up to and including degree and diploma level, also giving talks, workshops and masterclasses. Her first book, 'Cellotude - a Fast track to Brilliance', has already been highly acclaimed by the conductors Peter Stark and Marin Alsop, the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, Chetham's School of Music and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and was published by Beautiful Books Ltd. Sara produced her first CD in 2004, which resulted in a highly acclaimed double album release of the Bach Cello Suites in May 2005. She has been described as a 'musical dynamo' by Musical Opinion. Sara is in demand both as a soloist and a chamber musician, and has a wide knowledge of the mainstream cello repertoire. Her most recent recital was with the pianist Nicholas Oliver at St Georges Bristol. Sara is also a talented artist working predominantly in representative acrylic paintings.
Why Penny Brohn UK? By Vivien Arthur (a friend of Sara Lovell's & a cellist in Bristol Symphony Orchestra) "I was involved in Sara’s care last year and personally received superb support from attending Penny Brohn courses (both day and residential); the staff give equal care and support to friends and family caring for someone with cancer, and I found this invaluable and not available from the traditional hospital services. Even though I had been a nurse my whole career, I found helping someone through the cancer journey a real challenge as well as a privilege. Sara discussed her wish to do a concert for Penny Brohn, and after Will and Pam had agreed to this, my friend Sarah Vesty (who has helped a great deal with the practical preparation) and myself discussed venues. We decided to use the beautiful United Reformed Church in Henleaze, and we are looking forward to a wonderful evening on the 25th June 2016. We have had incredible support in web design and advertising from Rachel Goodchild. We so hope the church will be full to support the charity and Bristol Symphony Orchestra.
Thank you." Viv Arthur [ Words from Sara Lovell ](Cello Soloist and past cancer patient at Penny Brohn UK)"I am so chuffed at being able to safely say I have passed the one year milestone, since being diagnosed with breast cancer and successfully treated with a combination of chemotherapy, two lots of surgery and radiotherapy daily for four weeks.The wonderful staff at Penny Brohn helped me live through the cancer treatment with both practical support and a high level of emotional care. The Centre in Pill provides an environment which was (and is) an oasis of calm in those dark days. The building is stunning inside and the gardens are magnificent, in whatever weather. One feels cared for in a very, very special way.I wanted to do something practical to support them (they rely totally on donations for their work) and it seemed ideal (as a professional cellist) to perform a concerto with Bristol Symphony Orchestra to raise funds for Penny Brohn, and give pleasure to the audience by playing some lovely music.I had previously worked with Will Goodchild, a superb conductor; so I approached him and asked if we could work together and arrange a concert. Without hesitation he gave me every support; and working alongside leader Pam Bell suggested a date (25th June 2016) when he and the orchestra could be available." Sara Lovell
Our Charity
Penny Brohn UK have been successfully helping people with cancer for over 35 years, with their pioneering ‘Bristol Whole Life Approach’ They show people how to live well with cancer and take back control of their health and wellbeing – before, during and after treatment. Their range of services are free of charge to adults with a cancer diagnosis and their supporters. However, as a charity they rely on donations to fund their work, they provide equal support to those caring for people with cancer as well as the patients themselves. To find out more concert information or to book tickets, please click here
