History of the British College of Accordionists

Diploma Holders | Sr James Anderton Award
The Seventh Decade (1996 - 2006) | Francis Wright Memorial Scholarship
 

FRANCIS WRIGHT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

To commemorate 5 years since the death of former long serving Chairman to the Board of Administration Francis Wright, the Council decided to offer a Scholarship.
 

The First Francis Wright  Memorial Scholarship 2002

   Frederick Parnell, who attained his LBCA Diploma in 1950 was Chairman of the Jury in the final round and offered this report on the finalists.
 
“My colleagues, Karolyn Broadhead, Graham Laurie and myself have felt honoured to be invited to adjudicate this award. Francis’ great enthusiasm and enterprise influenced and enabled the accordion movement to continue to flourish over many years, and young and mature players today can still enjoy the legacy of the College and his many compositions. We have had three interesting, enjoyable and entertaining recitals today.
 
 
Firstly, I would suggest to the participants that it is important to announce items and add an anecdote if possible to engage the interests of their audience. Taking their recitals in reverse order:-
 
KIMBERLEY CATLING – Yours was a very well chosen and balanced programme.  It was musical and showed great potential.
 
WILLIAM LANGTON – Yours was a typical accordion programme, nicely balanced. You have a most engaging and entertaining style.
 
LARYSA BODELL – You did announce your pieces and they were all played from memory. Your programme was extremely well planned, excellent and ambitious. We all appreciated your musical and artistic handling of the accordion, including the more modern techniques of finely articulated vibrati, glissandi and sound warp. You gave us an extremely accomplished performance.
 
 
In her winning Scholarship recital Larysa included The Flight Beyond the Time by P.Makkonen and Partita Concertante No 2 by V Zubitsky should anyone like to get a copy of the music or CD. Congratulations on your achievement”
 
Frederick Parnell 
   

The Second Francis Wright  Memorial Scholarship 


 The 2nd BCA Francis Wright Memorial Scholarship is to be held on Sunday 21st September in Leicester.  The three finalists selected are Caitlin Barnes-Davies, Thom Hardaker and Julie Langton. Caitlin is a former NAO National champion and a student of Stella Hughes, Thom a former student of Harry Hinchcliffe, has just completed his first year of study at the Rimsky Korsakov Conservatoire in St Petersburg under Prof Oleg Sharov and Julie a reigning NAO National champion and a student of Gina Brannelli. All have successfully attained grade 8 BCA Examinations (or above)
 
The jury will consist of Raymond Bodell (BCA Principal), Alistair Gillespie (Senior Examiner) and Frederick Parnell.
 
The three selected Finalists and their programmes are: 
 
 

Julie Langton

Julie is 17 Years old and comes from Blackpool, Lancashire. Julie is a student of Gina Brannelli and is currently the holder of both Classical and Variety national titles at UK Championships.  
 

Scherzo                                        J. Gart          
Preludio                                        A Volpi      
Acquarelli Cubani                         F Fugazza   
 Improviso                                    F.Schubert        
Magic Fingers Medley        arr G Brannelli 
   

Caitlin Barnes-Davies

 Caitlin is 17 Years old and comes from Essex. Caitlin is a student of Stella Hughes. She has won numerous NAO Competitions including successfully defending the NAO UK
Championships 13 and under solo title in 2003 & 2004. 

Monastere de Ferapont

Solotarev

Gotiches Menuett         

Boellmann

Sonata in D minor (K9)

Scarlatti

Botany Bay mvts 2, 6 & 7

Lundquist

Contrabajeando            

Piazzola & Troilo

Thom Hardaker

 Thom is 18 years old and comes from Yorkshire, a former student of Harry Hinchcliffe. Thom has just completed his first year of study at the Rimsky Korsakov Conservatoire in St Petersburg, Russia under Prof Oleg Sharov.

Prelude and Fugue D Minor 

J.S.Bach

Amidst the Dale so Wide and Even      

Panitsky

Monastere of Ferapont

Solotarev