This evening, members of the Sheffield Music Academy led by violinist Martin Cropper, Professor of Violin Studies at the Academy will present a highly interesting concert at St Augustine Church at 8pm.

A vibrant string section will tackle works by Bach, Mercadante, Telemann and Shostakovich. Clarinettist Roberto Meoni will be the soloist in Telemann’s enchanting Concerto in Bb. Other soloists include violinist Martin Cropper and violist James Douglas.

Martin Cropper was born in Sheffield into a musical family: his great-grandfather was leader of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and his great-uncle was principal viola player in the BBC Philharmonic for thirty-five years. His father, violinist Peter Cropper, founded the Lindsay Quartet and his mother is the violin teacher, Nina Martin. Until the age of five he thought everyone played the violin! He began lessons with his mother until he was awarded a scholarship to study with Howard Davis at the Royal Academy of Music. Martin is passionate about chamber music and has been fortunate to study and perform with some of the world’s most inspiring chamber musicians. He has played many of the major concertos with orchestra and continues to enjoy sharing music throughout the UK and beyond. He has always been interested in education, and has taught the violin since he was 16. He enjoys a varied career and shares his energy and enthusiasm for music between Oakham School, Rutland, where he is now in his eleventh year as Head of Strings, and Sheffield’s Music Academy where he was recently appointed interim Musical Director. Martin also regularly gives workshops for Music in the Round and the European String Teachers Association (ESTA).

Roberto Meoni started his clarinet lessons at the Mabellini School of Music, Pistoia, furthering his studies in Rome graduating with full honours from the famous Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia. He pursued postgraduate studies in London with Jack Brymer. He is the recipient of numerous awards, namely, the National Competitions Città di Camaiore, Lucca, the Amici della Musica, Pistoia, and the International Competition Città di Moncalieri, Turin. He has performed extensively all over Europe and Japan and has participated in numerous prestigious Festivals including those of Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Florence, and others. He has recorded programmes for NHK and NTV in Japan and in 1987 co-founded the Ensemble Marino Marini, a chamber group based in Pistoia to promote concerts featuring contemporary music. The Ensemble premiered Joseph Vella’s work, Riflessioni, based on an original Stravinsky tune which was scribbled on the back of a postcard sent to Marini by the composer.

Sheffield Music Academy provides specialist one-to-one instrumental tuition and advanced general musicianship training including aural, theory, musicianship and composition. Every student at the Academy receives individual support and a tailored timetable that allows them to develop at their own pace and grow as individuals. Students also benefit from a specialist class for their instrument group, providing performance opportunities with feedback and focusing on technique and musicality. All students join one of the Academy’s choirs and have the opportunity to perform with various ensembles and chamber groups for all instrument groups. In addition to individual lessons, students have access to a variety of workshops and performance opportunities on Saturdays. Students also take part in concerts at various venues throughout the year, including St Andrew’s Psalter Lane, City Hall, The Library Theatre, The Crucible and Sheffield Cathedral.