BIOGRAPHIES
 Charlotte Exon, Conductor 2001
Charlotte is a music graduate of the University of Birmingham. Having been
awarded the Barber Postgraduate Scholarship, she is currently studying for an
Mphil in musicology at Birmingham researching the conductors of the Third
Reich.
Charlotte specialises in conducting and conducts numerous University
ensembles at Birmingham, including the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra,
Chamber Choir, and Wind Ensemble. Most notably, she organised a tour to
Germany and the Ukraine for the University Chamber Choir last Easter. She also
conducts "Cum Sancto Spiritu", a semi-professional ensemble which
she established in 1997 as a platform for young performers and composers. This
ensemble consists of an orchestra and choir and brings together musicians from
all over the country.
Internationally, Charlotte is the guest conductor to the Cherkassy Chamber
Professional Orchestra in the Ukraine. She has also established a new
orchestra and choir in Cherkassy, Ukraine.
She plays the oboe and piano and sings with the University of Birmingham
Singers. She has played extensively with her local and regional youth
orchestra and also the University Orchestra but now dedicates her time to
conducting.
 Richard Moore, Musical
Director
Richard started playing the trumpet at the age of 10, since then he
progressed through Newcastle Music Centre and to Staffordshire Youth Big Band
in which he was appointed Lead Trumpet for 4 years. During this period the
group was renamed Staffordshire Youth Jazz Orchestra. With the newly named
ensemble Richard played at the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and
Royal Albert Hall in London as a soloist; and also toured Prague. Additionally
he played gigs with Don Lusher and the Northen Saxophone Quartet, and also
toured Norway.
Richards classical training was well established in the early 90's leading
him to tour Chicago and Toronto. Since being at university he has been
Principal Trumpet with the Midland Youth Orchestra playing at Symphony Hall
and the Adrian Boult Hall. He now plays regularly as lead trumpet in
"EasyBeat" a midlands based big band, and freelance as a soloist,
orchestral and session musician; as well as being a founder member of the Birmingham
Brass Quintet.
Richard recently made his concerto debut at the Adrian Boult Hall in
November 2000 with the Haydn Trumpet Concerto.
He is currently studying with Jonathan Holland, Principal Trumpet -
CBSO,
and is in his 4th year at Birmingham Dental School.
 Richeal Ni
Riordain, Violin
Richeal is a fourth year dental student at University College Cork. An
accomplished musician, she has been awarded prizes and diplomas for her violin
playing and has travelled extensively as a chamber musician and orchestral
player.
In 1995 Richeal was leader of the Junior National Orchestra of Ireland and
subsequently a member of the National Youth Orchestra, as well as deputising
with both the National Symphony Orchestra and National Concert Orchestra, over
the last number of years.
Richeal is a part-time staff member of the Cork School of Music.
 Rachel
Higginson, Viola
Rachel was born in 1977 and began her musical career at the tender age of 3
when she started piano lessons. She took up the violin at the age of 8, and
the viola 12. Within three years the viola had become her main instrument. She
made her concerto deubt in 1991 and since then has enjoyed a varied and
successful solo career including appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and as a
guest soloist with the rock band Ben Folds Five.
In 1997 Rachel became the first dental student to give a solo recital as
part of the Newcastle University Lunchtime Concert. In 1999 she co-founded
Violissima String Quartet, which has since played for the Installation of the
University's current Chancellor. She currently plays viola with the Durham
Sinfonia, and was for over 3 years Principal Viola of the University Symphony
Orchestra. Rachel is currently preparing for Finals at Newcastle Dental
School, and studies viola with Michael Gerrard of the Northern Sinfonia. As
well as viola, she also has Grade 8 with Distinction on flute, piano and
violin, and is co-principal trumpet of the Newcastle Concert Band, as well as
singing in her church choir.
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