The end of the year is upon us and now it’s time to start thinking about 2020. Claire Jones already has a busy schedule, filled with events that will guarantee next year is the best one yet!
Claire is getting started in February with a performance at Central Hall, Westminster
along with the London Welsh Male Voice Choir in aid of: The Passage to ending homelessness (http://passage.org.uk) This is part of a new collaboration with the choir for 2020.
On the 1st March, St. David’s Day (FYI, St. David is the patron saint of Wales, for Claire’s non-Welsh followers!) Claire will be co-hosting a special event to raise money for the Claire Jones Concert Ensemble and Cylch Meithrin Crymych. These funds will help provide relief for the school which was damaged during the flood early this year. Claire believes that Meithrin is a vital part of children’s lives in the community, offering the support and nurturing experiences they need before entering primary school, and she is delighted to be able to support this cause. The Claire Jones Concert Ensemble offers unique, high-profile opportunities for harpists and part of the proceeds will go towards supporting the cost of undertaking their UK tour in 2020.
As well as providing the entertainment with her husband and percussionist Chris Marshall, Claire is bringing some exciting surprise guests with her too. The evening includes a 3 course meal and there are going to be some fantastic activities including a fundraising auction. Families and businesses are welcome and encouraged to donate anything they can to this cause and help support the community. Full details including how to purchase tickets can be found on the website front page.
The Claire Jones Harp School is next on the calendar, running from 7-11 of April. This is open to harpists of all ages and will be held in Claire’s home-town in the Preseli Mountains Pembrokeshire. Claire will guide the classes herself along with her husband Chris Marshall and a selection of invited tutors. Budding harpists will learn some fantastic skills including music therapy, rhythmic lessons, and sight-reading while honing their ability to perform.
On May 15th, Claire is delighted to be part of the ‘Inspiring the Next Generation’ Workshop at Christ College, Brecon. The class will help children further develop their skills and include a spellbinding performance.
On 20 June Claire will join once again the London Welsh Male Voice Choir, this time for a performance at St Davids’ Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. This is truly a stunning location and the cathedral is an incredible piece of architecture that offers amazing acoustics.
From the 7th to the 11th of July, Claire and her husband, renowned percussionist and emerging composer Chris Marshall, will complete an Evening performance at Llangollen International Eisteddfod. They are also the official adjudicators of the International Young Musician and International Ensembles competitions.
From the 19 of July Claire will begin her Concert Ensemble, Nouveau Ensemble, and American Harp Ensemble UK Tour. The touring group is already scheduled to perform at a number of prestigious venues such as the Welsh Proms on the 24th of July.
Towards the end of July, the tour will take part in a private performance at one of the London Royal Palaces and will attend the Aberystwyth International Music Fest on the 29th, before finishing the month with the World Harp Congress in Cardiff on the 30th.
If that wasn’t enough Claire is also planning to start work on a new album and is considering launching a fresh video series!
With events for great causes, activities to inspire the youth of tomorrow and incredible performances all on schedule, Claire is certain 2020 is going to be absolutely fantastic and looks forward to bringing her readers and fans along for the ride.