Photos taken at Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition Final
On this post. Thanks to Jules Lawrence.
As you can see I’m also advertising for converse trainers.
Cottiers Chamber Project Review and CGM Gruppetto
The Scottish Flute Trio and I received a review from Michael Tumelty (who I finally met outside the City Halls during the interval of this concert - incidentally, I used to share a flat with Richard – just thought I’d show off there) of our gig as a part of the Cottiers Chamber Project, something that’ll hopefully continue to get funding – a matter which had light shone on it in last week’s Herald.
Anyone read this month’s Classical Guitar Magazine? Small article on the ROSL win but more interestingly, in the gruppetto, these words:
My congratulations to Sean Shibe on winning the first prize in the Royal Over-Seas League’s competition, their 59th. He received £15,000 and the League’s Gold Medal. It’s a tough one to win, because you’re up against other instrumentalists, including singers, from all over the Commonwealth – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and some smaller countries.
It is only the second time in the history of the Competition that a guitarist has won the overall prize, the first being Nicola Hall in 1989. She was 20; Sean Shibe is 19.
I heard Sean when he competed in the Ivor Mairants Award, held in London under the auspices of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. Jury deliberations are not usually made public, but I’m sure there is no harm in revealing that our decision was unanimous., He was only in his mid-teens then, but I was aware of a fluent and natural-looking style of playing that, allied to an unusually clear conception of what the music was all about, held immense promise for the future.
Sean Shibe studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where his teacher was Allan Neave. Whether Sean was lucky to study there, or whatever the RSAMD was lucky to have so good a student, is I suppose a talking point, but not very relevant. What matters, is that a brilliant young guitarist emerged and began to delight his listeners with his growing mastery of a difficult instrument and, even more to the point, the always demanding but ultimately rewarding art of music. So, all credit to all concerned.
I was somewhat puzzled by the remark made by the Principal of the RSAMD [John Wallace]: ‘young artists like him carry the future of Scotland with ease.’ His patriotism is commendable, but – the future of Scotland? Sean Shibe has the makings of an international star, and such people belong to the whole world.
Thankee kindly for such kind and generous words from Colin Cooper.
On the matter “Whether Sean was lucky to study there, or whatever the RSAMD was lucky to have so good a student“, I think only that ACMS and the RSAMD are very lucky to have so good a teacher as Allan Neave. Also, I’m still studying there, I’ve not left. Yet.
And – is patriotism commendable?
P.S. Contrary to what is stated in CGM’s news column, my father is English, not Scottish olololol
The Herald Arts Supplement and Scots Magazine
Michael Tumelty wrote in his Saturday arts supplement column some very nice words 
Scots magazine also published an interview with me in their June edition:
Interview by Gary Fraser of the Scots Magazine
Press release link and various others of mostly the same thing
Here is a press release written by the ROSL, seems the win is featuring on this website and this website, I have the date of my Wigmore Hall debut up on the upcoming concerts page as the 11th of June 2012. I’ve also updated the quotes page with the kind words of Alan Coady.
EDIT: + 1 moar in teh Scotsman
“O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains!
…that we should, with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!”
Celebration in the Queen Elizabeth Hall after ROSL win, photography by acclaimed guitarist, composer, photographer, madman, lovely guy, Gerald Garcia (unless he’s in the picture, in which case it’s one of us takin daown dat shutta).
ROSL Gold Medal
Was taken by me so I will have a few more concerts on the go soon enough There were some photos taken by someone I can’t remember who but I’ll put them up here when I’m able to/if I’m able to. The other competitors were Ashley Fripp (Piano), Suzanne Thorn (Oboe) and Kitty Whately (Mezzo-soprano).
I played the Fete Villagiouse by Regondi, followed by the Ginastera Sonata. Followed by copious amounts of alcohol – I hear my teacher has the mother of all hangovers.
Gerald Garcia also turned up which was so nice, and Therese Saba will be reviewing it or something in the Classical Guitar magazine.
Review of ROSL Edinburgh Clubhouse gig 11/05/11
Here is a link to Alan Coady’s generous review of the gig, it’s all good woop wooop woooop 
Programme confirmed for ROSL clubhouse Edinburgh concert on 11th May
Evening news article
I featured in a wee side-article in the Evening News here. They interviewed me the other day, although I probably didn’t say anything interesting enough to be mentioned. Although come to think of it, since I was interviewed on the details of a competition that were going to be published for public consumption, there wasn’t much I could politely say over the phone that would have been interesting…
Coverage is coverage.
Success in ROSL Strings
Last Tuesday evening I played in the final of the strings category in the Royal Overseas League annual music competition and won. The final with the winners of all the categories will be held in the Queen Elizabeth Hall in the South Bank Centre on Tuesday the 17th May. All is well and my overdraft definitely due to be cleared 
