With the clubhouse closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we have all been finding ways to stay connected and engaged with the outside world. For the young musicians, artists and writers we have the privilege of supporting, it is also their aim to stay creative. Take a look at some of the ways in which ROSL alumni are making sure their artistic output isn’t diminished by the isolation we all find ourselves currently in



MUSIC AT HOME
Saxophonist Jonathan Radford, winner of the Gold Medal at the 2018 Annual Music Competition, performs his own arrangement of Barber’s Adagio for Strings. He writes:
“I’ve always been enchanted by Barber’s Adagio for strings/Agnus Dei for choir and have often thought how great it might sound for saxophones. The lockdown period has been an opportunity for me to try new ideas, one of which being making my first multitrack video. When ROSL Arts invited us to make short films for the ROSL at Home series I though it was the perfect opportunity to combine these two ideas. The project took on an extra dimension when during a walk I noticed the way the sun was shinning through some trees next to where I am spending lockdown in Suffolk, I was mesmerised by the beauty of the light and thought it would be great to include in my short film.”
Pianist Ashley Fripp, winner of ROSL Keyboard Prize at the 2011 Annual Music Competition, plays Chopin’s Impromptu No 1 in A flat major, Op 29 from home. Of the video, Ashley said:
“I am so grateful to ROSL for this wonderful initiative to keep the creation of music and audience’s engagement with it alive during these uncertain times. It is amazing to feel so supported by a family at the moment who are doing everything possible to keep the arts and creativity alive using all the media possible. It is simply amazing! For my home recording, I wanted to play Chopin’s first impromptu principally for its ineffably carefree nature. It bubbles with unshadowed joy in its outer sections and even the central section, in the minor key, has a radiance and charm to it. The piece simply offers such happiness and positivity at this time that, for four minutes, it is so easy to lose oneself and just adore life again.”
Violinist Eleanor Corr, winner of the ROSL Strings Prize at this year’s Annual Music Competition plays Joc from Baladă și joc for Two Violins by Ligeti, quite a feat when in isolation! Watch her perform alongside herself and we look forward to her returning to compete for the Gold Medal at the AMC later in the year.
Missing attending the Annual Music Competition? Worry not, we’re bringing the best of our musical alumni to you! Enjoy this specially curated Spotify playlist, which features prizewinners from the past decade of the AMC, from 2010 Gold Medal winner Jonathan McGovern baritone, all the way up to last year’s winner of the Keyboard Prize Joseph Havlat piano.
ART AT HOME
Looking to improve your drawing skills? Then why not join artist Francis Martin, who will take you through the steps of how to draw a spherical object in our first Draw at Home video. All you need is a pencil, paper and a spherical household object! Francis will be back with more videos before joining us at the clubhouse later in the year for a class. He is a widely exhibited, award winning artist; experienced teacher; and graduate of The Royal Drawing School and Winchester School of Art.