Download Handelsbanken Pledge Support For Orchestral Work

29.1.15
viva1501 handelsbanken
Handelsbanken Pledge Support For Orchestral Work
The Nottingham City Gate branch of international bank Handelsbanken has extended its
support for the East Midlands’ professional orchestra Sinfonia Viva by sponsoring the
appointment of their new Principal Conductor.
Duncan Ward (25) officially joined the Orchestra in January and recently conducted his first
concert in Derby with further performance dates planned throughout the year including at
the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall.
Mr Ward has been based in Berlin for the past two years as Conducting Scholar of the
Berliner Philharmoniker Orchester-Akademie, to which he was appointed on the
recommendation of Sir Simon Rattle in 2012.
Anne Hardwick, Individual Banking Manager at Handelsbanken in Nottingham, said: “We
have sponsored Sinfonia Viva performances for the past three years.
“We were keen to extend that support for the Orchestra by sponsoring Duncan Ward who is
an exciting young conductor and already winning acclaim for his work nationally and
internationally.
“Sinfonia Viva has a national reputation for education and community work and Duncan is
particularly committed to introducing younger audiences to classical music. This ethos
closely mirrors Handelsbanken’s values of building relationships with customers and our
local communities.
“As part of our relationship with Viva, we have regularly worked with local schools in and
around Nottingham – providing tickets for Orchestra performances in the city to their pupils
and particularly their aspiring young musicians. This gives them the opportunity to enjoy
high quality classical music and, on occasions, to meet the players.
“Most recently, this involved young musicians from Lowe’s Wong junior school in Southwell
as well as Nottingham’s Trinity School who attended a performance at the Royal Concert
Hall and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“We look forward to working closely with Viva in the coming year to explore other ways of
engaging young people and communities.”
Sinfonia Viva Chief Executive Peter Helps concluded: “We are extremely grateful for
Handelsbanken’s support of the Principal Conductor position.
“Duncan Ward is already playing a significant role in our work bringing both high quality
concert performances to the region and our engagement with young people through the
education and community work.”
Duncan Ward has conducted orchestras throughout the world. He is also an accomplished
composer and won the 2005 BBC Young Composer of the Year.
He is passionate about working with young people and local communities. Following a
month working in India in 2006, Duncan subsequently co-founded the WAM Foundation
which sends young UK musicians each year to teach Western classical music in schools
across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Kerala. The charity attracted the attention of the great
late Ravi Shankar, who invited Duncan to study with him in California in 2010.
Ends
Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102/ 07951 945665;
[email protected]
Picture shows: John Gell (far left) and Anne Hardwick (far right) from Handelsbanken
Nottingham City Gate are pictured with staff and pupils from The Trinity School Nottingham
and Lowes Wong Junior School, Southwell.