Clare Ward

UK based professional musician Clare Ward is a highly successful performer, composer and teacher.

She is a member of The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers, The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and The Performing Rights Society (PRS). Her music has been performed throughout the UK and her compositions are published by Bardic Publications, Schott Music, MC Publications, Sibelius Music and AQM Music.

Also an award winning songwriter with many song titles in all types of genre to her credit, amongst her credits Clare was a prize winner in the prestigious international competition The UK Songwriting Contest 2008.

Contact details:
Clare Ward,
2 Great Close,
Cawood,
North Yorkshire.
YO8 3UG
UK.

‘Phone: 0044(0)1757 268452
Mobile: 0044(0)7786 817600

Personal E-mail:
clareelizabethward@ymail.com

Websites:

www.privatemusictuitioninyorkshire.com
www.myspace.com/clarewardsongwriter
www.broadjam.com/clareward
www.stereofame.com/stereofameclareward

Clare's latest violin book 'Listen to Me!' Book 1 is due for publication and will be available from Summer 2010. There has been widespread interest in this publication from around the globe including, Canada, America, Australia, Germany, Slovenia, etc. and reviews in various magazines and journals worldwide are due throughout 2010.

Below are some of Clare's ideas behind 'Listen to Me!'

"Over the years I, as a violin teacher, have become very keenly aware that when it comes to ‘showcasing’ elementary instrumentalists string players are often left out of such events as assemblies, end of term concerts and the like because the beginner clarinetist, flautist, etc. can, after a few lessons, deliver to a potential audience a performance which will at least not offend the ears of parents and public! The poor violinist, for whom the sheer difficulties of learning a string instrument, especially in the early stages can feel left out.

I decided to write a repertoire book which had very easy violin parts that, when coupled with very appealing piano accompaniments, would result in potential performances where the novice string player could invite the audience to ‘Listen to me’ with confidence.

It goes without saying that building students’ confidence is a key issue in promoting the student’s wish to develop their technique and musicality further, and I have tested everything I have written with a number of pupils – not just my own also those of colleagues. The result has been extremely positive. ‘Everyone should play these pieces’ (Hattie - a Year 9 student at a public school), ‘These pieces are really cool’ (8 year old Dan from an underprivileged background). He was totally fired up by ‘Cowboy’ and insisted wearing suitable head gear when playing the piece!

About the accompaniments. It is unrealistic to assume that any violin teacher will have competent keyboard skills. I have tried to make the accompaniments (which are so vital in this case) relatively easy without compromising what I believe to be essential for the overall effect. Included in the book will be a CD of the accompaniments which will, I hope be of benefit for pupil and teacher alike.

Whilst my aim was to write repertoire pieces, it goes without saying that the book would also make a positive contribution when used alongside any tutor book from which the pupil is studying. Many of the pieces in this book can be used as ‘consolidation’ works for the pupil.

Some further points:

This book is not just aimed at youngsters. The accompaniments are appealing to any age of beginner which is why the book will not be published adorned with childish pictures and the like.
I make no apologies that book 1 concerns itself with open strings, 1st finger and some 2nd finger pieces which occur in the ‘sharp’ position. This is a book for beginners.
I have kept performance directions and dynamics to a minimum because it is unrealistic to expect the beginner violinist to cope with too many things at once.

At the moment I have nearly completed ‘Listen to me’ book 2 which naturally follows on from book 1 and gradually introduces the following: finger 3 in first position; some slurs; slightly more advanced rhythms; more string crossing, whilst remaining faithful to the philosophy of book 1."

Clare actively encourages all colleagues to contact her by email or 'phone about 'Listen to Me!' for further information and specimen/perusal copies.

Blog Posts

2010: Aug.