An Album That Changed My Life

Sadly we were experiencing technical difficulties in the later half of this episode which resulted in it being cut slightly short. If you want to learn more about this weeks featured artists, visit it us on instagram @an.album.that.changed.my.life

Lori Stott is a 19 year old student, actress and musician from Edinburgh. She is currently in her second year of studying Theatre: Writing, Directing & Performance at the University of York and aspires to have a varied career in the arts sector.Lori has appeared in CBBC’s ‘The Demon Headmaster’ as Angelika Maron, as well as Grant McPhee’s original feature film, ‘Lori & The Six, Six, Sixties’; a psychedelic pop fairytale due to be released this coming year. She has recently been credited as a co-writer for this feature as well as lead actress, since a large part of the feature was devised. Lori is also an aspiring playwright and director, her latest piece ‘Femzine’ is currently in production and is due to be performed May 31st this year.As well as theatre & film, a large part of Lori’s life is music. She is currently guitarist and vocalist in Edinburgh based, all-girl, punk quartet; Liquorice. They have been playing together for under a year but have already created an eclectic of songs, inspired by the likes of Blondie, PJ Harvey & Bikini Kill. They have various gigs lined up and are looking forward to releasing music in the coming year. Keep up to date by following their page (@liquoricetheband).

Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor, Eric Whitacre, is among today’s most popular musicians. His works are programmed worldwide and his ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united singers from more than 145 countries over the last decade. Born in Nevada in 1970, Eric is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School of Music (New York). He completed his second term as Artist in Residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale in 2020 having served five years as Composer in Residence at the University of Cambridge (UK). His compositions have been widely recorded and his debut album as a conductor on Universal, Light and Gold, went straight to the top of the charts, earning a Grammy. As a guest conductor he has drawn capacity audiences to concerts with many of the world’s leading orchestras and choirs in venues from Carnegie Hall (New York) to the Royal Albert Hall (London). Insatiably curious and a lover of all types of music, Eric has worked with legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, as well as British pop icons Laura Mvula, Imogen Heap and Annie Lennox. In 2018 his composition, Deep Field, became the foundation for a pioneering collaboration with NASA, the Space Telescope Science Institute, Music Productions and film-makers 59 Productions. His longform work The Sacred Veil, a profound meditation on love, life and loss, was premiered by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by the composer, and released on Signum Records in 2020. His collaboration with Spitfire Audio resulted in a trail-blazing vocal sample library, became an instant best-seller and is used by composers the world-over. A charismatic speaker, Eric Whitacre has given keynote addresses for TED, Apple, Google, the United Nations Speaker’s Program, in education and for numerous global institutions.

Oliver Brignall - is a composer and a tenor. He read music at Canterbury Christchurch University and holds a PhD from Brunel University. As a composer he has been resident at Britten-Pears (2013), Mahogany Opera (Various-Stages 2017), the V&A (as artist in residence 2017/18) and been an LSO Soundhub Associate (2017-19). He has had music performed by some of the most exciting ensembles in the UK including Distractfold and the Riot Ensemble (most recently on Radio 3 in joint comission with PRS and the Zeitgeist gallery).As a singer he has performed as a soloist across Europe including roles at the Bayerische Staatsoper (in L’Orfeo) and Opera De Rouen, with Ensemble Variances (World premier of Nahasdzáán by Thierry Pecou). In the UK he has appeared regularly as a principal at Opera Holland Park and also worked with Opera North, Nevil Holt, Mid Wales Opera, and Longborough festival.As a committed new music performer, Oliver has given a number of premiers both in concert and on the stage (often as part of the Tete a Tete opera festival), with ensembles such as Plus-Minus ensemble, Filthy Lucre and Lydenskab Ensmble. He enjoys working in collaboration and continues to work closely with composers Stephen Crowe and Neil Luck.

Kevin Kyle is a graduate and former scholar of the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied under the tutelage of Joy Mammen. During his time at the Academy, he won the EMI award, the British Land Award, and the Norah Mary Turner Prize. He made his solo BBC Proms debut in 2004, under the Baton of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, and in the same year was a finalist in the London Handel Singing Competition.  Kevin went on to sing the title role in the world premiere of Howard Goodall’s Jason and the Argonauts, and also worked on extensive projects at Opéra de Lille and Châtelet Opera. In 2006 and 2007, he toured South Africa and the USA with the Carl Rosa Opera Company as Frederic in the Pirates of Penzance. He also featured in the Channel 4 film War Oratorio, with music composed by Dominic Muldowney.  Kevin made his English National Opera debut as Eurimaco in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria. Additionally, Kevin has had the pleasure of working on projects with Sir Colin Davis, Marin Alsop, Emanuelle Haïm, Sir Mark Elder, Sir Antonio Pappano, and Sir Charles Mackerras.Kevin has participated in numerous recordings, live broadcasts, and television series, and has also recorded two solo discs: Dichterliebe (2007), and Songs (2009). Other performing highlights include two years as a member of the cast of The Phantom of the Opera, performances for The Queen and Prince Phillip, Lord Andrew LLoyd-Webber, recital music for Opera North, an invitation to perform for Prince Charles at Clarence House, and two performances for the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.  Other career highlights have included conducting The Huddersfield Choral Society Youth Choir and Grimethorpe Colliery Band for BBC Songs of Praise, working as Associate Director for Chantage (BBC Choir of the Year 2006), Vocal coach for the Surrey Youth Choir (Winner of Sainsbury’s Youth Choir of the Year 2002), directing community operatic projects in collaboration with The Royal Opera House.In 2014, Kevin took up the post of Director of Musical Performance at Mill Hill School, having taught previously for The National Youth Choir; King’s College, London; the University of Surrey, the Eton Choral Courses, Westminster School, and Eton College.

Rachel Webber is a freelance music editor and music administrator. Rachel studied at the University of York, achieving a BA in Music (2019) and an MA in Musicology with distinction in 2020. Rachel discovered and published her edition of Jane Savage’s Whilst Shepherds Watch’d with Oxford University Press and the Church Music Society (2020), the earliest known piece for the Church of England by a female composer. As an administrator, Rachel has worked with the National Centre for Early Music, is currently the Consort Soloists Administrator of the Armonico Consort, and runs the Patrons’ Scheme of the Ebor Singers. Rachel was head chorister at Great St Mary’s University Church, Cambridge and has since performed with The Rodolfus Choir, St Lawrence Parish Church, York, and the Ebor Singers.