The Jacaranda website is edited by Stephen Kenyon. This biographical
section is intended to enable visitors to learn something about his background
so they can decide what to think of his suggestions and recommendations
elsewhere in the site. The text here can also be freely used as information
for programmes and biographies.
Stephen Kenyon studied classical
guitar from the age of seven, but did a BA Honours Degree in English and
Media Studies, graduating in 1984, rather than a music degree or guitar
diploma. After graduation he travelled widely, following up various ethnomusicological
and folk music interests, and from 1986 began to combine these with a more
formal approach to guitar study and composition. In 1990 this led to enrollment
as a Post Graduate at Trinity College of Music in London under Gilbert Biberian
and Dr Glenn Morgan, where in 1991 he successfully took the Post Graduate
Certificate in Guitar Performance.
He stayed at TCM for a further three years, working with many student composers,
ensembles and workshops, playing a concerto with the Trinity String Ensemble,
and being the first guitarist to be invited to play solo in the concerts
given under the aegis of the Principal, Philip Jones. During this time he
also conducted the London Guitar Orchestra, the only professional guitar
orchestra in the country, and in 1993 began his international recital career
with a tour of France. This has now grown with concerts throughout France,
Germany, Latvia and the US as well as the UK. In 1998 Stephen was invited
by Angelo Gilardino to Italy to join the panel of judges for the Lagonegro
Guitar competition.
Since 1995 Stephen has often performed on an 1830 Staufer guitar, concentrating
on music of the period with this instrument for the first half of the programme.
In late 1994 Stephen was invited by the editors of Classical Guitar
magazine to join their panel of reviewers, and was immediately given responsibility
for live events in London and the South East of England. Until 1997 he covered
all the major and many minor performances given in the South Bank Centre,
Wigmore Hall and elsewhere, and has continued to review a large collection
of mainly contemporary music scores and CD recordings. From 1995 to 1998
he was editor of the EGTA (UK) Guitar Journal.
He has written three guitar concertos, of which the third was premiered
in Wuppertal, Germany on February 1st 1997, numerous chamber and solo works,
and music for the stage. The first concerto was premiered
on 21st June 2003 with soloist Fabio Zanon with the Oberon Chamber Orchestra
conducted by the composer. Stephen's music has been performed in France,
Germany, Italy and the US. He has won first prizes in composition competitions
from Middlesex University and the St Cecilia Festival.
Music for solo guitar has been published by
Tuscany Publications: Maumbury Rings and Dancing Ledge, two pieces evocative
of the Dorset landscape; and the Scottish Suite, which is inspired by the
music of the Scottish Highlands. Another piece, Caer Meini has been included
in a new book "The Contemporary Guitar - An Anthology of New Music"
from Mel Bay, commissioned and edited by Stanley Yates. Pieces by Stephen
have been included in the exam syllabus of both Trinity and Guildhall, and
on the Music Medals syllabus of the Associated Board.
Since moving to Dorset Stephen has performed with the Bournemouth Symphony
Orchestra on a number of occasions and with their 20th Century music ensemble
Kokoro, and is Artistic Director and conductor of the Dorset Guitar Society.
For concert reviews and pictures,
click here.
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