MATLOCK MUSIC SOCIETY

Rachel Smith, flute

Andrew Gough, guitar

Programme - 20 April 2007

Duo Mañoso was formed in 1997 whilst Rachel Smith and Andrew Gough were in their second year of studies at Birmingham Conservatoire. Since then they have performed nationwide giving concerts and music workshops. The duo released their debut album in 2003 including works by Piazzolla, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Bartok, Carulli and a new arrangement of Stanley Myer's Cavatina.
 
In 1999 they successfully auditioned onto the Live Music Now! scheme. Set up by Lord Menuhin in 1977, the scheme brings live music to people who are normally unable to go to concerts. The Duo has gained valuable knowledge and experience through playing to a variety of audiences in venues such as special-needs schools, community centres, mental hospitals and prisons.
 
Duo Mañoso regularly give recitals and have recently played at the Lincoln International Chamber Music Festival, Concerts in Rural Churches series in Warwickshire, Toddington Festival Music Society, Bewdley Arts Festival, Ketton Music Society, Henley Festival, Birmingham Cathedral and in the Art Gallery, Birmingham. In 2000 they were finalists in the Sylvia Cleaver Chamber Music Competition. As well as their concert repertoire the duo has a vast collection of music suitable for all functions. They have performed for the Mayor of Birmingham, the Lord Lieutenant of the Midlands and for Virgin Trains.
 
Andrew Gough is already an acknowledged classical guitarist both on the concert platform and in the recording studio.

As a soloist Andrew has performed extensively throughout the Midlands and nationwide. He has recently performed for the Southampton, Derby and West Sussex Classical Guitar Societies. He is an orchestral guitarist with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Andrew celebrated Rodrigo’s centenary with a solo concert at Birmingham Conservatoire and several concerto performances. With Duo Mañoso Andrew is a member of Live Music Now!

Andrew has recorded two solo CDs: Electric Counterpoint by the American composer Steve Reich and an album including works by Albéniz, Rodrigo, Barrios and Myers.

In 1999 Andrew won the BMI Strings Prize, was a finalist in the Symphony Hall Competition 2000 and a prize winner in the Ludlow Philharmonic Concerto Competition 2001. Andrew has also received a substantial scholarship from the Young Cygnets Music Trust.

Andrew is head of guitar at the Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department and tutors at King Edward’s School, Birmingham. He is a tutor for the International Classical Guitar Summer School & Festival at West Dean College. In August 2004 Andrew was the guitarist-in-residence at the Stratford-upon-Avon International Flute Festival. He graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2000 with BMus (Hons) and again in July 2002 for his Master of Arts degree. 

Rachel Smith has established herself as a flautist working as a freelance player around the Midlands. Much of her time as a performer is spent giving concerts to people who would not usually get the chance to go to concerts. She performs for the prestigious Live Music Now! scheme with Duo Mañoso and also for The Council for Music in Hospitals with her husband Edward Smith in the Astcote Ensemble (flute and cello).

Rachel plays principal flute in the Alethian orchestra based in London and is a member of the recently formed flute orchestra, Arithicus, directed by Robin Soldan. As part of the Astcote Ensemble, Rachel also works for Creative Ministries Agency, based at the Birmingham Christian Centre, performing in churches nationwide.

As a competitor, Rachel has been a finalist in the Albert Cooper Competition at the Stratford-upon-Avon International Flute Festival in 1999 and 2000, and the Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Prize 2000. As well as playing the flute, Rachel also plays the panpipes and regularly incorporates them into her concert performances.

Alongside her performing, Rachel is the Community Festival Organiser for the Stratford-upon-Avon International Flute Festival. She also teaches flute at the Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department, Blue Coat School in Harborne, Chase Academy in Cannock as well as teaching privately. She graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2000 with BMus(Hons) and then gained her LRSM having studied with Elena Duràn and Jonathan Rimmer.