The students and other music teachers at Staplehurst Music Centre say a sad good-bye and heartfelt thank you to Kathryn Bennetts and Peter Bowman, who are leaving Staplehurst for Australia.
Kathryn started teaching at the Centre in 1993 and was appointed by Kent Music to run it as their Co-ordinator. Peter started teaching at the Centre later in September 2005, when Kathryn had too many students to timetable, and when the Centre was independent of Kent Music. Kathryn and Peter have played and taught music at the highest levels throughout their careers. They have performed regularly together in the UK and abroad, and together they have commissioned, premiered and recorded many new works for recorder duo, including two mini-operas. As consultants to the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music they have been responsible for selecting, editing, and composing pieces for their popular “Time Pieces” series for recorder. They have completed collections of English and Irish folk music and a four-volume anthology of renaissance music. Their performances have met with great critical acclaim, for example, described in the following glowing terms: “the recorder-playing throughout the evening displayed musicianship and virtuosity of the highest order along with the adventurous and challenging programming we have learned to expect from this outstanding duo” (Anthony Purnell in The Recorder Magazine, Autumn 2007).
Staplehurst Music Centre has been extremely lucky in benefitting from Kathryn and Peter’s support and involvement over the years. We will greatly miss their musical talents and expertise as well as their kindness and good humour.
