SOLD OUT! Christmas Concert & Carols by Candlelight

Elinor Carter (mezzo soprano) was born in York but has been based in Oxfordshire for the last 20+ years, where she mixes singing, conducting and teaching.  A choral scholar at Clare College, Cambridge, she gained a degree in Modern Languages before continuing her vocal studies at the Royal College of Music, where she was awarded a Senior Exhibition and won prizes for Bach, Handel and English song.

As a soloist, Elinor features on John Eliot Gardiner’s recording of Vivaldi’s Gloria. Solo oratorio and recital engagements have taken her all over this country as well as to the States and to France.

Elinor is thrilled to be reunited with Muriel, with whom she worked regularly with at the Royal College of Music a few years/decades ago!

Muriel Phillips (piano) began her musical education in Bedford, England. She won a Junior Exhibition at the age of eleven to the Royal College of Music, studying both the Piano and the Violin. She   later   studied   Piano   at   the   Royal   Northern College of Music and concurrently took a Music degree at Manchester University (the Joint Course). On leaving the RNCM, Muriel was awarded the Clifton Helliwell Memorial Prize.

Muriel returned to the Royal College of Music in London as a Postgraduate Accompanist and won several major accompaniment prizes, becoming a Wall Trust Scholar. At the RCM, she gained her ARCM (PG) and was later awarded a ‘Geoffrey Parsons Junior Fellowship in Keyboard Accompaniment’, studying with John Blakely.

She has performed widely as an accompanist in both the UK and abroad. Concert venues have included London, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, India, Sweden, Egypt, Cyprus and Berlin. Muriel accompanied James Rutherford in their Wigmore Hall debut and has also performed in recitals on cruise ships. She has performed in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales on a number of occasions and accompanied Alfie Boe at a dinner commemorating Placido Domingo’s twenty-five years at the Royal Opera House.

Muriel is in demand as an accompanist for recitals, competitions, choral societies and a wide variety of audition work. She was Head of Piano at Charterhouse School in Surrey and taught Piano at Eton College in Berkshire. She has also taught and given masterclasses in the USA.

Muriel has been an ABRSM Music examiner for many years, and her busy examining schedule has included many tours to international venues. She is a Trainer and Moderator, and also undertakes examinations for the Jazz Syllabus and Diploma level candidates.