RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Barney has been involved extensively in Musical Theatre, Radio & TV as Musical Director, Assistant and Instrumentalist. Credits include: Grease (Tour), Never Forget (Savoy), Blood Brothers (Phoenix), SHOUT! (The Arts), CATS (Tour), This is Elvis! (Tour), Hi-De-Hi! (Tour), Fings aint wot they used t'be (Union), Devilʼs Advocate The Musical (workshop), Curtains (ArtsEd), Show Off!, 13, West End Eurovision, Drat the Cat! (workshop), Honk!, The Office - The Opera, Zanna Don't!, West End Live 2009, Friday Night is Music Night (BBC Radio 2), Best of the West End with Miranda Sings , Holland America Line and P&O cruise ships, Cinderella (Stevenage) Dick Whittington (Cambridge) Jack and the Beanstalk (Northampton.) Playing also as audition/rehearsal pianist for many productions including Bright Lights Big City, Spring Awakening, Qdos Entertainment, The Full Monty and Oliver!.
Educational establishments Barney has worked at include The Arts Educational School London, Trinity College of Music, Reynolds Performing Arts School, Stagecoach, The American School in London, Redroofs Theatre School and The Mandy Ellen School.
Barney has also recently obtained the World's first Masters in Creative Practice Degree (Musical Direction) from The Arts Educational Schools in London on which he was awarded a Scholarship.
QUOTES
"Barney is destined to have a very successful career. He deserves to, it is rare to find so much enthusiasm, and talent to back it up in one person. Good man!"
Mike Dixon (Internationally renowned Musical Supervisor/Director www.mikedixonmusic.com)
"Barney Ashworth’s fine musical direction tellingly elaborates the usual Union keyboard with double bass and even a few hoots on saxophone"
Michael Coveney (Theatre Critic - Whats On Stage)
“With buoyant musical direction from Barney Ashworth on piano”
Mark Shenton (Theatre Critic - The STAGE)
"I had the pleasure of working with Barney when he was our Assistant Musical Director on SHOUT in the West End. He was so professional, easy to work with and his musical talent was a real gift to our production. Barney is cooperative and leaves his ego at home - a rarity in theatre! I would recommend him to anyone who wants someone who really shows up and contributes.
Judith Abrams
(Producing Partner, Tony Award Winning Production "Spring Awakening" Broadway, West End)
"Barney proved to be an extremely committed and superbly talented musician and musical director. His application to a project is admirable and his tireless enthusiasm is infectious."
Graham Gill - Director (Avenue Q, Carousel, Oliver!)
"Barney's an energetic, skilled and committed musician, as well as an accomplished arranger and composer."
Valerie Cutko - Actress & Writer (Phantom of the Opera, Evita, My Fair Lady)
"Barney is an excellent Musical Director, Composer & Assistant. His thorough approach, broad knowledge of his field and excellent communication skills are essential for all kinds of productions the world over."
Arden Hart - Musician & Composer (Massive Attack, Take That, Jamiroquai, Many West End Shows & Music for 'THE SAINT')
"I have known & worked with and alongside Barney Ashworth for now going on 3 years. Barney brings with him not only an amazing talent and diversity for music as Musician and Composer, but also the work ethic, dedication and temperament that makes him a outstanding Musical Director. I will continue to look to Barney when any creative needs or decisions are needed relating to Music, Music Production, Theatre and Live Entertainment in general"
Steven Schwartz - Director / Producer / Broadcast Journalist (CNN / Sky News / BBC)
"Praise must also go to a great sounding band, used to their full potential under Barney Ashworth's musical direction."
Review from the British Theatre Guide for Dick Whittington - Cambridge 2009-10
FULL BIOGRAPHY
Barney was born in Aylesbury on the First of January 1982. by the age of three he started having piano and violin lessons. At the age of six, he stopped learning the violin and started lessons on the cornet at Locker's Park School for Boys in Hemel Hempstead. Aged 7 he passed his Grade 5 Associated Board practical examination. He was awarded a music scholarship to attend Haberdashers' Aske's School for Boys in Elstree, where he continued to study the cornet, piano and singing.
At the age of 12 he auditioned for the internationally renowned Purcell School of Music. And at 13, performed Haydn's Trumpet Concerto at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Many opportunities followed whilst he was at the Purcell School, and he took the chance to further his musical skills by also studying guitar, percussion, organ and electronic music.
When Barney left the Purcell School, he decided that he wanted to experience the challenge of the British Army for at least three years instead of university or music college. Barney was awarded an award for exceptional proficiency on the Trumpet from the Army School of Music, Knellar Hall.
Barney was posted to the Band of The Life Guards, based at Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge. Whilst in the band, Barney was awarded an Associate of the Trinity College of Music diploma, and was promoted to become a Non-Commisioned Officer, holding the rank of Lance Corporal. He was appointed as the band's pianist, playing not only with the orchestra, but as a soloist at many occasions of state. He was also requested to play as a pianist for Her Majesty the Queen on many occasions. Barney also played in a jazz duo, playing at many regimental and royal functions, and was selected as a State Trumpeter. He was also used as an accompanist, helping other musicians through exams and competitions.
Barney has been Musically Directing and Conducting both in London's West End, on tour in the UK and all over the World. He also writes library music for TV which has been used both in the UK and abroad, some of which you can hear on this site. He has also written a collection of songs that he hopes he can get placed with suitable artists.
Visit Barney's myspace page to hear some more of his songs and this page for examples of his TV showreel.