Posts Tagged ‘Musical Theatre’

Barney is now endorsed by Roland, manufacturers of the World’s finest Keyboards and other Electronic Musical Instruments.

He regularly performs on both RD700 and FP Ranges and highly recommends all of their products.

Barney was Audition Pianist for Casting Director Amy Rycroft for the English Theatre Frankfurt’s production of The Who’s ‘Tommy’

Director – Ryan McBryde

Choreographer – Drew McOnie

Musical Director – Thomas Lorey

Barney was Assistant to Mike Dixon on a Friday Night is Music Night Pre-record.

Featuring Helena Blackman, Jonathan Ansell and Geoff Eales

Accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra

Barney is having to give a 20 minute presentation illustrating the findings of his previous Essay for his Masters in Musical Theatre Creative Practice at The Arts Educational Schools London.

Using Buzan’s Mind Mapping Software the Mind Map above will be animated and link to relevant video and other illustrative resources.

Barney has just completed the first essay of his Masters in Musical Theatre Creative Practice at The Arts Educational Schools in Chiswick.

The first module is entitled ‘Analysis of Performance Techniques in Musical Theatre’ and he was required to write a research journal of 2250 words based on class observations and previous professional experience.

The essay is titled ‘Examining the Methodologies of Musical Direction within the Ensemble Environment’ and you can download it here if you would like to read it. The Introduction is below:

I shall be examining standard practices utilised by Musical Directors and Singers whilst learning new works in an ensemble or group situation. I shall be exploring various techniques and methodologies from other disciplines and their potential benefits if applied to Musical Direction. This will be with reference to the many class observations that I have undertaken in Ensemble, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Speech and Voice, Acting, Song Workshops and also from previous experience with professional casts. I shall be examining whether performance anxieties and the psychological state of the Singers affects their abilities and also their speed of learning. Using examples from Elite Sport Psychology, I intend to find methodologies that improve a team’s performance. I shall be looking at how the Musical Director’s role and behaviour as a leader within the ensemble can affect the performance levels within the group and the group’s dynamic. I will demonstrate that there are techniques that I have observed employed in other disciplines that the Musical Ensemble Environment would benefit from implementing.

Barney is guest Musical Director for Show Off Piano Bar on the 17th September at Cafe Koha in the Heart of the West End.

Show Off! is a musical theatre piano bar in the heart of the West End. It is a place where anyone who loves musical theatre can listen to songs from shows new and old – and where anyone who wants to can get up and perform.

The doors open at 8 p.m. The music kicks off at 9 p.m. and continues until 1 a.m., so there is plenty of time to join us if you are going to a show in the evening.

If you want to sing, just put your name and the song you want to sing on the sign-up sheet when you arrive. We have music from a wide variety of shows, but you’re very welcome to bring your own.

Show Off! costs £10 at the door. Reservations (to guarantee a place) can be made by filling in the reservation form or by sending us an e-mail. A large selection of wines and spirits can be purchased at the bar, and Cafe Koha’s full range of snacks and meals is also available to be served to your table.

Barney in collaboration with Choreographer Ewan Jones has set up a new company,

AshworthJones Associates

The AshworthJones Academy has been established to provide quality musical theatre based courses and workshops for all abilities, genders and age groups.

We employ West End creative practitioners to run our tailored courses and workshops at educational establishments and companies across the UK and Internationally.

Founded by Barney Ashworth and Ewan Jones, the AshworthJones Academy has provided tuition at ‘The Arts Educational school of Musical Theatre’; currently the foremost performing arts school in the country, Trinity College of Music, Stagecoach Theatre Arts, The American School in London, Downe House School for Girls, The Eastside Educational Trust, Mind The Gap theatre company and many other leading educational establishments.

We have already built up a highly acclaimed reputation for being able to offer tailored courses to suit all ages, genders and abilities giving an authentic West End experience that inspires novices and professionals alike.

The Academy is the first of many ventures planned for AshworthJones Associates