- ALI'S RUNNING FOR CHARITY AGAIN! On April 2nd (Good Friday) I am running in the Sudbury (Suffolk) 5 mile race alongside my partner Mitch. We have been training hard and are hoping to achieve personal bests on the day. I am once again raising funds for Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for research and treatment for the Gynaecology Oncology department. Please sponsor me if you can a spare a few quid: My Just Giving Page. THANK YOU! My target is a much more modest £500 this time, please help me reach it.
- MANDOLIN WORKSHOPS AT 2010 DARTINGTON INT'L SUMMER SCHOOL We are back there this year from 7th-14th Aug. Craig Ogden will be running a guitar workshop alongside and we will be hoping to run a mandolin and guitar ensemble as well as encouraging mandolin & guitar chamber music. Craig and I will also be doing a concert together as part of the week's programme. Its a fantastic place and a general all round musical experience as well as a great week for mandolin players of approximately grade 5 standard upwards. Booking has now opened - see their website for details. Website
- NEW CD: SOUVENIRS FOR MANDOLIN & GUITAR with CRAIG OGDEN Craig and I have now been playing in concert together for 10 years. We decided it was time for a new CD. The CD was recorded in Jan 2009 and was released on Sept 1st 2009 on the Chandos Label. It is a really eclectic mix of duo and solo works. My royalties from this disc are going to MacMillan Cancer Support. So, please buy as many copies as you can!
“A beautifully performed disc brimming with fun and fire....obvious musical chemistry....outstanding artistry and technical proficiency...the pairing of mandolin and guitar isn't especially unusual; but listening to Souvenirs, there can be no doubt that what Ogden and Stephens do with it, is.” William Yeoman, Gramophone
"This chocolate box of 20th Century miniatures played with poise, vitality, and seamless understanding by two brilliant performers"Rob Ainsley, BBC Music Magazine.
- MANDOLIN CAFE INTERVIEW A nice (long!) interview with me on Mandolin Cafe. Apparently it makes an interesting read!?
- ASTUTE MUSIC is going from strength to strength and is adding to the catalogue steadily. There are many exciting new books due over the next few months including a Technique Book from me; a book of studies for Intermediate to Advanced players with pieces contributed by four "Astute" composers: myself, Paul Mitchell-Davidson, Barbara Pommerenke-Steel and Hugh Boyde and a book of Four Dances (Beginner plus/Intermediate) by Calace for Mandolin and Guitar. Our newest book which we are really proud of and excited about is the Beginners' Way to the Mandolin by Robert Schulz. It is an incredibly thorough and user-friendly tutor book aimed at complete beginners. It has pictures, illustrations and a sticker page!! Check out Astute's Website
- MY NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL Take a look at the various videos I have posted. Enjoy!YouTube channel
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