Concerts in the West

The Perks Ensemble has an irresistible charm that is due in no small measure to the fact that its three energetic and committed founding members all just happen to be related. During the summer months the group's vibrant members will be performing at a number of venues in France and the UK, including Exeter, Bridport, Ilminster and Shute, near Axminster in Devon for Concerts in the West.

This dynamic chamber ensemble was created in 2012 by two brothers - Oscar and Elliott Perks - and their sister Ursula. Together they have earned a highly deserved reputation for playing exciting performances of both their own arrangements as well as chamber music classics.

Catherine Hodgson, founder and director of Concerts in the West, said: "The Perks Ensemble is a mind glowingly brilliant group of young musicians who are utterly devoted to their music. Their performance of 'In the Penal Colony' by Philip Glass, in collaboration with Shadwell Opera, was described as "unrelenting fervour" and they have a well deserved reputation for their dynamic and vivid interpretations. They are a breath of fresh air and I am confident that they are going to wow all our audiences."

Oscar Perks plays both violin and viola and has already experienced a varied career performing at many leading London venues, including Wigmore Hall, Barbican, Royal Festival Hall and Kings Place, as well as live on Radio Three. He has a packed programme of work that involves him as second violinist of the Dante Quartet, as well as assistant violin teacher at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Oscar started playing violin at the age of five and was awarded a place at the Yehudi Menuhin School. He went on to read music at Cambridge where he led the University Chamber Orchestra and was invited to perform with the Endellion String Quartet. At the Royal College, he gained his Masters with distinction.

Oscar's composition The Twin Towers (2001) for string quartet also won the BBC Guardian young composer competition and was premiered at the Wigmore Hall.

Elliott Perks is a London based freelance viola player who also runs the Yehudi Menuhin School's 'Chance to Play' outreach programme. He performs regularly with the Perks Ensemble, as well as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. He originally studied violin at the Yehudi Menuhin School, where he was awarded a place in 2001, however in 2008, he switched to viola. Elliott was a foundation scholar at the Royal College of Music.

Cellist Reinoud Ford studied with Louise Hopkins at the Yehudi Menuhin School before graduating with First Class Honours from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2007), where he also completed a Masters (2009). As a student at the Guildhall, he won the Guilhermina Suggia Award (2004), the Flame Competition in Paris (2006) and became a finalist in the Royal Over Seas League (2006). Reinoud continues to be in demand as a soloist and recent performance highlights include recitals in the Villa Borghese, Rome (2013) and for the diplomatic community in Doha, Qatar (2011) as well as other concertos with London-based orchestras (Jupiter Chamber Orchestra, Hounslow Symphony Orchestra). Reinoud performs, tours and composes with singer-songwriter Keaton Henson.

Musical Programme - The Perks Ensemble (Oscar Perks, Elliott Perks and Reinoud Ford:

Mozart Divertimento for String Trio in E flat major K 563; Francaix String Trio (1933); Beethoven String Trio in C minor Op 9 No 3

Bridport: Francaix and Beethoven

Performance and Box Office Details for The Perks Ensemble:

Thursday 3 September 2015 7.30pm, St Stephen's, High Street (opposite Marks & Spencer), Exeter. Box Office: 01392 667080. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3LS. Tickets: £15. Concessions for students and children. Town car parks - Interval drinks. Disabled access

Friday 4 September 2015 11am-12pm, Coffee Concert at  Bridport Arts Centre, South Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3NR. Box Office: 01308 42420 Em: info@bridport-arts.com www.bridport-arts.com Tickets: £10/£8 with concessions, coffee included, town parking and car parks, BAC café, disabled access.

Friday 4 September 2015 8pm, Ilminster Arts Centre at The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0AN. Box Office: 01460 55783 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday (Pre-concert supper at 7pm - advanced booking required £12) www.themeetinghouse.org.uk Tickets: £15. Bar and café, IAC and town parking, plus car parks, disabled access.

Saturday 5 September 2015 7.30pm, St Michael's, Shute, Haddon Road, Shute, Devon, EX13 7QR (Near Axminster - Situated just along the lane next to the Gatehouse of Shute Barton Manor). Box Office: Hurfords Stores, Kilmington, EX13 7RG.. Tel: 01297 33203.The Archway Bookshop, Axminster, EX13 5AQ. Tel: 01297 33744. Tickets:£15. Concessions for students and children. Parking, interval drinks, disabled access.

Ticket discounts for young people: Concerts in the West would like to encourage more children and students to attend concerts and we offer the following discounts:
Children/Students age 12 years and over: half price
Children under 12 years of age: FREE entry with a family member
School Groups (and more than two children with adults): to be negotiated separately.

Bring a friend for free: Concerts in the West ticket holders may bring for FREE one friend who has never attended a Concerts in the West performance before.

For further information about this concert and the 2015 concert series, please contact Catherine Hodgson, Director, Concerts in the West. Tel: 01460 53500, email: concertsinthewest@gmail.com or visit www.concertsinthewest.org

Concerts in the West - Promoting the best young musicians working in the UK today
How can you support Concerts in the West? Like many arts charities, Concerts in the West relies on donations and financial contributions from its supporters to help fund its excellent levels of service. For more information on becoming a supporter of Concerts in the West visit www.concertsinthewest.org or contact Catherine Hodgson, Director, Concerts in the West.