"THE undoubted highlight of the 24th annual evening of
music-making was provided by the talented 15-year-old John Garner.
This young violinist, who is West Midland Light Orchestra's
youngest member, superbly played the solo part in the theme music
from the film Schindler's List..." (This is Kidderminster Nov.
2005)
"In the second half the 15-year-old British violinist John
Garner played unaccompanied Bach and Ysa˙e excellently...."
(Musical Opinion Nov-Dec 2005, review of the Virtuoso Violin
Festival)
"It was the first occasion for the choir members to hear
John Garner and they, like everyone, were thrilled with his
command of the instrument..." (The Chronicle, 28th Jan 2005 -
review of Tsunami concert)
John started playing the violin
just before his eighth birthday, with the Birmingham Music
Service. By the age of eleven, under the
guidance of violin teacher Timothy J. Beilby ABSM GBSM
PGCE, John had taken all
nine ABRSM grades and passed all with distinctions. At the age of 14, he was awarded his performance diploma
from the Royal Schools of Music (Dip ABRSM) with distinction.
His experiences have been
wide ranging and some of the more memorable events include
workshops with the Coull Quartet and Endellion Quartet, performing
at the Young Soloists Concert with Sutton Coldfield Orchestra,
being an active member and leader of the West Midlands Light
Orchestra, co-leader of the
Academy
Chamber Orchestra, and being regional finals winner of the BBC Young
Musician
of the year 2008. He has also played in many prestigious venues
including Symphony Hall here in Birmingham, the Royal Festival
Hall and Royal Albert Hall in
London. John is
currently continuing his studies with the famous Russian virtuoso
Rimma Sushanskaya.
With the recent establishment of the Chamber Orchestra of
King Edward's, John and Andrew Browning (founders) have created
many opportunities for new (and often experimental!) compositions
to be rehearsed and performed.
