Cello Roots – Music of the British Isles: Folk & Beyond
Sunday, 23rd November 2025 - 11.00
- 17.30
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire of Music, 200 Jennens Road, Birmingham, B4 7XR
With teachers from the British Cello Society, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and featuring cellists Laura Van der Heijden and Matthew Sharp with pianist Jâms Coleman.
The British Cello Society celebrates its launch with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in Cello Roots, the first event of ‘A Members’ Season’, dedicated to all cello lovers whose sense of adventure and keen desire to participate have inspired this event. Cello Roots explores the great folk music traditions of the British Isles, with their rich vein of colour, rhythm and tunes that have influenced generations of British composers.
The British Cello Society thanks the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for its gracious and generous support of our launch event.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 200 Jennens Road, Birmingham B4 7XR.
Schedule of Events
11.00 -12.50 Youth Division
Section 1 Grades 1-2 | Section 2 Grades 3-4 | Section 3 Grades 5-6
Section 4 Grade 7, 8, 8+ and Music College level. Improvising, Composing, Dreaming…A Creative Cello Adventure with Joanna Borrett
13.40 Student Concert featuring the cellists of the RBC Junior Dept
14.15 – 15.45 Young Cello Ensemble: (Grades 3-6 and optional for Grades 1 and 2)
14.00 – 16.00 Adult Division
Massed cellos: Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves and other works arranged for large cello ensemble. With Tommaso Nista, conductor
16.30 Cellists in Concert: Matthew Sharp and Laura van der Heijden, with pianist Jâms Coleman, will perform works by Rebecca Clarke, Errollyn Wallen, Frank Bridge, and others.
Schedule of Events
11.00 -12.50 Youth Division
Section 1 Grades 1-2 | Section 2 Grades 3-4 | Section 3 Grades 5-6
Section 4 Grade 7, 8, 8+ and Music College level. Improvising, Composing, Dreaming…A Creative Cello Adventure with Joanna Borrett
13.40 Student Concert featuring the cellists of the RBC Junior Dept
14.15 – 15.45 Young Cello Ensemble: (Grades 3-6 and optional for Grades 1 and 2)
14.00 – 16.00 Adult Division
Massed cellos: Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves and other works arranged for large cello ensemble. With Tommaso Nista, conductor
16.30 Cellists in Concert: Matthew Sharp and Laura van der Heijden, with pianist Jâms Coleman, will perform works by Rebecca Clarke, Errollyn Wallen, Frank Bridge, and others.
Ticket Prices
Youth Division
Chosen repertoire for each section will be published by early October and will be available in PDF format where required for download. Please keep in touch for updates.
Please read the guidelines HERE regarding your correct class level before purchasing tickets.
If you have any questions before booking, please contact events@britishcellos.org.
Sign up to
- Section 1 Grades 1-2
- Section 2 Grades 3-4
- Section 3 Grades 5-6
- Section 4* Grade 7, 8, 8+ and Music College level. Improvising, Composing, Dreaming…A Creative Cello Adventure with Joanna Borrett
*Please note that all participants for Section 4 must purchase ‘Clan’ by Joanna Borrett.
The BCS has organised a substantial discount on this sheet music for all participants.
The music is available here:
www.prestomusic.com/sheet-music/products/9479426–joanna-borrett-clan
Student Members (All inclusive) – £30
Student Non-Members (All inclusive) – £40
Adult Division
Please read the guidelines HERE regarding your correct class level before purchasing tickets.
If you have any questions before booking, please contact events@britishcellos.org.
Sign up to
- Grades 3-4 (Beginner)
- Grades 5-6 (Intermediate)
- Grade 7, 8, 8+ (Advanced)
Adult Members (all inclusive) – £40
Adult Non-Members (all inclusive) – £50
Teachers / Observers only (all inclusive) – Members £15 | Non-members £20
Final Concert only – Adults £10 / Students £5
