Clarinettist

Helen Goldsmith

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About Helen

Helen Goldsmith is a classical and contemporary artist specializing in the clarinet in the North of England.
Clarinettist
Liverpool
Public liability insurance of £10 million

Helen is a crossover artist, specializing in contemporary/classical performance and is an active recitalist across Yorkshire and Merseyside. At the age of 29, Liverpool born Helen has been performing professionally from the age of 17, and trained in Classical Music Performance at Leeds College of Music where she was trained by Colin Honour; Principal Clarinettist at Opera North. Throughout Helen’s training as a clarinettist, she has trained with John Padfield (Jazz Clarinettist and Saxophonist in Liverpool) and later went on to train with Katherine Lacey (Principal Clarinettist of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) before moving to Leeds and training with Colin Honour throughout her degree. Helen has also taken Masterclasses from Robert Plane, Janet Hilton and Anna Hashimoto as well as partaking in workshops at The Purcell School of Music in London and with The Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. As a performer, Helen has been fortunate enough to tour Europe, visiting Spain, France, Italy and Holland as a performer as well as attending The Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago in 2012. Helen’s orchestral and wind band experience is vast and she has performed under the baton of world class conductors including Tim Reynish, Mark Heron, Eduardo Portal, Natalia Luiss Bassa and John Malaxterbarria. Some of Helen’s highlights as a performer include performing a solo recital at age 18 in The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (2010), touring with the pop-synth star of the 80's, Marc Almond (2016) and showcasing her own self-funded Contemporary Music Tour in collaboration with pianist Ben Cockburn (Reed & Ivory) (2017). Helen performs regularly with bands and groups such as Reed & Ivory (clarinet and piano duo), Operation Lightfoot and St Matthew’s Orchestra as well as performing regularly in pit orchestras including the orchestra of Leeds Youth Opera and Halifax Light Opera. Notable awards that Helen has obtained include Liverpool's Young Instrumentalist of the Year (2010) and silver place in The East Coast Musician of the Year (2014). During her time at Leeds College of Music, Helen also came second place in LCoM’s Track of the Year Award in 2016 for the Reed & Ivory rendition of Bozza’s Aria for clarinet and piano as well as performing and premiering “Strange Remains” and “The Loneliness of The Long Distance Probe” with her duo partner Ben Cockburn at A Spotlight on Female Composers in Leeds (2015). Since then, Reed & Ivory have gone on to perform and premiere 4 new pieces for clarinet and piano across Newcastle, Yorkshire, Manchester and Liverpool. Helen is also a passionate teacher and workshop leader. She regularly leads workshops and masterclasses across Yorkshire and Liverpool and teaches privately and across schools as a private contractor. Helen is a qualified childcare practitioner and has been an active community musician since 2016 regularly performing and teaching in care homes, adult community centres, schools and hospitals. She is often quoted “The best compliment I can give my parents and tutors for their support throughout my musical education is to give back all I have learnt into the community working with real people and making people feel something through music and performance.”

Musicianship
Genres:
Classical, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Musical theatre, Opera, Film / TV music, Acoustic, Ambient pop
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Concert, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
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Other skills:
Fluent sight-reader, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Community music worker, Music therapy
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Customer questions

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I will always try my best to be as flexible as possible in the lead up to any event. Communication is the key so if there are any problems after making the booking, just let me know!

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

iPod service is available upon request before the event when booking.

How much time do you need to set up?

15 - 20 minutes is ample time to set up and be ready to perform.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Set lists are crafted specifically before the event to ensure that the day runs as smoothly as possible. Sample set lists can be provided before the event for clients to pick which music they would like performed.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, absolutely! I will bring my own instrument and equipment as well as my own backing tracks and sound system. When performing with an accompanist, we can bring our own keyboard if required.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes of course! If a client has any special requests for their event, I will ask this in advance of the date booked and work with the client to ensure that they are happy with the interpretation.

What do your clients love most about your performances?

That they are accessible and fitting for the occasion.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall St Georges Hall Manchester Cathedral Bradford Cathedral Royal Festival Hall Leeds Town Hall Leeds College of Music

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

My favourite artists are Martin Frost, Candy Dulfer and James Galway.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I recently went on tour with the 80's pop icon Marc Almond and played clarinet in his line up of musicians.

Helen's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£40
Up to 1 hour£200
Up to 2 hours£300
Up to 3 hours£500