Lincolnshire members and guests enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime night with top violinist and ESU-alumni Tasmin Little OBE at the annual November dinner at Lincoln College. Tasmin jumped at the chance to give something back to the ESU in thanks for the music scholarship which took her to Banff’s famous summer music programme early in her studies, a turning point leading to a succession of teachers and events — including playing in front of 40,000 at the Proms in the Park and an OBE.
Tasmin spoke about how important being able to communicate well had been to her professionally: ‘It makes you more adaptable and resourceful it helps with sponsors as well as working with conductors and fellow musicians to build rapport.’
With her precious 18th century Guadagnini violin in hand, Tasmin merrily glided between playing and explaining techniques and materials as well as recounting experiences including having her pigtail pulled by an equally young Nigel Kennedy at the Yehudi Menuhin School and her experiences bringing her playing and classical music into a much wider community – from playing in prisons to an audience including a hippopotamus on the Zambezi.
Lincoln College’s staff and students took on the whole enterprise of planning, sourcing, cooking and presenting the delicious dinner. Michael Graydon said ‘We’ve had so many great comments about the food – our thanks to everyone involved. Well done! And thank you to all our committee – especially Camilla, and Kelly for co-ordinating a wonderful evening, and to Lord Cormack for bringing our star speaker.’ With the help of sponsors Langleys Solicitors, the evening raised £2,000 to fund the ESU’s local programmes in schools.