Management
Ewa Salecka
polish pianist, vocalist, composer, musical director
Born in 1978 in Goleniow, Ewa started playing the piano at an early age and began singing in choirs at the age of 8. Having been accepted at dedicated music schools to complete her secondary education, this participation in choral groups continued throughout her classical training. After gaining her Piano Diploma at Szczecin Music Academy, and freed somewhat from the bounds of over-commercialization in Western Europe, she began performing her highly innovative brand of contemporary jazz-based compositions with her quintet "Mantra". Contributing to music programmes throughout Poland, Mantra performed an extensive repertoire of film/folk/jazz works.
This eclectic background was already shaping Ewa's future musical ideals, and in 2003, seeking to further expand her musical horizons, Ewa formed "Pestka Trio", which became well known for its distinctive fusion of modern jazz and rock improvisation.
The opportunity to work with a peer group of inspirational artists honed Ewa's musical abilities, as well as exposing her to all the performance arts. From this she developed a passion for contemporary theatre, bringing her to the attention of Theatre Director Daniel Jacewicz (Theatre Brama) and with his recommendation, she enjoyed numerous collaborations with theatre groups across Poland.
It was as Musical Director of Theatre Brama, working closely with directors and performers alike, that Ewa personalised and refined her own vocal tuition methods. As well as organising workshops and providing individual voice coaching for the actors, she was also able to utilise the full scope of her knowledge and imagination by contributing numerous compositions and arrangements for theatrical performances throughout Poland.
During a four year spell in London, Ewa took a post as a pianist for the Academy of Theatre Arts, providing accompaniment to their "Italia Conti" Ballet School, whilst continuing to gain further experience as a jazz singer, both as soloist and in group events in clubs and venues across the capital.
Wishing to create a personal choral expression, Ewa, together with partner Greg, initiated the "4 Angels' Sake" Choir in Islington. This modern community project was, after re-locating to York in February 2009, the prelude to what is Ewa's most exciting venture to date, "Millegro", York Contemporary Choir.
As Musical Director of "Millegro", Ewa has a clear focus on what the choir represents, as well as its position within the community. Sophisticated arrangements for modern pieces will sit alongside more unusual traditional music; a rhythmic quality not often associated with choirs will carry equal importance; the embracing of secular music will create an attraction for people of all backgrounds; and as Ewa herself explains:
Millegro reflects my own diverse musical tastes, from classical benchmarks to jazz, world music and modern arrangements of the last two decades. The choir is unashamedly ambitious, and I wish to apply all my experience and knowledge to offer a new direction, both for singers and for audiences, in and around this most inspirational city.
Greg Birch
pianist, accompanist, arranger
Music should be intellectually engaging, an emotional activity, both in participation and in how we listen.
A formal musical education, together with near perfect sight-reading and self-taught improvisational skills have shaped Greg's philosophical approach to music.
After an initial foray into brass ensemble playing in school bands, Greg took up piano at 9 years old, advancing rapidly through his classical training. By the age of 18 he was supplementing his studies by working as session pianist for local groups before studying music at undergraduate level at York St. John University. Around this time an interest in Jazz improvisation began which would later lead to detailed study into the nature and complexity of harmonic structure.
As an accomplished organist, Greg held a 4 year post as musical director of All Saints Church, London, using this experience of a diverse instrument to further an understanding into complementary tonality. His involvement with choirs was highlighted by his appointment as accompanist with the "South London Choir". With Greg as pianist and together with the "Brighton City Singers" this choral group appeared in contemporary concerts for over 100 voices as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival, and performed for the re-opening of London's Royal Festival Hall in 2007.
As a Jazz pianist, his technical ability and classical background have helped to develop a sensitivity at the keyboard, which in turn has led to strong demand as support for small groups whilst enjoying modest success as a solo artist. In this respect he will readily quote Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett as inspirational figures at the piano, whilst maintaining strong admiration for Joe Zawinul's "Weather Report" and the arrangements of Gil Evans. He explains: These names typify artists who not only created an individual sound, they examined it in detail, and tested the boundaries of their style
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More recently, Greg, together with partner Ewa founded "4 Angels Sake" choir in London, and with their ambitious contemporary choir "Millegro" they aim to utilize all their experience and knowledge to offer a new direction for singers in and around York.
Greg also provides private piano tuition, developing technical skills in a classical format with the additional context of harmonic understanding at the keyboard.
