BIOGRAPHY |
Matthew's
Background
Matthew is the U.K's
Youngest Classical Baritone at the age of 17. He was
born in Gravesend Hospital to parents Shirleyanne
and Mark. Matthew currently resides in the village of
High Halstow. A former pupil of Gads Hill Private School,
the former home of the great author, Charles Dickens.
Matthew attends singing/vocal tuition weekly and has
piano lessons. He also attends the gym twice weekly
and has a personal trainer. His aim is to stay fit and
healthy. He plays golf, enjoys the cinema and listening
to different genres of music. Matthew aspires to
be like Luciano Pavarotti, Bryn Terfel, Garda Cortes,
Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso.
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Matthew's
Singing Career
Matthew's extraordinary
talent was discovered by his music teacher, Mrs Lynne
Buckley, who recommended Matthew undertake classical
vocal tuition from a trained vocal coach. Christine
Hubbard was recommended by the Director of Music, Roger
Sayer, from Rochester Cathedral. Matthew was very fortunate
to have the support of his former Headmaster, Mr
David Craggs. This enabled him to balance his musical
career and schoolwork which is very important to him.
At seventeen and after five years continual vocal training,
Matthew has already surpassed the careers of many of
his operatic counterparts of the older generation. He
has competed in many classical festivals and won many
accolades for his stunning renditions of opera classics
such as 'Nessun Dorma', 'Toreador' and 'La Donna E Mobile'.
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He has performed on the world's
grandest stages including The Royal Albert Hall/The
NEC/The O2 Arena and The Fairfield Halls with the
London Mozart Players to great acclaim. Matthew
has also received tuition from Tay Cheng-Jim, an
experienced teacher/counter tenor whom studied
at The Guildhall School of Music. He also has his
own pianist, Mr Kerne Clemence, who is a retired
teacher and is Matthew's accompanist when he
attends concerts and festivals.
Matthew's journey began when
he won the prestigious Star4Medway competition
in 2005 at just twelve years old, winning the chance
to perform at the first ever Kent Music Festival
and to meet and sing alongside Miss Katherine Jenkins.
Next he won an adult opera solo class at The Medway
Festival of Music Speech and Drama which was in
October 2005 and a year later the Junior and Senior
Championships of the same festival singing with
such astonishing clarity that the local press compared
his talent to that of a veteran performer.
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Matthew is very passionate about his singing and
is involved in many charity concerts such as:
BBC Children in Need, Mayors Charity Concerts
and The Universal Peace Federation Concerts.
He is a Patron of the CPC (Cerebral Palsy Care)
charity and has sung at a private function for
the CPC with The Drifters in May 2008.
Matthew's many
achievements include being Champion of the
BBC2 Talent Show 'Let Me Entertain You' hosted
by Brian Conley, a support artist for Katherine
Jenkins on several occasions and a regular face
on terrestrial television. He was an X-Factor
Boot Camp Finalist in August 2007 and a winner
of 'UK Unsigned', the largest national talent
show in the country which was held at The Hackney
Empire in March 2008.
Matthew currently
is supported by Gillingham Football Club Chairman
Paul Scally, after the Chairman saw Matthew perform
at a business dinner in Rochester Cathedral.
He became a big fan.
Matthew is currently working on and recording
some original material with two renowned songwriters.
Good News: Matthew has acheived 16 GCSES; 4 A*s,
6 Bs and 6 Cs, and now attends college studying
for a National Diploma in Music Practice.
Matthew performed
in the 'Voice In A Million' Concert at the O2
in London, 28th January 2010. Matthew performed
with a 5000 children's choir, the capital arts
childrens choir SPIRIT and the Hot Gospel Choir,
to an audience of 20,000.
Matthew is the first
patron of the Survivors Coalition Foundation,
set up by Beverli Rhodes. The foundation was set
up and consists of survivors of the 7/7 London
Bombings. The aim of the foundation is to raise
its profile as it is the 5th anniversary this
year and the group are working on a project which
will involve the production and promotion of a
c.d in which the survivors will sing featuring
Matthew.
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Press And Performing
Matthew has gained much local and national press
interest on his journey so far and many glowing
celebrity reviews including a Daily Express article
written by the journalist Vanessa Feltz, a letter
of recommendation and support from Mr Jools Holland
(Musician) and has been nominated on several
occasions for A Pride In Medway Award for outstanding
achievement.
Matthew to date
still continues to wow the crowds with his unique
vocal talents. He loves to sing and play the piano
and looks forward to a long and prosperous career
in the music industry and to gain entry to The
Royal Academy of Music in London.
Matthews aspirations
are to be the best classical singer in the world,
to sing at the O2 Arena and to perform at
the 2012 Olympic Games. |
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Latest
News...
Matthew
performED as a support artist for The Soldiers 'Coming
Home' UK Tour Commencing Saturday 20th March -
Friday 16th April 2010. Matthew performed
at 10 of the 16 dates. The Agent is Tony Clayman's
Promotions Ltd. Amongst the 10 dates, one was at St.Davids Hall, Cardiff
and The Royal Albert Hall in London. The Promoter
is Kennedy Street and Live Nation.
Matthew performed at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai on the 13th May 2010, at a prestigious charity function to the Royal family of Dubai (Sheik Mohammed).
Matthew is to represent the U.K at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on the 8th July 2010.
Matthew is to perform at the Cannizaro festival in London on the 12th July 2010.
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All
Photographs By Martin Reilly |
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This site is © Matthew
Crane, All Rights Reserved
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