OrganFax

"England's new Young Star"
An article from the OKey Magazine. Translated by Dirkjan Ranzijn

Among the many top musicians appearing during the 'Festivals of Keys'(Sept 20th - 23rd) in Herdecke, Germany will be a big young talent from England: Sarah Foley. Despite her age Sarah is one of the most requested Organists in the UK and very soon on the Continent as well. In Herdecke she will be playing for a German audience for the very first time.

Sarah, who lives in Kingsteignton, Devon, was born on 14th Nov 1988. She took England by storm in the keyboard/organ and entertainment scene as a very versatile musician. During her shows she performs with her Yamaha organ, and also plays the occasional saxaphone solo. Sarah is not only a musician, but also a entertainer with personality and stage presence that becomes more popular every time. Her passion for music and arrangements shows during her concerts. It is no surprise that she performs more and more, because Sarah fascinates her audience in England. People should see her shows if they are able to.

Sarah was 6 years old when she got a keyboard for Christmas. She made good progress and her parents got her a Private teacher and she started playing in front of an audience at the age of seven. She went on to play in local hospitals and old people homes. She got well known and was asked to play for the local hospital channel. The BBC took an interest and she was introduced for the BBC Spotlight News programme. As a result she got invitations to play lots of charity concerts. At 9 years of age she won the Mark Shakespeare Memorial shield. The German organist Robert Bartha presented her with the shield during the Barton Hall Pontin's Festival. During a re-engagement in Torquay, Vic Harris from the South Molton Organ club booked her for a concert. More bookings followed and more clubs were interested in booking her. Her career went very fast. Sarah's parents support her in every way. Today, Sarah's Father is mainly her roadie, and her Mother makes all the stage clothes herself , as well as making sure that Sarah is looked after during her tour.

Sarah took lessons at a Yamaha school of music. After that she had many private lessons and was lucky to find Alan Ashton who taught her musical and stage presence. Alan is a very popular organ world columnist and broadcaster. In meantime Sarah performed at the most important music festivals: the biggest performance was at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham during a Yamaha showcase.

When she was eleven years old Sarah started to play the electronic organ. She started off with the Yamaha HCW4 and worked right through the Yamaha range and now plays the Yamaha EL700. She also has a Yamaha PSR 8000 and the Tyros 2 and plays live saxophone.

Both of her sisters, Adele and Lydia, have a big musical talent as well. Adele (14) plays a Yamaha EL700, a PSR 8000 and a flute. Lydia (9) plays on a PSR 8000, a clarinet and plays the organs of her sisters.

Sarah: 'Our house is just like a music factory and sometimes it is very loud, thank God we live in a bungalow and we don't have any neighbours, so we don't annoy them either'.

Sometimes Sarah performs with both her sisters. They are starting to get well known under the name 'The Foley Tribe'. The concerts are a mix of solos, duets, trios etc. At the moment Sarah studies Music Technology, Performing Arts and Sound Engineering.

After her graduation this summer, Sarah hopes that she can concentrate herself on her career. Beside her studies Sarah performed between the 100 and 200 shows at Music festivals, organ societies, in Hotels and private functions.

'I am one of the youngest organists in England , and I change my programme regularly, I try to play a complete different one every year. I always work to play better all the time. Music is a never ending subject.

She is fascinated by the organ. "I find that playing the organ or keyboard is much more fun than playing the piano and I enjoy being a soloist. The sounds and the technology fascinates me. I also play the piano in the college jazz band, so I have the best of both worlds. I am influenced by many artists, like Mark Shakespeare, Elton John, Jimmy Smith and Kenny G. Among the organists I like the sound of Mark Shakespeare, also because of his playing technique. Unfortunately I have never experienced him live, but I have all his recordings. I like Hector Olivera because I am fascinated with his pedal playing. Unfortunately the interest among the youngsters for the organ is getting less and less. I think that is because the youngsters don't have the opportunity to listen to the organ sound. When I play concerts in schools, the pupils are fascinated with the great sounds I produce out of my organ. Despite that, there are not many young English organists.

In meantime, while this young organists has already 2 Cds, 'Unchained Melody (2005, EL500) and, 'Music Of The Future'(2006, EL700) For an album she works about 15 to 20 weeks. Everything she records live into the computer and then the final mix. The live subject is very important for Sarah. When I asked if she is using any midi or wav files she answers: NO!! A live audience deserves live music!!!! I know, some of the artists are using backing tracks to improve their sound, and that is ok, but I think 'live is always the best way', even when you can hear a wrong note.

Besides both of her CD's, there is also a one hour dvd available. It is a live performance during a music festival. At the end of 2007Sarah will release another CD.

'A while ago I use to get the help from some of the top organists for the arrangements, and I am very grateful, but now I make all the arrangements myself. Most of the ideas I get is because of listening to other organists during festivals and I go to our local organ club'.

In her spare time Sarah enjoys shopping with her friends and family.

'My parents are Foster carers. This means they take care of children and I love helping them with that. I am also officially able to take care of handicapped children and I will start with a course which can make me official Foster Carer.'

During the last few years Sarah has found herself very much in demand in the organ scene in England. She performs Nationwide. She also enjoys playing for local clubs and loves playing in theatres and hotels in the Torbay region. Her shows were leading her to holiday camps in the South of France and this year she will be playing in Holland and Germany. You can look forward to Sarah's show during the 'Festival of Keys' in Herdecke.

Finally she says 'the concert at the 'keys' festival will be very important to me, I cannot wait. I am looking forward to meeting and playing alongside so many world famous players and I hope that the audience will enjoy my concert. I will be playing a very versatile programme.'

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To find out more about Sarah, why not vist her website at www.sarahfoley.co.uk.