Dr Shirley Thompson OBE is an English composer, conductor, and violinist of Jamaican descent.
The music of composer Shirley J. Thompson is performed and screened worldwide and often described as “beautiful and powerful” (Le Figaro). A visionary artist and cultural activist, Thompson is the first woman in Europe to have composed and conducted a symphony within the last 40 years. New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony performed and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is an epic musical story celebrating London’s thousand-year history
Dr Shirley Thompson’s musical experience began with her playing the violin for various youth symphony orchestras in London, as well as choral singing with local choirs. After studying Musicology at the University of Liverpool and then specialising in Composition at Goldsmiths’ College with, Professor Stanley Glasser, her first major commission came from the Greenwich International Festival, when she composed a chamber orchestral work entitled Visions.
Shirley J. Thompson is Reader in Composition and Performance at the University of Westminster and has served for over 20 years on several national arts institutions, including the London Arts Board, the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Newham Council Cultural Forum. She was the first female executive of the Association of Professional Composers and now serves as an elected member of the Classical Music Executive for the British Academy of Song Writers, Composers and Authors. She has been named in the Evening Standard’s ‘Power List of Britain’s Top 100 Most Influential Black People in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016’. (https://shirleythompsonmusic.com/pages/about/)

Jamaican Concert Violinist, Steven Woodham OD, is a graduate of the prestigious Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, Hungary and holds an Artist Diploma in Performance from the Boston Conservatory of Music, USA. He has performed in several countries in the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, China, Chile and the United States of America and has appeared as a soloist with several university orchestras and touring chamber orchestras, including the English Chamber Orchestra, the London Festival Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Woodham was a prize winner in a number of local and international competitions, the Jamaica Festivals 1971-73, the Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival 1974 (Canada), the Jamaica Music Industry Awards (JAMI) 1992, the Lipizer International Violin Competition 1993 (Italy), the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) Award for Excellence in Arts and Culture 2014. In 2010, he was invited to invigilate as an international jury member by the University of South Africa, for the UNISA International String Competition in Pretoria, SA. Woodham is the recipient of the Institute of Jamaica, IOJ Gold Musgrave Medal for Music 2021.

Over the past 30 years, Woodham has dedicated considerable time and energy to music education in Jamaica as the Artist-in-Residence and conductor of the Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra and as a private violin tutor to many talented young violinists. In 2014, he was conferred by His Excellency, Sir Patrick Allen, The Governor General of Jamaica, the honour of the 'Order of Distinction', OD, for his dedication to Education and the Development of Classical Music and the Symphony Orchestra in Jamaica.

Woodham started his early violin training in Kingston with, noted Jamaican music educator, Noel Foster-Davis. His other violin tutors have been Takács Miklósné, Peter Lissauer (Hungary) and Lynn Chang (USA).

About the Orchestra:

Testimonials:
“An extremely well-disciplined group… Very good standard of school orchestra…” – David Leeke, Music Teachers’ Association Festival Competition
“Their Excellencies are quite impressed with the school’s orchestra... has always displayed exceptional quality…” – Mrs. K.G. Sewell Mills, Governor-General’s Secretary.
“Well coordinated ensemble…” – George Lee, Trinity College London Music Examinations.
The Immaculate Conception High School has a long and established history as one of Jamaica’s leading secondary schools. The curriculum which offers a wide and challenging academic education continues to evolve through its enrichment programmes to further stimulate and broaden the minds of our future generation.
The Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra is one of Jamaica’s largest school instrumental ensembles. This full orchestra, of over seventy-five talented students from all school and music grade levels, enjoys a fairly busy schedule throughout the year, participating in school related ceremonies, for example, Prize-Giving and Graduation, other in-house performances, and social and civic ceremonies. The orchestra participates in the Franciscan Ministries annual concert entitled “Classical Harmony”, and the biennial concert entitled “Expressions of Love” for the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Previous performances include The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, ceremony for the Presentation of the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education, The Musgrave Medal Awards, and “An Evening of Excellence” that celebrated the Holy Cross Church’s 75th Anniversary.
The students always eloquently display their musical talent in all of their performances. The orchestra has also participated admirably in the Biennial Classical Music Teachers’ Festival.
The students continuously receive high marks in the international Theory of Music, Solo Instrumental and Ensemble Practical Examinations set by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity College London, United Kingdom. The ICHS Symphony Orchestra has had the pleasure of performing for many distinguished guests, Heads of States, Members of the Jamaican Government, and members of the diplomatic community. The orchestra has had the distinct pleasure of playing for members of the British Royal Family: Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne in 2005; His Royal Highness Prince Charles, in 2008; and Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex during their visit to Jamaica for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, 2014.
The Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra is under the direction of Steven Woodham OD, with supporting tutors Helen Bromley, Alistair Drummond Petrie, Roel Miller, Allison Wallace and Gabrielle Clarke.
Experience some of their musical arrangements in the link below:
https://youtu.be/FiYh2TXkdgE

The ICHS Symphony Orchestra under the tutelage of Mr. Steven Woodham, OD, has proven to be a wonderful addition to the teaching curriculum at the Immaculate Conception High School, encouraging discipline, organization, and personal development and a unique appreciation of world music in these young ladies.
It has been my honour to work with the team of ICHS Alumnae, ICHS parents and Mr. Woodham to bring to fruition this excellent event with both in house and virtual performances. We hope many Alumnae, their families and their friends will participate in and enjoy this event.
I remember my father George Alfred Brown who in life was devoted to Immaculate Conception High School. He is my inspiration.

Music education is a precious gift. It expands and enhances the academic and social experience beyond measure.

Sees the principal role of music education is in developing positive social skills. In a creative way it gives structure and discipline to learning which positively impacts academic achievement.

Having studied piano for seven years under the legendary Miss Lisa Narcisse, I am thrilled to see the rich musical heritage at Immaculate continue with a new generation of orchestra students. I wish Maestro Woodham and the orchestra every success in the concerts and beyond. "If music be the food of love, play on" (Twelfth Night)

Every child should have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. The members of the ICHS symphony orchestra are very fortunate to have been given this opportunity. This is achieved through the commitment of Mr. Stephen Woodham and their parents, the donations of individuals and sponsorship from corporate Jamaica “

The ICHS-SO concerts are important fundraising events that raise money for instrument maintenance and repair. But just as importantly, the concerts are a celebration that allow our student musicians to share their love of music with each other and the community.

This event is admirable example of efforts to enhance cross-generation appreciation of music and an opportunity to give back to the wonderful learning institution that is Immaculate Conception High School.

It's my honour to participate in this fundraising effort for the ICHS Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra, under the guidance and expert tutelage of Steven Woodham OD has represented what hard work and commitment can achieve. They deserve all the support they can get to help maintain and acquire all the instruments needed to keep the orchestra moving forward.