Rebecca Newman

Rebecca Newman
Background information
Born 1981
Origin Exmouth, Devon, UK
Genres Classical-crossover, classical, musicals, folk
Instruments Voice (Lyric soprano)
Years active 2005-present
Labels Rambling Rose Records
Website rebeccanewman.co.uk

Rebecca Newman is an English soprano singer and songwriter. She came to prominence in the UK music scene in September 2014 when her debut chart album Dare to Dream went to number 1 in the Official UK Classical Artists Album Chart.[1][2]

Dubbed ‘The People’s Soprano’ by her fans, colleagues and the media,[1][3][4] and following several years as an operatic street performer, she has sung with Aled Jones, Russell Watson, Alfie Boe, and Blake, and appeared on UK national television and radio.

Early life

Newman was born and raised in Exmouth, Devon, where she remained until she was 21.[5] She began singing at the age of 13 and twice during her teenage years won a place with the National Youth Music Theatre. In 2002 she moved to London to pursue a career in business, and then moved to York, North Yorkshire in 2004, to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of York, graduating in 2007.[6] During her time there she began busking and accepting professional engagements. She has remained resident in York, UK.[3]

Music career

Career Beginnings: ‘The People’s Soprano’

Newman released her first CD album in September 2005, which she recorded on location at the University of York’s Jack Lyons Concert Hall. [7] She went on to release four more studio albums selling over 15,000 copies[8] before her debut chart-eligible album release in 2014. She also performed at many prestigious venues including Glasgow Royal Concert Hall,[9] The Royal Hall in Harrogate[10] and Headingley Stadium.[9] In 2013, Newman performed with Aled Jones at Truro Cathedral and Russell Watson at the Party in the Park in Burton Agnes,[3][11] and performed the national anthems live on international television for three Rugby League World Cup matches.[12] Newman also co-wrote and recorded the official song for the Rugby League World Cup Dance Project, Pass It On.[13] In November 2013, she released a charity single version of Wonderful Dream, originally released by the late singer Melanie Thornton.[14] Over the years, Newman built up a loyal following of supporters, who dub themselves The Newmaneers.[15]

Dare to Dream 2014-15

The three principals in Prague
Rebecca with Paul Bateman and James Fitzpatrick in Prague

In early 2013 she engaged the services of the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor and arranger Paul Bateman, orchestral producer James Fitzpatrick[16] and producer Gareth Ellis Williams[17] to help create her new album.

The title track, Dare to Dream, was co-written by Newman, Chris Nicolaides and Mike Brayn. The album was released on her own record label, Rambling Rose Records, on 14 September 2014 and it went straight to number one in the Official UK Classical Artists Albums Chart.[1][2] It received rave reviews[18][19][20] and quickly sold out online and in HMV stores[21] Following the chart success, Newman embarked on a fifty-plus date tour with Russell Watson, as his special guest,[22] performing to over 50,000 people from March to July 2015,[23] followed by a duet with tenor Alfie Boe during the final concert of his summer tour.[24]

Television and Radio

Since 2005, Newman has appeared extensively on BBC regional radio and commercial radio stations, among them BBC Radio Bristol[25] and BBC Radio Norfolk.[26] She first appeared on BBC One’s Songs of Praise in November 2014, performing The Prayer with the vocal group Blake,[27][28] and again in May 2015 singing Abide with Me as a solo performance in Manchester Cathedral.[29] The broadcast of the final round of the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year competition in St Paul's Cathedral featured the special guests, Newman with Blake, in live performance,[30][31] and on the Radio 2 Weekend Wogan show she was interviewed by Sir Terry and performed live on air.[32]

Charity

Rebecca sings with RNLI members

Newman has worked extensively with charities including directly fundraising for ChildLine and for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution,[5][33] whose Coast to Coast tour in 2012[34][35] earned her the RNLI Award for Outstanding Achievement.[36] She has recently become the patron for Socks and Chocs, a West Midlands-based homeless outreach charity.[37] She has performed for fundraising events for many charities and community organisations, including The Royal British Legion.[38]

Discography

Albums
2005: Music Box
2008: Cantare
2009: Memory
2010: O Holy Night
2011: Fields of Gold
2014: Dare to Dream (UK Classical Artist Albums Chart No.1)
Singles
2012: Il Mio Cuore Va
2013: Pass It On
2013: Heroes to the World
2013: Holidays Are Coming (Wonderful Dream)
2014: Heroes to the World – The People’s Anthem
Rebecca Newman official website
BBC1 Songs of Praise: The Prayer 16/11/2014
BBC1 Songs of Praise: Abide with Me 24/5/2015
BBC Radio 2: Weekend Wogan, 19/7/2015
Ad-lib duet with Alfie Boe - Leeds Millenium Square 24/7/2015
Rebecca Newman's YouTube channel

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Classic FM Chart - 28 September 2014, 5pm". Classic FM. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Official Classical Artist Albums Chart Top 50". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "York's Rebecca Newman to support Russell Watson at Party In The Park". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Daniel Falconer (22 October 2013). "Rebecca Newman 'The People's Soprano' - Exclusive Interview". femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  5. 1 2 "'Rising star' returns to Exmouth to support RNLI". Exeter Express and Echo. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  6. ↑ York Alumni list
  7. ↑ "Concerts - Concerts, The University of York". york.ac.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "Rebecca Newman". classical-crossover.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  9. 1 2 "York soprano Rebecca Newman to sing at Help For Heroes concert in Glasgow". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "The Royal Hall". hicyorkshire.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  11. ↑ Administrator. "Welcome to The Bluebell Hotel Burton Agnes". bluebellhotel.net. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Administrator. "Past Performances". rebeccanewman.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Rebecca Newman releases official 2013 Rugby League World Cup song". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "Rebecca Newman's video a Youtube hit". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "Rebecca Newman fans". twitter.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  16. ↑ "Soprano Rebecca Newman releases ambitious new album". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  17. ↑ Daniel Falconer (22 October 2013). "Rebecca Newman 'The People's Soprano' - Exclusive Interview - penultimate section". femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "Album review – Rebecca Newman 'Dare to Dream' album out now". themusicnewssite.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  19. ↑ "'The People's Soprano' Rebecca Newman – new album 'Dare To Dream'". Indie Music Mag. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  20. ↑ Unfashionable Male, 13/11/2014
  21. ↑ "MUSIC: Rebecca Newman warms up for Russell Watson tour with show in Bath". Bath Chronicle. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  22. ↑ "York's Rebecca Newman is special guest on Russell Watson's Tour from March to July". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  23. ↑ "York soprano Rebecca Newman will talk the talk and sing the sing on Sir Terry Wogan's BBC Radio 2 show on Sunday". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  24. ↑ "Watch: York soprano Rebecca Newman duets with Alfie Boe in Leeds". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  25. ↑ BBC Bristol, 14/4/2015
  26. ↑ "BBC Radio Norfolk - Stephen Bumfrey, Rebecca Newman: 'The people's soprano'". BBC. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  27. ↑ "Rebecca Newman to appear on BBC1's Songs Of Praise". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  28. ↑ "BBC1 Songs of Praise 16//11/2014". BBC. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  29. ↑ "BBC - Songs of Praise, 24/05/2015 - Music Played". BBC. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  30. ↑ Daniel Falconer (23 October 2014). "Rebecca Newman storming the charts with her eyes set on Christmas number one spot - penultimate para". femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  31. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 - Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year, 2014". BBC. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  32. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 - Weekend Wogan, Andrea Faustini and Rebecca Newman". BBC. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  33. ↑ Classical Crossover Magazine. "ISSUU - Classical Crossover Magazine, Spring 2014 by Classical Crossover Magazine". Issuu. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  34. ↑ "Rebecca sings for Exmouth RNLI Shannon appeal". RNLI. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  35. ↑ "Rebecca Newman: Coast to Coast UK Tour in aid of the RNLI - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  36. ↑ "Award: RLWC: pre-penultimate para". nothingbutleague.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  37. ↑ "Socks and Chocs patron sings for support". Bromsgrove Standard. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  38. ↑ "Rebecca Newman to sing at Festival of Remembrance in York". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
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