Reviews

Performances

"Mr Sean Whytock provided piano accompaniment for our University of Cumbria Choir Graduation Ceremonies this year, proving at all times to be highly professional, well-prepared, reliable and accommodating of the intense nature of the ceremony week. His playing is musically instinctive, responsive and articulate. His relationship with our student choir was supportive and focused. We were very pleased Sean could use his brilliant talent as a pianist to enhance our offer to the ceremonies." - Victoria Barbé MMus PgC BMus LRAM FHEA, Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts, University of Cumbria (30/06/22)

"Sean gave two lunchtime performances as part of the Carlisle Fringe in St Cuthbert’s Church, Carlisle [on 28th & 30th August 2018]. These concerts were well attended and Sean was very well received. I was impressed with Sean and how confident he was. He practised diligently and was very well prepared. He was smart and presented himself well. His programme was very good and varied and he gave a faultless performance each time. In addition to the concerts, Sean played for me one Sunday at St Aidan’s Church whilst the organist was on holiday and the congregation were delighted with him. I highly recommend Sean and wish him well for the future." - Rev'd. Keith Teasdale, St. Cuthbert's Church, Carlisle (23/11/18)

"I had the pleasure of booking Sean to play at our Wedding at Low House, Armathwaite. He is a very well presented, relaxed and personable performer, extremely talented pianist and our guests gave us very positive feedback. I would highly recommend Sean to add the wow factor to your event." - S. Bruce-Gormley (27/03/18)

"Thank you, a brilliant recital - made me feel great!" - Katharine Talbot, Lincoln Cathedral (31/10/17)

"In [December] 2016, Sean played for us at one of our lunchtime recitals. He chose a selection of similar [Romantic & 20th Century] music [Debussy, Ravel, Boulanger and Wagner], which he presented in a very professional manner and played with a light and delicate touch. His Piano sound, nicely blended and finely pedalled, was well suited to the French music which dominated his programme. After the recital a member of the audience said that she was moved to tears by the performance." - Chris Bower, Cockermouth Music Society

"Just got back from a Live@Lunchtime session at Carlisle Cathedral. Sean Whytock was playing grand piano, and boy was I impressed. Sean's program included Wagner / Liszt, Debussy, Bach and more, it was absolutely stunningly beautiful and I can't praise him enough. Sean lives in Carlisle and graduated from Leeds College of music in 2011, he is a young man with oodles of talent. As well as playing Sean composes for film and TV. If you want to put on a classy concert of classical music this is your guy, c'mon now lets get him some work so that he doesn't flee the County too soon to work elsewhere!" - Roz Sluman, Carlisle Cathedral (03/05/16)

"Lovely performance of a great range of music - thank you for making the Steinway sound so beautiful." - Deb Bishop, St. Mary's Church, Wigton (26/02/16)

Scores / Compositions

"I have known Sean since 2014 and worked with him in a professional capacity on several filmmaking projects. I enjoy working with Sean and he has a passion for music that resonates throughout his work. Sean is able to listen to ideas and opinions of others to develop, adapt and produce an original score that exceeds the expectations of the initial brief. Our most ambitious collaboration was ‘Footprints of our Fathers’ (2016), a film set during World War One that followed the effects of the war on a family in Wigton.

My favourite piece of music from Sean’s score was ‘Elsie’s theme’ which brought to life the character of Elsie, the little sister left at home while her older brothers go to war. This theme develops throughout the film along with Elsie’s character conveying innocence, growing impatience and finally loss. As a drama-director you always hope that a viewer is able to react to your work and I witnessed first hand how Sean’s moving score complimented the film, achieving a strong emotional response from an audience during screenings. I look forward to working with Sean again on our next project!" - Lyndsey Anne Walker, Wright Walker Productions

"Sean is a true talent and his performances are simply beautiful! He is highly professional and always strives to achieve the best results whether performing or composing. When working with Sean on the 24 Week Filmmaking Course I was impressed by Sean’s hardworking nature and the creative way he translated the essence of a film into its score." - Abi Nawrot, Through The Curtain Productions

"From 2011 onwards, I have worked with Sean in my capacity as a producer and director for Eden Films Cumbria. He has collaborated with us on a number of film projects by creating the music score. Sean’s scores are excellent and he always listens to our ideas and adapts according to the requirements of the project, producing work surpassing our initial ideas and expectations. Most recently we worked with him on the short documentary A Charming Man (2017) about a Film Lecturer (Darren Connor) who died suddenly at a young age. Sean created a subtle and highly effective score in which he cleverly built in hints of a James Bond theme and a John Barry-esque tone to reflect Darren’s love for these icons.

He has also composed a score for our short film Jack Runs up the Hill (2017), which is aimed at children to highlight childhood obesity and a documentary Faith Hope and Charity (2014), which charts how a local charity has helped people in Cumbria for a 100 years. When working on all of these films Sean proved he is adept at creating a score which complements the visuals and helps to build an effective, emotional impact. He has also participated on the final master sound mix for all of these projects."

- Deborah Sweeney, Eden Films Cumbria

"As NADT Trust Manager I first engaged with Sean when he enrolled as a student on our 24 week filmmaking course. Throughout his time on the course Sean showed passion, commitment and a keen sense of wanting to learn more and explore creative avenues. He is a dedicated and conscientious young man, whose desire to explore is evenly balanced with his ability to listen. We have had various small film projects that have required a musical composition / score and each time we have not hesitated in contacting Sean. Most recently he was commissioned by NADT to compose the music for our 25 minute film on World War One, Footprints of Our Fathers (2016)".

- Sandra Keaveney, NADT Trust Manager

"Throughout Sean's undergraduate years, I was his specialist study supervisor for composition. I recall that his soundtrack for Nosferatu was especially successful, and praised by his module tutor. I am delighted that since graduating, he has been extremely busy in a wide variety of musical activities. I genuinely enjoyed teaching him, and he never failed to work diligently for me. His attendance and commitment to his studies were exemplary, and he demonstrated a singlemindedness when using his success to address any weaknesses. Sean's passion for music in general, and his specialised area in particular has no limits."

- David Fligg, PHD, M.Mus, BA (Hons), FHEA