Our residents were treated to an unforgettable afternoon of musical entertainment, thanks to award-winning composer Natalie Holt, her mother Pat and ten-year-old daughter Annie who came to perform for us here at Barty recently.
Natalie is the daughter of Malcom, a resident who came to Barty House in August 2022, bringing with him a life-long love of music. While stationed in Singapore many years ago, Malcolm played the double bass in a Royal Air Force jazz band. So, when Natalie and her mother, Pat, a retired school music teacher, wondered how to give him a meaningful pre-Christmas treat, the answer was clear. A concert would not only bring joy to Malcolm, but it also offered an unmissable opportunity to share the gift of music with other residents here at Barty.
Natalie is globally renowned for her iconic and groundbreaking work for TV and film. An accomplished violinist and violist, who trained at the Royal Academy of Music and the National Film and Television School, she has performed at such iconic venues as the Royal Albert Hall and at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. Her innovative, experimental scores combine strings, vintage synthesisers and orchestral music recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios.
Her extensive and wide-ranging portfolio includes Marvel’s Loki series, action-packed Medieval romp Knightfall, hard-hitting BBC drama Three Girls and family favourite Paddington among many other compositions. She also co-scored the First World War epic Journey’s End, a work that won Best International Score at the Beijing Film Festival in 2018. Natalie has received numerous other accolades, including the prestigious 2024 Television Composer of the Year at the World Soundtrack Awards for Loki S02. She is also the first woman to score a live-action Star Wars project – the Lucasfilm Obi-Wan Kenobi smash hit – a remarkable achievement that highlights her pioneering contribution to the industry.
Although Natalie has performed at Barty before, on this occasion the talented trio treated residents to a lively mix of jazz, classical and Christmas music to get everyone into the festive spirit. Annie, who played both violin and piano, added extra sparkle with some jokes and magic tricks!
The Holt family’s visit brought the community together for a truly magical afternoon. Residents, staff and guests enjoyed mulled wine, candy canes, chocolates and tropical fruit as the timeless tunes bridged several generations and smiles and laughter lit up the room.
A delighted David Willis, Barty’s home manager, says: “We are so lucky to have such a talented family as the Holts here at Barty. It was wonderful to have three generations entertaining us all for the afternoon. They are amazing musicians and it’s no surprise to us that Natalie is a big star in the music world. We are looking forward to a repeat performance at some point in the future!”
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Holt family for their generosity and talent. Their visit reminded us all of the power of music to inspire, connect and uplift. It truly was a day to remember.
You can discover more about Natalie’s inspiring work by visiting her official website here and following her on social media at @filmmusicholt.
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