A FORTHCOMING appearance by musical prodigy Derek Paravicini in Malvern is the result of a good deal of networking by a Ledbury woman.

Jo Prickett, whose 16-year-old daughter Issy attends Barrs Court School in Hereford, felt that a fundraising concert given by Paravicini could also provide an awareness-raising opportunity for the school.

Derek Paravicini also has severe learning difficulties, the result of being born prematurely at 25 weeks, weighing just 700g and losing his sight as a result of the oxygen he was given to save his life.

He is unable to use a knife and fork or tie his shoelaces, but he can play any piece of music after hearing it just once, leading him to be described as “one of the most extraordinary musical minds of his generation”.

So Jo set about organising the event, which takes place on Thursday, February 12, at Malvern Theatres.

Issy is a big fan, having seen Derek perform during the summer: “We went to one of his concerts and met him,” says Jo. “Issy thought he was great.

“He’s amazing as he can play by ear and he also improvises and takes requests. When we went to his Ross concert, Issy asked him to play Dancing Queen, which he started normally and then improvised incredibly.”

At the Malvern concert, Derek will play classic jazz and jazz through the years in the first half, before taking requests in the second half.

Derek, now in his 20s, started to teach himself piano at the age of two and first appeared on television when he was only eight years old. He was seen most recently in Channel 5’s Extraordinary People series.

“Barrs Court School is a fantastic place and Richard Aird opened my eyes to just how much there is to be done.” says Jo.

“So the idea of arranging a concert seemed a perfect way to raise not just much-needed funds, but also awareness of the issues involved.”

To book tickets, call the box office on 01684 892277 or visit malvern-theatres.co.uk