As many of you are aware, we are undertaking, next year, a long overdue renovation of the church organ. Needless to say it is an expensive venture and all our concerts this year are dedicated to raising money for this. We have four more events for you this season.
The first, quite soon now, on Sunday October 20, is an experiment to see how you would like an afternoon concert for a change. As I promised, Mary Morgan , soprano, is returning, this time with Steve Graham and his lute, for a concert of 16thC and 17thC English music entitled Ayres & Graces. Mary will sing works by John Dowland,Thomas Campion, William Lawes, Philip Rossiter, Michael Cavendish and Henry Purcell. Instead of a glass of wine you will have afternoon tea. Very civilised?
The second will take place , as long planned, on St Cecilia's Day, November 22. It is also , of course, the 100th birthday of the great English composer Benjamin Britten. Cecilia is the Patron Saint of music and musicians and it is an honourable English tradition to mark the day with special music. Purcell, Handel and many others wrote for the celebrations. This time we will have a different sort of concert, a mix of a recital and Songs of Praise. I will play British music on piano and organ, and you will sing. A cheap entry of £5 to encourage lots of you to come and, yes, you will get a glass of wine.
A few weeks later on Saturday 14th December we once again welcome The J Singers, the well known local choir. They have kindly agreed to help us in our fundraising efforts. The occasion is Christmas is coming; a feast of carols and Christmas music and harp and flute playing. There will be a chance for you to sing.
That only leaves one thing more to which to look forward; our annual service of readings and Christmas music, Carols by candlelight on the Sunday in Christmas week, December 29th at 6.00pm. The church choir will, as usual, be augmented by guest singers and instrumentalists.
