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On
Saturday 5th July St. Mary's Slough hosted its 1000th free Saturday
Lunchtime Concert.
An audience of over 200 filled the Church to hear performances by the
originator of the series, Malcolm Stowell, at the impressive Norman &
Beard 1912 organ, Andrew Adams (cello), Henry Macey & David Darby (piano
duet) and the Reading Minster Midweek Choir, conducted by David Butler.
The finale was a combination of choir, organ and the 8 piece Celebration
Brass Ensemble in the premiere of 'In Tuneful Accord'. A special
arrangement based on the hymn tune Laudate Dominum by Terry Treherne.
The free lunchtime concert series was started by organist and
choirmaster Malcolm Stowell in January 1990, and bookings are now being
taken for 2010! Concerts feature artists ranging from the youngest
performers making their debut, to international concert performers,
which in 2005 included the Rutgers University Chorus from Newark, New
Jersey.
With it's natural acoustic, St. Mary's has also hosted many fine brass
concerts, including over 30 recitals by euphonium soloist Charley
Brighton, and visits by Capriccioso Brass, Freedom Brass & Windsor
Festival Brass.
The future of these free concerts seems very secure, and they remain a
very important part of keeping music 'live' in an age of easy access to
CD/DVD and online concerts.
Full listings of the weekly performers can be seen at;
http://www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk/Stmarys.htm |
