Music News - October 2026

The Choir have now returned refreshed from their well-earned August break and started the term with a bang as the choral scholars gave their annual concert in the parish rooms on the evening of the 11th September. Various scholars performed solos, both vocal and instrumental and showed a considerable wealth of talent and ability. The audience then were able to access their inner dancing queens as the scholars performed a lively medley of Abba songs. A particularly joyous evening, with catering provided by members of the choir.

The organ has not enjoyed the months of dry and hot weather and frequently sends out an SOS. Several more stops have had to be silenced, and it has become more difficult to play for services and voluntaries without very loud and obtrusive ciphers disturbing the peace. Mamma Mia, we are working hard to consider its long-term replacement.

Thanks to baritone David Pike who sang for two Sunday services during the holiday period. At the first he performed three of the Five Mystical Songs by Vaughan Williams and the following week The Lord bless you and keep you by John Rutter.

There will be some notable music to be heard at October services. On the morning of the 4th, the anthem is Gabriel Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine, written when the composer was just nineteen: it won him first prize in a composition competition at the Ėcole Niedermeyer in Paris. Holy Communion will conclude on the 11th with Oli King playing Bach’s St. Anne Fugue BWV 552, a noble and very tricky piece to perform. On the same Sunday, Choral Evensong is a treasury of British music with O Thou the Central Orb by Wood as the anthem and Stanford’s majestic setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C. The service is dedicated to Gordon and Susan Smith – Gordon was a former chairman of the SMMA. As is now the custom at Evensong, refreshments will be served after the service – a good opportunity to meet members of the choir and say thank you for the music. On the morning of the 18th the voluntary is the virtuosic Introduction and Pasaccaglia by Max Reger, played by your correspondent – let’s hope he won’t meet his Waterloo.

The Autumn concerts have started and if you have not yet attended one of these wonderful musical offerings, take a chance on me and come to the church for refreshments and entertainment. The concerts start at 11.30am. In October we welcome students from the County High on the 7th, the Quantz Ensemble (Flute, violin, ‘cello and harpsichord) on the 14th, and pianist Bob Goldsmith on the 21st. The concerts are always a delight and indeed my love of music is frequently bjorn again. I have a dream of filling the church for each concert and the events are entirely free – no money, money, money changes hands.

One more plug for October and that is that on the 24th at 5pm there will be a celebrity organ recital by the acclaimed Jonathan Scott. Jonathan has already given a recital at the church and I have to say it was nothing short of staggering: he is an incredible talent. The repertoire for this is currently not known but I hear on the grapevine a medley of Bee Gees hits might be on the cards. Stayin’ Alive is what we hope for our beloved old organ as he puts it through its paces.

Philip Sunderland