PAUL SPICER
THIS SATURDAY
(September 15th) at 3pm, Methodist College Chapel
Paul Spicer began his
musical training as a chorister at New College. He studied with Herbert Howells
and Richard Popplewell (organ) at the Royal College of Music in London, winning
the Walford Davies Organ Prize in his final year. He is best-known as a choral
conductor, particularly of the acclaimed Finzi Singers with whom he has now
made 15 CDs for Chandos records. He has conducted Bach Choirs in Chester and
Leicester, and moved to conduct the Bach Choir in Birmingham in 1992. Recently
described as being among the premier
division of the country’s choirs, the Birmingham Bach Choir performs with
major orchestras including the English Chamber Orchestra and Florilegium and as
part of a wide-ranging programme gives the annual Bach St Matthew Passion
performance in Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Paul Spicer conducts the Chamber
Choirs at the Royal College of Music in London, and the Birmingham
Conservatoire, and is Professor of Choral Conducting at both institutions. He
also conducts the Whitehall Choir in London and gives Choral Workshops all over
the UK, in Europe and the USA. Paul
Spicer is a member of the Council of Lichfield Cathedral, is a Fellow of the
Royal Society of Arts, an Honorary Research Fellow of Birmingham University and
an Honorary Fellow of the Birmingham Conservatoire.
THIS PROMISES
TO BE A GREAT EVENT,
PLEASE COME
AND SUPPORT IT.
Saturday 27th October
The Annual Member’s Recital
at 7.30pm (please note later time than usual)
The choir will be that of St
George’s Parish Church, Belfast
with organists Charles
Harrison and Nigel McClintock.
Bach at Queen’s: From 2 - 4 November there will be an International Symposium
‘Understanding Bach’s B-minor Mass. This will feature a string of
internationally renowned speakers and musicians. It will conclude with a
performance of the work itself by the Dunedin Consort, directed by John Butt in
Clonard Monastery. This will be a Belfast
Festival at Queen’s concert so tickets will be available from their Box
Office.
In advance of the Symposium
(for which there will be a charge) there will be a series of free Bach
Workshops for the local community. One of these, in the Harty Room at Queen’s
at 10.00 a m on 1 November is being organised in association with USOC. It will
feature three local advanced pianists playing music by Bach that requires an
understanding of Baroque dance. This will be led by Colm Carey, Belfast City
Organist.
Further details from
Professor Yo Tomita (028 9097 5206 or y.tomita@qub.ac.uk). Also see www.music.qub.ac.uk.
Two of our committee members Tanja Tierney and Ian Mills, both PhD students at
QUB are heavily involved with the organisation of all the events and USOC
members will find much to enjoy.
Colm Carey, Belfast City Organist. Last year, Colm gave a private lesson to a
number of advanced players who had not had the opportunity to have formal
lessons for some time. These were free of charge and were appreciated by those
who took part. Colm is keen to repeat the experience and anyone interested
should contact me.
From the Treasurer. A few members have still to pay their subscription
to USOC for this year in spite of having been reminded in various ways! If you
are one of these, pay as soon as possible to retain your membership of the
Society!
Tonic Organ Concert – Saturday 20th October, 7.45pm
At the Bangor Academy,
Gransha Road, Bangor.
At the console, Simon
Gledhill and Richards Hills – internationally acclaimed superstars of the
theatre organ world. Their programme will include duets for organ and piano.
Early in 2008 Bangor Academy is destined for demolition so this will be the
last opportunity of hearing this memorable instrument in its present location.
If you need road directions, phone Rodney Bambrick at 028 9146 5222.
Holywood Festival – Saturday 17th November
Organists
are encouraged to enter the inaugural USOC sponsored Holywood Festival Organ
Classes. Two classes:
Class
39 Age 16 years and under. Prelude in E minor
(From
Eight Short preludes and fugues Bach) AND
another
contrasting piece. (1st prize £30 presented by
USOC)
£3 ENTRY FEE
Class
40 Open. Two contrasting pieces (4 minutes time
limit
to each piece)(1st prize £50 presented by USOC).
£5
ENTRY FEE.
The
competition is on Saturday 17 November (afternoon,
with
practice time in the morning)
Entries should be sent to Mr
Stephen Timpany, 11
Erindee
Park, Donaghadee, BT21 OLG by 1st OCTOBER. Any
queries
phone Stephen on 07980117397 or James Little, 90421332.
Voices for Hospices
Come and Sing your favourite hymns and join with choirs around the world
singing in support of Hospices on Saturday 6th October.
Venue – St James’ Parish Church, Belfast
Time – 3.30pm
Tea and chat afterwards, retiring collection for Hospices
Spread the word and tell your friends.
St Peter’s
Cathedral and USOC Saturday Mass series continues …
October 13th Methodist College, Belfast Schubert
in G
November 17th Cathedral Voices and Ecclesium Durufle Requiem
December 8th Cappella Caeciliana Victoria Mass
Vacant Consoles
Stay
up to date with local Organists posts at www.usoc.org.uk
Website
Don’t
forget to stay up to date on the web - www.usoc.org.uk
Any items of interest or news,
or church posts you wish to advertise, should be sent to me at music@belfastcathedral.org
or Director of Music, Belfast Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2HB.
Thank you. Philip Stopford, Hon.Sec.
2008 May Trip: Saturday 3rd
to Bank Holiday Monday 5th
For
next year’s trip we plan to be based in Chester and visit that Cathedral city,
north Wales including St Asaph, Liverpool including both Cathedrals, and other
interesting venues in Lancashire and Cheshire. As you will know, Liverpool is
to be European City of Culture in 2008. Professor Ian Tracey is assisting us
with our planning of what should be another enjoyable expedition.
As
usual, we need to collect deposits from those interested so that we will be in
a position to book accommodation and flights at the lowest possible prices once
the relevant flights are available (in this case to and from Liverpool). We
expect the total price (flights, two nights room only, private coach travel as required
and fees/gratuities) to be between £240 and £280 for those sharing a room, with
a single supplement of £60.
Please complete and return the attached slip to
Philip Walden, 20 Hazeldene Avenue, Bangor, BT20 4RA by 12 October to make a booking.
I
enclose a cheque for £150 (£200 for single room) or £300 (for two people) as a
deposit for the 2008 USOC trip.
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