St Peter’s Music: Fauré and Vaughan Williams

The usual pre-Easter concert on Friday 13 March given by the St Peter’s Church Choir and their friends will this year feature the very popular Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, reports Exmouth Road’s Chris Parrish.

As the soloist in this work we are pleased to welcome back James Birchall whose singing in The Creation last year was much acclaimed. James will also join the choir in a performance of Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs and sing the much loved song cycle Songs of Travel, also by Vaughan Williams.

Right: Guest soloist James Birchall

The concert will include Jonathan Watts (organ and piano) and is conducted by Sylvia Pritchard.

Below: St Peter's Church

Tickets are £10, available from The Lawn Bakery, The Lawn, and
Lesleys, Stationers, High Street, in Budleigh Salterton; from Eagle House, The Strand, Exmouth; and from the Tourist Information Centre, Ham Lane, Sidmouth. They are also obtainable by phoning 01395 442275; you will be asked to forward a cheque made payable to St Peter's Music and a return stamped addressed envelope. Subject to availability, tickets can also be bought at the door on the night.

Concessions: Full time students pay half the advertised price.

Further information about St Peter’s Music can be seen at http://www.stpetersmusic.org.uk/page4/page4.html

St Peter’s Music 2009

Applications are now welcome from music-lovers for St Peter’s Music Concerts 2009 season tickets, writes Exmouth Road’s Chris Parrish. The tickets entitle the holder to entry at all eight concerts taking place between March and October this year.

The tickets cost £75 for the whole season but must be purchased before 1 March 2009.

As usual the series of concerts, now in its 15th year, features a varied programme with music ranging from choral works next month to a fascinating recital in October based on the tuba and its musical antecedents. Celebrated musicians who will be playing include the pianist Peter Donohoe and the London Concertante, regarded as one of the finest chamber ensembles in Europe.

Right: St Peter's Parish Church, Budleigh Salterton

Below: St Peter's, interior

St Peter's Music was started in 1994 by the then Vicar, The

Reverend Robert Gibbs and the Director of Music, Sylvia Pritchard. The intention was to provide regular concerts, mainly, but not exclusively, chamber music, to enable local residents to enjoy serious music without the need to travel to Exeter. Since then the organisation has changed little and the aim not at all. There is some emphasis in the programming to feature young musicians. Exeter School has been included for several years and Wells Cathedral School and the Purcell School have played on a number of occasions. We have also welcomed the Takacs Quartet, pianists Paul Lewis and John Lenehan as well as the Chamber Ensemble of St Martins in the Field in the last few years.

To apply for tickets, send your cheque made payable to St Peter's Music and a stamped addressed envelope, to St Peter's Music, 12 Exmouth Road, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 6AQ. Season Tickets are not transferable and entitle the named holder to entry to each concert in the season. In addition season ticket holders are entitled to a complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice during the interval of each concert at which refreshments are served.

For more information see http://www.stpetersmusic.org.uk/page1/page1.html