The Society’s  year started in brilliant form at our concert in the Methodist Church on 19th January when we were treated to what can only be described as virtuoso performances from Charles Matthews and Lynn Arnold.  It may have been a cold evening outside, but inside the air was warmed by some outstanding playing by two […]

At the November meeting, we enjoyed a very interesting talk on the life of George Formby, given by Matthew Sproston from Gloucester.  George Formby was born George Hoy Booth in Wigan in 1904 and his father was a performer who changed the family name to Formby thinking it to be a more appealing stage name. […]

October saw our annual Young Musicians’ concert and we were delighted to welcome back Jessica Madden, a young pianist currently at King Edward VI School, Stratford, who had played for us last year. Jessica had used the fee she received last year to purchase music by Clara Schumann, a composer who is enjoying a revival […]

Charles Matthews is a popular local musician well known in Shipston and we were delighted to welcome him back for our concert in May.   As usual Charles gave us a varied and enjoyable musical programme, and introduced many in the audience to Leonard Salzado.  An English composer credited with a large output of music, Salzado […]

Alexander Ardakov, virtuoso Russian pianist and Professor of Piano at Trinity College, played to a full hugely appreciative audience this evening.  His rich and challenging programme included works by Rachmaninov, Mussorgsky ,Beethoven ,Gluck and arrangements by Lizst. Ardakov commenced with Seven Variations on the Theme 'God save the King' to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 91st Birthday. […]