The constant rain throughout last Friday did not prevent the members and friends of the Shipston-on-Stour Music Society from travelling to the Methodist Church in the evening for the first recital of 2026 featuring local soprano Robyn Pullen accompanied by pianist Charles Matthews. In her introduction Robyn emphasised the need to introduce new music to […]
Last Friday the members of Shipston Music Society gathered, as usual, at the Methodist Church, for a recital of piano duets performed by Lynn Arnold and Charles Matthews. These two pianists perform together frequently, presenting a vast repertoire of both original compositions and transcriptions for four hands. A shared passion of English music features significantly […]
Last Friday, 16th May, the members gathered, not for a recital, but for a long-awaited talk by Dr. Simon Smith, FSA, Associate Professor of Shakespeare and early modern drama at the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham. Growing up in Maidenhead, he attended the local comprehensive school and benefited from musical tuition at Berkshire Young Musicians’ […]
One week earlier than usual, we met on April 11th in the Methodist Church in New Street to hear Japheth Law, a young Malaysian flautist accompanied by Charles Matthews. Japheth began his flute lessons with Iun Chen Kim in his hometown, Kuching and later studied in Kuala Lumpur. In 2015 he was accepted into the […]
Last Friday, 21st March, our members gathered for a recital by cellist Gen Li (from Chengdu, China) accompanied by Charles Matthews, Patron of our Society. After gaining his B. Mus with 1st class honours, Gen is now studying for a Master of Music at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Since 2019 he has won numerous awards […]
Last Friday we met for our first recital after the Christmas break in which we welcomed a return visit by cellist George Wilkes, this time accompanied by Charles Matthews, Patron of our Music Society and an accompanist in great demand by his students at the Birmingham Conservatoire. George began his programme with “Piece” by Ernest […]
Last Friday evening members of the Music Society met once again for their monthly dose of live music performance. On this occasion Jazz 59 made a return visit to fulfil the task, again doing so with their usual skill and enthusiasm. With the opening “glissando” from the trumpet the scene was set for the first […]
Last Friday members and friends of the Shipston Music Society gathered in the Methodist Church for an hour of “Mello Cellos”, organised by Chris Wimpenny, a local teacher of the cello. What an enjoyable experience this proved to be as we followed the learning process from elementary through to advanced, displayed by the eleven performers. […]
An exciting new album was previewed at the opening event of the Music Society’s 2024 2025 programme in September. Multi-instrumentalist, Catriona Bourne, who recently completed her Master’s in Music Performance, is well known in Shipston and has played here many times in the past in a classical vein. This time, however, she was unveiling her […]
What a pleasure it was to see so many members and guests of the Shipston Music Society at the last concert of 2023/2024 season. This was held at St. Edmund’s Church in Shipston and was a concert by Divertimento, a choir of 30 singers based in Leamington who are “passionate about all things vocal from […]
The Blockley Blokes Choir are a cheerful lot. They arrive for the concert in ones and twos, smiling and greeting each other like long lost friends. In May, this was their second visit, and how many are actually in this choir is still a mystery for this writer, but for the concert in hand there […]
One of the pleasures of being a long-term member of the Music Society is the fact that from time to time you see returning musicians. When that musician happens to be a child and they return several times as they grow up, you see their progression and maturity developing and it is a delight. In […]
At the March recital our guest performer was Samantha Oxborough, a very talented young mezzo soprano from Birmingham. She has already won numerous awards since graduating from the Birmingham Conservatoire and was asked to sing the National Anthem at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Viewed by over a billion people worldwide she was then invited […]
For our October recital we were delighted to welcome Madeline Kirby who is a freelance harpist based in Worcestershire. She plays in concerts as a soloist and with orchestras and other ensembles. She is also a teacher and offers lessons on the harp, piano and classical singing. Madeline also enjoys playing for special occasions including […]
The 2023/2024 season of the Shipston Music Society began on September 15th with a celebration of younger performers who all live, or attend school in the area. The evening began with Julian Halota. He chose three pieces: “Rondo a la Turca” by Mozart, “Opening Night Jazz” by Martha Meir” and “Rumba Toccata” by Paul Harvey. […]
For the final concert of the 2022/2023 season the Shipston Music Society had great pleasure in inviting the internationally renowned pianist Alexander Ardakov to make a return visit, this time with a change from our usual venue of the Methodist Church to St. Edmund’s Church as part of the “Shipston Proms”. To our delight he […]
It was in 2021 that trumpeter Paul (Harry) Dowler managed to bring together a small group of semi-professional jazz musicians and convince them that the year 1959 was not only the pinnacle of mainstream jazz, but it was also the year of his birth so they should form an “Old-Fashioned Jazz Combo” and call it […]
“Sax a Trois” was the group of musicians who entertained us at our April meeting and what a talented group they were. Anna Young, Paynor Tsate and Samantha Matthews from the Birmingham Conservatoire have all won prizes for their solo performances and as members of trios and quartets. The accompanist was Charles Matthews, a tutor […]
The March meeting of the Music Society was held, not in the usual venue of the Methodist Church, but in the Music Room at Famington Farm, Willington thanks to the very kind invitation of David Hodges. This is a perfect venue for Chamber music and the Arcus Piano Trio certainly enjoyed playing there. The programme […]
“Since Music is so good a thing, I wish all men would learn to sing”. Thus said the composer William Byrd in 1588. Had Mr Byrd been at the Methodist Church in Shipston last Friday he would have witnessed an event that would have gladdened his heart! The first of our monthly meetings for 2023 […]
Friday we met for a pianistic treat by not one, but two, superb exponents of the piano. Lynn Arnold and Charles Matthews have both performed for us on previous occasions but not together so we were all expecting a really exciting evening of music from “Two Hands”. They certainly did not disappoint. Lynn studied at […]
The October meeting of the Shipston-on-Stour Music Society began with the business of the AGM and was completed in twenty minutes with only one major concern – that of a serious drop in membership, mainly as a result of the Covid pandemic. Several ideas and suggestions were noted in an effort to remedy the situation. […]
It was a real pleasure once again for the Music Society to be taking part in the Shipston Proms this year. The last two years has passed us by but here were again in St Edmunds Church on Thursday 23rd June gathering together to listen to an evening of classical guitar music. Julian Vickers and […]
“Live at Last” was the title of May’s concert put on by Shipston Music Society. And the relief felt by singers and audience alike to be back together enjoying live music was palpable. This year’s Royal Jubilee was in evidence in the line up of songs presented by Leamington Choir, Divertimento at the Music Society’s […]
For our March concert the members of Shipston Music Society were once again entertained by The Pavilionaires, a local group who are all members of Shipston u3a and who rehearse every week in Brailes Sports Pavilion – hence their decision to call themselves The Pavilionaires. The programme began with “Don’t get around much anymore” composed […]
By the evening of February 19th members of the Shipston Music Society were very relieved that the weather conditions had eased after the recent storm, thus enabling them to attend a piano recital by Charles Matthews. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London and as organ scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge and […]
It was local talent who last week entertained the members of the Shipston Music Society. Tim and Helen Porter and their daughter Hannah, are just three members of a musical family (the others were performing elsewhere!) Tim is a self-taught harmonica player, Helen is well known in the area as a piano teacher and Hannah […]
At last, on Friday 17th September, the members of the Shipston Music Society were able to meet and what a wonderful feeling it was to listen to live music-making again. Our recitalist was the cellist Tom Pickles who, after his visit in 2019, has won more acclaim as a talented performer both here and in […]
There was a full audience for the latest concert put on by Shipston’s Music Society in February. Charles Matthews is a regular recitalist and always performs so beautifully bringing out the very best from the music he plays. February’s concert was absolutely no exception. Starting with Weber’s Introduction to the Dance, with its familiar and […]
At the November meeting of the Shipston Music Society, musician Howard Skempton gave a talk entitled “What makes a composer?” Howard has worked as a composer, accordionist and music publisher. He studied in London with Cornelius Cardew and has won several awards for some of his compositions. He is now a lecturer in composition at […]
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 […]
At the first meeting of the new 2019/2020 season members of the Shipston Music Society were pleased to welcome a young classical guitarist. Michael Matthews was seven years old when he began to play the guitar and was immediately “hooked”! By 2018 he had been selected by the Concordia Foundation to perform in London and […]
The June meeting of the Shipston Music Society was held in St. Edmund’s Church as part of the Shipston Proms fortnight. The performers were Craig Ogdon and his wife Claire Bradshaw. Australian born classical guitarist Craig is one of the most exciting artists of his generation and in 2004 became the youngest instrumentalist to receive […]
At the Society's April meeting, Charles Matthews displayed his superb skill as an accompanist. This month we welcomed him back as a solo pianist with “Impressions of Spain”. The programme contained a variety of pieces by Spanish composers and others from France, Poland and England/Australia. In the opening piece, “Waltz from the Canary Islands” by […]
The March meeting of the Shipston Music Society featured cellist Tom Pickles, a graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with accompanist Charles Matthews. During his time at the Conservatoire Tom was the winner of several prizes and awards and since then has performed in venues around the country. From the first notes of Frank Bridge’s […]
There was a large audience for the beginning of the 2019 season with a concert by MJ-UK (Maria Jagusz and friends). Maria has had an international career as an opera singer and still performs regularly. She runs MY-UK Music and Arts which gives performing opportunities to children and young adults. Four members of the group […]
At the November meeting of the Shipston Music Society we welcomed back Tim Porter for another fascinating talk linking poetry and music. This time he chose to explore the lives and work of Thomas Hardy and Gerald Finzi. He began by comparing their backgrounds – Hardy, (1840-1928) from a working class background and Finzi (1901-1956) […]
In October we had our annual Young Musician’s Concert and this year we were delighted to welcome Jessica Madden from Stratford upon Avon. She is currently a student at the Stratford Grammar School for Girls and has been studying piano with Lynn Arnold, herself a regular performer for the Society. From the outset we knew […]
The September meeting was an evening of music performed by CHIMERA – a quartet of flute (Clare Preston), bass (Anese Cullington), drums (Robin Payne) and piano (Helen Porter). The programme consisted of classical pieces by Debussy (d.1918) and Faure (d.1924) and works for flute and jazz trio by Claude Bolling and Jacques Loussier (both present day composers).There […]
Alexander Ardakov is a virtuoso performer and we counted ourselves very lucky indeed that he had agreed to come to Shipston from London on a hot day in June to give us what turned out to be a consummate piano recital for Shipston’s Music Society. The Society was also delighted to welcome the Mayor of […]
On May 18th the Pavilionaires provided a lively and entertaining evening of jazz for the Shipston Music Society. The instrumentalists in this group obviously enjoy playing together and their musicianship and enthusiasm shone through in each item on the programme. As in all traditional jazz there were sections highlighting a solo instrument and these were all […]
For the April meeting our usual venue, Shipston Methodist Church, was almost full for a recital by Claire Bradshaw (mezzo soprano) and her husband, the Australian born classical guitar player Craig Ogdon. Unfortunately Miss Bradshaw was indisposed but, undaunted, Craig Ogdon performed a complete programme of varied guitar music. He is one of the finest […]
Despite the unfavourable weather conditions many members and friends braved the elements to attend the March meeting - a recital by Margeta Nadvornikova (violin) and Charles Matthews (piano). Marketa was born in Prague and began playing the violin at the age of five. In 2011 when aged fifteen she studied at the Prague Conservatoire and, after […]
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. […]
The smiles were broad and the laughter evident at the end of Shipston Music Society’s evening in March. The Oxford Operatic Society were in town to present the story of musical theatre with a programme of songs, moving and joyful, classic and modern. From Oklahoma to Les Miserables, Oh Coward!, Grease and Singing in the […]
Impressionist painters are very familiar to us all but their influence on the other arts is often overlooked. Tim Porter, the local historian, visited the Shipston Music Society in February and gave members and guests an enlightening talk on the influence of these artists on the composers of the time. Members learned that the academic […]
2017 was well and truly welcomed in with a smile at a wonderful evening organised by Shipston Music Society on 20th January. Tim and Helen Porter together with their family – Hannah, Beth, and Barney, entertained members with a lively and varied programme of music. Rare for all the family members to be performing together these […]
December saw a visit from local musicians, The Pavilionaires. They were founded in 2013 and have grown to around 8 musicians, increasing occasionally with visiting ones. The group comprises keyboard , guitar, bass, alto and tenor sax, trumpet and, on this occasion, a guest vocalist - and as founder Geoff Holtom explained, some members of […]
Shipston Music Society was delighted to welcome Richard Roderick Jones to its November meeting. Dr Jones came to talk to us about Tchaikovsky and Borodin, two Russian composers who were contemporaries but who composed very different music. Tchaikovsky is in a league of his own and we are all familiar with much of his music. […]
The Music Society was delighted to welcome the return of young cellist George Wilkes to the Young Musicians’ Evening in October. George, who is a Music Scholar at Warwick School and now studying for GSCEs, has played for the Society a number of times and the audience were therefore able to see how he has […]
Lynn Arnold Clark made a welcome return to Shipston for the opening concert in our new season for 2016 2017. Lynn, a professional solo and chamber pianist, is also a highly sought-after piano teacher in Warwickshire and London. In addition, she is on the staff of the Royal College of Music Junior Department, where she […]
Rarely has there been such a buzz following a recital as there was on Friday 15th April! Charles is a regular performer for the Society and is very popular with members and visitors. Each time he appears, the audience know they are in for a great evening - and this was absolutely no exception. At a previous […]
Jeremy Huw Williams (baritone) accompanied by Nigel Foster Shipston Music Society welcomed Jeremy Huw Williams, international and Welsh operatic baritone to our March event. Jeremy has sung at some of the most prestigious concert venues and with a large number of the world’s greatest orchestras, so the fact that he was able to join us […]
We tend to associate British Music of the First World War with songs such as Pack up your Troubles .., Its a long way to Tipperary etc. But as those who attended the talk given by local historian Tim Porter learned recently, classical music was also being composed throughout that terrible conflict, music that brought solace, inspiration […]
Making Music, the national organisation which supports, connects and champions musicians and those who present music, sponsored the latest recital organised by the Shipston and District Music Society. Held at the Methodist Church in Shipston, the excellent acoustics did perfect justice to the superb playing of clarinettist Matthew Scott who was ably supported by Daniel […]
Warwickshire County Boys Choir is an accomplished group which brings together enthusiastic boy singers between the ages of c. 8 to 14 to perform and experience a wide range of repertoire, demonstrating the unique vocal quality of boys’ voices. In their short existence they have achieved many awards and have performed on the international stage. […]
The work of an orchestra goes well beyond the public concert and most of the time is spent raising funds to keep the Orchestra afloat. This was the introductory remarks by David Curtis founder and artistic director of the Orchestra of the Swan in Stratford. It is well known that only about 40% of an […]
Two international pianists playing on one keyboard not only requires a high level of dexterity but also a high level of confidence by both pianists. This was very evident at the January concert performed by local pianists Charles Matthews and Colin Druce. Charles is organist of St Catharine's Church, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire; he also works […]
The December meeting of the Music Society was a warm welcome back to international pianist Helen Leek accompanied this time by South African born violinist Gina Beukes for an evening of music by Fritz Kriesler. Born in Vienna in 1875 and subsequently living much of his life in the USA, where he died in 1962, […]
The Ralph Vaughan William’s Society is a charity dedicated to widening the understanding and appreciation of the music of Ralph Vaughan William’s. Graham Muncy, a founding member and trustee, was well placed to talk to the members of the Music Society about the composer. It was fitting in this centenary year of the outbreak of […]
Exceptional was the unanimous verdict of the Music Society’s audience following the October concert performed by classical guitarists Julien Vickers and Daniel Bovey. Recent, First Class Honours graduates of the Birmingham Conservatoire they are currently studying for a Joint Masters in Guitar Duo with Michael Lewin at the Royal Academy of Music in London. They […]
Shipston Music Society’s concert season got off to a flying start with the Young Musician’s concert performed by violinist, eleven year old Hannah Brooks-Hughes and cellist George Wilkes, aged thirteen. They were accompanied by Lyn Carter on the piano. It was a return visit by both Hannah and George who amongst others in previous concerts […]
