Events in 2005

“MADRIGALS AND MUSIC”

BRIDGE SINGERS COME TO NEW MILLS

For the first time, the celebrated Bridge Singers, who are based in Marple Bridge, will be appearing at a concert venue in New Mills. With The Athenean String Quartet from Stockport providing the “music” element of the evening's programme, the singers themselves will be performing a mix of English and Italian madrigals, sacred pieces, Victorian part songs and some spirituals. The string quartet will include in their programme pieces from Haydn, Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Altogether it promises to be a mouth-watering selection and just right as the season of festivities gets under way.

QUARTET AND SINGERS COMBINE A WEALTH OF TALENT

The Bridge Singers have a strong following in the Marple and Stockport area. One of their favourite performance venues is the lovely chapel at Chadkirk . They will be following on closely from their New Mills concert with a performance in the chapel on Sunday 4 th December, when their programme will include some Christmas music. The Bridge Singers are made up of a group of very experienced voices and their varied choice of music for the New Mills programme will show off their great versatility. The high standards of The Athenean String Quartet are similarly appreciated in Stockport musical circles. Together, with “madrigals” and “music”, they will provide pleasant and relaxing entertainment. In the beautiful Victorian surroundings of St James', what better way could there be to spend a December evening?

BEAUTIFUL CARDS FOR SALE

A good friend of St James' and well known locally for her own artistry, Mavis de Miere will be bringing a selection of her beautiful hand-made cards for sale at this evening. She has promised to support the “Friends of St James'” funds from any sales that she makes.

WHY NOT MAKE A “DO” OF IT?

The Friends of St James' are presenting this delightful musical soiree on Friday 2nd December at 8:00 pm in The St James' Church and Arts Centre, Spring Bank, New Mills. Refreshments will be served from 7:30 pm onwards – so that anyone who has been to the switching on of New Mills Christmas lights will have time to come along and warm up before sitting back to enjoy the evening. Tickets are £5.50 and £4.00 for concessions – on sale at “Bookstop” Market Street New Mills (Tel: 744472) or The Ticket Hotline (Tel: 746074). For any elderly audience who would like help with travel, they should also ring New Mills 746074.

GRANVILLE DANNY CLARKE November 19th 2005

Non-stop Art

If you will enjoy an artist who can paint hauntingly beautiful watercolour scenes (even while you watch him) and who will sing his own compositions or read you his own poetry in between painting, then Danny is your man!

On November 19th at 7:30 pm Granville Danny Clarke will present one of his much acclaimed one man multi-media performances at The St James' Church and Arts Centre, Spring Bank, New Mills.

Thanks to closed circuit TV and a big screen, you will be able to look over Danny's shoulder while he produces some of his ‘instant' paintings and demonstrates his wizardry with line and colour. But you can be sure that his guitar will not be far away as he shares his songs and recitations. One thing is certain – Danny won't be quiet for long! This will be an evening of non-stop art!

Multi-talented and Experienced

As a member of the Yorkshire Watercolour Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, you might well expect him to be a celebrated painter; indeed while Danny was appearing on Channel Four's long-running Watercolour Challenge his enthusiasm encouraged many viewers to take up their brush and palette.

Danny has done lots of regional TV and BBC appearances, as well as regular annual art tutorials with Marlborough College Summer School and Bath University . But with Danny everything is larger than life. For many years he was half of the well-known folk act “Foggy Dew-O” who recorded and made the national scene. His compositions and his personal interests have always had a strong moral and environmental theme – his latest release “Chimes of Freedom – a Sequel to Live 8” follows firmly in that challenging vein.

An Evening not to be Missed

The Friends of St James' have been fortunate to book Danny's one man performance for Saturday 19 th November at 7.30 pm in The St James' Church and Arts Centre, Spring Bank, New Mills.

Tickets are £5.50 and £4.00 for concessions – on sale at “Bookstop” Market Street New Mills (Tel: 744472). Booking in advance is strongly advised.

For any elderly audience who would like help with travel, they should ring New Mills 746074. This event is appropriate for families with older children. Refreshments will be provided.

Danny's Full Biography and Paintings Gallery

THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK Friday June 24th at 7.30 pm

This is the final presentation in the spring season of arts events at St James’ Church and Arts Centre, Spring Bank, New Mills. To round off their highly successful programme of monthly performances, The Friends of St James’ are delighted to have booked popular jazz singer Loretta Scott backed by Adam Hutchins at the keyboard. Tickets are available from ‘Bookstop’ in New Mills or by ringing the ticket line on 01663 746074: £5.00 and concessions £3.50. The performers promise a relaxing evening of jazz and blues, with many favourite numbers.

The Artists:

Both Loretta and Adam are well known around the North-West music scene. Loretta’s career as a jazz singer spans nearly twenty-five years; she has performed with famous bands and at international events. Adam has been in demand across the North West professional circuit since graduating from Leeds College of Music in 1998 with a degree in Jazz Studies. A variety of work has so far included theatres, private functions and jazz clubs. Adam runs his own swing band (www.swingbands.co.uk) as well as working on a freelance basis with many of the region’s professional singers. Performance highlights include Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the London Palladium and Old Trafford FC! He is also busy as a freelance music teacher, accompanist and arranger. Adam is a resident of New Mills.

Loretta Scott Fuller Bio:

Loretta Scott's jazz history spanning almost twenty-five years has earned her plaudits from well known greats, including such names as Don Weller, Digby Fairweather, Alan Barnes and the late Dick Morrisey. Her heartfelt interpretations of 'The Great American Songbook' have been a source of continual delight to audiences both here in the United Kingdom and in the wider world.

Loretta recently made a welcome return to Brussels in November 2004 where she appeared at several of the leading jazz clubs there, including the famous "Music Village". She had made a short trip the previous year to Brussels, where she appeared briefly at the "Sounds" jazz club, and was persuaded to return. Loretta has also appeared in Prague, France and at "La Finca" jazz club in Teneriffe. More recently, and on home ground, she was part of a musical extravaganza at the "Bridgewater Hall" in Manchester. Loretta has appeared at many jazz festivals throughout Britain over the years, including Llangollen, Sheffield, Keswick, Buxton, Marsden and Huddersfield and in September 2004 was invited to appear at "Opus 6" on the Greek Island of Lesvos.

“A WOMAN’S LIFE AND LOVES” Saturday May 21st 2005 at 7:30 pm

St James’ Church and Arts Centre:

Tickets £5.00 or £3.50 concessions from “Bookstop” Market Street, New Mills or ring the ticket line: 01663 746074. Advance booking advised – limited capacity.

Marion thinks that 45 is too young to be “the-mother-of-the-bride-to-be”. As her daughter’s wedding looms, she reflects on life and love.

THE SONG CYCLE

This unique collaboration between singer Carol Bowns, writer Caroline Small and pianist Heidi Rolf brings together songs from Schumann to Bernstein linked by original dramatic monologues. It was voted winner of the best music event at Buxton Festival Fringe in 2004.

“Frauenliebe und –leben” was written by Robert Schumann in a frenzied two months in 1840 shortly before he married his beloved Clara. It was this cycle of eight songs which gave Carol Bowns the inspiration for this musical programme. To go with Schumann’s songs, she found a wealth of other material of relevance to a twenty first century woman. Her final selection evolved mainly from the twentieth century and has resulted in a highly listenable programme that includes songs by women composers.

Caroline suggested writing something to link the songs and so the character of Marion was born. Her daughter’s wedding plans trigger reflections on life, love, relationships and the secret of a happy marriage.

THE PERFORMERS

Carol Bowns surrounds her life with singing! She encourages others as a teacher and choir director [Tideswell Singers and Wye Sing] and by running workshops. She has a beautiful soprano voice and enjoys her “themed” evenings presenting a wide range of music.

Caroline Small is a writer, director, performer and theatre educator. Her theatre writing ranges from large-scale musicals for huge casts to epic plays for very small casts and works for solo voice. She enjoys collaborating with other artists.

Heidi Rolfe graduated from Huddersfield University in 1998 with a Masters in Piano Performance. Her varied repertoire includes chamber music, works by women composers and contemporary music. She is delighted to be performing “A woman’s Life and Loves” again with her colleagues.