A midsummer musical gala will take place in one of Bristol’s famous
churches. St Mary-on-the-Quay, right on The Centre in Bristol, will be
the venue for the event featuring top local choirs and singers in
collaboration with multi-cultural groups and musicians from this
dynamic and ethnically-diverse parish The concert begins at 7.30 pm on
Saturday 23 June.
Tickets are just £6.00 and £4.00 for concessions. They are available on
the door or can be booked in advance by calling 0117 966 3462. Funds
raised are going to support the parish’s music fund.
The concert features a broad cross-section of different cultures and
musical styles. Clare Griffel, singer with the early music ensemble
Musica Mundi and leader of many mediaeval music workshops, regularly
plays the organ for one of SMQ’s weekly Masses. Clare says, “Having
sung in many wonderful churches, including both Clifton and Bristol
cathedrals, I'm particularly looking forward to singing again in my
home parish church, where I've given recitals on three previous
occasions.”
Concert organisers are pleased to welcome a performance by local
theatre tuition school, Stagecoach Theatre Arts, whose students will
perform a musical theatre number. Principal Heidi Hollis reports that,
“Our performing arts students have been working particularly hard on
some close harmonies for this event, and rather unusually, I'm even
doing a duet myself! We're glad for the opportunity to contribute to
the community and life of the church.”
In addition to the in-house parish groups (and possibly even clergy!)
who will be singing, other contributors include Bristol-based acappella
ensemble NotaBene and renowned classical Indian singers Jose Sunny
James, who will be singing a duet with Latha Ranju.
Parish Priest at St Mary-on-the-Quay Father Michael Cleary SVD, says,
“We are delighted to be hosting this event at SMQ to raise money for
the parish’s music fund. Music is a common bond that transcends
cultural and national boundaries and we are blessed at SMQ with so many
people drawn from a diversity of cultures for whom music is so very
important, not only in their daily lives but also in church.”
Helen Jacobs