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Music at St. Mary's








November 8th.

Listen to the grand finale from the 1000th. Lunchtime Concert!

Photographs from the 1000th. Lunchtime Concert!

Read the On-Line Newsletter here
Free parking for the Saturday Lunchtime Concerts, click here for a map.
The 19th. year of Free Saturday Lunchtime Concerts at St.Mary's Parish Church, Church Street, Slough, Berkshire
12 noon - 12.30, refreshments available.

In 2008,468 pieces of music were heard, played by 97 performers, of which 45 were male and 52 female.
54 concerts were given to a total audience of 2665 people, raising over £2600
Over the last 6 years alone, monies raised now exceeds £20,000 !




CONTENTS

St. Laurence's Church
Upton cum Chalvey

CD ! Now Available.

Forthcoming Concerts
to July 2010 		St. Mary's Church
Web Site

About the Organ		 About the Concerts
How it all Started.


Who has performed?
Live Recordings
Lunchtime Concerts
Review Our
Evening Concerts.		 Photographs
The Church & Windows.		 Slough Links
What's On & History.


Concerts in November 2009
14th. Organ Music by Ian May
21st. Euphonium Recital no. 36 by Charley Brighton with Malcolm Stowell, piano & organ
28th. Music for Organ, James Paget

Concerts in December 2009
5th. Brian Neal (piano) and friends
12th. Music for Organ, Andrew West
19th. Christmas Concert; Reading Minster Midweek Choir, conductor David Butler
26th. Boxing Day No Concert

Concerts in 2010

Concerts in January 2010
2nd. The River City Saxophone Quartet
9th. Piano Recital by Guy Davis
16th. Malcolm Stowell, Organ
23rd. Andrew Adams, Cello with Henry Macey, Piano
30th. Light Jazz with Brian Neal at the Piano

Concerts in February 2010
6th. Piano Trio
13th. Julia Booker, Soprano & Robin Howles, Tenor
20th. Euphonium Recital, Charley Brighton with Malcolm Stowell, Piano
27th. Music for St. David's Day, Mark Robbins & Friends

Concerts in March 2010
6th. David Butler, Organ
13th. Henry Macey, Organ
20th. Brass Recital
27th. Malcolm Stowell, Organ

Concerts in April 2010
3rd. Music, Poetry & Prose for Holy Week, Elaine Stowell, Reader with Malcolm Stowell, Organ
10th. Jonathan Rowe, Piano
17th. Music for St. George's Day, Mark Robbins & Friends
24th. The Priory School Chamber Choir, conducted by Roland Thompson

Concerts in May 2010
1st. Euphonium Recital, Charley Brighton with Malcolm Stowell, Piano
8th. Music for Piano
15th. Ian May, Organ
22nd. Christine McMaster, Piano
29th. Guy Davis, Piano

Concerts in June 2010
5th. The River City Saxophone Quartet
12th. Music for Organ, Malcolm Stowell
19th. The Cameo Consort directed by Ian May
26th. Bella Hartmann, Piano Recital

Concerts in July 2010
3rd. Naomi Wright, Cello & Anabelle Lawson, Piano
10th. Jeannette Hartley (soprano) & Jennifer Harper-Jones (soprano)
17th. Henry Macey, Organ
24th. Malcolm Stowell, Organ
31st. Jonathan Rowe, Piano

Concerts in August 2010
7th. Catherine Leonard, Piano
14th. Charley Brighton, Euphonium with Malcolm Stowell, Piano & Organ
21st.Thea Cramp (flute) & David Darby (piano)
28th. Malcolm Stowell, organ

Concerts in September 2010
4th. Matthew McAllister (guitar) and Friends
11th. David Butler, organ
18th. Malcolm Stowell, organ
25th. The Monday Madrigalists

Concerts in October 2010
2nd. The Cameo Consort, directed by Ian May
9th.The Anabelle Lawson Piano Trio
16th. Malcolm Stowell, organ
23rd. Jonathan Rowe, piano
30th. Catherine Leonard, piano

Concerts in November 2010
4th. Ian May, organ
13th. Poetry & Music for Remembrance, Elaine Stowell (reader) & Malcolm Stowell (organ)
20th. Charley Brighton, Euphonium with Malcolm Stowell, piano & organ
27th. Andrew West, organ

Concerts in December 2010
4th. Seasonal Concert, Brian Neal & friends
11th. Malcolm Stowell, organ
18th. Christmas Concert, Reading Minster Mid Week Choir conducted by David Butler
25th. Christmas Day, no concert



WITH MANY THANKS TO ALL* OUR PAST PERFORMERS
(*As of July 26th. 2008, E&O accepted)

  • Andrew Adams, Aishling Agnew, Brenda Arnold Day, Rebecca Avern

  • David Baker, Peter Bale, Andrew Barratt, Samantha Beck, Rebecca Bell, Neil Benson, Julia Booker, David Border, Keith Bosley, Theresa Boundy, Daniela Boyd-Waters, Charley Brighton, Colin Bromelow, Mariko Brown, Andrew Buchanan, Guy Bunce, Louise Bunce, Carla Burgess, Felicity Burrell, John Burrows, David Butler
  • Ivor Caley, Shuann Chai, Raymond Charlton, Sandy Chenery, Steven Christmas, Sandy Clare, Relf Clark, Richard Coltart, David Colthup, John Coombs, Thea Cramp
  • David Darby, Sally Day, Ron Denman, Tony Dickinson
  • David Edwards, David Elliot-Smith, Mark Ellis
  • Frances Faulkner, Elissa Field, Biranda Ford, Susan Fowler, Elizabeth French, Anthea Fry
  • Elaine Goodman, Chloë Goulding, Kate Grace
  • John Halsey, Joanna Hamilton, Corrinna Hang, Jennifer Harper-Jones, Shola Hector, Lara Heywood, Christine Hoare, Janis Holmes, Ruth Hopkins, Rosemary Hopkinson, Alison Horriben, Andrew Horton, Jessica Horwitz, Thuy Houang, Robin Howles, John Humphries, Robert Hunter
  • David Iggleden, Matthew Ingram, Graham Ireland
  • Philip Jaquest, David Jewell, Kate Jewell, Matthew Jewell, Michael Jewell, Samuel Jewell, Sylvia Jewell, Gareth Jones
  • Antonia King, Rebecca Kistler, Karen Larkin, Catherine Leonard, Eileen Lock, Robin Lock, Steven Lock, Paulina Lubez, Tara Lynch, Roger Lyon
  • Helen Macey, Henry Macey, Alan Mann, Nicholas Martin, Ian May, Tony McAlden, Matthew McAllister, Joyce McAvoy, Matthew Miell, Elizabeth Mikellides, Mary-Clare Morris, Eros Mungal, Lauren Murtagh, Roger Musson
  • Brian Neal
  • Margareta O'Connell, Catherine Orton, Michael Orton, Tony Osbourne
  • James Paget, Eileen Pinkarchevski, Elizabeth Povey, Richard Ratcliff, George Reid, Paul Rickard, Mark Robbins, Matt Ross, Maddy Ross-Malson
  • Mari Sakata, Gillian Salmon, Satu Salo, Emma Sanerkin, Teilhard Scott, Alex Seedhouse, Edward Small, Stacey Starr, Fritz Steiger, Ian Stewart, Elaine Stowell, Gerald Stowell, Malcolm Stowell
  • Louise Taylor, John Tebbit, Michael Thomas, Kate Thulborn, Benjamin Tubb, Donna Tubb
  • Peter Vaughan, Susan Vel
  • John Walker, Suzie Walker, Hannah Watson, Christine Wells, Andrew West, Richard West, Philip Wharton, James White, Lorna White, Stuart Wild, Jessica Wilding, Libby Wilding, Audrey Williams, Louise Willis, Paul Willis, Stephen Willis, Dennis Wise, Roy Woodhams, Louise Wright, Naomi Wright

    Ensembles;
  • Berkhamsted Young Musicians, Brian Neal Light Jazz Trio
  • Cameo Consort, Capriccioso Low Brass Quartet, Celebration Brass Ensemble
  • East Berkshire Branch of The Society of Recorder Players
  • Forest Voices Chamber Choir, Freedom Brass Ensemble
  • Imperial Piano Trio
  • Little Phoebe Brass Quintet
  • Monday Madrigalists
  • Neil Benson Trio
  • Priory School Chamber Choir, Burnham
  • Reading Minster Mid-Week Choir, Rutgers University Chorus, USA
  • Salem Trio
  • Voices in Harmony
  • Windsor Festival Brass




    • The C.D. of recordings live from St. Mary's.



    Track 1; England’s Glory, Nigel Ogden, Malcolm Stowell, organ.
    Track 2; Danse, Claude Debussy, In memoriam, John Burrows (d. 14/11/2002) piano.
    Track 3; Bird Song at Eventide, music by Eric Coates, lyrics by Roydon Barrie, Roger Lyon, bass, with Malcolm Stowell, piano.
    Track 4; Aka Tombo (Red Dragonfly), Kosaku Yamada, arranged by Philip Kim, Charley Brighton and Malcolm Stowell, piano.
    Track 5; Intermezzo (Forget-Me-Not), Allan Macbeth arranged by Alfred J. Eyre, Ian Stewart, organ.
    Track 6; The Girl With The Flaxen Hair, Debussy, The Windsor Festive Brass Quintet.
    Track 7; Toccata, movement 4 of Suite Gothique, Leon Boellmann, Henry Macey, organ
    Track 8; Here’s That Rainy Day & Love is Lovelier (the second time around), Johnny Burke & Jimmy Van Heusen, Peter Vaughan, piano
    Track 9; All In The April Evening, Hugh Roberton, The Capriciosso Low Brass Quartet.
    Track 10; Trumpet Voluntary, Gordon Young, Louise Willis, organ.
    Track 11; Organ duet; Fugue in D minor, Johann Kellner, played by Malcolm Stowell & Louise Willis.
    Track 12; Gratias Ago, Guy Bunce, Louise Taylor, flute and Guy Bunce, piano.
    Track 13; Meditation, Frank Bridge, Mark Robbins, violin, with Guy Bunce, piano.
    Track 14; Elsa’s Procession To The Cathedral, from Lohengrin, Richard Wagner, The Celebration Brass Ensemble & Malcolm Stowell, organ.

    Listen to Elsa's Procession !

    Programme compiled by Malcolm Stowell.Recorded and mastered by Charley Brighton & Mark Robbins.
    For orders, Email us here.


    Pictures below show Charley Brighton (Euphonium) & Fritz Steiger (Clarinet).
    These were taken whilst rehearsing "Twilight Shadows" for Euphonium & Clarinet with Piano by American composer, Steven Barton.
    This was a U.K. & European Premier and Malcolm Stowell was the pianist.










    Live Recordings from St. Mary's;
    Played by Charley Brighton, Euphonium, with Malcolm Stowell, Piano. Click     here




    On May 17th. we saw the long awaited arrival of the Rutgers University Chorus from Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.
    with their conductor John Floreen.

    Celebration Brass commenced the proceedings with Fantasia by John Wilbye, as a double brass choir at opposite ends of St. Mary's Church.
    Charley Brighton was the featured euphonium soloist with Malcolm Stowell on piano, in two numbers from West Side Story, Maria & Tonight.
    Organ recitals were given by Malcolm Stowell, Louise Willis and Brenda Arnold Day (U.S.A.). Brass and choir closed the first half of the concert in special arrangement of Elsa's Procession to the Minster, from Lohengrin, by Wagner. The finale to the concert was the combined forces of band, choir & organ in Gerre Hancock's Song to the Lamb and Vaughan Williams Old Hundredth, conducted by John Floreen.
    The featured brass players were; Soprano cornet, Robin Lock, Flugel Horns, Eileen Lock & Shirley Drake, Baritones, Susan Vel & Kate Thulborn, Euphonium, Andrew Barratt & Tuba, David Elliott-Smith.



    The Hendon Band of The Salvation Army



    St.Mary's hosted this wonderful band back in April 2004.

    On October 2nd. we had a stunning concert of classical guitar music given Matthew Mc.Allister



    Catherine Orton regularly performs fine recitals at St. Mary's. Visit her web site here.





    Photograph featuring some of the music team, left to right;
    John Burrows, piano, Malcolm Stowell, organ, Neil Benson,clarinet, Charley Brighton, euphonium & Louise Willis, organ.
    Sadly, John Burrows died on Thursday, November 14th. 2002.
    Every year a memorial plaque is awarded to an oustanding performer of the Saturday lunchtime concerts at St. Mary's in memory of John.
    In 2002 it was awarded to Neil Benson, clarinet and in 2003, to Roger Lyon, bass.
    In 2004 we were very pleased to award it to Keith Bosley, piano.



    About the Concerts.

    In January 1990, Malcolm Stowell (Chairman of the Windsor & District Organists' Association and Organist & Choirmaster at St. Mary's Parish Church), founded the popular series of lunchtime concerts.


    Malcolm Stowell at the controls of the mighty instrument of Christchurch Priory.

    Over the years, he has established a close relationship with local artists and produced a thriving programme of weekly Saturday recitals.
    These live events take an informal, enlightening and, above all, entertaining approach to music making.
    Concerts are held every Saturday in St. Mary's Parish Church at 12 noon and usually last about 35 minutes. The concerts are free of charge, although we are always grateful for donations towards refreshments or Church funds.
    Artists can undertake an entire programme or just one or two items. Either way, recitals can be designed to suit a performer's repertoire. Malcolm is always delighted to discuss a musician's particular area of interest and build an entertaining programme that meets everyone's needs. Interested ? A few bookings are still available. Call Malcolm Stowell on 01628 660651.


    Malcolm Stowell wins Mayor's Arts Award
    On Thursday, April 29th. 2005 at a ceremony held at the Thames Valley University, Slough, Mayor Laurie Gleeson presented the 2004 Arts Award to Malcolm in recognition of his services to music in Slough.



    Members of St. Mary's were present at the awards ceremony as well.

    Listen to Malcolm





    About the Organ.


    The present organ in St. Mary's is situated in the north transept, and was built in 1912 by Norman & Beard Ltd. The specification was drawn up by Sir Walter Parratt (then organist of St. George's Chapel, Windsor), who gave the opening recital. The organ was paid for by James Elliman, who regarded it as his " particular gift to the Parish Church ".
    The organ has 3 manuals and pedals. The action is Tubular Pneumatic throughout. The Thumb Pistons are also controlled by Tubular Pneumatic Action, but the Foot Pistons are Exhaust Pneumatic Action. An unusual feature of this organ is that the key transmission has a charge action as opposed to exhaust action, which is very rare for organs built by this firm. The organ has 37 speaking stops and 9 couplers, and has over 2400 speaking pipes ranging in size from 16 feet to 1/4 inch speaking length.
    In 1968 the organ was taken down and extensively cleaned, with some re - leathering to the action and stop mechanism. Some tonal revisions were made at this time. The Swell 6 rank and Great 4 rank composition mixtures were revised. Two new stops were added to the Choir Organ, Nazard and Tierce, in place of the Dulciana and Open Diapason.
    The Swell reeds and Open Diapason are on high pressure. The flue chorus to the Great, like the rest of the organ, is brightly voiced, the flutes to the Swell and Great being round in timbre. The Choir flutes and mutations are bright in texture and essential to modern - day repertoire. The Swell reeds are superbly voiced and are one of the most striking features of the organ, matching in quality the William Hill organ in Eton College Chapel. The Pedal Organ lacks upper work but has a powerful Violone, Ophicleide, Open Diapason and Octave which contrast with the soft Flute and Bordun, blending well with single strings or sustaining a semi - flue chorus to manuals.
    The pitch is "French Diapason Normal", being slightly lower than the present day concert pitch.
    During the past few years more re- leathering work has taken place, with further work necessary to keep the organ up to standard. A new 3 - phase electric blower was installed in 1985, owing to the original single - phase blower being unable to sustain power to the full organ.
    This organ is a splendid example of the English "Romantic" style of building and it can cope with any period of the organ repertoire, being a fine instrument for both accompaniment and concert performances.

    Specifications.
    Manuals CC - C 61 notes
    Pedals CCC - F 30 notes

    Swell Organ (Enclosed).
    Liblich Bordun 16'
    Open Diapason 8'
    Rohrflote 8'
    Viol 8'
    Voix Celeste 8'
    Octave Geigen 4'
    Flageolet 2'

    Mixture VI ranks.
    Double Trumpet 16'
    Hautboy 8'
    Horn 8'
    Clarion 4'
    Swell Octave
    Swell Sub - Octave
    Tremulant

    Great Organ.
    Double Open Diapason 16'
    Open Diapason no.I 8'
    Open Diapason no.II 8'
    Open Diapason no.III 8'
    Hohlflote 8'
    Octave 4'
    Harmonic Flute 4'
    Octave Quint 2 2/3'
    Super Octave 2'

    Mixture IV ranks.
    Tromba 8'
    Great Pistons to Pedal Composition

    Pedal Organ.
    Open Diapason 16'
    Violone 16'
    Bordun 16'
    Octave 8'
    Flute 8'
    Ophicleide 16'

    Choir Organ (Enclosed).
    Lieblich Gedackt 8'
    Viola 8'
    Flauto Traverso 4'
    Lieblich Flote 4'
    Nazard 2 2/3'
    Harmonic Piccolo 2'
    Tierce 1 3/5'
    Corno di Bassetto 8'

    Couplers.
    Swell to Great
    Swell to Choir
    Swell to Pedal
    Great to Pedal
    Choir to Pedal

    Thumb Pistons.
    4 to Great
    4 to Swell
    3 to Choir

    Foot Pistons.
    4 to Pedal
    4 to Swell
    1 to Great (Reversible).










    St. Mary's Parish Church. Commenced 1875 - completed 1913.




    Photographs by Malcolm Stowell.




    Architect; John Oldrid Scott.



    The West Window, 1915. Designed by Alfred A. Wolmark, given by Mary Elliman. The first abstract church window in the country.



    Links to Other Sites.

    The Ideal Wedding Music from     2 Cellos

    The Cameo Consort

    For Dog Lovers Only

    Euphonium Pictures

    Ebony, Ivory & Brass

    The Capriccioso Brass Quartet

    The B.B.C. Elstree Concert Band

    The Celebration Brass Ensemble

    Music Links





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