A Festival Concert

A Festival Concert

To celebrate the completion of the restoration of the Organ was held on Sunday 8 July 2001.

Shroton church has a fine Organ, which has been renovated by John Budgen. While many villages have opted for an electronic alternative, Shroton has recognised that the old Bishop instrument was worth retaining and enhancing. To celebrate the completion of this project a Festival concert was held, in which the Organ was played and choirs gave voice.

Dr Richard Seal, former organist at Salisbury Cathedral and founder of the world-famous Cathedral Girls' Choir, was guest of honour. He played music by various English composers to show off the restored organ in its full voice.

Dr Seal was joined by two choirs:

A visiting choir from Estonia - singing music by their great contemporary compatriot, Arvo Pärt, as well as the well-known Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart.
The Farrant singers, under their Shroton-based conductor Colin Howard, performed music by Sir John Tavener - including Song for Athene made famous for the performance during the funeral of Lady Diana Spencer - and Gerald Finzi's set of delightful, pastoral settings of poetry by Robert Bridges.

The music programme was drawn from a wide range of sources and gave delight to a full church.