There are some interesting performances coming up at St. John the Baptist Church, Fleet Street on Saturday 22nd June 2019. Coventry Charity UMCM, Unlock the Music Concert Making, is organising a midsummer festival of music. The festival features:
Coventry’s World Music choir, Worldsong, presenting a concert at 4.15.
AND
Antoine Mitchell with soprano Wendy Whyte in Part Two of the evening present a concert of French song at 7 p.m.
Starting at 10.00 a.m. there will be a series of short performances and concerts throughout the day, featuring all sorts of music to celebrate the Church’s patronal feast and 675th birthday.
Performances in the church will include: Adam Hibberd with piano interludes, a concert from Craig Holmes with his Coventry Sax, Clarinet and Flute Choirs, a recorder concert, Favaio Baroque Ensemble, Welsh choir Cor Cymraeg, Latin music specialist Guitarist Marcellus and the Coventry Plainchant Collective. In the cafe there will also be some music making during the day, including a first concert from George Allen, singer song writer.
There will be opportunities for exploration of the historic Church and people on hand to give some guidance on the special aspects of interest in its history.
There will also be exhibitions in the Church and hall, a visit from Queen Isabella, the founder of the Church, and guided tours of this historic Church.
At 4.15pm, Worldsong performs in the Church.
WorldSong is a choir with a difference: stunning harmonies, uplifting songs, inspiring rhythms, music for the soul. They sing harmony songs from the world music repertoire, specialising in traditional songs from Eastern Europe, Africa, Britain, America and beyond. With harmonies drawn from centuries-old oral traditions; from gospel to work songs; from haunting chants to rousing celebration — there is something here for everyone!
In the evening UMCM will be holding a concert at 7.00 of “Eight Songs for the Summer” followed by a very special performance from guest and patron of UMCM, Antione Mitchell with soprano Wendy Whyte, performing French Song, including some of Antione’s compositions.
In 1996 Antoine founded the ensemble Oriflamme of which he is director. Over the years he has developed Oriflamme into one of the leading orchestral ensembles in the country giving a regular series of concerts in Warwick including annual performances for Amnesty International and the Mayor of Warwick.
The Church rector, Fr Dexter Bracey is really excited about the event.”As we celebrate the feast of our patron saint, we at St John’s are pleased to team up with our friends and community musicians Unlock the Music. St John’s has a long history of being part of the community, and is continuing to develop its musical life, particularly as we head towards 2021 and Coventry being the City of Culture. So to have community music making in Church is a real joy to us, and we look forward to a weekend of music and worship as we celebrate St John the Baptist’s day.”
“We hope you will join us for this exciting and packed community aimed day.”
Refreshments are available in the cafe up to 3.00 p.m. and full up to date information on times of events will be posted on the Church’s website.
Tickets will cost £8 for the evening concerts. Tickets will be available from the Church
directly and online ticket information on UMCM’s website.