The Church of St. James the Apostle, Bushey

Saturday Recital Series 2018

1200 Every Saturday between

March 3rd - October 6th

A message from the Church Wardens of Bushey

Parish

We can hardly believe that this is the sixth series of recitals in

St. James’s Church, Bushey, and it is a great delight to introduce

this year’s programme of talented musicians; we are so excited

that the recitals have become firmly fixed in the Bushey

Community’s calendar!

As with last year there will be a varied selection of styles and

genres throughout more than 30 recitals, and we look forward

to welcoming new performers and welcoming back performers

who have become firm favourites from our previous series.

On concert days, as is now the custom, coffee and home-baked

cakes will be available from 11am in Church House, and light

lunches served after the recitals. We hope this will allow more

people to enjoy some food and conversation on whichever side

of the concert suits them best – or both!

I do hope that you will support as many of these concerts as you

are able to and pass on word to others who may not know about

them.

We look forward to welcoming you to St. James’s Church.

Ann & Catherine

Saturday 3rd March

Bung-Leng Trio

Saxophone Trio

The Bung-Lee Saxophone Trio, Guillerno Presa, Wisuwat Pruksavanich, and Tipwatoo Aramwittaya,

present an eclectic mix of works for ‘classical’ saxophone trio by Christian Lauba, Barry Cockroft,

Jean-Michel Damase, and Francois Rosse. This promises to be a great opening concert and one not to be

missed!

Saturday 10th March

James Mooney-Dutton

Organ

James Mooney-Dutton was educated at the Royal College of Music where he studied with Margaret Phillips and as a Music Scholar at Harrow School. He has held organ scholarships at Norwich Cathedral

and the Royal Parish Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields. He began his musical education as a chorister at

Westminster Abbey where he sang at the funeral of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. As a recitalist James

has been invited to performed in many prestigious venues including St James’s Cathedral Toronto,

Magdalen College Oxford, Our Lady and the English Martyrs Church in Cambridge, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Norwich Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral, St Andrew’s Hall Norwich, Queen’s College Oxford and as well

as performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He has strong musical associations with Canada and

regularly travels there to perform. James is active as a freelance church musician and accompanist, working

regularly with a variety of individuals and ensembles and has been Stanmore Choral Society's accompanist since 2007. James has broadcast live on BBC Radios 3 and 4 as well as appearing on Songs of Praise. James

was for 11 years Director of Music at St Lawrence, Eastcote and since September 2017 has been Director

of Music at St James’s Church, Bushey. When not engaged in all things musical James can be found spending

time with his family, walking his Dogs and managing, with his wife Laura, their family business - James

Funeral Service on Belmont Circle, Harrow.

Saturday 17th March

North London Military Wives Choir

The Military Wives Choirs Foundation charity was founded in September 2012 by a group of military

wives from the very first choirs following the enormous success of the No.1 single Wherever You Are.

The aim was to ensure a lasting legacy of choirs to enable women in the military community to share the

enjoyment and pride that comes from singing together. Now with a network of over 75 choirs, the Military

Wives Choirs Foundation supports women in the British military community in the UK, Germany, Cyprus

and further afield, wherever our forces are based. Military Wives Choirs provide a head-start for women

in the military community to make new friends, connect with local communities and learn new skills in a

fun and supportive environment. Families of service personnel move around frequently, and it can be

tough to put down roots, make new friends and get to know people in the local community. Add to that

the stresses and strains of loved ones being deployed away from home often for long periods, and life can

have its challenges. But by coming together to sing, each choir creates a valuable support network for

women in the military community. Choir members can help one another through the tough times,

celebrate the good times and sing through it all together! The North London Military Wives Choir

was set up in November 2012 by two former members of the Defence Academy MWC, and we officially

joined The Military Wives Choirs Foundation in January 2013. Since then we have grown in numbers and

strength and now have about 40 members. We are very proud to have sung in some impressive venues

including Wembley Stadium, Claridges, City Hall (with Boris Johnson & the Chelsea Pensioners) and at

the Tower of London during the poppy display. We also headlined in the 2015 “Sing Out!” at the Hackney

Empire, supported Lulu’s 2016 UK tour at the Watford Colosseum and participated in the Rifles Sounding

Retreat at Horse Guards. In December 2015 we were delighted to participate in the recording of the

album “Home for Christmas” (involving 1007 voices from across the Military Wives Choirs) which reached

Number 2 in the Classical charts, and we are currently involved in the recording our new album

“Remember” which commemorates the centenary of the end of World War 1. However, we are equally

proud to have supported many charities and events within our local community.

Saturday 24th March

Sam Austin, (Organ)

Sam hails from Liverpool and studied the organ from an early age. At 10, he secured an appointment at

Huyton Parish Church, beginning organ lessons at Liverpool Cathedral with Ian Wells a few years later.

Sam's undergraduate degree was taken in Organ Performance at the renowned Birmingham Conservatoire, where his teachers included Henry Fairs, Daniel Moult and David Saint. He then embarked

on postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music Manchester where he won the prestigious

Organ Recital Prize in 2009. Whilst in Birmingham, he held positions of Assistant Organist at the

Birmingham Oratory, (the vast RC Oratory of St Philip Neri founded by Cardinal Newman), Organ Scholar of Birmingham Symphony Hall and Sub Organist at St Peter the Apostle, Royal Leamington Spa. In 2007,

Sam was awarded the year-long post of Organ Scholar at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. At its conclusion

he took the short journey along Hope Street to become Organ Scholar at Liverpool Metropolitan

Cathedral, the first person to hold both positions successively. He also holds the distinction of performing

an organ recital in each cathedral during the same afternoon, cycling between venues. In 2011, Sam moved south to take up the position of Assistant Director of Music at Aldenham School. Besides music, Sam's

interests include: change ringing, cycling, real ale and listening to BBC Radio 4.

Saturday 31st March

Julie Bale, (Soprano), Marianne Wentzel, (Mezzo), and John

Wyatt, (Piano)

Music for Holy Saturday

A concert of music for Holy Week, featuring music concentrating on the Stabat Mater; a 13th century poem about the Virgin Mary’s sorrow at the crucifixion of Her son, Jesus. Composers throughout the ages have written works setting these words, and in this recital, we will hear music by Pergolesi, Handel, Verdi, Rossini, and Mendelssohn.

Saturday 7th April

Kaho Nagano, (Violin)

Born in Japan, Kaho Nagano started playing the violin under Rie Miyashita at the age of three. Kaho

graduated from Toho Gakuen Music high school, and Toho Gakuen College Music Department, and studied the violin under Isako Shinozaki. She also studied chamber music under Hiroyuki Yamaguchi,

Hisaya Dogin and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi. Kaho continued her postgraduate study with Jack Liebeck at the

Royal Academy of Music. She has taken part in several festivals including the Vienna Music Seminar in

2012, Euro Music Festival and Academy in 2013, The 35th Kirishima International Music Festival, and the Kusatsu International Summer Music Academy and Festival in 2015. She received masterclasses from Nam

Yun Kim and Paul Roczek. Kaho has performed in the spring concert with ensemble NOVA as a soloist.

In addition, she has organized and performed several chamber music concerts.

Saturday 14th April

James Dutton, (Flute) and Oliver Davies, (Piano)

James Dutton studied at the Royal College of Music in London, winning prizes for orchestral, solo and

chamber music performances. He has also been awarded two Worshipful

Company of Musicians' Silver Medals and a Fellowship in Flute Performance

from Trinity College London. As a Park Lane Group Young Artist, he gave a

recital at the Purcell Room which included the world premiere of "The Colour

of Pomegranates” for alto flute and piano, written for him by the leading British

composer Julian Anderson. In 1997 he was appointed principal flute of the Band

of the Scots Guards in London. He has appeared with them as a soloist many

times including concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and Cadogan Hall in London,

many European cities and tours across Australia and South Korea. He has

performed as principal flute of the CAMus Sinfonietta, Showbiz Pops Orchestra,

Cygnus Orchestra of London and as a member of L'Anima di Musica and the

Perspectives Ensemble. Over the last twenty years he has appeared in numerous

recitals in venues across London. He also appears on many recordings both with his own band and as a

guest performer, and has given live radio and TV broadcasts. In December 2016 he gave a series of recitals

in the USA, and has recently been invited to perform for both the British Flute Society and the Norwegian

Flute Festival. In November 2017 he appeared in recital with Tom Ottar Andreassen, principal flute of the

Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. February 2018 saw the release of his debut album “Idyll” with Oliver Davies

on the MPR label. He and Oliver have been performing together for nearly 30 years, and next month

travel to Norway to give their recital debut in Oslo. James also returns to the USA for another series of

recitals and solo performances in and around Minneapolis. Oliver Davies studied at the Royal College

of Music, where he won the Tagore Gold Medal as outstanding student of his

year and for many years was both a piano professor and Keeper of the

Department of Portraits and Performance History (which he founded). His

playing career has covered many styles, from recordings, recitals and broadcasts

on early pianos to modern British premières at the Wigmore and Queen

Elizabeth Halls. As a chamber-music player he has appeared with many

distinguished artists including the flautists Sir James Galway, Michael Cox and

Philippa Davies, and the clarinettists Colin Bradbury and Dame Thea King. He

is particularly known for his programmes on special themes, including scholarly

reconstructions of historical concerts (for Aldeburgh and the BBC), surveys of

the musical histories of great British houses, and re-assessments of historically significant composers and

performers. Further reconstructions have been of period balls (the National Portrait Gallery and the

V&A), melodramas (the Theatre Museum) and silent film scores (The National Film Theatre). Ongoing

projects include The Great War and the Violin (2014-) and Great Violinists at Drury Lane (Theatre Royal

Drury Lane, 2016-), both with violinist Robert Gibbs, and a double CD with cellist Adrian Bradbury of the

operatic paraphrases of Alfredo Piatti. He is also Acting Curator of the Museum of Music History

Saturday 21st April

Andrew Bale, (Tenor), and Jacqueline Pott, (Piano)

Andrew Bale is a Full-Lyric Tenor who sings regularly in opera groups around

the London area. His recent studies have been with Julie Gray, a protégée of

the eminent vocal consultant Janice Chapman. He is coached by the

international tenor Ian Caley and has taken part in workshops and master

classes with the eminent SLT/Singer and BVA Workshop Leader Ron Morris. Over the past three years Andrew has been developing his vocal technique and

is currently working on full lyric/Italianate tenor

repertoire. Jacqueline is from Littleborough in

Lancashire. She spent her 6th form years at Chetham’s School of Music, studying piano with

Heather Slade-Lipkin and organ with Derrick

Cantrell. This education enabled her to win an

organ scholarship to Girton College, Cambridge where she studied with

Dame Gillian Weir and gained an MA in Music and Education. Jacqueline then followed her dream of becoming a primary school teacher, which she

continues to be to this day, though now as a specialist music teacher which

allows more time for all her other musical and dog-related activities. She has

taken her school choir to sing in many notable London venues, such as St

Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Albert Hall, Westminster Cathedral and Wembley Arena.

Saturday 28th April

Jonathan Eyre, (Organ)

Jonathan P. Eyre (b. 1981), is a native of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, now based in London. Jonathan is well-known as an inspiring and colourful liturgical organist, choral conductor, piano accompanist, and

theatre organist. He is a prize-winning graduate of the University of Sheffield and holds the Fellowship and

Choir Directing diplomas from the RCO and Trinity College London. An active church musician and

concert organist, Jonathan is currently Sub-Organist at St. Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield. Here, he plays the organ for worship and conducts the eight-part professional choir. Jonathan regularly performs

with a large number of choral groups, including the choir of Royal Holloway University of London. Jonathan

is Musical Director of Carshalton Choral Society where he is responsible for a full programme of

orchestral choral concerts. Prior to his appointment at St. Bartholomew’s, Jonathan was Organist at the

Old Royal Naval College Chapel at Trinity Laban Conservatoire; working alongside Dr Ralph Allwood MBE. During his time here, he featured as piano accompanist and conductor of a critically acclaimed CD

showcasing the works of Roderick Williams. Jonathan was Assistant Director of Music at Bradford

Cathedral for four years, where he recorded a series of CDs of the music of J. S. Bach, and several other

solo and choral music discs.

Saturday 5th May

St. James’s Church Choir

James Mooney-Dutton (Director of Music)

St. James’s musical life is served by James Mooney-Dutton, Director of Music, and Organist. It has a robed

choir and an anthem is sung at the Sunday Eucharist. On Holy Days the choir may sing parts of the mass

to a special setting and once a month Choral Evensong is celebrated, where the responses, psalms,

canticles and anthems are led by the choir. St. James’s choir has sung the services in St. Albans Abbey,

St. David’s Cathedral, Beverley and York Minsters, and most recently, at Chester Cathedral.

Saturday 12th May

Martin Enger Holm, (Tenor) and

Thormod Rønning Kvam, (Piano)

Martin Enger Holm is an aspiring young tenor from Oslo with a great passion for classical music and

opera. He started singing in the Norwegian boys’ choir, Sølvguttene, and the

Norwegian Opera’s Children Choir at the age of 9 where he performed

regularly as a soloist until he started to focus on his own career as a classical-

and operatic singer. Amongst many events and concerts every year, Martin has

in the last 8 years arranged and performed in both christmas and summer

concerts in Norway, together with his tenor brother Henrik Enger Holm. The

concerts include collaboration with many leading figures in the cultural life of

Norway and international musicians. Every year Martin also travels to Florence

to study the opera’s original language, Italian, and to study with opera singer

Susanna Rigacci and coach Cristiano Manzoni. Since January 2014, Martin has

studied with and been coached by the international operatic soprano Solveig

Kringelborn. In september 2015, he was accepted to the Royal Academy of

Music in London to study his bachelor’s degree in opera and classical singing under professor Neil Mackie

and coach Matthew Fletcher. He receives an entrance scholarship from the RAM every year and is also

generously supported by Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation, Astrup-Fearnley Foundation,

Sammenslåingsstiftelsens Foundation for Young Musicians and Anders Sveaas’ Foundation in Norway.

Thormod Rønning Kvam is considered one of the most emerging Norwegian pianists of his generation.

He is performing regularly both as soloist and chamber musician in venues such as The Oslo Concert Hall

and The Norwegian National Opera as well as in concert halls throughout Scandinavia and Europe. Being

an avid chamber musician, Kvam performs regularly with some of Scandinavia’s finest musicians, such as

violist and BBC Young Generation Artist Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad, cellist and Barenboim Academy

graduate Sandra Lied Haga, mezzo-soprano Melis Jaatinen and barytone Halvor Festervoll Melien. As well

as having performed live in several radio and TV broadcasts, he has made numerous concert appearances

in Sweden, Russia, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland and England. Kvam has previously won the

Yamaha Scandinavia Scholarship Competition as the only

Norwegian finalist, and has recently won the 2017 Musicians’

Prize from the Forsberg and Aulie foundation, one of Norway’s

most acknowledged grants for young classical artists. He is

increasingly becoming recognised also for his creative leadership

after having worked with several national festivals and ensembles,

and is currently artistic advisor of two festivals and artistic

director of a new concert series to be launched in Oslo late 2018.

Saturday 19th May

Ed Longstaff, (‘Cello)

Edward Longstaff studied music at Royal Holloway College and then went on to study composition

with Brian Elias, both as a postgraduate student at Goldsmith's College and subsequently privately. Edward

has always worked as a teacher. His first post was at Maiden Erlegh School in Berkshire. In 1993, he was

appointed to the staff of The Purcell School and he has worked there ever since. At Purcell, Edward

teaches academic music and composition; conducts choirs, orchestras and the Contemporary Ensemble

(which he founded); and coaches chamber music groups. Later this year, he will be conducting the

combined choirs and orchestras of the School in a programme of music by Stravinsky at the Royal

Academy of Music. As well as composing, Edward is a ‘cellist and can often been seen in the ranks of the

Bushey Symphony Orchestra. He has sung all his life, starting as a treble in Preston Parish Church Choir.

In the last few years he has studied singing more seriously with Tom Marandola, becoming an LRSM in

singing performance in 2013.

Saturday 26th May

Paul Ayres, (Organ)

Paul Ayres was born in London,

studied music at Oxford University,

and now works freelance as a

composer & arranger, choral

conductor & musical director, and

organist & accompanist. His music has

been awarded, or shortlisted for,

composition prizes in Bulgaria, Canada,

Croatia, New Zealand, Poland, Russia,

Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the

USA. Paul has received over one

hundred commissions for new works,

and he particularly enjoys “re-

composing” classical works (Purcell,

Bach, Handel, Fauré) and “classicizing” pop music (jazz and show tunes, The Beatles, Happy Hardcore).

Of his re-written version of Handel’s Messiah, The San Francisco Examiner wrote: “Messyah may have

smashed one of the most popular icons of the Christmas season, but it is hard to accuse Ayres of malice.

He picked up all the pieces and reassembled them, always lovingly, often imaginatively, and occasionally

hysterically comically... when Ayres cuts loose with his few pop settings with jazz combo accompaniment,

the joyousness of the result is as true to the religious spirit as was the original setting.” As an organist,

Paul specialises in music of the Baroque and contemporary works – he has given premieres of dozens of

pieces by fellow composers. Of his solo disc Handel-Inspired, The Gramophone wrote: “Ayres is

outstanding as composer, arranger, editor and skilful player... this CD is undoubtedly one of the most

enjoyable and original recordings I’ve heard.” Of the new (2017) recording Rainbow Toccatas, Choir &

Organ magazine wrote that Paul “…plays with persuasive aplomb. The six Variations on Es ist ein Ros’

and Fantasy-Sonata Over the Rainbow are both delightful discoveries, and Mostly Bach’s Toccata and

Fugue in D minor huge fun. A set of Beatles arrangements makes rich use of the organ’s multi-faceted

arsenal to often bewitching effect.” Paul is the regular conductor of City Chorus and the choirs at London

College of Music (University of West London), accompanist of Concordia Voices, and associate

accompanist of Crouch End Festival Chorus. He has led many music education workshops for children,

and played piano for improvised comedy shows and musical theatre.

Saturday 2nd June

David Zucchi, (Saxophone)

Canadian saxophonist David Zucchi has performed as a soloist and chamber musician at a wide variety of Toronto and London venues, including Cadogan Hall, the Southbank Centre, the Canadian Music

Centre, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Canadian High Commission in London. He is currently

pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Royal College of Music with Kyle Horch as an Edward and Helen Hague

Scholar, where he also completed a Master of Music in Performance. Previously, David attended the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, where he studied saxophone with Wallace Halladay and

composition with Alexander Rapoport. David has participated in master classes with renowned soloists

Arno Bornkamp, Timothy McAllister, and Marcus Weiss, and has attended the Universitée Européenne

de Saxophone in Gap, France with the support of a David and Marcia Beach Summer Study Award. With

a keen interest in the performance of contemporary music, he has commissioned and premiered many works by emerging composers, and was selected to participate in the 2016 London Sinfonietta Academy.

He is the winner of numerous scholarships and awards, including the David and Marcia Beach Summer

Study Award (2012, 2013), the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto Scholarship (2013), the William and

Phyllis Waters Graduating Award from the University of Toronto (2014), and most recently, the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award (2016).

Saturday 9th June

Meera Raja, (‘Cello)

Cellist Meera Priyanka Raja is an undergraduate student at the Royal College Music studying with

Alexander Chaushian. She studied at Bancroft’s School where she held a Music Scholarship and was further

awarded an ‘Excelling in Arts Award’ for talented musicians. At the age of 13, Meera was selected to

perform as a soloist at the Royal Festival Hall as part of the Rotary Club’s ‘Youth makes Music’ event and

has since performed at venues across the country and Europe. She was awarded a place with the National

Youth Orchestra of GB where she performed at all major venues across the UK including the BBC Proms

at the Royal Albert Hall. As an experienced chamber musician, Meera regularly performs with her piano trio, Trio Rouge. They have performed at venues across London and reached the semi-finals of the Royal

Overseas League Chamber Music Competition in 2017. Chamber Music Festivals performed at include

the British Isles Music Festival, Sacconi Festival and the Queen’s Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace. Meera played in the award-winning West End Musical ‘Bend it like Beckham’ and New Musical, ‘Beyond

the Fence.’ She has been awarded a scholarship to undertake a master’s degree at the RCM, London.

Saturday 16th June

Lindsay Wagstaff, (Soprano), and Dorothy Linell, (Lute)

Lute Songs

Lindsay began her studies at Chethams School of Music and whilst there was

awarded the ARCM diploma in Singing and in Pianoforte. She went on to read

Music and French at Royal Holloway College followed by post-graduate studies

at Lincoln College, Oxford where she was a founder member of the vocal

ensemble I Fagiolini. She has sung regularly for the Monteverdi Choir under the

direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner and with groups such as the English Concert

and the BBC Singers. Her classical and operatic repertoire stands alongside

her film and pop session work. She combines her performance work with her

role as Professor of Alexander Technique at

the Royal College of Music and her private

teaching practice, as well as being a regular

tutor for Eton Choral Courses and the

National Youth Choir of Great Britain.

DOROTHY LINELL gave her London recital debut at the South Bank

Centre’s Purcell Room as a winner of a national Young Artists’

Competition. Since then, she has played instruments ranging from baroque

guitar to banjo in venues from Moscow to Mexico. Performances for

international festivals, major concert halls and the opera theatre include

work with James Bowman, Charles Brett, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Steven

Rickards, Deller Consort, English National Opera, Glyndebourne Opera,

Kathleen Battle, Arleen Auger, and Simon Rattle with the renowned City

of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Saturday 23rd June

Stanmore Choral Society

Nick Austin, (Director of Music)

Stanmore Choral Society

The Stanmore Choral Society has enjoyed a very exciting 2017 season. In the Autumn term, we had

a traditional start to Christmas with our ever-popular Carol Concert. This was preceded by a concert of Purely Mozart – featuring his Requiem & Solemn Vespers. On April 14th there will be a concert of Sacred

Music, including Durufle’s glorious Requiem and, in the Summer, there will be a concert of lighter music

including Rutter’s Feel the Spirit and Chilcott’s Aesop’s Fables. This versatile & friendly choir is about 50-

strong and draws singers from Stanmore, Harrow, Kenton, Pinner, Ruislip, Watford, Bushey, Barnet, Edgware, Burnt Oak, Colindale, Wembley and Mill Hill. The conductor is Nick Austin. If you enjoy singing,

you are very welcome to come along and join us. Rehearsals are on Mondays at 7.45pm at the hall of

St William of York Church, 1 Du Cros Drive, Stanmore HA7 4TJ

Saturday 30th June

Jure Smirnov Ostir, (Violin) and Małgorzata Garstka, (Piano)

Jure Smirnov Oštir was born in 1995 in Slovenia. He has received prizes in several international

competitions, including first prize and the Alfredo Marcosig Award for the

best violinist at the Ars Nova International Competition in Italy, first prize

and overall winner at the Soiceta Jupiter Competition in Italy, second prize

at the Slovenian National Music Competition, and first prize at the Velenje Regional Competition. He has received masterclasses from Maxim Vengerov,

James Ehnes, Andras Keller at Wigmore Hall, Sylvia Rosenberg, and Igor

Ozim, and is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music under the

tuition of Remus Azoitei. Jure has given recitals in Italy, including at the Teatro di Bibiena Mantua, Russia, Croatia, and the United Kingdom. He

regularly gives recitals with the Smirnov Duo, including performances at the

Festival for Young Musicians of Ljubljana, Festival Lent, Festival Velenje, and

Festival Bled. Recent chamber music performances include recitals at St

Martin-in-the-Fields, Freemasons Hall, Colston Hall, Regents Hall, and the Halesworth Arts Festival. He has performed as soloist with the Mendelssohn

Chamber Orchestra, the Domžale-Kamnik Symphony Orchestra, and in

2014 he gave the world premiere of Strune Strasti, a work dedicated to him by Slovenian composer Tomaž

Habe. Jure is supported by the Gallus Foundation and the Rotary Club Maribor. He plays on a 1770

Gennaro Gagliano violin, on generous loan from the Royal Academy of Music. Pianist and collaborative artist Małgorzata Garstka specialises in chamber music and piano accompaniment. The idea of creating

a collective vision and cooperating with others to share experiences is something she values highly. She

was appointed the Hodgson Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music in 2016. Born in 1991 in Poland,

Małgorzata has performed as a soloist and chamber musician at many prestigious UK venues including Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall, St Martin in the Fields, London School of Economics, Colston Hall. She

has performed in Germany, Slovakia, Ukraine, France, Portugal, Italy and Poland and has won top prizes

at numerous solo and chamber music competitions, including the Patrons’

Award and May Mukle Prize at the Royal Academy of Music, Johann

Sebastian Bach International Piano Competition in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Friedrich Kuhlau International Competition. She has also been awarded

the Thomas Jennings Exhibition Prize, Marjorie McAdams Scholarship and

several scholarships from the Polish Ministry of Culture and National

Heritage. Małgorzata has participated in masterclasses with such eminent musicians as Christopher Elton, Maxim Vengerov, Daniel Hope, Mario

Brunello, Rodney Friend, Levon Chilingirian, Tatiana Sarkissova, Andrzej

Jasiński, members of Apollon Musagete Quartet She also participated in

the ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ exchange programme at the Conservatorio Escola

das Artes in Funchal, Portugal. Małgorzata graduated from the State Music School Complex in Warsaw and gained her bachelor’s degree at the Karol

Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, where she was studying with

Wojciech Świtała and Hanna Holeksa. She received a master’s degree with

distinction from the Royal Academy of Music, studying with Diana Ketler and Michael Dussek.

Saturday 7th July

Kings Langley Community Choir

Ben Crawley, (Musical Director)

2018 marks a significant milestone for Kings Langley Community Choir, its tenth anniversary. Since

2008 the Choir has established a reputation for strong harmony singing and a repertoire that is enjoyed

by all ages. In commercial parlance it is a truly successful ‘start-up’. The Choir started as, and remains, a

voluntary organisation entirely managed and supported by its members. The members represent an entire

cross-section of the local community, in age and vocation; their common interest is a love of music and

the enjoyment of singing in harmony. Ben Crawley, Music Director since September 2012, has taken the

Choir’s singing and repertoire range to further and higher levels. Ben has a distinguished career as a

chorister and choir leader, and he provides many of the song arrangements which blend the harmonies to

deliver the rich sound which has become the hallmark of performances by Kings Langley Community

Choir. The Bushey Recital is an established favourite in the Choir’s annual calendar, and is one of many

performances at local events and venues which also include Kings Langley Summer Carnival and Christmas

Festival, Rickmansworth Festival, Watford Colosseum, Christ Church, Chorleywood and Holy Trinity

Church, Leverstock Green. The Choir has also been proud to represent Kings Langley with performances

in national venues – The Royal Festival Hall, The Roundhouse, The Cadogan Hall and twice at The Palace

of Westminster. Such is the Choir’s standing that in 2017 an invitation was received to perform at the

Carnegie Hall, New York, although unfortunately this could not be accepted. An important aspect of the

Choir’s performances is helping raise funds for local charities and organisations. Age UK Dacorum, All

Saints Church Mission, Hope for Children, Kings Langley New School Fund, Rennie Grove Hospice, The

Hospice of St. Francis, The Peace Hospice and the Waterside Centre have all benefited.

Saturday 14th July

Johanna Röhrig, (Violin)

Born in 1993 in Hamburg, Germany, Johanna started learning the violin at age six. Being a prize winner

of the Ethel Kennedy Jacobs Award, she is currently studying for a Master of Music degree at the Royal

Academy of Music, London, with Prof. Rodney Friend, receiving further supported by the Oscar and Vera

Ritter Foundation Hamburg. In addition to her regular coaching, she has taken part in masterclasses with

Stephan Picard, Tanja Becker-Bender and Petru Munteanu and received further tuition from Erich

Grünberg and Baiba Skride. Johanna enjoys a busy schedule performing as a recitalist and concerto soloist

around Europe. Highlights of the upcoming season include recitals in the concert series Bunkerrauschen

in Hamburg and solo engagements with orchestras such as the Croydon Symphony Orchestra. In 2016,

the German violinist won 2nd prize at the International Competition Cittá di Padova in Italy and got invited

back to Italy for several recitals. She was awarded 1st Prize at the Internationale Frühlingsakademie

Neustadt competition (2014) and 3rd Prize at the LIONS-Musikpreis competition in Germany (2016).

Aleksandra Myslek is a Polish pianist born in Warsaw. The numerous awards she received include,

among others, special prizes for the best performance of Chopin works in the Chopin Competition in

Sochaczew- Poland, 2nd prize in the II International Schumann Piano Competition in Suwalki- Poland and

1st prize and special prizes in the III International Chopin Piano Competition in Budapest, which opened

for her the doors of prestigious concert halls in Europe. Aleksandra performed in Poland (among others

at F. Chopin Society in Warsaw, the Porczynscy Gallery, the F. Chopin University of Music in Warsaw,

W. Lutoslawski Concert Studio of the Polish Radio ), France (invited by Ecole Normale de

Musique, prestigious Concours International de Piano in Paris, organised by Cziffra Foundation recital in

Senlis), Hungary ( Budapest, Szeged and Debrecen) and UK, where she has given many recitals, chamber

music and concerto performances in halls like the Anvil in Basingstoke, Bedford Corn Exchange, London’s

Drapers’ Hall, Elgar Room, Duke’s Hall and many others. In the summer 2016, Aleksandra attended the

Spain’s Santander Encuentro de Música festival where she gave numerous concerts and worked with

Maestro Krzysztof Penderecki on his chamber works. Aleksandra gained her higher education degrees at

the Royal Academy of Music in London where she studied with Prof. Christopher Elton and later Prof.

Hamish Milne supported by scholarships that were awarded to her by the Academy. She also received

lessons and inspirational advice from musicians like Leon Fleisher, Ferenc Rados, Michel Beroff, and Fou

Ts'ong, among others.

Saturday 21st July

Christine Bennett, (Soprano)

Christine Bennett has been involved in singing since childhood: in church and primary school choirs,

Stamford High School’s school choir, and joint Stamford Schools choir, and in a joint school madrigal

group, and then in church choirs, and choral societies in adulthood. In all these ensembles she would be

asked, on occasion, to sing solos. At University, she extended her repertoire of folk songs, which have

proved an enjoyable additional “string to her bow”. The most spectacular singing experience was as soloist

in a trio entertaining a full cathedral congregation assembling for the 13th Centenary celebration at Ely, in

June 1973. She has very much enjoyed the more recent opportunities to sing in choirs privileged to sing

services at a number of Cathedrals, including Winchester, Canterbury, York, and St Albans. Since moving

to Bushey in the mid-1970s, she has had lessons with John Bernays and with Joy Timms and enjoyed taking

part in a Masterclass given by Louise Winter as part of the London Song Festival in 2010. Her current

singing teacher is Julie Bale. Although her career, until early 2010, was not in singing, she is experienced

as a soloist: singing oratorio, opera arias, art songs, early music and church music, as well as a wide range

of popular, humorous, and folk songs. She was delighted to gain a high-mark Distinction for her ABRSM

Grade 8 Singing, in March 2011. She sings regularly with her ‘home’ choir of St James’s Church, Bushey,

both at home and when visiting Cathedrals. She has been soloist for Bushey Chamber Choir and Festival

Chorus on several occasions, and also with Harrow Philharmonic Choir, and for Potters Bar Choral

Society, and for an informal choral workshop with Hertford Choral Society. All this is generally in Baroque

and Classical repertoire (mainly Vivaldi, Bach, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert). Christine’s programme is

planned to include a range of music: classical, and Twentieth Century.

Saturday 28th July

James Bale, (Organ)

James is currently a student in Year 9 at Aldenham School, where he holds a Music scholarship and

studies with John Wyatt FRCO. He began his organ studies in October 2016 after winning a bursary for

the Young Organist’s Training Scheme with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Organists’ Association. He

studied with Christopher Muhley. James’s ambition is to one day be a church organist himself!

Saturday 4th August

Harrow Apollo Male Choir

David Heasman, (Musical Director)

The origins of the Harrow Apollo Male Choir lie in the aircraft industry. In 1941 the first choristers

came from the De Haviland Aircraft factory in Edgware and over the years featured various name changes

and differing rehearsal locations. Our association with Harrow began when the choir moved to the

Harrow Arts Centre in 2002 where we have been based ever since. We have maintained links with the

RAF performing with their musicians at both our 70th and 75th anniversary concerts. Our proudest

moments include performing in front of royalty at the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in

Green Park, at the Official Opening of the Battle of Britain Museum in Stanmore and at the 30th anniversary

of the Paul Strickland Scanner Centre. Recent tours have included celebrating our 70th Anniversary with

other choirs in Chester Cathedral, singing in Jersey, on the Isle of Wight and, last November, at the

N.Wales Choral Festival in Llandudno. During recent years the Choir has helped to raise over £100,000

for local and national charities. New choristers are always welcome – we meet every Tuesday evening in

the Belmont Room at the Harrow Arts Centre in Hatch End.

Saturday 11th August

Yoon-Seok Shin, (Piano)

Award-winning South Korean pianist Yoon-Seok Shin is much in demand

as a recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician across the Europe,

Asia and in the United Kingdom. Praised by many acclaimed critics with his

poised, polished and innovative performances, Yoon Seok is currently an

official artist of T&B Entertainment (South Korea). Yoon Seok makes

regular concerto appearances, highlights including with the Corinthian

Chamber Orchestra, Croscombe Village Orchestra, Seoul Amore

Philharmonic Orchestra, the New London Orchestra, the Ashtead Park

Sinfonia, the Manchester Camerata and the Thames Philharmonia under the

leading conductors such as Eamonn Dougan, Tony Bevan, Hee Tae Seo,

Paul Dodds, Stephen Threlfall, Byung-Yun Yu and Ronald Corp. Yoon Seok

first came to attention after succeeding in many competitions and awards

include the 1st Prize in the Michael and Ernest Corby Transcription Competition

(2007), the 2nd Prize in the Il Circolo Competition (2008), the 3rd Prize in the

2nd Manchester International Concerto Competition (2009) and the Runners-

Up Prize in the Preliminary of the Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Competition (2007). Since this led to his

successful UK debut solo recital at St. John's Smith Square, London as a part of “Young Artists' Series” in

2008, Yoon Seok has appeared at some of UK's most prestigious venues and given toured recitals across

the Europe and Asia. His notable London recitals given at Steinway Hall, St James’s Church Piccadilly, the

Regent Hall, the Reform Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club, the Yamaha Chappell’s Concert Hall, Louis Vuitton

Maison, the Korean Embassy. He was also invited to perform in the Bedford Recital Series, Korean Festival

(UK), K-Classics Rising Star Series in the Korean Cultural Centre (UK), Woolmarket Music Society in

Essex, Konserthuset - The Nobel Prize Award Hall in Sweden, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul

Sejong Centre Chamber Hall and Seoul Arts Centre Concert Hall in South Korea. Yoon Seok recently

awarded the Gold Medal and Premier Award in Kingston upon Thames Music Festival (2017). Born in

South Korea, Yoon Seok began the piano at the age of 6. In 1991 he came to live in the United Kingdom

continuing his studies with Prof. Andrew Zolinsky at the Junior Royal College of Music, London. During

this time, he was a regular member at the yearly music festival hosted by the Old Freemen's Society where

he was invited to perform on special occasions notably the 150th anniversary of Freemen’s Society at

Guildhall in the presence of the Lord Mayor of London. Yoon Seok graduated from the Royal College of

Music, London after completing the prestigious Artist Diploma in Performance and the Master of Music

(MMus) in Advanced Performance under the tutelage of Prof. Andrew Ball. Previously, he gained his

Bachelor of Music, BMus (Hons) in Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

(Trinity College of Music), London where he studied with Prof. Philip Fowke and was awarded 1st Class

Honours. In addition, Yoon Seok was awarded the City Livery Club Prize (2009) in recognition of his

outstanding performances and achievements.

Saturday 18th August

Performer to be announced

Saturday 25th August

Stephen King, (Organ)

Stephen King has been organist of Brentwood Cathedral for over 25 years. He has worked with several

distinguished composers, including John Gardner, Andrew Carter, John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, and Colin

Mawby, and to mark his first 25 years at Brentwood Cathedral, he has commissioned an organ work from

Philip Moore. He has also collaborated with the composer Diana Burrell, whose Missa Brevis was

composed in 2016/17 for Brentwood Cathedral Choir. He is closely associated with the Southend Boys

Choir and Southend Girls’ Choir, of which he was a trustee for several years, and has appeared with them

as organist on overseas tours, at venues which have included St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, and various

American, Canadian and European locations. In 2016, in France, he gave two performances of Handel

organ concertos. He has a particular interest in works for organ with solo instruments and has taken part

in many performances of such works. He is also a trustee of the Royal College of Organists.

Saturday 1st September

Luca Luciano, (Clarinet)

“Masterful Clarinet! Luca is a noted Italian clarinettist and composer, having developed an enviable reputation as

an instrumental virtuoso around the UK and overseas via recordings and concert hall appearances.” Musician

Magazine (June 2008) Luca Luciano has appeared on the front page of music magazines and his

compositions have been cited in books about the clarinet repertoire with much appreciation within the

academic field (Penn State University USA, Cambridge University and Birmingham University in the UK, Sao

Paulo University and the Faculty of Santa Marcelina in Brazil, University of Salerno in Italy, etc…) and

beyond. He has been interviewed on radio, TV and for the press in many occasions in the UK, the USA,

France, Italy, France and Brazil including recording live for BBC Radio 3. His music continually receives

praise and is regularly broadcast in three continents in programmes of classical music, improvised and

experimental music. “Such a virtuoso musical performance and such joyful uplifting music I just couldn’t resist it.”

Tom Robinson (BBC Radio 6, March 2009)

Saturday 8th September

Performer to be announced

Saturday 15th September

Julie Bale, (Soprano), and James Mooney-Dutton, (Piano)

Born in Leeds, Julie studied Music and German at Oxford Brookes and followed this with a PGCE at Goldsmith's College, University of London and an ARCM diploma from the Royal College of Music. She

studies voice and vocal pedagogy with the eminent vocal coach Janice Chapman and Dame Josephine

Barstow. In 2013 Julie's move into spinto/dramatic repertoire led to an increasingly busy schedule with

her debut into Wagner with Helmwige Die Walküre for Berwick Festival Opera and Leonore Fidelio for OperaHerts, after she covered the role for Dorset Opera. Her voice has been described as "burnished

copper" and "What firepower. A riotous assault" (The Herald, Scotland) Julie performs extensively on the

concert platform throughout the UK and has been the soprano soloist in most of the major oratorios

including Orff's Carmina Burana, Rossini Petite Messe Solenelle, Mendelssohn Elijah, Mozart Requiem,

Mass in C Minor and numerous performances of Verdi's Requiem. In April 2013 she was the soprano soloist for the second only UK performance of the Messa Per Rossini at St. Alban’s Abbey. Julie is a sought

after vocal coach and, as well as running her own private practice, is the resident vocal coach with the

London Oriana Choir. She is also choral director of the North Middlesex Townswomens' Guild

Federation Choir, Northwood Choral Society and Leader of Harrow Choral Society’s Training Choir - Singing for Starters.

Saturday 22nd September

Pupils from the Purcell School

We welcome the talented teenagers from the U.K.'s leading specialist music school perform an

eclectic programme of chamber music and solo items accompanied by piano. The Purcell School

holds a UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal in recognition of its unique contribut ion to music, education

and international culture, and in 2016, was made a Fazioli Pianoforti Centre of Excellence. The

School is well-known for nurturing the very best young talent, including three recent BBC Young

Musician of the Year winners, Lara Melda (2010), Martin James Bartlett (2014), and Alexandra

Ridout (Jazz Award 2016). Pupils regularly win scholarships to the best music colleges in the UK

and abroad, and enjoy frequent success in competitions locally, nationally and internationally. Just

a few of The Purcell School’s distinguished alumni include Oliver Knussen CBE, Catrin Finch,

Nicholas Daniel, Robert Cohen, Julius Drake, Yevgeny Sudbin, Karim Said, Mica Levi, and Jacob

Collier.

‘…it gives me great hope for the future of the music profession when I hear what these young people

are capable of’ Sir Simon Rattle CBE

Saturday 29th September

Diane Rees, and John Wyatt

Diane Rees (soprano) was born in South Wales and remains enormously proud of her Welsh roots but

it was on moving to England that she started "proper" singing. Thanks to the dedicated guidance of Arthur

Serven'ts daily technical lessons she had success in many singing competitions before being offered a place,

via audition, at all the London Music Colleges. She chose to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where

she was taught by Marjorie Thomas. Again, she had great success, winning many of the competitions open

to the students in both opera and oratorio. She also gained her LRAM and ARCM diplomas in teaching

and performing. Diane has sung in concerts in Europe, has given recitals on local and national radio and

has performed as soloist on BBC TV. Her love of Church music has resulted in her singing as soloist in

many of the greatest choral works ever written in many of the UKs most famous Churches and Cathedrals

and under the batons of some or the world’s most renowned conductors, including Vilem Tausky, Sir

Simon Rattle, Sir Christopher Robinson and Barry Rose. In 2011 Diane performed Sir John Tavener’s

“Song for Athene” (a work normally in 8 parts) in a special arrangement for solo soprano with organ

accompaniment. Sir John was present at the performance and said that he was “very moved” by it. Indeed,

the dedication in his next work “They are all gone into the world of light” states that the music came to

him after attending the occasion at which Diane was singing. Diane is delighted to be able to sing alongside

John Wyatt again in this programme of French Chansons and German lieder.

Saturday 6th October

Lindsay Wagstaff, (Soprano), and Bryan Husband, (Tenor),

Lindsay began her studies at Chethams School of Music and whilst there was

awarded the ARCM diploma in Singing and in Pianoforte. She went on to read

Music and French at Royal Holloway College followed by post-graduate studies at

Lincoln College, Oxford where she was a founder member of the vocal ensemble

I Fagiolini. She has sung regularly for the Monteverdi Choir under the direction of

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and with groups such as the English Concert and the BBC

Singers. Her classical and operatic repertoire stands alongside her film and pop

session work. She combines her performance work with her role as Professor of

Alexander Technique at the Royal College of Music and her private teaching

practice, as well as being a regular tutor for Eton Choral Courses and the National

Youth Choir of Great Britain.

Life as a singer, actor, teacher, adjudicator and ski instructor is what keeps

Bryan challenged, solvent, and amused. He has performed in Opera Houses

and Musicals around the UK and abroad, and made many appearances on tv,

radio, and recordings. He is a tenor amongst tenors, having sung with Luciano

Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, Roberto Alagna and Josh Groban,

to namedrop a few. Bryan trained at the Royal College of Music, London, and

the Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff. Recent performances have

been in Dublin, Bordeaux, Cyprus and Guildford, and in Ireland at the Allihies

Music Festivals and at David Symes’ Sunday afternoon recitals. Adjudication

has recently taken him to Hong Kong, Trinidad and Tobago, also Gibraltar,

and most recently Hong Kong, Derby and Alderley Edge (could life be any

more glamorous?). Bryan is also an examiner for Trinity College London in Classical music and Rock &

Pop, and recent examining work has seen him in India, South Africa, Hong Kong, Thailand and New

Zealand, as well as all over the UK and Ireland. After some years spent performing abroad Bryan moved

to Guildford, where he held for some years the posts of Head of Singing at Guildford School of Acting,

and Lay-Clerk at Guildford Cathedral (from Bach to Bernstein, effortlessly). He now works as a freelance

performer, tutor at Trinity Laban, examiner and adjudicator, has private singing practices in London and

Worcester, and divides his time between homes in Worcester and in County Cork. Bryan also instructs

skiers (in skiing, not singing! Although there’s an idea…….)

The Church of St. James the Apostle,

Bushey

Worship is at the heart of St James’ mission, ministry and community life. We believe it is important to

offer worship to God which people of all ages and from a variety of traditions will want to share. We have

an excellent music team and a large choir, a dedicated team of Servers and Eucharistic Ministers, and

people share fully in the liturgy by reading the Scriptures and leading the Intercessions. We have a Sunday

School (Called the "Lighthouse") for children aged 3 and upwards and a mid-week gathering for young

ones and their parents/carers called Tots Praise. There is also a pre-school worship space available during

the Sunday Eucharist (called "Little Sparks"). We also enjoy close links with a number of schools in the

parish and many of the clergy are school governors and regularly lead assemblies and

school services. St. James's subscribes to the Inclusive Church Network and seeks

to be a place which does not discriminate, on any level, on grounds of economic

power, gender, mental health, physical ability, race or sexuality. We believe in

Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which

is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each

generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp

how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.

The church is open every day to provide a spiritual oasis in a busy world. Do come along and enjoy the

peace and find space to be with God. Our building is beautiful; it includes a well-preserved hammer-beam

roof, one of the oldest in Hertfordshire, a rare painting of the Arms of Queen Anne and memorials to

some of the Bushey artists. Further information can be found on the Parish website –

www.busheyparish.org

Services in St. James’s

Sundays 8.00am Said Eucharist

9.30am Sung Eucharist and Sunday School, Family Eucharist first Sunday of each month

6.30pm Different styles of service are held most weeks in all three churches in the Parish (see website

for full details)

Weekdays

Morning Prayer at 9.00am on Mondays and Thursdays. (See website for full details)

Monday 6.30pm Holy Half Hour – Prayers for the Parish

Thursday 11.00am Eucharist

Regular updates

If you would like to be included in our regular email distribution list, please pass your details to the

person on the door or serving lunches. This will keep you up to date with all news about concerts,

services and other special events.

Changes may occur during the series

Updates will appear on the parish website

For further information, visit www.busheyparish.org or call the Parish Office

on 020 8421 8192

If you are interested in performing in the Summer Saturday Recital Series 2019

please email James Mooney-Dutton, (Director of Music) jmd@busheyparish.org

How to find us

Church House is open from 11am serving coffee, tea and homemade cakes before the recital.

Each performance begins at 12 noon and lasts for approximately 45 minutes, after which light

lunches are available in Church House serving the following:

• Coffee and tea (including Herbal Teas)

• Homemade cakes

• Filled rolls with a choice of fillings including a weekly “special”

• Squash, juice and mineral water

There is no admission charge for these concerts but a retiring collection. Please give generously,

remembering to gift-aid your donation if you are able.

St James’s Church, High Street, Bushey, WD23 1BD

Watford Junction Watford High Street or Bushey stations

Buses 142 and 258 pass the church

By car from Watford or Stanmore (A411) or Junction 5 of the M1. Free parking can be found at

Kemp Place (one street on from the Church).