Member Article

Feast of five concerts in Seaton Delaval church

If you’re a fan of classical music and live in the Seaton Delaval area, then you’re in for five fantastic musical weekend treats - featuring world class musicians as well as talented local students – between January and May this year. Tickets cost from only £4 to £8 or you can book all five concerts for just £20. That’s your weekend entertainment sorted until the summer and at a very low price indeed!

A group of music lovers in the area - including keen pianist Alan Coxon who’s the instigator and driving force behind the activity - have arranged a series of short classical concerts at Elsdon Avenue Church, Seaton Delaval, starting on Saturday 14 January through until the 14 May. Alan who’s from Seaton Delaval and a former engineer, played piano from the age of eight, passed all the graded exams but then only played intermittently for many years until 2012, when he was inspired to take it up in earnest again.

The aims of the concert series are: to offer local audiences the opportunity to hear beautiful music played live by well-known musicians at a very low cost on their doorstep; to give talented North East students the opportunity to showcase their music to the public; to encourage people of all ages to appreciate and enjoy the timeless beauty of classical music; and to publicise Elsdon Avenue Church.

The variety of music on offer will appeal to many. One of the UK’s most popular and best loved pianists Martin Roscoe, will be giving a concert and will also be delivering a piano masterclass – a huge achievement for the organisers and a great opportunity for local musicians! Martin has made seven BBC Prom appearances, has a repertoire of over 100 concertos performed or recorded and works regularly with many of the UK’s leading orchestras.

Top students in the area (including Amy Baker and Ana Fernandez Guerra from Newcastle University) will be giving fabulous, unique recitals to lucky audiences in piano, clarinet and voice. These talented young people are likely to be the next generation of virtuoso performers. In future years, audiences will be able to claim they heard them at Elsdon Avenue first!

The music season at Seaton Delaval will kick off with a Great Piano Show by David Murray on Saturday 14 January, followed by a piano and cello recital on Saturday 11 February by David and his son, Christopher Murray.

Newcastle born David Murray is one of the most acclaimed pianists in the North East and is in constant demand as a soloist, accompanist and chamber music partner. He has played all over the world with the Northern Sinfonia as orchestral pianist.

David’s son Christopher Murray is Professor of Chamber Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has performed throughout the world as a cellist. He has been a founder member of the award winning Heath Quartet since 2005 whose music is frequently played on BBC Radio 3.

Organiser Alan Coxon says: “As a keen pianist myself I get great pleasure from seeing other people appreciating beautiful music. We have such a wealth of talent in the region that I wanted to put these concerts together for local people to include well-known musicians as well as brilliant students. We’re now all ready to go so we’re now looking for as many people as possible to come along, sit back, relax and enjoy the music!”

For more information, or to buy tickets please go to www.elsdonavenuechurch.org.uk or call 0191 237 6116

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kate Slater .