4th: JS Bach and All That Jazz!
17th: Pemberton Old Wigan(JJB) Brass Band
18th: Rev'd Barry Whitehead -visiting preacher

SUNDAY 4th FEBRUARY - JS BACH AND ALL THAT JAZZ!
Featuring Martin Howarth (counter-tenor) and Ian Tracey (organ). Here is a review written by Nick Daunt....

Martin Howarth, whose recital with Professor Ian Tracey launched the musical celebrations of our 700th Anniversary last Sunday evening, needs no introduction to Up Holland audiences, since he was a member of the Church Choir until the age of ten, when he took up a place as a treble in Liverpool Cathedral Choir. He now sings as a Lay Clerk at the Cathedral, as well as with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir.

Martin Howarth (left) and Ian Tracey (right). Photo courtesy of Sue Swailes.

On the other hand, the counter-tenor voice may still have been unfamiliar to some members of the large audience, despite the fact that it has enjoyed a considerable revival over recent decades. It is particularly associated with music of the Baroque period, and Martin included in his recital works by four great Baroque masters, J.S. Bach, Henry Purcell, G.F. Handel and Antonio Vivaldi. Amongst these were the glorious "Come, come ye sons of art" from the music that Purcell wrote to celebrate the birthday of Queen Mary II in 1694, and the setting of the "Domine Deus" from Vivaldi's "Gloria", written for the girls of the Ospedale della Pietà, the Venetian orphanage where he worked. In all these pieces Martin demonstrated considerable musicianship, as well as an evenness of tone in all parts of his range. There were times when one would have welcomed greater dynamic contrast, but as the recital progressed, Martin seemed to gain in confidence and to "let himself go" rather more.

Apart from the short extract - "The Mouse" - from Britten's "Rejoice in the Lamb", the second part of Martin's recital had a more popular feel, with pieces by, amongst others, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rogers and Nat King Cole. It was certainly interesting to hear these pieces sung by a counter-tenor. In his last two songs, Britten's version of the folk song "The Foggy Foggy Dew" and the wonderfully un-PC "Song of Patriotic Prejudice" by Flanders and Swann, Martin really seemed to be having fun, making a few appropriate changes to the words, which were much appreciated by the audience.

Altogether this was a very fine concert debut on his native soil. Martin chose a varied and demanding programme and, despite having a sore throat, acquitted himself admirably. He has great potential and we will look forward to following his musical career as it develops.

It was a great privilege to welcome to St Thomas the Martyr Ian Tracey, the Organist and Master of the Choristers at Liverpool Cathedral, and one of the country's leading organists. He accompanied Martin sensitively at the keyboard as well as treating us to a series of entertaining organ solos between Martin's pieces. Apart from the lugubriously titled Bach chorale prelude, "I stand with one foot in the grave" (which actually turned out to be a tuneful and attractive piece!), most of his items could be described as "musical lollipops". These certainly demonstrated the potential of the Up Holland organ for producing a wide range of lovely sounds. This was particularly evident in the three short pieces which Handel wrote for musical clocks. As well as playing, Ian introduced all the items, both vocal and organ, with his usual mixture of scholarship and wit.

Altogether an excellent start to our musical celebrations, and one that was extremely well appreciated by the large audience!

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SATURDAY 17th FEBRUARY - PEMBERTON OLD WIGAN (JJB) BRASS BAND

This concert was the first in a series of musical concerts in church to celebrate our 700th anniversary. It featured a wide variety of pieces and was thoroughly enjoyed by a big crowd. A review will follow very soon.
Click here to visit their website.
Don't forget the other concerts planned this year - see the 2007 Events page for more details. Tickets will be on sale after each Sunday service or send details (inc. return address) & cheque payable to 'Up Holland Parish Church'. Post to Sue Swailes, Dell Cottage, St Helens Road, ORMSKIRK. L39 9EA.
Need more info? Phone Sue Swailes: 01695 577532

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SUNDAY 18th FEBRUARY - REV'D BARRY WHITEHEAD
Barry was Curate at our church in the late 1950's and early 1960's, during the time that Rev'd Wheeler was the incumbent.

He preached at all three services and promised us, in his words, "memories that would be soggy with nostalgia" - not only did he live up to his promise but his reminiscences also provided the younger ones with a local history lesson. Did you know that there used to be a firework factory in Skelmersdale, and that this used to mark the boundary of the old Wigan parish. In Barry's day at St Thomas's, we were part of the Wigan parish.
Barry is also a car enthusiast and shared some of his motoring memories with us, notably that he bought a Mini when he was a curate here...what goes around comes around, as Minis are back in production and Barry is still driving racing cars at 76 years old!
The final word comes from the Shared Ministry Team who are eternally grateful for all the support Barry has given them over the years. Indeed Barry has been at the forefront of SMT development in the whole Church of England in the last 25 years, so he has truly made his mark on our worship and development.
Thanks Barry!

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