St. Mary's and St. Agnes' review of 2009: notable social events - 31 Dec 2009
18 April 2009: Stile Antico at St. Mary's
STILE ANTICO is an ensemble of young British singers, now established as one of the most original and exciting new voices in its field. Prizewinners at the 2005 Early Music network International Young Artists' Competition, the group is now much in demand in concert performances, and records exclusively for Harmonia Mundi. Their first recording for the label, music for compline, met with international success and drew superlative reviews, winning the prestigious Diapason d'Or de l'Annee, the Choc du Monde de la Musique, and attracting a nomination for the 5oth GRAMMY awards.
Working without a conductor, the members of Stile Antico rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing artistically to the musical result. Their repertoire ranges from the glorious legacy of the English Tudor composers to the works of the Flemish and Spanish schools and the music of the early Baroque. They are passionate about the need to communicate with their audiences, combining thoughtful programming with direct, expressive performances. They are also committed to developing their educational work, for which they have recived generous funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Stile Antico has appeared extensively throughout the UK, including at the York, Birmingham, Beaminster, City of London and Lake District Summer Music Festivals; the group has broadcast several times on BBC Radio 3, and led courses at the 2007 Dartington International Summer School. During 2007 they collaborated extensively with Sting in his project Songs from the Labyrinth, performing lute songs by John Dowland, and at the end of 2008 they took this project on tour for the second time, to Australia and the Far East. In 2008 the group made their European debuts in Belgium (Early Music Festival Bruges), France (Rencontres Musicales de Vezelay), and Holland (Early Music Festival Utrecht). In 2009 Stile Antico will be appearing at Reading Concert Hall,Whitehall Banqueting House,York Early Music Festival, Three Choirs Festival, and in Europe at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam,De Singel (Belgium), Al Bustan Festival,Granada Festival of Earl Music, and Rheingau Musik Festival. Stile Antico's second disc, Heavenly Harmonies, was released in early 2008 to critical acclaim; their third disc is due for release in early 2009.
Their web page www.stileantico.co.uk
19 June 2009: Guild Of the servants of the Sanctuary.
Guild Office and Benediction at St Agnes', 7.30 pm. Officiant and preacher: Canon Geoffrey Smith. All welcome. refreshments.
28 June 2009: Celebration Taize Evensong at St Mary's 6.30 pm: 'GOD'S CALLING'. All welcome. Refreshments.
8 September 2009: St Mary's Patronal Festival
Sung Mass at St Mary's 7.30 pm. President and preacher: The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. All welcome. Refreshments.
20 September 2009: Battle of Britain Commemoration at St Mary's
RAFA Service 3.00 pm. All welcome. Refreshments.
4 October 2009: Harvest Lunch
Venue:Turner Hall. Time: 12.45 for 1.00 pm.
24 October 2009: St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir
Bury St.Edmunds Male Voice Choir, with the Werdorf choirs from Germany, 7.30pm. Go to www.semvc.com/home.htm
Saturday 28 November 2009 St Mary's Christmas Fair
Bulbs, gifts, tombola, cakes, preserves. Lunches: home-made soup/filled rolls. 12 noon - 3pm
Saturday 5 December 2009
The Bumpstead Boys present: Ruby and Her Horses: A true life Suffolk narrative in story, song and screen set against the hardships of the agricultural depression. Venue: Turner Hall. Time: 7 for 7.30pm. Advance booking highly advisable. Tickets £7 (including ploughman's supper) from: Janet Ramsay-Helie 01638 603489 or Judy Paxton 01638 741713.