music events
"The British are coming!"
We are delighted to announce that on Saturday, August 2, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., three young, teenage British musicians will perform piano and organ works at St. Mark Lutheran Church.Michael Hart, Matthew Paine and Oliver Roberts (see write ups below) are being brought to the United States by Stephen Armstrong, artistic director of the High Wycombe Choral Society and himself a concert organist and pianist who was at one time organ scholar at Queen's College/Cambridge.
The concert is free and the public is inviterd to come to hear these talented young musicians and meet them at a reception to be held afterwards.
Organist Oliver Roberts (age 16) has played piano since the age of seven. He was fortunate to be tutored from age 13 by Stephen Armstrong. When they first met, Oliver mentioned his interest in playing the organ, and he has been playing ever since. In 2007, Oliver was appointed Organ Scholar at All Saints Parish Church in High Wycombe. Previous to this, Oliver played the organ at various churches in and around High Wycombe. Oliver is a member of the Senior Orchestra at the High Wycombe Music Centre, playing the oboe, and the highlight of this has been performing at the Royal Albert Hall. In his spare time, Oliver enjoys playing tennis and golf. He hopes to study music next year at university.
Matthew Paine began playing the piano at the age of ten whilst living in Hong Kong, where he was born. On his return to the UK when he was twelve years old, Matthew also became interested in playing the organ. However, his passion for keyboard really began after being introduced to a certain Stephen Armstrong at an organ recital in his local church! Matthew has played at public concerts and at musical events at school. He also is a member of High Wycombe Choral Society where he sings bass. When studies and music allow, Matthew likes to take to the sports field and is passionate about rugby and cricket. He hopes to study music at a conservatoire when he leaves school.
Michael Hart, pianist (age 18) hopes to study engineering at university next year. This year he iis taking a gap year in order to gain work experience in the engineering field and will continue his piano lessons with Stephen Armstrong - so, hopefully, lots more concerts will follow! Michael began piano study at the age of eight, and after watching a performance by an American pianist during a Mediterranean cruise, was inspired to study more classical music. Presently, he is recording his own classical CD with a view to playing the
piano for many years to come.
Stephen Armstrong, accomplished organist and concert pianist, has performed across the U.S.A, and particularly in Hampton Roads, numerous times. As artistic director of the High Wycombe Choral Society, Stephen has participated in many tours abroad with students and choir personnel. The High Wycombe Choral Society enjoyed a sister relationship with the Virginia Choral Society in past years and Stephen's ties to Tidewater are many. In demand as a collaborative artist, he is a former organ scholar at Queen's College/Cambridge and currently teaches music at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe.
12th Night Medieval Dinners
at Cafe' St. Mark
on Two Evenings:
January 2, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. and January 4, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
Both Friday and Sunday evenings will have full-fledged frivolities: authentic medieval-style foods, the obligatory boar's head, Renaissance music, singing and dancing, and some surprises! Watch this space for more information.
Musicians from the parish and Cafe' St. Mark will host two 12th Night Medieval Dinners marking the official end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Epiphany. Frivolities will conclude with the appearance of The Three Kings followed by the Burning of the Greens. Costumes are encouraged. Please contact Cafe St. Mark or Dan Landis in the Music office for more information.
