N Norfolk Church launches concert programme

All Saints Church in Upper Sheringham will be launching its summer season of concerts and events with an organ recital this Saturday, and tickets are now available.

Some years ago, All Saints hosted concerts by local and visiting performers, including a Flamenco dance troupe and a ladies’ fashion show. Having held two successful concerts in 2023, this year’s programme opens on Saturday 20 April at 7.30pm with an organ recital by Philip Adams and Michael Finnissy of solos and duets including 19th century French music of the Church and Salon. Both have performed at the church before, and Philip has played the organ on many occasions and regularly directs and accompanies the Trinity Singers at festival services.
 
The Norfolk Broads Concert Band will perform on 11 May. A community band, based at St Mary’s Church, Martham, on the Norfolk Broads, the band consists of young and old players as well as family groups. It plays several concerts each year involving different musical genres.
 
On 29 June , Serendipity will perform a typical programme including music ranging from Abba, Lennon and McCartney to part songs by Schubert or Elgar via 16th century polyphony. Essentially something for everyone.
 
Viva Voce Singers is a small and friendly Norwich-based chamber choir of around 25 singers. The choir, directed by Jody James, has a reputation for high quality performances. They sing a varied repertoire from early church music to composers of the latter part of the 20th century. Their performance will be on Saturday 13 July at 7pm.
 
Admission for each concert will be by programme at the door - £10 (under 12s free).  Advance bookings can be made by e-mail : weybournechurch@gmail.com, quoting the performance details. Light refreshments will be available.
 
The concerts are in addition to the regular Sunday services and weekday events, as well as coffee mornings like those coming up on 27 July for church funds and on 14 September in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.  Members of the Norwich Cathedral Choir will lead Choral Evensong in the church at 3.30pm on Sunday 29 September.
 
The ancient village church in Upper Sheringham, parts of which date back to the 15th century, is recognized for its acoustics, and the church community hopes to build on a reputation for events which was revived last year.
 
Reverend Frank Clarke, an Honorary Assistant Priest and events organiser for All Saints, commented, “Community access to churches is encouraged and their wider use for events such as these provides much-needed financial support.  Income will hopefully not only help maintain the church building but also ensure that it remains a focal point in the local community and beyond.
 
“Music is a gift from God and what better place to stage performances than a church built, maintained by and for the community, to His glory. All Saints is open each day to visitors and for private prayer. Entries in the visitors’ book show how much this is valued just as past audiences have told us how much they enjoyed our concerts and other events.”

The inset photo of the New Sheringham Singers at All Saints in 2023 is courtesy of Upper Sheringham Church.
The photo of All Saints, Upper Sheringham is courtesy of Norfolkchurches.co.uk 
 

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.