Concert celebrates Stourbridge talent

12:16pm Friday 19th September 2008

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ST Thomas’s Church in Stourbridge is hosting a ‘Music Past and Present’ concert this weekend - celebrating the talents of its homegrown musicians.

Taking place on Saturday September 20 - it will feature recently appointed organ scholar Joseph Waggott; accomplished chorister and musician Matthew Rose; and former organ scholar Francesca Massey.

Joseph Waggott, a seasoned accompanist who has worked with several choirs and been involved in many orchestral performances, has been awarded a scholarship to Birmingham Conservatoire.

Matthew Rose, an accomplished organ, trumpet and piano player, joined St Thomas’s four years ago as a tenor. His program will include works by Bach, Stanford and Rutter.

Francesca Massey was organ scholar at St Thomas’s from 1999-2000 before moving to St George’s chapel, Windsor Castle, as organ scholar.

She then took up the organ scholarship at Gonville and Caius, Cambridge, and after graduating she was appointed assistant organist at Manchester Cathedral.

She is now assistant director of music at Peterborough Cathedral and has won many prizes and awards for her playing. She has also performed at venues across the world and recorded a number of CDs.

Francesca will also be playing pieces by Vaughan Williams and Widor as well as a work by John Rutter, an organ duet with Andrew Fletcher - director of music at St Thomas’s.

Mr Fletcher said: “The concert provides a wonderful opportunity to hear some of the young musicians who have contributed so much to our musical tradition.”

The concert starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £6 with concessions.