Choir and organ concerts mark English Heritage Open Day
Memorable music events at St John the Evangelist, Redhill, Surrey will mark the church’s 181 years of history with English Heritage Open Day events on Saturday 14 September and Sunday 15 September 2024.
The church will be open from 12 noon on Saturday 14 September, with the choir concert from 4pm to 5pm, and from 2pm on Sunday 15 September, with a special organ recital at 4pm.
Both events are free, and visitors can also enjoy guided tours of the church and its bell tower, from its origins when the railway first came to Redhill in 1843, to its transformation into a Victorian Gothic masterpiece by the man who built England’s last cathedral in Truro, John Loughborough Pearson.
The choir will be conducted by Director of Music, Clement Hetherington, and accompanied by guest organist, Charles Thompson. With the theme “A celebration of English choral music from across the ages,” the choir programme covers a variety of liturgical styles and moods which showcase the thriving musical life of St John's. It will include: Howells - ‘Gloucester’ Magnificat; Purcell - Benedicite omnia opera; Brahms – Geistlicheslied; Batten - O sing joyfully; Bach - Zion hears her watchmen’s voices and Wood - This joyful Eastertide.
Father Willis organ recital
The organ, which is regarded as one of the finest in Surrey, was built and installed by the famed Henry Willis (aka Father Willis) in 1897. Willis also built or rebuilt around 1,000 other organs, including those at Alexandra Palace, the Royal Albert Hall and St Paul's Cathedral.
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Guest organist Charles Thompson works professionally as a choral conductor, singer, organist, piano accompanist and as a continuo player. He has played on tour in Europe and directed choirs for film soundtracks, recordings, and broadcasts.
Charles will show off the solo sounds of the organ - Trumpets, Oboe, Flutes, Clarinet and Cello - and will also demonstrate its vast dynamic range, from the softest undulating strings to the thunderous fortissimo of Full Organ, in music ranging from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
Pieces will include: Processional- Matthias; Voluntary in D minor – Boyce; Basse et Dessus de Trompette – Charpentier; Melody – Bath; Adagio in E – Bridge and Toccata - Boellmann.
180 years of history
The church of St John the Evangelist was built in 1843, with aisles added in 1860, and then later enlarged (1889-95) by architect John Loughborough Pearson. Unusually the architect also designed or specified the internal features of the church, from the stained-glass windows to the gilded triptych, an angel font and eagle lectern.
Guided tours for visitors will include the opportunity to explore St John’s 185 ft spire, which houses eight bells. These bells were installed in 1895, and are hung for full circle ringing, with a peal considered to be one of the easiest going in Surrey.
Refreshments including home-made cakes, scones and hot and cold beverages will be served throughout both afternoons.
Editor’s notes:
1. Heritage Open Days: Established in 1994, Heritage Open Days is England's contribution to the European Heritage Days and has since grown into the country's largest community heritage festival: see website https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk
2. Father Willis Organ at St John’s: for organ afficionados, the instrument has three manuals of 58 notes each and a 30-note pedal board. There are eight stops on the Great Organ, nine on the Swell, six on the Choir and six on the Pedal Organ.
3. Guest organist Charles Thompson: currently teaches singing and is accompanist for the Redhill and Reigate Choral Society, and on Sundays is Director of Music at Nutfield Parish Church, where there is Choral Evensong of cathedral quality every week in term-time.
4. Music at St John’s: there is a strong musical tradition at St John’s ranging from a robed choir with organ to an instrumental group and informal singing groups. There is also a prize winning bell-ringing team which rings for main services on Sundays and special days, including weddings.
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