St Mary’s ‘Musicathon’

A CHURCH in Henley held a 12-hour “Musicathon” to raise money for its choir.

St Mary’s Church in Hart Street hosted musical performances by singers and instrumentalists from 7am to 7pm on Saturday.

They included Fr Jeremy Tayler, the rector St Mary’s, and the church’s 25-strong choir, which sang a selection of their favourite hymns and anthems.

Members of the public were invited to perform pieces of their choice, either solo or accompanied by the church’s musicians.

The final performance was by Sebastian Thomson, the church’s director of music, who played jazz piano and the organ.

Mr Thomson organised the event with associate organist Shean Bowers and they took turns to perform throughout the day with a series of popular organ pieces including Widor’s Toccata (Symphony No 5).

Participants and spectators were encouraged to make a donation, with all proceeds going to the St Mary’s Choral Foundation.

Mr Thomson, 42, said: “We support choral scholarships, buying sheet music and choir uniforms and the general upkeep of the music — every time the organ is tuned it costs money.

“We are very lucky to have a great choir and are planning on making this an annual event.

“This being the first time, we are hoping to start small and then build it up and hopefully get more members of the community involved.

“It requires a lot of confidence to stand up and perform in front of people.”

He said that as Saturday was a sunny day he expected passing trade, people wandering in and out. Mr Thomson said: “The whole day was planned but for the little gaps we had an organist playing.

“We had singers performing solo pieces and there was a real variety of musical styles, from musical theatre to church music and hymns.

“I finished the day with jazz piano and old favourites like A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.”

Joe Croton, 20, who is a member of the choir and studies acting for film and stage in High Wycombe, performed a half-hour set.

He sang Prince Ali from Aladdin, Hell Fire from Hunchback of Notre Dame, You’ll Be Back from Hamilton, Wellerman by Nathan Evans, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables from Les Misérables, Reviewing the Situation from Oliver! and You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban.

He also performed Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat while wearing a suitable coat.

Mr Croton said: “I have always loved musical theatre and performing. I studied it at college and now I study acting at university.

“I hope to perform on the stage in the West End one day. When I found out this was on, I wanted to fill a half-hour slot.

“I practised and practised and knew most of the words and was fine. Then as soon as I got up there and the nerves kicked in, I forgot all the words — I am glad I had printed them off.”

He said that the speaker and tablet he was using stopped working during his set.

“I just had to power through it and make it work,” said Mr Croton.

“I try to perform as much as I can. At the last choir fundraiser we did, I also performed loads of musicals.

“I am also hoping at some point to perform a musical medley, which would be an hour-and-a-half, to raise funds.

“I really enjoy the sense of escape when you are on stage performing. I just try to make people feel that they can leave their problems behind while they are transported into this world. Music brings people together.

“I started singing when I was five and I have always felt that this is my second home. I come every Thursday for choir practice and every Sunday that I can. Singing gives me a sense of joy as I can escape when I am doing it.

“I don’t have to think about anything else but what I am singing and doing it as best I can. I urge people who have a love for singing, dancing or acting to just go for it.”

Fellow choir member Stephen Nichols, 47, said the Musicathon was about the community.

“This is the church people recognise in the town,” said Mr Nichols, a software writer.

“Singing is an important part of our worship and it is really good here.”

Mr Bowers, 39, who works for Savills estate agents, said: “It is nice to get together as a community — it is not often that we get to do something this informal.

“It is not just the church, the community also has a chance to perform.

“We had the priest’s wife playing the piano and we had members of the congregation who wouldn’t usually perform do so with the choir. It is such a great family.

“We have to find opportunities like this to raise funds. I did this at Liverpool Cathedral when I was an organist there. It is also nice to get your fingers working by playing all day.”

Chris Preston, of King’s Road, Henley, performed Haydn’s trumpet concerto in E flat on a B flat trumpet.

Mr Preston, director of Expert Fitness studio in Bell Street, said: “I have been playing for 44 years.

“I wanted to come to the church and play because of my love of live music. I play in Goring and at local churches when people ask me.”

Mr Thomson added: “We thought that people might come off the cuff and with this quality, we are very lucky. It is what makes the day really special.

“It is not all about fundraising, it is also about making music of all different standards and enjoying the day.”

The event raised between £1,200 and £1,500.