The 800th Anniversary Concert – St. Nicholas Church, Pevensey is on Saturday JUNE 11th at 7.00 pm—John Kenward , Starshine Music
Children from Pevensey and Westham School will join Hailsham Choral Society to perform the world premiere of ‘The True Saint Nicolas’, a piece of music written to celebrate the 800th anniversary of St Nicolas Church Pevensey.
‘The True Saint Nicolas’, by local writers Ruth Kenward and Martin Neill, makes the connection between Father Christmas and Saint Nicolas, after whom the familiar Santa Claus was named.
This exciting new cantata will be performed as a part of a musical celebration of Saint Nicolas, and will serve to contrast with Haydn’s much older work ‘Missa Sancti Nicolai’ (‘Saint Nicolas Mass’), which – despite its great age – was composed around 550 years after the church was built, underlining just how old St Nicolas Church, Pevensey really is!
“We are really thrilled to have this world premiere performance taking place in our church, with its renowned wonderful acoustics,” said George Stephens, from the church’s fund raising committee. “This concert is one of a series of events during 2016 that will help raise funds to help preserve our very important historic building.”
The newly formed choir from Pevensey and Westham C of E Primary School and Hailsham Choral Society will be performing gthe specially commissioned piece of Music, ‘ The True St Nicolas’, written by local writers Ruth Kenward and Martin Neill, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of St Nicolas’ Church.
Mr R Thomas, Headteacher, says ‘ The school are absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to sing the premiere of ‘The True Saint Nicolas’ to help mark the 800th anniversary of Saint Nicolas’ Church. This has been an excellent opportunity to bring together a new school choir that I hope goes from strength to strength.’
Hailsham Choral Society was founded in 1961, and is now led by inspirational musical director Jozik Kotz.
The choir has a growing reputation and performs regularly in Hailsham, Eastbourne and the surrounding area, as well as further afield when the opportunity arises (including past tours to France and Switzerland).
Recent performances have included the Mozart Requiem, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle and Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem. HCS has around sixty members, but due to space restrictions only some of the group will be performing on the night.
Pevensey & Westham C of E Primary School is affiliated to both St Nicolas and St Mary’s churches. The school has not had a choir in recent years, and the group has been formed specifically for this event, with the hope that this choir will continue, leaving a lasting legacy for the school community.
The children in the choir are aged between 8 and 11, and have been trained by Anna Chapman and Lavinia Salisbury.
Concert Tickets are £10 for adults, children £5
Contact George Stephens at 01424 216651,
or online www.wegottickets.com/event/352617
The concert is supported by Gaby Hardwicke, BPE Communications, 1066 Country, Priory Court Hotel, Starshine Music, Carr Taylor Wines, Visick Cars, Pevensey Town Trust and Wealden District Council.
Pevensey and Westham School Choir
Lily Clarke, Ruby Clarke, Amelia Collins, Finlay Dann, Molly Davidson, Jake Deragon, Amy Forward, Tiggy Fox, Florence Garvey, Darcy Hill, Amber Ince, Iona Johnson, Aimee Lawrance, Katie MacGowan,
Jenna Milbourn, Hannah Richards, Lizzie Sefton, Elijah Smith,
Bella Snook, Neve Standley-Smith, Rubee Thompson, Orla Tinsley, Annie Vieweg-Avery, Riley Winterton, Arabella Wust.
