Holy Trinity Church, Hoghton Street, Southport

Welcome

What a wonderful time we all had at the Festival this year between 10th and 26th June.
More than a thousand people came to listen, look at or take part in this year’s celebration of the arts.

Dan, Bethan, Nick. Luke & Matt opened proceedings with a tribute to Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. We had a great night – they even persuaded some of us to have a dance to their music.

The following evening saw us entertaining both the Southport Bach Choir and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir; it was a super concert with their conductors Ian Wells and Prof. Ian Tracey at the helm.
Our lunchtime recitals continue to grow an ever greater audience who appreciate the variety of performances that we mount.

Saturday saw the start of our Art Exhibition with close to 300 paintings on show by some 75 artists – and record sales too.
We then had the local swing jazz band, Swingshift, who gave us a great show.

Trinity Sunday was a special day for the church, its patronal festival, and we experienced the very first performance of a communion setting commissioned for this service from Stephen Burtonwood.
We also heard the premiere of the anthem, Holy, Holy, Holy written for us by our own Nicholas Tudor.
Ian Wells conducted the Church & Chapel Choirs with Ian Tracey at the organ; both composers were present for what turned out to be a memorable service.

The following Saturday, saw a performance by our male voice choir friends from North Wales, the incomparable Côr Godre’r Aran. This was a really stunning performance and one suspects an evening that will stay in the memories of all those present for a very long time.

The festival closed the following evening with a Festal Evensong, which again saw the choirs performing some thrilling music; it was enjoyed by a record congregation for such an event.

All in all it was a super fortnight and one that was a joy to be part of.
All things come to an end and so we closed this year’s festival with a sense of achievement and gratitude to all our artists and supporters.

Next year’s Festival is already largely booked and will be from Friday 15th June until Sunday 1st July.

Events include a 'Murder Mystery', which will commence in church and continue with a buffet supper in the Parish Centre.

The Southport Bach Choir will again appear during the festival period and I hear rumours of an exciting programme which will include Haydn’s 'Nelson Mass' with orchestra and soloists.

Nigel Ogden is coming to play the new Trinity Organ with his popular programme The Organist Entertains and we shall again have our Art Exhibition.

Probably our biggest event and something of a departure for us will be Friday Night is Light Music Night presented by the Orchestra Dell’arte which sounds like it is going to be a very popular show.

For those who love chamber music we will also present the Jacquin Trio.

So together with another half dozen Lunchtime Recitals over the two weeks it looks like we shall have another full and entertaining festival for 2012.

Do look out for further details on the website in the coming months.

We are delighted to be able to announce the return of the North West’s champion brass band, The Leyland Band

They will be with us for a Sunday afternoon concert at 3 pm on 6th November. Tickets will be on sale shortly for what will be a thrilling and very popular concert.

We understand that this will be their only appearance in Southport this autumn.
Keep an eye on the website for ticket availability.