PETRSFIELD and Liss will once again be hosts to the Spirit of Music Festival, now in its fifth year, and covering concerts, workshops and a film – all aimed at widening the appeal of music.
About the organising team, festival director Sara Deborah Timossi said: “Many people bring their enthusiasm and diverse skills to build a strong group who love to make things happen. What connects us all is the belief that music brings people together; that it is for everyone and can be created and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their background and upbringing, and that, if you do it well, it gives enormous pleasure.”
This year’s line-up starts with a big day in St Peter’s Church, Petersfield, tomorrow (Saturday), which includes a lunchtime concert of 18th century chamber music by the Parnassian Ensemble, followed in the afternoon by a public ‘Come and Sing’ event where singers can prepare to join in with the evening’s major concert of Tippett’s dramatic and moving A Child of Our Time. Both concerts are admission-free.
This Sunday sees a 6pm concert in St Mary’s Church at Liss, featuring ZRI – a group famous for their fusion of 19th century Viennese music with gypsy and klezmer traditions.
On Monday evening, in the United Reformed Church, College Street, Petersfield, film producer John Bridcut will be showing his fascinating documentary about Vaughan Williams’ private life.
Next Saturday, May 5, following from the Greatham Children’s Literary and Arts Festival in the afternoon, there will be a concert of Syrian music, played on traditional Syrian instruments. The event, which starts at 5pm in the yurt at the Festival Field, next to Greatham Church, will include a chance to taste Syrian food.
Finally, on May 6, at 4pm in St Mary’s Church, Liss, there is the all-inclusive family concert, featuring the Southdowns Camerata, soloists, and children from a string-players’ workshop.
Details of concerts, workshops and tickets are at: www.spiritofmusicfestival.org.uk or from the Triangle Centre, Liss.