Armagh 17th - 24th August 2008

Chairman, Adrian Brunton, pictured outside the birth-place of Charles Wood.

Chairman’s Message

In 2008, we celebrate the fifteenth Charles Wood Summer School, and we have some exciting services, concerts and workshops for you to enjoy.

David Hill is Musical Director of the Charles Wood Singers, and he will be assisted by Daniel Hyde, who was with us some years ago as one of our organists. It is super to have him back. Nigel McClintock will conduct the Charles Wood Boys' Choir and he will be assisted by Ian Keatley.

Paul Farrington will again deliver some exciting workshops, ably assisted by Ciaran Tackney, who is very welcome.

For me, a highlight of the week will be Vespers at St Malachy's Church, to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in the Choral Evensong slot, soon to return to its Wednesday afternoon position.

Because of the huge success of the collaboration with the BBC last year, the Charles Wood Singers and the Ulster Orchestra will join forces at the RC Cathedral for a concert at which the main work will be Stanford's Stabat Mater, to be recorded for broadcast at a later date on Radio 3.

We have brought back into our schedule a choral and organ concert for Saturday evening, with the Singers and the Boys' Choir - conductors David Hill, Daniel Hyde, Nigel McClintock, and Ian Keatley and Ciaran Tackney organists.

On Monday morning, Stephen Beet will give a talk on the music of the Temple Church, London, made famous by Walford Davies, and Dr Thalben Ball. Ernest Lough made his famous recording of O for the Wings of a Dove here, which is still in the catalogue. In the evening, William Dutton, BBC Radio 2 Chorister of the Year 2006 will give a short recital in the C of I Cathedral.

Wednesday evening sees a major organ recital by Daniel Hyde.

Thanks to the work of Harry Carson, we now have the Friends of the Charles Wood Summer School. On Sunday 17th, the Friends are invited to a talk by David Hill to be held in the Synod Hall, over a glass of wine. This will be followed by a short organ recital by David.

I am delighted to recommend this programme to you.

Adrian Brunton