The World is a Stage
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‘Tis the season to enjoy some great music and have fun.
Tillsonburg has a phenomenal list of recitals and concerts that will take you from Charles Dickens to the 1950s! Concerts with an international performer and a Canadian organist who has received honours in England for his music. Get your pens poised and calenders ready, we will go in order!
Sunday, Nov. 13: 4 p.m. Organ Recital by William Lupton at St. John’s Anglican Church on Ridout St. W. If the name sounds familiar it is because William was interim organist between 1980-82 while his father Rev. Canon Sidney Lupton was rector at St. John’s. William’s come a long way. He has been an organist for many Anglican parishes over the years including Associate Organist at St Paul’s Cathedral London. He has been Organist and Director of Music at St Martin-in-the-Fields London since 2010. He is in his 21st year as Chapel Organist and Director of Music at Huron University College London, and teaches church music and liturgy courses in the Faculty of Theology. He has a very impressive list of diplomas, fellowships and concert performance in his 50 years as an organist, having started at the age of 10.
The current organist at St. John’s, Joanne Smith, assisted by members of the choir, are welcoming William's return, and hope you will come hear this very talented gentleman play on the church’s recently fixed, cleaned and tweaked organ, which was originally installed in 1959. Funds received from this recital will go towards music programs at St. John's.
Nov. 26: Christmasfest Concert - Alleluia Bell Choir, directed by Peggy David at St. John's Anglican Church, at 7 p.m. The Alleluia Bell Choir sounds heavenly! Fifteen talented performers ring their hand bells one note at a time, ringing in the Christmas season. They have performed for many years at St. John's and are an annual favourite. Hours of rehearsing makes their performance look easy, but it is not. Come check them out, they are fascinating to watch. Tickets $10, available at St. John’s, Station Arts Centre, Annandale NHS, or at the door.
Dec 4: The Return of Dickens at St. John’s Anglican Church, at 7 p.m. Stephen Bourne returns this Christmas in the guise of Charles Dickens himself for a performance reading of the first part of the famous novel, David Copperfield. Dealing with young David’s life from the outset to age 12, “Young Copperfield” as Bourne dubs it, it tells a remarkable story that in many ways mirrors Dickens’ own life. Here we see his introduction to social injustice, child labour, adult cruelty and the capricious nature of fortune. Young David is born into a world of moderate, middle class privilege, but loses everything when a scheming stepfather commandeers the affections of his widowed mother.
In the case of Dickens himself, the agency of evil that ruined his childhood was his father’s debt that sent the family to debtor’s prison and young Dickens into a life of child labour. Young Copperfield, while not strictly a Christmas story, is nevertheless a very appropriate tale, and a fitting follow-up to Dickens’ yuletide chestnut, A Christmas Carol.
Doors open at 7 p.m., with St. John’s Choir singing traditional Christmas carols while the audience assembles. The Reading will begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by a reception in St. John’s newly renovated church hall with old world carol singing and Yuletide treats. Tickets $10 each or $25 for a family of three or more, available at St. John’s church office or Station Arts Centre. Proceeds to those in need at Christmas.
Dec. 10: Christmasfest Concert - "Share the Hope of Christmas" with Victoria Gydov on Saturday. Dec. 10, 7 p.m. St. Paul's United Church on Ridout St. W. Gydov is a Danish-born soprano who has lived, studied and performed in Denmark, USA, Canada, Europe and Tillsonburg! She has her own website (victoriagydov.com) where you can check out her beautiful classical voice singing different styles from opera to Broadway. ‘How Great Though Art’ made me shiver. This is a voice that you want your wannabe singer to hear, just to know what a voice can do! Advance tickets $15 at St. Paul's, Station Arts Centre and Annandale NHS, or $20 at the door.
Dec 16: Christmasfest Concert - "Back to the 50's" and dance at the Royal Canadian Legion on Friday, Dec. 16 from 7-11 p.m. Put together by Jim Foris, the band consists of three vocalists and five musicians - all from Tillsonburg and surrounding area. They are hands down the favourite performers at the Historic Society's Music on the Lawn summer series. Hundreds of people come out to enjoy their classic hits from the 50s and 60s. Check it out! Tickets $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Light refreshments will be served at intermission for all Christmasfest performances.