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Howard' new Commissions in the Pipeline
Howard is composing a large-scale organ piece for the American organist, Carson Cooman. Also, there are plans afoot for a new setting of the 'Te Deum' for Chester Cathedral.
Kyra Closes Part 1 of the Skempton-Cordrey Career Chronicle
As 2024 draws to a close ... so does my chapter (or probably more apt, Part I, of the Skempton-Cordrey career-chronicle) with Page.
What a journey it has been from joining as a grad placing treasury analysts (some of whom are now successful CFOs and CEOs!) to setting up a brand new service line in PageConsulting ... and not forgetting finding my soulmate and amazing husband
Simon Cordrey ... Page has certainly changed my life!
There have been so many memories through the years and ones I will cherish forever.
There are too many people to name individually, past and present (you know who you are), but thank you ... Thank you for the opportunities (traditional and left-field!) ... Thank you for the wise words ... Thank you for the sponsorship and thank you for believing in me.
To the teams I have had the pleasure to establish and to lead ... Thank you ... you are the reason I have been here for the past 18 (or 22!) years ... keep believing.
As for what's next ... some quality time off with the family (navigating the final stages of 11+!) before Part II commences.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays - Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Kyra
Cheshire Regiment East Cheshire Reunion
Major General Keith Skempton CBE DL was the Presiding Officer at this year's 'East Cheshire Reunion' (ECR) held at The Armoury in Stockport. Guest speaker was Lord Graham Evans of Rainow who was invited as a Patron of the ECR having been a Councillor in Macclesfield for 10 years before being elected as MP for Weaver Vale in 2007. He has been PPS to the Secretary of State for Defence and continues to have a keen interest in defence and veteran issues. We also welcomed Chance Wilson DL, who has recently been selected to take over as Chief Executive of the North West Reserves and Cadets Association (NWRFCA). Over 100 members attended representing Cheshire Regiment and Mercian Regiment Association branches.
Richard Dunn Sports Centre - National Skateboarding Centre?
Trevor was the architect for the Sports Centre in Bradford. Built in 1974, it has recently been given Listed status. One of the proposals for its future use is by The Twentieth-Century Society, who are promoting the concept of a National Skateboarding Centre. Follow link below:
The Twentieth Century Society shop are advertising 'screen prints [Architect signed]':
http://shop.c20society.org.uk
Howard's Preludes & Fugues now recorded by Matthew Owens
Matthew Owens has recorded both Books of Howard’s 50 Preludes and Fugues for organ. The two organs used for the recordings were the same as for the premières in 2022 and 2023: St George’s, Hanover Square, London; and Merton College, Oxford. Some short, occasional pieces were also recorded; and all this music, amounting to two albums (or a double-album), has been released by Resonus.
See Resonusclassics.com.
The album includes 'The Wedding March' played by Carson Cooman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLIXUKwwZeM
Thinkpieces
The latest "Thinkpiece" (No 4) has been produced by Howard is on "Movement, Form and Meaning" and is an extract from a lecture given at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on 17 December. Check out our Thinkpiece Page.
Trevor produced Thinkpiece (No 3.) is about Bramley-Moore: "As good as it can be?" Have Everton got it right?
Trevor covers the background to how Everton have reached the point at which a new stadium is at last a reality, and draws attention to its size and shape in comparison with other major football stadia. Will Bramley-Moore deliver for the Club with its significant location on the historic Liverpool waterfront and its promise of excellent view, sound and atmosphere? Again, Check out our 'Thinkpiece' page.
Thinkpieces 1 & 2. The threat of war involving the UK increases. With war in Ukraine and the threat of escalation to the Nordic or Baltic States, NATO could easily be drawn in. The Israeli-Hamas/Gaza conflict is escalating with US and UK air strikes on Houthi installations in Yemen, a country already involved in civil war. International trade is affected and a broader middle east war involving Iran is a real possibility. Russia and China could take advantage of the situation.
"Twenty Days, What Now?"' is worth a review and has been joined by Thinkpiece 2: "Civil Defence and National Resilience" How prepared are we in the UK? Are we doing enough for our future defence?