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Howard opened Folkestone New Music Season
Kickstarting the programme on 11 April at 1900, we were thrilled to welcome the composer and accordionist Howard Skempton to Folkestone for a special talk and performance. Described by The Guardian as creating “austerely beautiful, sparse, decidedly enigmatic music,” Skempton performed and reflected on his works for accordion, offering a rare opportunity to delve into the artistry of the instrument and the depth of his long and distinguished career. (location: kollectiv CT20 1RN)
Kyra takes up new Appointment
Kyra has been appointed as Chief of Staff to Redgrave based in their London office with effect Monday 7 April. Redgrave is a leadership advisory firm specialising in executive search, interim leadership and leadership assessments to advise business owners, investors and leaders, helping them build high performing leadership teams and boards by connecting them with exceptional global talent. Kyra is joining in a multi-faceted, newly created role as a key part of the leadership team, to help build and improve the business.
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.
Cheshire Regiment Officers hold impromptu dinner in Chester
Major General Keith Skempton joined a group of ex Cheshire Regiment officers at an impromptu dinner at The Architect in Chester, to celebrate the Battle of Meeanee on 17 Feb 1843. This was the second of a series of impromptu lunches and dinners which are attracting attendance from the Cheshire Regiment Officer Association. These have been organised by Major Martyn Maund.
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?