The next Music on the Levels free concert is on Sunday 24 April 2022 at 3 pm in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP with a welcome return of renowned harpist, Sally Jenkins, in programme of compositions by women.
‘I’ll be presenting a concert of music written by female harpist-composers from the 19th century to the present day’, says Sally. ‘There will be a mix of different styles from folk, classical and jazz idioms, and the composers I’ll be featuring will be Sophia Dussek, Henriette Renie, Germaine Tailleferre, Pearl Chertok, Skaila Kanga, Kim Robertson and Monika Stadler.
‘I will bring just one harp this time so it’ll all be pedal harp music but I will talk a little bit about the pieces I’m going to play because the composers probably will be unknown to the audience.’
Asked about how she fared over the last two years, Sally thinks she has been very lucky because she was able to teach her students online.
‘In fact, it’s been really beneficial for many of my students, who have found having more time to focus on music during the lockdowns really therapeutic- and has given parents something for their children to get on with whilst they are desperately trying to juggle work with home schooling!’
However she is pleased that the performances have now started up again. ‘Such a relief to be back playing again.’
Sally has appeared in many prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall and Symphony Hall in Birmingham.
She is an experienced pedal and early triple harpist, and has also presented lecture-recitals on the history of the instrument including to the Royal Musicological Society. In developing her musical skills she has worked with some of the UK’s preeminent harpists including Jeanette Bevan in the Royal Ballet Orchestra, Meinir Heulyn from the Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Frances Kelly of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
As for arrangements regarding the Covid pandemic, there are currently, there are no statutory requirements with regard to Covid. However, In accordance with the government guidance that the pandemic is not yet over, Music on the Levels is retaining the informal booking system and requests that audiences observe sensible precautions as a courtesy to each other and to help provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Refreshments (tea, coffee, choice of cakes) are available at a modest charge from 2.15 pm until the start of the concert.
In order to help with the artists’ and other costs a raffle is held. In addition donations are encouraged. It costs an average of £300 to put on a concert.
Those wishing to go to the Sally Jenkins concert are asked to contact Frank Challenger on 01278 699071 or email f.challenger@icloud.com so that Music on the Levels can limit numbers if necessary.
Future concerts:
Serenados Latin Jazz, mainly music from Cuba, 29 May
Rough Round The Edges, folk group, 26 June
Reg Meuross, folk, 25 September
Voce, choir, 30 October
Chris Cleverley, indie-folk, 28 November