Music on the Levels announces details of its free concert on Sunday 24 November in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP.
Thrill to the sound of brass in the fine acoustics of this wonderful church with Wallscourt Brass Quintet playing music ranging from Gabrieli and Handel to Peter Warlock and George Gershwin.
Wallscourt Brass Quintet consists of Ailsa Bailey and Stephen Bodiley on trumpets, Dave Gee on horn, Alice Bodiley on trombone and Philip Chidgey on tuba. For this concert, it is joined by John Bodily on organ.
‘The group repertoire ranges from light jazz at country fêtes to formal performances at official engagements’, says Stephen Bodily. ‘This programme has been chosen to compliment the church acoustic which is best suited to classical music, but with some lighter numbers for variety.
‘Wallscourt Brass quintet was formed in 2002 when some Hewlett Packard Employees (and a couple of friends) discovered they had enough instrumentalists to form a group. Rehearsals were held in the old Wallscourt farmhouse which was part of the Hewlett Packard estate and is where the group derived its name.’
Much has changed since the early days and the farmhouse is now owned by the University of West of England (UWE), but the group has formed links with the university and rehearses on the Frenchay campus in the shadows of the old farmhouse. It shares performances with the UWE chamber group and regularly supports the university choir.
This year the group has performed at the esteemed Bristol Music club and last month supported the grand opening of the rebuilt organ at St Mary Magdalene in Taunton.
The regular programme of events includes the lunchtime concert series in Bristol, and the group supports the fund-raising programme at Southmead Hospital. ‘Christmas is a particularly busy time playing in carol services and concerts,’ comments Stephen.
Admission to the concert is free thanks to a grant from Westonzoyland Parish Council and the generous donations from members of the audiences.
Teas are available at a modest charge to enjoy before and during the concert and are served from around 3.00 pm.
The church is open all day and features an interactive exhibition about the Monmouth Rebellion and the Battle of Sedgemoor, 1685.
There is no need to book; just turn up at the church in time to be seated by 3.30 pm. Contact Frank on 01278 699071 or e-mail onthelevels@outlook.com for more information.
Or visit the Music on the Levels website at https://musiconthelevels.com