On Saturday 7 November, just two days after the celebration of his 70th birthday at a sell-out event in St Paul’s Cathedral, John Rutter, Britain’s best loved contemporary composer of church music, is coming to Hampstead Parish Church to conduct his own Requiem music in our annual Come and Sing Event – details in the advertisement below. We are extraordinarily lucky to have him. John, who was a pupil at Highgate School, when Martindale Sidwell was the music master there, remembers him as a peppery character but a good musician with a heart of gold, underneath. Old hands at HPC will probably recognise that description! This being also the 40th anniversary year of the Hampstead Church Music Trust, we are pushing the boat out a bit for such a special occasion to bring in a small band (flute, oboe, cello, harp, timps, percussion and organ), and Julia Featherstone will be singing the soprano solo. We are expecting a larger than ever turnout of singers and audience for what promises to be a very exciting day of music making.
It is our custom to print in the programme, under the heading IN MEMORIAM, the names of those whom our supporters wish to remember. In Memoriam notices are accepted for any contribution of £50 or more. If you would like us to include such a notice in the programme, or indeed if you would like to contribute to the costs of the performance without naming anyone, please get in touch with Handley Stevens (020 7794 0874) or leave a message in his tray in the Vestry. Cheques should be made payable to the Friends of the Music.