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Flaute Felice to play Dementia Friendly Tea Concert at St Chad’s Church on May 25

St Chad’s Church, York

FLUTE ensemble Flaute Felice return to St Chad’s Church, Campleshon Road, York, for May 25’s Dementia Friendly Tea Concert.

“You may remember the varied and enjoyable concert that they gave last year, so we are very much looking forward to hearing from them again,” says co-organiser Alison Gammon.

“As usual, there will be about 45 minutes of music, followed by tea, coffee and homemade cakes in the church hall.”

The church has a small car park and on-street parking is available along Campleshon Road. “But it can get busy, so do allow plenty of time,” advises Alison. “If you are more mobile, it would really help if you could park on the street to allow for disabled parking in the car park. “Wheelchair access is via the church hall.”

The dementia-friendly event has a relaxed format. “It is ideal for people who may not feel comfortable at a formal classical concert, so we don’t mind if the audience wants to talk or move about,” says Alison.

“Seating is unreserved and there is no charge, although donations are welcome. We give the hire cost to the church and the rest goes to Alzheimer’s charities.”

Musicians are booked for all of 2023’s programme of monthly 2.30pm concerts, held on Thursdays. June 15 features Myrna Michell and David Hammond, piano duet and soprano; July 20, Phillip Sangwine, organ; August 17, Alison and Robert Gammon, clarinet and piano; September 21, Billy Marshall and Robert Gammon, French horn and piano; October 19, Julia Elliott and Peter Harrison, poetry reading and flute; November 16, Giocoso Wind Ensemble, and December 7, Ripon Resound Choir (Christmas concert).

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Julia Elliott and Peter Harrison to perform Hardy poems and Wessex county tunes at Dementia Friendly Tea Concert on June 16

Peter Harrison: Playing Wessex country tunes on boxwood flute

NEXT Thursday’s Dementia Friendly Tea Concert at St Chad’s Church, York, will be “something a little different”.

“We are exploring the writing of Thomas Hardy and the music that he would have known,” says organiser Alison Gammon. “Julia Elliott will read short extracts from some of Hardy’s well-known books and Peter Harrison will play traditional Wessex country tunes on his boxwood flute.”

Harrison is the director of York early music ensemble Concert Royal and has given recitals in every corner of the UK, in Europe and the USA, as well as for the British Council in South America.

“As usual, the format on June 16 will be a 45-minute concert followed by tea, coffee and homemade cakes, with a chance to chat,” says Alison. “The event is a relaxed concert, ideal for people who may not feel comfortable at a formal classical concert, so we do not mind if the audience wants to talk or move about!

“Seating is unreserved and there is no charge, although donations are welcome. We give the hire cost to the church and the rest goes to Alzheimer’s charities.”

St Chad’s has a small car park and street parking can be found along Campleshon Road. “But it can get busy, so do allow plenty of time,” advises Alison. “Wheelchair access to the church is via the church hall.”

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Maximillian Elliot to give organ recital at dementia-friendly tea series at St Chad’s

Dr Maximillian Elliot: Organ recital at St Chad’s Church

ORGANIST Dr Maximillian Elliott will give the next Dementia Friendly Tea Concert at St Chad’s Church, Campleshon Road, York, on April 29.

Max is assistant director of music at St Olave’s Church and All Saints Church, North Street, as well as being the diocesan organ advisor with Robert Sharpe.

“As usual, the format for Max’s recital will be about 45 minutes of classical music followed by tea, coffee and homemade cakes, with a chance to chat,” says co-organiser Alison Gammon.

“The event is a relaxed concert, ideal for people who may not feel comfortable at a formal classical concert, so we do not mind if the audience wants to talk or move about!

“Seating is unreserved and there’s no charge, although donations are welcome. We give the hire cost to the church and the rest goes to Alzheimer’s charities.”

Dates for the monthly series of Thursday concerts are in the diary up to Christmas, all starting at 2.30pm: May 19, Isobel Parsons, cello, and Robert Gammon, piano; June 16, Peter and Julia Harrison, flute and poetry reading; July 21, Hannah Feehan, guitar; August 25, Robert Gammon.

Then come: September 15, Flauti Felice, flute ensemble; October 20, Billy Marshall, French horn, and Robert Gammon, piano; November 17, Giocoso Ensemble, wind group; December 8, Ripon Resound Choir.

The church has wheelchair access via the church hall. A small car park is complemented by on-street parking along Campleshon Road, “but it can get busy, so do allow plenty of time,” forewarns Alison. “We hope you will be able to come to the concerts, where it’s lovely to see new faces along with the regulars.”

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Alison and Robert Gammon to play dementia-friendly tea concert delayed by two years at St Chad’s Church on Thursday

Pianist Robert Gammon

DEMENTIA Friendly Tea Concerts re-start at St Chad’s Church, Campleshon Road, York, on Thursday afternoon after a two-year hiatus.

Alison Gammon, clarinet, and Robert Gammon, piano, will be giving the concert programme first planned for March 2020 but ruled out by the first Covid-19 lockdown.

“We are excited to be doing the Saint-Saëns clarinet sonata and the lovely Fantasy Pieces by the Danish composer Niels Gade,” says Alison. “As March 17 is St Patrick’s Day, we felt that an Irish composer should be represented too, so Robert will play two Nocturnes by John Field that will make a serene interlude.”

The 2.30pm event resumes the established format of 45 minutes of classical music, followed by tea, coffee and homemade cakes. “This relaxed concert is ideal for people who may not feel comfortable at a formal classical concert, so we don’t mind if the audience wants to talk or move about,” says Alison.

“Seating is unreserved and there’s no charge, although donations are welcome. We give the hire cost to the church and the rest goes to Alzheimer’s charities.”

In addition to a small car park at the church, street parking is available along Campleshon Road. Wheelchair access to St Chad’s is via the church hall.