World Renowned Performers To Visit Bishop’s Stortford College As Part Of Benefit Concert Series

Bishop’s Stortford College will play host to a number of internationally acclaimed musicians this winter in support of the school’s Memorial Hall Organ campaign. The three-part Benefit Concert Series starting in December, features a range of musical talent from around the world, with artists including the Gentlemen of St John’s, Chenyin Li and Lucy Parham.

Acclaimed choral scholars, the Gentlemen of St John’s from the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, are the first to perform in the series on 10^th December 2022.  Sharing with the audience their close harmony arrangements, their repertoire of music spans 600 years and will include some much-loved Christmas favourites to help get into the festive spirit.

Second to perform in the series on 2^nd February 2023, is world-renowned concert pianist, Chenyin li.  Chinese-born Chenyin is acknowledged as being one of the most exciting and sought-after musicians of her generation. After winning a number of prestigious international awards, Chenyin has gone on to establish a successful performing career which regularly includes concerto performances with many leading orchestras across the UK, China, Denmark, New Zealand, USA and Germany.

Concluding the series on 23^rd February 2023, is one of the UK’s finest pianists, Lucy Parham.  Known internationally for her ‘Composer Portraits’, Lucy interprets in words and music some of the world’s greatest composers, such as Schumann, Chopin and Debussy.  In this, her fifth Composer Portrait, Elégie, Lucy chronicles the life of Rachmaninoff to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of his birth. The performance will be narrated by renowned actor of stage and screen, Henry Goodman.

Tickets for all performances are available for general sale from the Stortfordian Foundation and priced at £10 (child) and £20 (adult). All proceeds from the concert series go directly to support the restoration of Bishop’s Stortford College’s 95 year old pipe-organ, which is housed in the school’s iconic, 100 year old Memorial Hall.

Commenting on the Benefit Concert Series, Head at Bishop’s Stortford College, Kathy Crewe-Read said, “We are excited to be welcoming such esteemed musical talent to the College this winter, in support of our Memorial Hall Organ Campaign. The 1030-pipe organ, housed inside our Grade II listed Memorial Hall has played for services, concerts and assemblies for generations of College pupils for almost a century.  The planned restoration will ensure it continues to provide a focal point for everyday College life, as well as presiding over weddings and other community events in the future.”

For full details on the Organ Benefit Concert series and to book tickets see stortfordianfoundation.org/events