Aims of the Society:
We plan to bring a well-balanced programme of classical concerts of high quality to an area seriously deprived of cultural events of this kind. We feel there is a real need for a regular concert series of chamber, instrumental and vocal music of top quality for the people of this area.
The range of types of concert is considerable (click on the Events Calendar). One of our hopes is to include British music whenever possible, and artists have responded enthusiastically to this and included some fine works from this very rich repertoire. We are drawing on the contacts made over 40 years in the profession by the Artistic Director, John McCabe, and on his knowledge of the repertoire.
Outreach work of various kinds (visits to schools, hospices, etc.) is also being envisaged from the start, not in every case but especially with artists who are known to be good at this kind of work and keen to do it. We are keen to encourage the performance of music by Kent-based composers, of whom there are a good many, including some talented young writers.
As the Society becomes established, we hope to broaden our audience base and encourage local musicians both professional and amateur to take part. The inspiration provided to professionals and amateurs alike by attending high-quality concert performances by top artists is of great value in creating a cultural atmosphere of excitement and involvement.
Sir Richard Rodney Bennett has kindly agreed to become our first Patron. He has strong links with Kent, having been born in Broadstairs, in 1936.
Well-known as one of the world’s leading classical composers, as a pianist, and also as a vocalist performing jazz and cabaret, Sir Richard is also one of our most acclaimed film composers, with such successful film scores as Murder on the Orient Express, Lady Caroline Lamb, Nicholas and Alexandra, Billion Dollar Brain, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Far from the Madding Crowd among a long list of major credits. His theatrical works have included the ballet Isadora and several important operas, of which The Mines of Sulphur has just been released as 2-CD set by Chandos Records. His large output of concert works includes symphonies, concertos, much chamber and vocal music, and an important contribution to the piano repertoire. The range of outstanding musicians for whom he has composed includes The King’s Singers, saxophonists John Harle and Stan Getz, pianist Stephen Kovacevich, guitarist Julian Bream, and many singers from the classical world to jazz.
He is also distinguished as a song-writer, and often appears with singers in cabaret performing songs by such writers as Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Richard Rodgers and Jerome Kern. Though he now lives mainly in New York, Sir Richard returns frequently to this country.
Directors of the Society (please see "Contact us" for details)
Chairman - Peter J.Morgan. 65 Park Road,
Sittingbourne. ME10 1DY
Artistic Director - John McCabe. 86 Albany Road,
Sittingbourne.ME10 1EL
Treasurer - David Burns. 5 Pond Drive. Sittingbourne. ME10 4QF
Secretary - Julie Burns. 5 Pond Drive. Sittingbourne. ME10 4QF
Communications - Miles Attwell. "Shalom" 2 Randle Way, Bapchild. ME9 9JF
Membership Secreary - Jeane Holmes. 106 College Rd.
Sittingbourne.
ME10 1LQ
Assistant Artistic Director - Monica McCabe
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