Our last concert before Christmas is on Sunday 26 November in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP. The concert starts at 3 pm with refreshments served from 2.15 pm.

Thrill to the sound of brass in the fine acoustics of this wonderful church with Wallscourt Brass Quintet with seasonal music from composers ancient and modern.

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.

‘At this concert, we’ll be including works by Handel and Gabrieli along with jazz, dance and song arrangements, and fascinating pieces by Joseph Haydn written for musical clocks!’

More about Wallscourt Brass

It 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.

Arrangements for this concert

Due to current circumstances, there is no need to book anymore. Up to now we’ve never exceeded the church’s capacity and never had to turn anyone away but please note, seats are available on a first come, first served basis. 

. and a reminder of last month’s concert:

The Truth About Love with Jacqueline Bevan, piano, and Niall Hoskin, baritone, here relaxing after the performance.