Start 2025 with some swagger!

As it approaches its tenth year, Music on the Levels announces another varied programme of Sunday afternoon concerts. It is maintaining its winning formula of making the concerts free to attend while raising money to cover costs by offering refreshments at modest charges, holding a raffle and accepting donations

The first concert of the year is with The Barnacle Buoys on Sunday 26 January 2025 in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP. Starting at 3 pm with refreshments served from 2.15 pm and reveals outline details of concerts for the rest of the year.

The Barnacle Buoys is a group of a cappella sea shanty singers based in North Somerset. It exists to enjoy their craft, entertain audiences and raise money for charities.  

‘In recent times we have consistently completed over 40 performances each year’, comments Clare Flay, the group’s organiser, ‘and this has been a significant contribution to the charities we support. Our main charities are CHSW and RNLI and over the past 12years since the group was established, we have raised thousands of pounds for them including may other charities. We have also organised shanty events on board the cherished MV Balmoral.

‘The Barnacle Buoys have known each other for many years before realising that they had something in common: the appreciation of shanty music.  After making the discovery the Buoys got together in February 2013 and shared a pint or two in the Old Inn, Clevedon and experimented with a few shanties.  The rest, as they say, is history . . .’

Arrangements for this concert

There is no need to book as the church’s capacity have never yet been exceeded. However, it should be noted that seats are available on a first come, first served basis. 

In order to help with the artists’ and other costs a raffle is held. In addition, donations are encouraged. It costs over £400 to put on a concert.

Website: https://musiconthelevels.com/

The remaining concerts are as follows:Sunday  January

Sunday 23 February

Trio Paradis

Presenting ‘The Latin American Collection’.

Sunday 30 March

Rolling Harmony 

Glorious music rooted in English and American singing traditions.

Sunday 27 April

The Fitzwarren Trio

Well- known classical pieces and new compositions inspired by Somerset. 

Sunday 18 May

Steve Jinski- Folk Acoustic Guitar

This is lovely stuff. You can hear all the love that’s gone into it – Bob Harris Radio 2.

Sunday 29 June

Lutes and other instruments

Presented by Steve Graham with ravishing music.

Sunday 28 September

Jacquelyn Bevan and Oscar Tabor

Piano and virtuoso violin.

Sunday 26 October

Spirit of the Blues

Julia Titus recreates the songs of Bessie Smith.

Sunday 30 November

Kingsbury Band

The ever-popular forty-piece concert band.

JOYFUL NOVEMBER

The final concert for 2024 is on Sunday 24 November 2024 at 3 pm in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP, with a performance by Joyful Spirit. Refreshments available from 2.15 pm.

‘We sing a range of music both accompanied and a capela with a broad gospel theme’, says choir representative, Marshall Clements, ‘Some of the songs we may sing could include: O Happy day, Dancing Queen, You love is lifting me higher, Son of a Preacher Man, Ain’t no Mountain high Eng, Hold on to the Rock, Feel the Spirit, Burning Love, Bridge over troubled Water. Lord I know I’ve Been changed, Mr Blue Sky, Hamba Lulu, Africa, Amazing Grace. I wish, Deep River. Walking on Sunshine. Let the River run.

Joyful Spirit is a community choir, made up of people over 18 and under 100 from all walks of life and backgrounds with different musical ability, based in Wrington. 

‘We are enthusiastically led by Alison Cooper White and her understanding of musical harmony makes the choir want to improve to reward her for all the work she puts in.’

The choir is supported by its band which is made up of Andrew Tyrell on Key board, Richard Fairs on Drums and Michael Gillett on Bass.

Arrangements for this concert

There is no need to book as the church’s capacity have never yet been exceeded. However, it should be noted that seats are available on a first come, first served basis. 

In order to help with the artists’ and other costs a raffle is held. In addition, donations are encouraged. It costs over £400 to put on a concert.

There is limited parking on the road by the church but there is additional parking at Somerset Young Farmers on School Road TA7 0LN, map attached. Please do not park in Church Lane as this prevents resident access.

Further information

01278 699071/ f.challenger@icloud.com

. . AND REMINDERS OF LAST MONTH’S CONCERT

Sam on Bouzouki and vocals, Sarah on Bass and Mandolin and Alex on stomping fiddle. This was Arquebus.