September concert- a change from advertised programme

July 31, 2025 / musiconthelevels / Leave a comment

Our next free concert is on Sunday 28 September 2025 with Glorishears in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP. The concert starts at 3 pm and refreshments are available at modest charge from 2.15 pm.

This is a change from the previously advertised line-up as violinist Oscar Tabor is no longer available. However, we are pleased to welcome back Graham Vincent performing with Chris Edmunds.

Together they form Glorishears (named after the old English tune – a corruption of Glorious Years). The duo features Graham Vincent on fiddle and voice and Chris Edmunds on melodeon and accordion. Their performances feature traditional English tunes and songs, but expect some fine music from further afield to be added to the mix!

Graham has performed for us several times paired with the guitar of David Mitchell.

‘I’m really looking forward to playing at Music on the Levels again,’ says Graham, ‘it’s always an inspiring place to play thanks to the wonderful setting and acoustics, the lovely team running the event and, last but not least, some of the best cakes in Somerset!’

Quite simply, two ‘consummate musicians’ with an unbridled passion for their music.

Arrangements for this 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. Visitors are asked not to park in Church Lane as this prevents resident access.

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.

Steve Jinski on Sunday!

May 12, 2025 / musiconthelevels / Leave a comment

The next concert is on Sunday 18 May 2025 in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP with Steve Jinski. Starting at 3 pm with refreshments served from 2.15 pm

Steve Jinski is a songwriter, singer, performer, musician, music educator and cultural visionary. Born to an Irish mother and a Polish father, brought up in Liverpool, Steve is a truly international artist. He has toured the UK, Ireland, Europe, and Scandinavia as a solo artist and with his recently put together group of musicians simply known as The Festival Band.

Steve has made numerous festival appearances and opened shows for David Gray, Richard Thompson, Eddie Reader, The Proclaimers, Eliza Carthy and Rick Wakeman, to name just a few. Radio and TV appearances include BBC 1 The One Show.

Steve’s music is born of the singer songwriter tradition drawing on influences that include acoustic, folk, Americana, indie and blues but still he retains his own unique voice. Playing ‘live’ Steve accompanies himself on acoustic guitar, and piano. Added to the mix you’ll hear the occasional acapella tune, a wailing harmonica, a couple of interesting cover versions, some tall tales and a positive vibe that will leave you feeling so glad you came to see the show. Steve is equally at home in large concert venues and small intimate acoustic settings.

To date Steve has released 4 albums, 2 EPs and numerous singles. He has just released a brand-new double CD album titled ‘Muscle Memory’ which is available in hard copy CD, as a download, and on all streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music. Distribution is through Lucky Smile Records / Proper Music. This is an album that steps forward whilst looking back. Originally the project was to be a revisit, remix and rework of Steve’s debut album ‘Eventually’, previously only available on vinyl. However, Muscle Memory has grown into a collection of newer songs and timeless Steve Jinski classics, together with some gems which were (inexplicably!) overlooked at the time of their inception.

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

‘One of the best originators of acoustic song around today’ – 5 STARS Rock ‘N’ Reel magazine

Further information:

stevejinski,com

SteveJinskiSpotify

SteveJinskiYouTuubeChannel

Bringing some sun to dark winter days

February 12, 2025 / musiconthelevels / Leave a comment

The free concert on Sunday 23 February 2025 in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP is by Trio Paradis.

The concert starts at 3 pm and refreshments are available at modest charge from 2.15 pm.

Much appreciated at Music on the Levels many times over the past few years, Somerset-based Trio Paradis (Jacquelyn Bevan – piano, Ruth O’Shea – violin and Linda Stocks – cello) return with a programme entitled ‘The Latin American Collection’.

‘This collection of music by South American composers will bring some sun to dark winter days’, says Jacquelyn, ‘with popular dances such as Tango and Rumba alongside classical and reflective pieces.

‘Composers include Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, the king of Argentinian Tango, Astor Piazzolla, fellow Argentinian Magdalena Garcia Robson, Cuban brother and sister composers Ernestina and Ernesto Lecuona, Mexican Manuel Ponce and Carlos Guastavino, the Schubert of the Pampas.

‘The music will be introduced as we go along – it’s a fun and informal concert.’

Arrangements for this 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.

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.

. . . . ..and a reminder of our January concert:

The Barnacle Buoys delighted a packed and enthusiastic audience.

Start 2025 with some swagger!

January 11, 2025 / musiconthelevels / Leave a comment

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

November 14, 2024 / musiconthelevels / Leave a comment

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.

Further information

01278 699071/ f.challenger@icloud.com