The Armstrong Gibbs Society is pleased to present the first Gibbs Music Festival. Featuring the music of C. Armstrong Gibbs the three day festival begins with a Lunchtime Recital for piano and flute at 12.00 noon on Friday 12^th September. This is to be followed by the Festival Lunch. Later, at 7.30pm A Celebration of English Song will consist of a Masterclass on the interpretation of 20^th century English song followed with a recital by singers from English National Opera.

On Saturday is the Gibbs Trail: a short walk through Danbury passing some of Gibbs’ former residences and the Festival Quarter Peal by the Danbury Bellringers. In the evening the Festival Concert will be given by the Lingwood Consort and the Festival Strings and will feature a Handel Organ Concerto, Gibbs’ Cantata, The Turning Year and Vivaldi’s Gloria.

On Sunday at 3.00pm the London Piano Trio play Gibbs’ Country Magic and the Trio in D, together with Mendelssohn’s trio in D minor. At 6.30pm the St John’s Singers sing Choral Evensong with Gibbs’ Evening Canticles in C. The Festival concludes at 8.00pm with the Festival Supper. Christopher Kingsley, Director of Music at Danbury Parish Church and Chairman of The Armstrong Gibbs Society said, "This is the very first venture focussing on the music of Armstrong Gibbs. Gibbs lived in or near Danbury for much of his life and made a significant contribution to the church and the local community in addition to his tremendous work as a musician; conducting, composing and adjudicating at festivals. We are pleased to be honouring Gibbs by presenting this festival focussing on a wide range of his music during four concerts."

For further information telephone 01245 223744 or go to www.armstronggibbs.com/festival

Lara Griffin: piano

Kay Gibson: flute

The programme for this short recital will include Lakeland Pictures and the Suite in A for flute and piano by Armstrong Gibbs, and works by Debussy and John Ireland. After the concert why not meet the performers at the…

Please note: Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance.

In the first part of the evening Michael Pilkington conducts a Masterclass in the interpretation of 20^th century English Song.

After the interval a recital will be given by singers from English National Opera:

Carolyn Cook, Judith Douglas and Jane Powell accompanied by Eric Withams: piano.

In addition to solo songs, duets and trios by Armstrong Gibbs the programme may include works by Purcell, Handel, Sullivan, Vaughan Williams, Head, Walton and Britten.

Meet on Church Green at 10.00am (where you may park your car) and enjoy a walk of just less than 3 miles through the village, passing some of Gibbs’ former residences, his grave and commemorative plaque. Some of the walk will be on footpaths which may be muddy. The walk will end close to The Griffin where you may wish to buy drinks and/or lunch.

Danbury Parish Church ringers will attempt a quarter peal of Grandshire Triples, expected to last just under an hour. Danbury tower has a ring of eight bells which were recast and augmented from the earlier ring of six in 1967.

Lingwood Consort,

Director: Christopher Kingsley

Festival Strings

Leader: Robert Atchison

Organ: Paul Hagger

Piano: Olga Dudnik

Vivaldi: Alla Rustica

Handel: Organ Concerto in G minor

Gibbs: The Turning Year.

Vivaldi: Gloria RV 589

Robert Atchison: violin

Olga Dudnik: piano

Bozidar Vukotic: cello

Armstrong Gibbs: Country Magic

Armstrong Gibbs: Trio in D

Mendelssohn: Trio in D minor

6.30pm

The St John’s Singers

Director of Music: Christopher Kingsley

Organist: Paul Hagger

Rector: Canon Dr Graham Blyth

Gibbs: Evening canticles

Gibbs: Hymn tune: Lingwood

Come and sit down to a delicious supper with a glass of wine provided by Alan’s Kitchen. Mull over the events of the weekend and meet some of the musicians who have performed in the festival. Tickets must be purchased in advance and if you have any special dietary requirements please make this clear when purchasing your ticket.

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