Harvest Concert at St Mary’s Church, Burton Bradstock of ‘West Gallery’ music (circa 1830) sung in costume by Beaminster Gallery Quire on Friday 7th October at 7.30pm
Beaminster Gallery Quire is part of the modern revival of West Gallery music, as heard about 200 years ago from the galleries of country churches. Sung and played by village folk using whatever instruments were to hand, it was necessarily homespun; yet today it remains strong and vibrant with wonderful tunes and harmonies.
This is the music so beloved of Thomas Hardy, whose father and grandfather were both gallery musicians at Stinsford in the early 19th century. Anthems, metrical psalms, hymns (many still in use today) have been found in west country manuscripts, and together with dance tunes and some appropriate short readings, they form an entertaining and ‘not-too-serious’ evening of music.
Tickets £7.50 from Burton Bradstock Post Office or at the door on the night
Interval refreshments available – donation invited.
Proceeds in aid of St.Mary’s church funds
