Please join us for a special workshop in English “West Gallery” Music,
led by West Gallery expert
Dr. Francis Roads, on Tuesday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m.
The workshop is open to all singers and melody-instrument players, and
will be held at St. Maryâs Episcopal Church, 258 Concord St., Newton
Lower Falls, Mass.
Admission is free; a collection will be taken to cover the expenses.
This is an unusual opportunity to learn about West Gallery music from
one of the leading experts in the field.
FRANCIS ROADS studied music at Pembroke College, Oxford and the Royal
College of Music, London. He has devoted himself to researching and
performing West Gallery Church Music; he is an active member of the
West Gallery Music Association, and leads many workshops and other
music-making sessions throughout England.
In 1997 he founded the London Gallery Quire; in 2002 he was awarded a
Ph.D. by the University of Liverpool for his thesis on West Gallery
manuscripts in the Isle of Man. In 2003 he led a West Gallery
workshop here in Boston, and is looking forward to his return visit.
WEST GALLERY MUSIC is traditional music from English rural churches;
most of it dates from the 1750-1850 era. The music is known for its
folk-like compositions and its robust singing style and instrumental
technique.
The music is suitable for all types of singers; the pieces are not
particularly difficult, but are hearty and rhythmic, and fun to sing!
If you like choral music, folk music, early music, or shape-note
music, you will enjoy West Gallery Music.
Melodic instruments are also welcome: Bowed Strings, Flutes,
Woodwinds, Concertinas, Serpents, and Trombones are the most suitable
(please note that Percussion, Keyboard, Plucked or Strummed
instruments are NOT appropriate for this type of music).
To learn more about West Gallery Music, see the West Gallery Music
Association’s Web page at: http://www.wgma.org.uk.
St. MARY’s CHURCH is at 258 Concord St in Newton, just off Rt. 16,
near the Wellesley border. Heading west on 16: after crossing over
128, Concord Street is a right turn at the next light (the Lower Falls
Wine store is on the left). There is plenty of free on-street
parking, and Riverside and Woodland T stations are less than one mile
away. The building is wheelchair-accessible.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact:
Bruce Randall
(978) 373-5852
melismata@hotmail.com
LayMusic.org 