Posted Friday 25 February 2011
Scottish singers are coming together for a major benefit concert on Monday 28 February at 8 pm for the people of Christchurch, New Zealand. The concert will take place in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Glasgow which is an almost exact twin of the cathedral which has been damaged in Christchurch. The two buildings were built at the same time to a design by the same architect. The concert will also feature the music of several New Zealanders living in Scotland.
Choristers from Glasgow Chamber Choir, Strathclyde University Chamber Choir, the RSAMD, St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, Edinburgh Singers, Glasgow University Chapel Choir, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union and the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Scottish Voices will come together at St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow’s West End. Two New Zealanders currently studying at the RSAMD will also perform at the concert.
Cathedral Provost The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth said: “People in Scotland have all kinds of strong links with people in New Zealand. This concert is an act of solidarity with the people of Christchurch. Christchurch Cathedral is like a ‘twin’ of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, having been built by the same architect at almost exactly the same time. As we look around the building in Glasgow, our hearts go out to those who are struggling to cope in a damaged city half a world away.”
Organiser Michael Bawtree added: “Scotland has very strong links with New Zealand. Many of us who will perform have friends and family living and working in Christchurch; many have visited, lived, performed and worked in New Zealand; others are simply keen to show that support by giving of their time and talent.”
Stephen Chambers, an RSAMD Opera student from New Zealand who will perform at the concert, said: “My Dad (Dr. John Chambers) was in Christchurch on a Medical conference when the Earthquake hit. He managed to escape unscathed from the fourteenth floor of his hotel, which looked as though it was about to collapse. Like so many Kiwi’s around the world, I feel helpless. I hope that in putting on this concert we can get some money together to aid those hardest hit in the beautiful country that I call home.”
Funds raised at this benefit concert will be passed through official channels to those most in need.
ENDS
Editors’ notes:
St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 300 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9JB
Entry by donation. Suggested donation at least £10
Full quote from Stephen Chambers:
Stephen Chambers, RSAMD Opera student from New Zealand, said: “My Dad (Dr. John Chambers) was in Christchurch on a Medical conference when the Earthquake hit. He managed to escape unscathed from the fourteenth floor of his hotel, which looked as though it was about to collapse when they saw it from the outside. Through all of the aftershocks and devastation on the streets, he joined medical teams at trauma centres that had been quickly assembled to treat the injured and those that were being pulled from collapsed buildings. He worked through the night. I spoke to him on skype this morning and heard his account of the horrific events as he saw them. I am so glad that he is safe. Like so many Kiwi’s around the world, I feel helpless. I hope that in putting on this concert we can get some money together to aid those hardest hit in the beautiful country that I call home.”
Photographs/Video oportunity:St Mary’s is a stunning building in Glasgow’s West End, the interior of which looks just as Christchurch Cathedral, New Zealand did before the earthquake. Press photographs and access can be arranged through the following contacts:
The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth, Provost of St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow
St Mary’s Cathedral Office – 0141-339-6691
provost@thecathedral.org.uk
Or contact the organizer Michael Bawtree – michaelbawtree1@gmail.com
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