The
VILLAGERS
AUGUST 2011
Price
40p
The Voice of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre & St Fillans
Last of the Summer Music? The last round of applause for this year’s Balquhidder Summer Music concerts will echo round the Church on Sunday evening 7 August. For twenty six years this annual festival of classical music, showcasing the talents of young musicians, many of whom have since become famous names, has entertained audiences from central Scotland and beyond. Will this be the last year? At a time when many other music societies are struggling to retain audiences the Balquhidder festival has consistently attracted its enthusiasts and this is a great tribute to its chairman Alan Clarke, who with his wife Joan, has run the concert series for the past ten years. The work behind the scenes begins in the winter preceding each concert series and, unknown to many of the musicians at the time, Alan and Joan have toured the country to listen to groups and soloists in order to assess whether or not their particular talent will bring in the audiences. Thanks to their own musical knowledge we have been treated to some wonderful performances over the years and Alan has sometimes also challenged us to listen to and appreciate composers and arrangements unfamiliar to many. The concerts were inspired by the Revd Jim Benson, minister at Balquhidder Kirk in the 1980s, who ran regular musical evenings in the manse. The guidelines which he produced included the following:
• Priority will be given to young musicians at the start of their careers. • Proceeds of the concerts will be given to the musicians. • High professional standards will be expected. • Musicians will be given a friendly reception in Balquhidder and a good meal by their hosts in a relaxing domestic setting. When Jim Benson left the area Jim Hannah and his wife Penny stepped in immediately to take over the organisation of the concert series until the end of the summer of 2000 and all through the years these guidelines have been adhered to. Many of us have been privileged to act as hosts and to form friendships with the musicians through inviting them into our homes. It has been a delight and summer Sundays will never be the same if the concert series has to close. Alan and Joan are leaving the area, and leaving a huge hole in our community, for they have contributed to village life in so many different ways, not just for six weeks between June and August. We owe them our profound thanks and one of the best parting gifts we could give them is a promise that Summer Music will continue.
Where is the next Chairman of Balquhidder Summer Music? Whoever you are - please contact The Villagers so that we may pass on the good news.
©Two Worlds Images
n Joan and Ala Clarke