Goodness!!…. February turned out to be one of the most creatively productive months I’ve had for YEARS! – not only did the “Tricsky Trobairitz TWN Collective” devise an abundance of original new material as part of the “February Music Writing Challenge”, but we also developed it in to a 35 minute show! Our first live performance was served up as a tasty musical “apéritif” in Dorset on 21st February, and proved to be a tantalizing appetizer with which to tempt our audience to return for the main course in May at Wimborne Minster’s Literary Festival. Sharing the bill with the likes of Ken Livingstone and Billy Bragg, our tricksy trio will be warming up for exciting times ahead. Positive thinking abounds.
However, before I enthuse too much about serving up Maytime gigs in far away lands, there is something happening closer to home and nearer to my Essex heart that is simply not to be missed by you, the trusty villagers: two thirds of “Tricksy Trobairitz” (myself and Fiona) are joining forces with the celebrated Thorpster tenor, Andrew Bain, for a springtime fundraising concert at St Michael’s Church in Thorpe on Saturday May 7th at 7.30pm. Our programme will celebrate Springtime and Love.
I just HAD to introduce Tricksy Fiona to the talented Mr Bain – not only is she an amazing lyric soprano (her of the angelic descant soaring over “Hark the Herald” at the St M’s Christmas midnight mass for anyone who was there), but her surname is Baines! . It would seem rude not to give Bain and Baines (both called “Bainsey” at school) the chance to meet and make beautiful music together – don’t you agree?! Shrubshall doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but I can at least blow up a fabulous storm on my array of wind instruments to support the Bain/Baines diva sound. Additionally, the wonderfully talented local composer and pianist Peter Thorne is all set to accompany us. Peter and I met whilst teaching in the same London music institution for many years, and conveniently, he has now moved to Kirby. Hmm – thinking about it, I may actually be the cause of him escaping to such a quiet rural village – he drew the short straw of teaching one- to-one composition and musicianship classes in the room right next door to my 15 strong saxophone band! Imagine, thin walls! He is, however a true gent and a thoroughly nice chap to boot, and it looks like he’s forgiven me…..
“Spring is the time of plans and projects” says Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina…..and someone else less famous said “Spring is the shedding of old habits, the cleaning out of closets…..and instead of wind chill, it’s love that’s in the air”. And so as this season of new beginnings unfolds, the merry band of Bain, Baines, Shrubshall and Thorne is born. Our debut performance together will bring you opera, jazz and lots in between, and there will certainly be something for everyone on May 7th. Please come along with a spring in your step (ouch!), bring your family and friends and support your local church….and hear some great tunes at the same time.
Ps I am told there will be a bar too!
“Springtime and Love” A Fundraising Concert for St Michael’s Church
Andrew Bain: Tenor – Fiona Baines: Soprano – Catherine Shrubshall: Saxophones & Clarinets – Peter Thorne: Piano
Saturday May 7th @ 7.30 pm
St Michael’s Church, High Street, Thorpe-le-Soken
Tickets £12 – on the door or in advance
01255 675959 | 01255 861234 | 07957 266621
Catherine Shrubshall – Thorpe Magazine, April 2016 Issue