An unusual and entertaining Lunchtime Recital delighted a sizaeable audience on 11ith August in the St.Helens Sinfonietta’s series at the United Reformed Church. It was given by master and pupil, Peter Kwater and Michael Graham. Pupil and master, rather, for this was primarily Michael’s show.

We first admired his versatility at a Young Musicians’ Evening a few years ago, and now at 18 he is a fast-developing multi-talented performer.

"More research is coming out every day that demonstrates that music has a connection that helps us heal our bodies in different ways"

Video of Bridget Shevlin who provides music therapy for young people at the Nebraska medical centre.

Here's a link to a report on the Guardian website.

"More than 200 teenagers aged 14-19 have been brought together as Only Boys Aloud – a project aimed at unearthing the next generation of singers from the valleys of south Wales, the heartland of the Welsh male voice choirs.

Have you seen the Citadel has a new website? See http://www.citadel.org.uk/ for information about all their events including Music Mecca and Hands On.

Friday 9th July 2010 may have been a disappointment for Saints fans, but lovers of good music hit the jackpot at St Helens Town Hall with a cracking performance from St Helens Sinfonietta, who brought a 47-strong professional orchestra to the Assembly Hall for a glorious finale to their Festival of British Music.

St.Helens International Arts Festival

It’s time to party and enjoy the carnival atmosphere as the St.Helens
International Arts Festival takes place throughout the Town Centre on
Saturday 17th July 2010 (11am-5pm).

Image courtesy of Courtney Cloud, U.S.A.

Virtually a full house attended the Sinfonietta’s somewhat eccentric concert for a delightfully skittish evening on Saturday 19th June 2010. This was the third in their Festival of British Music with the Elgar Cello Concerto to come on Friday 9th July at St Helens Town Hall (see www.sinfonietta.org.uk/ for details).

Mash is a new space for art in St Helens. Mash will feature the best in contemporary arts, design, photography and film that the region has to offer.

Located in St Helens town centre, Mash also offers great organic food in its cool cafe bar, unique local handcrafted gifts and jewellery in its shop, as well as a fully equipped photography/film studio for hire.

Mash Gallery will launch with two great events:
Wednesday 26th May @ 6.30 : 'Brand Spanking: New work from Stephen Ball & Nicola Ellis'
Thursday 27th May @ 8.30pm : 'Pomp : The Artists Social Club'

NOTE - there is no music-net meeting today (8th June)

Music-net meetings will merge with the arts network meetings for the next few months. Owen Hutchings, Arts Engagement Officer for the Council, has been doing a great job of inviting speakers to the arts network meetings which are held on a thursday from 4-6pm. We encourage everyone to attend the meetings on:

24th June - Godfrey Pilkington Gallery
29th July - Citadel
26th August - Citadel
30th Sep - Citadel
28th Oct - Citadel
25th Nov - Citadel

Tom McGrath, 38, drummer of The Lancashire Hotpots and known as Willie Eckerslike, was found dead this week. A police spokesman has said his death is not being treated as suspicious. Tom was one of the band’s founder members and also a St Helens College lecturer.