At a concert presented by the Newchurch Male Voice Choir in St James’s Church, Ryde, violinist 14 year old Lucy Brown was presented with the Bassett Stevens memorial fund prize by the choir’s chairman, Rod Riddell, after she had played as the guest artiste to the choir’s programme.
Lucy was accompanied by her tutor, Nancy Grace Borrett. The concert was part of St James’s weekend of collection for their support of the work of pastor Daniel in a church in Poland near to the border with Ukraine where he gets aid to the children of Ukraine who have been affected by the war. The concert and congregation raised £653 for this cause.
Bob Cooper, for the choir said,
“The choir’s concerts are presented to raise funds for local charities and causes. We also give young and talented musicians, singers and groups the opportunity to perform and display those talents to a live audience.
“Bassett Stevens was a very gifted musician: he was professor of singing at the London College of Music and he also sang with and accompanied the BBC singers and chorus. When he retired to Alverstone Garden Village he generously shared his time and talents with local music groups.
“After his death the memorial fund was established in his honour with the express purpose of providing financial assistance to facilitate the involvement and development of young talented musicians on the Island.
“Lucy is the latest to receive the award and we look forward to her career development. As the choir prepares for the 2024 season of concerts, not only will it be seeking young musicians as well as singers and groups to be our ‘guest artistes’, but it is also searching for a pianist to act as its regular accompanist.”
News shared by Bob on behalf of Newchurch Male Voice Choir. Ed
