Notes of Interest

St. George's Church, Benenden is in the Diocese of Canterbury and a member of Tenterden Deanery. It is 'clustered' with the local churches in Rolvenden, Newenden and Sandhurst

ORGAN RECITALS
Organ recitals will be given following Choral Evensong on the following dates. The service begins at 5.00 p.m. and the Recitals at approximately 5.45 p.m.

June 6 (1st Sunday after Trinity)
Choral Evensong
July 4 (5th Sunday after Trinity)
Choral Evensong with recital given by Jonathan Melling, Organist of All Hallows, by the Tower. Born in Wigan, Lancashire, Jonathan studied with Gordon Phillips and, while still a student, was director of music at the Church of the Annunciation, Marble Arch, and afterwards at St. Michael and All Angels, Barnes. Subsequently he was assistant organist at Wimborne Minster in Dorset. He has given recitals throughout England, in Douglas, Isle of Man, Germany, Glasgow, Singapore and the USA. He served on the professorial staff of the London College of Music for many years, and now concentrates on his free-lance work and his post as organist and director of music at the church of All Hallows by the Tower in the City of London. We are pleased to welcome him to Benenden for the first time.
Aug 1 (9th Sunday after Trinity)
Choral Evensong
Sep 5 (14th Sunday after Trinity)
Choral Evensong with recital given by Julian Thomas, Organist & Choirmaster at Tonbridge School since 2007 and another visitor new to us. He combines a busy musical timetable training the Chapel choir, playing the magnificent 4-manual Marcussen organ and teaching, with being a Sixth-form boarding housemaster. He was a chorister at Salisbury Cathedral, a scholar at Charterhouse and Organ Scholar at Jesus College. At Lincoln Cathedral he was 2nd Assistant Organist, then Assistant Organist & Director of the Girls' Choir at Norwich Cathedral. He has recently given recitals at Westminster Abbey and Westminster, Southwark, Blackburn, Norwich, and Lincoln Cathedrals, and the Temple Church, London. He has participated in masterclasses with, amongst others, Naji Hakim, Nicolas Kynaston and Thomas Trotter.
Oct 3 (Harvest Festival)
Choral Evensong
Nov 7 (All Souls)
Choral Evensong with recital given by Harry Bramma, a highly distinguished musician who came last in 2006. Formerly Director of the Royal School of Church Music and sometime Organist of Southwark Cathedral, Dr Bramma has made numerous recordings, particularly from his time as Organist and Choirmaster at All Saints', Margaret Street, London.