Music Making at the Stocket

Following the redevelopment of Midstocket Church in 2015, funds were raised to purchase a Bechstein Grand Piano. The money was raised in various ways, one being hosting recitals in the Sanctuary. These recitals proved popular and continued as Music @ Midstocket, now Music @ The Stocket with the following aims:-

• To provide a variety of musical experiences of high calibre.

• To welcome members of the local community to these recitals in the Sanctuary.

• To support young musicians and music making at the Stocket.

• To raise funds for local charities and local branches of national charities.

Recitals are held at 3pm once a month usually on Sundays. One hour of music is followed by refreshments and fellowship. Members of the congregation act as stewards, welcoming the audience, then serving tea and coffee at the end of the recital.

The outreach initiative expanded when Aberdeen City Orchestra began to rehearse and perform in the Sanctuary. An elder was appointed to liaise with music groups which take lets in the Church and welcome them as part of the wider church community.

Aberdeen City Orchestra were followed by Granite City Chorus and most recently by ACO Youth Ensemble and ACO Junior Strings Ensemble. We also have strong links with Bon Accord Silver Band and Concordia.

At concerts in the Sanctuary, as with Music @ The Stocket recitals, members of the congregation act as stewards and serve refreshments if required. Members of the music groups reciprocate by taking part in Music @ The Stocket recitals and Church services.

Music @ The Stocket

Saturday 26 April, 3 pm, Sanctuary at the Stocket

‘Another Hour with Eileen Pike and Yvonne Morton’. Entry by donation in aid of Christian Aid. A warm welcome awaits you.

Maggie’s Aberdeen Carol Concert

Fountainhall Church at the Stocket were delighted to host the Maggie’s Aberdeen Carol Concert. We were wonderfully entertained by pupils from St. Margaret’s School, Granite City Chorus and AlbaMix. Organist Jamie Campbell accompanied the carol singing. Thank you to all who took part or came along to this sold out event!

An hour with members of Aberdeen City Orchestra Youth Ensemble

It was a delight to welcome members of Aberdeen City Orchestra Youth Ensemble, giving their first recital for Music @ The Stocket. Conductor Chris Gray chose a varied programme, showcasing the orchestras strength and producing a wonderful sound. Congratulations to all.

An Hour with Erin Smith (violin) accompanied by Tim Tricker (piano)

What a joyful has we spent with Erin Smith accompanied by Tim Tricker. The virtuosity of Erin Smith and Tim's playing was very greatly appreciated by the audience. A much needed £555 was raised for Cairns Counselling. £108 of this sum was raised by our Junior Fundraisers. An enormous thank you to all.

“Alastair Eddie Sings Jazz” accompanied by Neil Birse (piano)

The sound of jazz could be heard in the Sanctuary of Fountainhall Church at the Stocket when Alastair Eddie and Neil Birse delighted us with the programme they selected for the recital on Saturday 10th August. Alastair and Neil's expertise in delivering the programme thrilled us all.

Concert for Ukraine

On 22nd June Fountainhall Church presented a Concert for Ukraine given by Fountainhall Choir, Orchestra Nova and soloists Amy Strachan (soprano), Iryna Chupryna (soprano) and Alan Haggart (trumpet). The concert was conducted by Gareth John in a memorable performance, at times joyous, at other times intensely moving. So many memories were created.

Iryna and Amy sing the Brindisi from La Traviata by Verdi

Choir, audience and a packed Sanctuary at the Stocket!

Iryna sings Plyve Kacha a traditional Ukrainian song
arr. by Gareth John

Amy and Alan perform Let the Bright Seraphim from Samson by Handel

Rapturous applause!

“My Father’s Favourites” Robert Duncan (piano)

On 15th June Robert Duncan delighted a large audience by playing music from the great American songbook. The afternoon really had the "feel good factor". Rev. Bob Brown was so impressed with Robert's expertise, he spoke of it when talking to the children during the service on 16th June. The recital was in aid of Aberdeen Independent Multiple Sclerosis (A. I. M. S.) and after expenses £500 was raised for A. I. M. S.

Organ Recital for Christian Aid
James G. R. Campbell

We were treated to an amazing organ recital at Fountainhall Church at the Stocket this afternoon from James G. R. Campbell (known to many of us simply as Jamie!). Jamie certainly showed us the full extent of what the Stocket organ is capable of, with a varied programme including a wonderful selection from Les Miserables via Ralph Vaughan Williams and C. Hubert H. Parry through to Widor’s Toccata! The recital raised over £500 for Christian Aid. Thank you Jamie!

Instant Neighbour

The latest Music @ The Stocket recital was a joyous occasion with Yvonne Morton singing many well-known songs, accompanied by Eileen Pike on the piano. It was a feel-good afternoon in aid of Instant Neighbour.

Two young fundraisers were also at the event. Three junior fundraisers, members of Fountainhall Church, sold bric-a-brac and books in aid of Instant Neighbour.

By the end of the afternoon £786.18 had been raised. Following further fundraising the final total is £1,265 which we have presented to Instant Neighbour. We have also been able to give Instant Neighbour 52 bags of groceries.

An enormous thank you to everyone for their generosity.

Music and Meditations for Easter

Robert Duncan (piano and virginals)
Kim Duncan (oboe and treble recorder)

On 30th March, Robert and Kim returned to give this year's "Music and Meditations for Easter". This recital combined their faith with their music in a masterly and deeply moving way. The chosen charity for this recital was Friends of Anchor, a charity which has touched the lives of so many of us. After expenses, £250 was raised.

Maggie's Aberdeen Christmas Carol Concert

Bon Accord Silver Band

An Hour with Two Talented Young Musicians

Nova Quartet

Music for Solo Soprano

An Hour of Scottish Music and Poetry

The second informal summer recital took place in the Garden Lounge at the Stocket on Saturday 26th August. Junior Scottish Fiddle Champion, Tyler Martin, was unable to take part. We wish him well and hope to welcome him back at a future date.

David Martin (accordion) stepped in at the eleventh hour and we are greatly indebted to him. David soon had our toes tapping with his selection of traditional Scottish music. Campbell Murray also delighted us with a selection of Scots poetry and song.

Many thanks to all who helped make the afternoon a success. £250 was raised for Friends of Roxburghe House.

An Hour with David Martin

David Martin, a virtuoso of the accordion, delighted us all with an informal recital in the Garden Lounge (and garden). David transported us to the continent and beyond playing music from different countries. He also played some of his own compositions.

Entry to the recital was paid in kind with those attending asked to bring a bag of groceries, large or small, for Instant Neighbour.
The generosity of the audience was overwhelming. Thank you all.

Sopranaria

The inaugural Music@ the Stocket recital was given by Moira Docherty (soprano), Barbara Scott (mezzo soprano) and Robert Duncan (piano). We were treated to an hour of musical excellence with a varied programme including duets by Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Delibes and Rossini and solos by Bizet, Gilbert and Sullivan ending with Scottish songs.

£300 was raised for AIMS (Aberdeen Independent Multiple Sclerosis).

Make Music Day ‘23

Repeating the success of last year’s Make Music Day’, the members of Granite City Chorus organised another free concert for the community. They were again joined by Albacappella and this year talented young fiddler, Tyler Martin, also joined them. It was a joyous evening of music making enjoyed by all.

Northern Lights Singers

The Northern Lights Singers is a choir made up of the Acclamations and the Morven Singers. At their concert on 21st May they were joined by guests, Yichun Feng (singer), the Simpsons (violins and double bass) and Alastair Eddie (pianist and singer). It was a fabulous concert with a great variety of music from chinese and operatic songs to scottish jigs, strathspeys and reels and the well-known music of songs and shows. There was something for everyone. The Northern Lights entertained us wonderfully.

Music and Meditation for Easter

Robert and Kim Duncan returned to give us a meaningful music and meditation recital on Easter Saturday. They played Willian Byrd and J S Bach on recorders and virginals. It was a wonderful sound. The audience was fascinated by the virginals and Robert's explanation of their origins. The picture on the lid is of the Dee Valley at Cults with Cults East Church visible.

Concordia String Orchestra

Concordia and Con Anima, conducted by Tim Tricker, gave us an evening to remember with a concert celebrating the music of Gerald Finzi.

Barbershop and More...

Following the success of ' Barbershop and Brass' in September, we held another concert in aid of Church funds in March called 'Barbershop and More'. This time, Granite City Chorus and Albacappella were joined by soloists from Albyn School. The cheers of the audience indicated the success of the evening.

£700 was raised for The Stocket Church. This is very welcome as the cost of heating the Sanctuary is so very high.

Moods: From Tristesse to Tempest

Laim Kerr (piano) gave a fascinating recital reflecting different moods and emotions. Liam was ably supported by his daughter Lucinda (who turned the pages of his music).

The recital started with the most modern piece “Oltremare” by Einaudi. Music by Bach, Chopin and Beethoven followed.

The Music @ The Stocket Recitals support local charities. Liam’s chosen charity was Kayleigh’s Wee Stars, a charity based in Old Meldrum. The Charity helps support families caring for a terminally ill child. £350 was realised for the charity.

Aberdeen City Orchestra - When Johnny met Tony

Aberdeen City Orchestra returned with a programme of two symphonies written by the afore mentioned Johnny and Tony – Johannes Brahms and Antonin Dvorak. Brahms Symphony No 2 in D Major opened the concert followed by Dvorak’s Symphony No 8 in G Major. It was a delight to welcome the ACO back to The Stocket in this concert which was such a joy to listen to. It also provided a welcome opportunity for individual members of the orchestra to shine.

We look forward to ACO’s return in May.

Granite Ensemble

In January we have welcomed two recently formed orchestras to The Stocket Church. First, ACO Youth Ensemble gave a wonderful debut concert, followed by The Granite Ensemble, whose members are all leading musicians in North East Scotland. The ensemble, conducted by Christopher Gray and led by Aden Mazur, were joined by soprano Shuna Scott Sendall for a memorable performance of ‘Flodden’ by Sally Beamish. Beethoven’s Symphony No 2 in D Major followed. This was a stunning concert of contrasts and we look forward to the return of the ensemble before long to challenge and delight us again.

Aberdeen City Orchestra Youth Ensemble

On the 14th January, members of the recently formed Aberdeen City Orchestra Youth Ensemble gave their first concert – and what a triumph it was! An audience of over one hundred listened to the ensemble, conducted by Chris Gray, play a varied programme which highlighted the quality and range of the ensemble. Congratulations to all involved.

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