CONCERTS for Peace and Freedom
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'Reflections'
fund-raising concert tour, November / December 2024
45-minute free-admission lunchtime concerts
in London, Manchester, North Yorkshire, Cumbria,
Northamptonshire, Cambridge and Essex.
See below for more details of venues and dates.
In support of the following organisations working with survivors from Ukraine, Gaza and areas of conflict and natural disasters worldwide
(Click the logos to go directly to the charities websites for more details of their work)
UK-Med
Registered charity number: 1166956
Music Action
International
Registered charity no. 1136295
2-minute YouTube 'Reflections' video sampler
(click arrow on panel below to watch and listen)
‘Reflections’
A 45-minute lunchtime solo concert programme by candlelight*, devised and performed by Laurence Perkins
* Candles are flickering LED, to conform to fire and safety regulations.
'Reflections' is an inspiring sequence of beautiful unaccompanied melody alongside classic poetry. The musical inspiration covers nearly 1000 years from 13th century Hildegard of Bingen to the present day, including music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, alongside thoughtful words from Shakespeare, Lord Byron, Walter de la Mare and Wilfred Owen. Some of the performances are in historic venues which are at least 1000 years old.
All seats at concert venues are unreserved, so please arrive early to ensure a place. Doors will open 30 minutes before the performance begins. Some historic venues are small with only limited capacity, access and facilities. All available information has been included in the concert listings below. For concerts at this time of year, warm clothing is recommended!
All performances on this tour are FREE ADMISSION, and are 45 minutes duration (without an interval) unless otherwise stated. There will be an invitation for you to donate to one or both of the charities being supported by these events - this can be online via QR codes, or by credit / debit card, or cash donations.
Audience, and families with babies and children During the 45-minute performance of 'Reflections', audience members are requested to be seated and remain quiet, as the performance has a certain meditative quality. Once the concert has begun, you are still very welcome to come in, but you are requested to find a seat for the duration of the performance, saving any sight-seeing of the church until the concert has finished.
If you are with a baby or young child, you are very welcome! Please take a seat near the back of the church at the end of a row, and if your child becomes noisy or restless, please take them out. This is to avoid disturbing other people attending the performance. If your child settles down again, feel free to return quietly to your seat. Thank you!
Concert dates and venues
November and December 2024 tour,
including historic English churches
LONDON
Thursday 21 November at 12.30pm
Apothecaries Hall (completed in 1672)
Black Friars Lane, London EC4V 6ER
FREE ADMISSION
Please check in at the entrance when you arrive.
There is a lift for access to the hall.
Accessible toilet facilities available.
There will be a brief spoken introduction to this concert by Tony Redmond OBE (Click blue link for details)
MANCHESTER
Saturday 23 November at 11am (Please note starting time)
Emmanuel Church
6 Barlow Moor Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6TR
There is a ‘Reflections’ performance as the first half of this concert. After an interval there will be a performance of Dvorak Serenade in D minor, Op.44 for winds, cello and bass, with the South Manchester Chamber Ensemble conducted by Laurence Perkins (an additional item for this concert only).
FREE ADMISSION
AMPLEFORTH, North Yorkshire
Wednesday 4 December at 12.30pm
Ampleforth Church (original part is 13th century)
Church of St. Hilda, Station Road, Ampleforth, North Yorkshire YO62 4DG
FREE ADMISSION
CARLISLE, Cumbria
Thursday 5 December at 12.30pm
St. Cuthbert’s Church (685 AD, with reconstructions in 870 and 1095)
Blackfriars St, Carlisle CA3 8AQ
FREE ADMISSION
CALDBECK, Cumbria
Friday 6 December at 12.30pm
St Kentigern’s Church (also known as St. Mungo’s, original parts dating from the 12th and 13th centuries)
Caldbeck (near Wigton), Cumbria CA7 8DP
FREE ADMISSION
BRIXWORTH, Northamptonshire
Monday 9 December at 12.30pm
All Saint’s Church (A.D. 650-870)
Brixworth, Northamptonshire NN6 9DF
FREE ADMISSION
CAMBRIDGE
Tuesday 10 December at 12.30pm
St Bene’t’s Church (11th century)
Bene't St, Cambridge CB2 3PT
FREE ADMISSION
Wheelchair accessible
Limited toilet facilities (not disabled access)
ASHINGDON, Essex
Wednesday 11 December at 12.30pm
St Andrew's Church (11th century)
Church Road, Ashingdon, Rochford SS4 3HY
FREE ADMISSION
WITHAM, Essex
Thursday 12 December at 12.30pm
United Reformed Church
90 Newland Street, Witham, Essex CM8 1AH
FREE ADMISSION
CONCERTS in 2025
There will be two performances of the magnificent Serenade in B flat by Mozart (known as the 'Gran Partita') for large wind ensemble - one of the composer's finest works. These will be in MANCHESTER on Wednesday 19th February, and in CAMBRIDGE on Monday 24th February. More details soon!
There will also be trio concerts for clarinet, bassoon and piano with Colin Honour, Laurence Perkins and Yoshiko Endo. These are planned for Spring 2025 - more details soon.
At each concert, there will be an invitation for audience members to make a donation in support of:
(Click the logos to go directly to the organisation websites)
A World Health Organisation humanitarian medical aid team, founded in Manchester in 1988. The charity offering support for survivors of disasters or conflict worldwide. Click HERE for details.
Registered charity number: 1166956
Music Action International are people from around the world co-creating life-changing music programmes with survivors of war and persecution. Their unique approach significantly reduces physical and emotional trauma, helps build inclusive communities and creates a sense of belonging for people who are here without friends or family. Click HERE for details.
Registered charity no. 1136295
A special note from Laurence Perkins
(soloist, and project organiser)
Peace, and the ability to live, work, communicate and travel freely, are fundamental human rights as defined by the United Nations. Sadly, there are many people around the world who do not enjoy this freedom, and it is these survivors of war and conflict that need support in order to move forward and rebuild their lives, their homes and their communities.
My contribution is through music, with all the joy, depth of feeling and human expression that music offers. My series of fund-raising concerts around the U.K. is in support of all survivors of war. These will feature leading musicians (professional and amateur) from the U.K. and worldwide, all taking part on a voluntary unpaid basis. The programmes will include music of many different periods and genres including inspiring classical works and traditional folk melodies.
Please help me to ensure that these concerts continue to happen...
Huge thanks to all the performers involved in these concerts, who are giving their services without fee - and to the venues around the U.K., who are hosting the concerts either free of charge or for absolute minimal expenses. There are also many individuals who are helping with publicity, providing accommodation and other practical ways to keep costs to a minimum.
All donations go in full to the charities - no expenses are deducted from these.
However... there are some essential touring expenses which need to be covered (see below). If you are able to contribute towards these, that will help me and others involved to continue giving these concerts without fee, and supporting these amazing charities and the fantastic work they are doing.
Please click this button to go directly to the Expenses Contributions page.
Thank you so much for your help and support!
These people have very kindly given financial support towards these concerts. Thank you so much for your invaluable help!
(in alphabetical order):
Julia Banks
David and Liz Cutts
Linda and John Leggat
Patricia Moore
Helen Nicolson
Maggi Rowland
Paul Sharrock
Tim Softley
Alastair Watson
Anonymous x 9
Total amount donated so far:
£1570
(Last updated on 25.11.2024 - this figure and other details will be updated regularly).
Thank you!
What expenses are these donations covering?
So far, it's the cost of travel, printing for publicity and other essential paper documents, graphic design and display material. I am hugely grateful to a great many people who are supporting this project by offering accommodation, facilities and services either totally free of charge or at rock-bottom rates. What has been donated so far mostly covers all these essential costs I have incurred to date, but I will need more to continue the events in 2025 - so, any help will be really valuable and greatly appreciated. Thank you!
A concert in your community?
Are you in a community that might welcome and actively support a concert? Perhaps there are people in your area who have escaped from war zones? Do you have a nearby venue that could host a concert?
If the answer to any of these questions is "yes", do please contact Laurence Perkins by clicking HERE (via the online Contact Form) - I would love to hear from you!
Join the mailing list!
If you would like to be added to an email list for updates on these events, please click HERE. (You can unsubscribe at any time).
All concert details may be subject to change - please check this webpage for updates. The aims of this project are entirely humanitarian. These concerts support organisations who are offering help to survivors of war and conflict worldwide.
Logo design by Sally Alexandre.
Click on any of the leaflet / poster images below, and you can download a jpg file which you can either print or share on social media, emails or websites. Please help to pass the word round about these concerts - thank you so much!
