IN recent months your pages
have highlighted the lack of
local events to mark the forthcoming
centenary of the outbreak
of the First World War.
 

May I ask for your help in
drawing attention to a commemoration
in words and
music by The Harmonium
Singers and Orchestra on
Saturday, 19 July, starting at
7.30pm – 1914: Words of War,
Music of Peace.
 

The main work will be the
ever-popular Fauré Requiem,
and there will also be other
‘music of inner peace’ – both
choral and orchestral – to
contrast with poetry and
readings about the war.
The event is made possible
partly through the support of
Andover Town Council
which, together with the
choir’s own fundraising,
means that the costs of putting
on the concert have
already been met. All the ticket
money will therefore go to
three military charities: The
Royal Navy & Royal Marines
Charity, The RAF Benevolent
Fund and ABF The Soldiers’
Charity, whose chief of staff
Brigadier Robin Bacon will be
present on the night.
 

As a local choir based in a
military area, we wanted to
do something cultural to
mark this important anniversary
and to make it a special
event for the town.
 

We believe it will be a fitting
commemoration, while
directly benefiting military
personnel in need.
St Mary’s Church, Andover,
provides the perfect venue
and tickets are available from
Newbury Building Society
and The Lights.
 

We are very grateful for any
help you can provide in bringing
this event to wider attention.
 

Bruce Randall, musical
director, The Harmonium
Singers, Bishops Way,
Andover