Spring season of lunchtime recitals launched

A SPRING season of lunchtime concerts to be hosted in a town church will offer a mix of music from traditional classics to gypsy jazz.

St Mary’s Arts (Smarts) hosts daytime concerts at St Mary’s Church in Hinckley town centre on the first Wednesday of each month from 1pm.

Lasting under an hour, they allow people to enjoy informal performances of light, classical and instrumental music performed to the highest standards by accomplished musicians.

Recitals are to be held on February 7, March 7, April 11 and May 2.

They will include an up-tempo duo performing music from Fats Waller and Disney, an opera-singing soprano, a Royal Academy-tutored pianist and the church organist presenting a programme of French works.

Smarts is also to host a charity fundraising gala concert at the church on Saturday June 30 at 7.30pm featuring The Swing Museum, offering gypsy style jazz reminscent of the 1930s and 40s.

Proceeds from that event will be donated to nominated good causes serving the Hinckley area.

Admission to the lunchtime concerts is £4 for adults and £1 for children and students, with a season ticket available for £14 at the first recital of the season.

To find out more contact Smarts chairman Philip Worley on Hinckley 846215 or group secretary Hilda Butler on Hinckley 613759.