Special production will celebrate the South Wessex Organ Society’s first anniversary

The South Wessex Organ Society is celebrating its first anniversary with a very special event at The Minster in Axminster this Friday (October 26).

The Baroque Spectacular will bring together some superb instrumentalists and singers to perform a selection of music from the period, under the baton of Judy Martin, founder and former musical director of Axminster Chamber Choir.

The programme includes two works by JS Bach – Cantata No. 80 ‘Ein Feste Burg ist unser Gott’ and the Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C major (BWV 1066) – plus Handel’s Chandos Anthem ‘I will magnify thee’ and Albinoni’s gorgeous Oboe Concerto in D minor.

The vocal soloists are Harriet Mountford (soprano), Gillian Humphreys and John Mountford (alto), Les Baker (tenor), and Chris Brewer and Christopher Walledge (bass).

In the alto and bass arias of the Bach cantata, the soloists will share their parts, bringing a pleasing variety in mood and tone. Oboeist Nicki Woods will play the solo in the Albinoni concerto.

The concert marks a year of fabulous music events, including the first SWOS Festival in May, the president’s reception and a number of recitals by established and up-and-coming organists alike.

The society has lots planned for 2019, too, with the winter course - formerly the Lyme Regis Organ School - in February and a series of services based around Bach cantatas.

The Baroque Spectacular is on Friday October 26 at 7.45pm in St Mary’s, Axminster. Tickets are £10 from the society’s website at www.sworgansociety.org/events, from Archway Bookshop in Axminster or on the door. Wine will be available in the interval.