THE Orchestra of St John will be holding its third MusicFest in July, continuing the rich tradition of music making at St John’s Church in Bromsgrove.

Its motto is ‘playing the full rainbow of classical music’ and amongst its many aims is the desire to introduce the music lovers of Bromsgrove to a wide range of classical music styles as well as giving opportunities to talented young musicians to help them with their future musical careers.

This year the Orchestra of St John MusicFest will also bring the Bromsgrove Festival to a close and will feature Beethoven’s glorious and evergreen Sixth Symphony – The Pastoral. This unmissable event also includes Brahms’s Violin Concerto performed by David LePage and should be a glorious and fitting end to the festival.

The concert is part of the church’s own MusicFest and takes place on Sunday, July 20 starting at 7.30pm and preceded by a gala concert reception.

The 2014 MusicFest will include two other performances. On the Saturday evening, July 19, ‘A Symphony of Winds’ concert will feature the orchestra’s wind players in a performance of Mozart’s Gran Partita for 13 wind instruments, and Strauss’s Serenade No 2 for 16 wind instruments, with the catchy title ‘The Happy Workshop’.

On Sunday, July 20, the morning service will be set to Schubert’s Mass in G Major featuring musicians from the orchestra with Claire Prewer, soprano, and directed by Richard Jenkinson.

Prior to the evening gala concert, there will be a drinks reception at 7pm when the audience will be able to chat with some of the musicians and Richard Jenkinson over a glass of wine or fruit juice before the concert starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets for our Saturday and Sunday evening concerts are £10 with accompanied children and students free. The celebration service is open to everyone as usual to join in worship at St John’s while enjoying the glorious music of Schubert’s Mass. Tickets can be reserved by calling 01527 870048 or 01527 878801 and collected or purchased on the door or people can simply turn up and buy a ticket on the night.