Harrow Music Festival

2019 saw the first Harrow Music Festival hosted by St George’s, Headstone. The idea of an annual festival was suggested by Steinway artist Margaret Fingerhut following her concert in 2015 celebrating St George’s acquisition of the original main performance instrument at the City’s LSO St Luke’s. This exceptional Hamburg Steinway D concert grand has been played by many of the world’s leading pianists.

The festival takes place in both St George’s Church and St George’s Hall, which face one another across Pinner View, Harrow. The elegant church’s acoustic is ideally suited to music, whether it be solo or choral singing, the Steinway D, or the building’s 1915 three-manual Rothwell pipe organ – included in the British Institute of Organ Studies’ register of historic instruments of importance to the national heritage. The acoustic of St George’s Art Deco auditorium is also excellent and well accommodates the stage’s Yamaha S6 grand piano – a favourite of jazz pianists.

The inaugural festival spanned three days:

Festal Evensong Easter Sunday, 21 April, 6.30 pm St George’s Church. Sung by St George’s Camerata, the church’s professional and scholarship octet. Setting: Festal in G (Henry Walford Davies) Director of Music: Huw Jones MA FRCO.

Brandyn Shaw and his ‘Radio’ Rhythm Makers Bank Holiday Monday 22 April, 7.30 pm St George’s Hall. bdsentertainments.co.uk Brandyn Shaw and his band recreate and celebrate the glamour, elegance and verve of the Golden Era of British dance bands.

Mark Bebbington piano St George’s Day, 23 April, 7.30 pm St George’s Church. markbebbington.co.uk/ Acclaimed for his performances and recordings, Mark Bebbington is a renowned champion of British piano music.