Born and educated in Birmingham, Allison gained her BMus Hons at Cardiff University. She is a member of the CBSO Chorus, female group Cantilena, London Chorale and the English Concert Singers and has performed as soloist all over the world with such as Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Mark Elder and John Elliot Gardner. She has performed Martin Bates' Gloria for the Heart of England Singers. Allison is a class teacher and music co-ordinator at St Alphege CofE School in Solihull where she directs two choirs, a recorder group and a handell group. She also trains the young choristers of St Alphege church. Last July Allison brought her young Songsquad with an exciting programme of music.

Her programme  is entitled "Love, Life, Loss" and will include works by Handel, Mozart, Vaughan Williams and Lloyd Webber. She will be accompanied by Martin Bates on piano and Richard Tattam on clarinet. 

15-year-old Georgina is a violinist from Buxton has regularly performed at the Philip Bates Trust “Touch of Basil” concerts since receiving financial assistance from the charity. Georgina has recently retired as leader of National Children’s Orchestra of which she had been a member the age of seven and was their longest serving member when she left in 2017. This exceptional  15-year-old violinist is now a member of the National Youth Orchestra. She treated us to an exciting programme of work entitled,  'A Day in Town' which included 'Spring' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons', the theme from 'Schindler's List' 'Lark Ascending'. She received a standing ovation!

Castle Bromwich-based vocal harmony group Specgtrum have raised literally thousands of pounds for charities. And we were delighted to welcome them to our church to present a concert of popular music in aid of the organ restoration fund. 

This month’s treat was a recital by tenor soloist Stephen Davies, who sang songs by British composers accompanied on the church organ for the last time before it is restored. (Work on the organ was to start the next day!)

Stephen squeezed in a visit to Castle Bromwich in his busy schedule which has recently included performances in Bruges, Dresden, Geneva, Leipzig, Milan, Moscow, Paris, Lyons, Santa Cruz, Salzburg, Tel Aviv and St Petersburg. 

Stephen studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire and specialises in performing the works of J S Bach. He also sings with many of the Midlands’ leading choirs, most notably Ex Cathedra, the region’s foremost chamber choir. He broadcasts regularly on Radio 4 with BBC Manchester’s Daily Service Singers. In his spare time (!) Stephen works as a choral conductor, a vocal coach to schools and choral societies and as an adjudicator.

Birmingham Savoyards was formed in 1963 to perform the works of Gilbert & Sullivan, and today are one of the few surviving and thriving G&S societies in the Midlands. Savoyards are based at the Old Rep where, in 1973, they became the first amateur company to perform Gilbert & Sullivan on that famous old stage. As well as G&S, they stage concerts with a wide range of music spanning the 20th century to the present day supporting charities, such as the National Federation of the Blind, as well as assisting local churches and other organisations with fund raising. 

Producer Janet Davies; Musical director Martin Fautley

Mostly Baroque

John Saunders and his daughter Sarah with guest appearances by 13-year-old Ollie Feaver, saxophone and 11-year-old Charlie Feaver, cello.

Telemann's G minor Trio Sonata, Pepusch Corydon, Quantz C major Trio Sonata and Arne's 'Where the Bee Sucks' (Ariel's song in 'The Tempest')

Sue Bates, soprano accompanied by our own church organist Martin Bates, organ and keyboard:

Bach’s Toccata in D Minor
Sinding - Rustle of the Spring
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 
Mendelssohn - Hear Ye Israel from Elijah
Faure - Apres Un Reve
Gershwin - I’ve got Rhythm

Martin gives to talks to local groups about the history of the organ. He has recently visited the North Arden Local History Society, St Mary & St Margaret's Mothers' Union and Yardley & Sheldon Rotary Club.

If you would like to book him for your organisation, do get in touch!

We were pleased to welcome a visiting organist, Margaret Croucher, organist at St Giles' church, Sheldon, who played for us during the Heritage Open Day in September 2018. 

Many thanks to all who took part in our raffle recently. Over £1000 was raised for the Organ Restoration Project. 

April 2019

In November the bellringers held a Quiz night in aid of the Organ Restoration Appeal. Nearly £400 was raised. Thank you, bellringers!

Thanks to all who took part in our second QUIZ night. What a successful night it was! -  a lot of head scratching and a lot of fun.  August 2019

A visit to church and a guided walk round Castle Bromwich by Dorridge U3A local history group who kindly made a donation to our church Organ Fund. We've also had visits by primary and secondary schoolchildren and by local beaver packs.  October 2019

If you're associated with a group who'd like a guided tour, get in touch! CONTACT