Handel's Messiah 'scratch' concert to raise money for Catching Lives
- Catching Lives
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
A special performance of Handel's Messiah has already raised more than £2,800 for Catching Lives before the concert has taken place.
Catching Lives's supporter and musician Dinyar Cooper, pictured, has organised a 'scratch' performance at St Mildred's Church, Tenterden on Sunday 16 November. Flo Peycelon is the conductor and Clare Haythornthwaite the 35-strong orchestra's leader.
In the day, there will also be a choir workshop for 80 singers run by director Andrew Read, which has already sold out. People who want to attend the concert at 6.30pm can do so by making an £8 minimum donation to Dinyar's JustGiving page: https://justgiving.com/page/messiah.
We spoke to Dinyar, who has also been supported by Giles and Ruth Ridley and Helen Legg, ahead of the concert.
How did the idea for the fundraiser came about?
I was inspired by musical talent in the Kent community. Flo Peycelon (our conductor) has amazing energy and just said yes before I'd even finished telling her the idea. Giles and Ruth Ridley have been running choirs in Wittersham for many years with close connections to local schools and churches. I've known Andrew Read since school and he has established choirs in London and Bristol. With all these amazing people around me I could see the possibility of embracing their energy into a worthwhile musical project.
Please tell us more about you
I've lived in West London most of my life with a stint in Switzerland before moving to Kent five years ago to be near friends and the amazing amatuer classical music scene. By day, I am a Technology Consultant and have several hobbies, playing cello, french horn, restoring old cars and cooking. My wife Tracy plays violin so we play a lot of music together.
Why did you choose Catching Lives?
I believe happiness starts with a roof over your head, a good meal and some life-stability from which you can try to make choices for the future. I found that Catching Lives gives that opportunity through their essential services and their amazing volunteers.
What is your connection to Catching Lives?
I play with Cranbrook Symphony Orchestra and we played a few performances in aid of Catching Lives a few years ago. Being on the orchestra committee I had the pleasure of organising things with Tasmin and discovered what Catching Lives does.
Why did you choose Handel's Messiah and what part will you play in it?
There is a tradition going back a long way of 'scratch' Messiah performances where musicians come together for a one day rehearsal and concert. With so many choirs in the area it was great to find singers who have performed Messiah in the past. Handel himself used this work as a fundraiser for 'foundling' children back in the 18th century and a tradition has grown around this piece ever since. Messiah can be appreciated on many levels, as a religious work or as a brilliant piece of music with great tunes.
How has it felt for the uptake for the concert to be so brilliant?
I am totally stunned and grateful. November is a busy time of the year for all musicians as there are so many competing events. I'm thankful to all the participants that are going to make it happen; the 80 singers, 35-strong orchestra, amazing soloists and crew.
Audience tickets can be purchase by making a £8 (minimum) donation through justgiving.com/page/messiah. Or £10 can be paid on the door. Dinyah says: "Come and listen to the days rehearsal efforts."
