Organist, pianist, harpsichordist, accompanist and teacher
Upcoming events
Recitals
All Saints Church, Pittville, Cheltenham
James' events at All Saints
James' next organ recital is...
Toccata Spectacular Organ Recital on Saturday 3rd June at 7pm
James will play the Holst Organ in Cheltenham's hidden gem, All Saints Church, Pittville. The programme will include fabulous and exciting music at his organ recital - a range of Toccatas, some well-known such as Charles Widor’s Toccata, and others less well know, but no less exciting. Toccatas are 'characterised by full chords, rapid runs, high harmonies, and other virtuoso elements designed to show off the performer's touch.’ Should be a thrilling concert!
Tickets are £12 with all proceeds in aid of the Holst Organ Restoration Fund. They can be bought in advance on Eventbrite HERE or on the door.
James' events at All Saints
All Saints Church, Pittville, Cheltenham
James' events at All Saints
The Holst Organ Restoration Fund
The organ and choir of All Saints Pittville, Cheltenham can be heard regularly at Sunday services. After 150 years of excellent service, the organ is now in need of essential repairs and upgrades. 2024 is the 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst's birth. Cheltenham is set to celebrate and we would love the organ of All Saints, which his father Adolph von Holst designed and played, to be heard at its best during the Holst2024 festival.
James MacDowall-Scott is kick starting the 2023 fundraising needed to ensure this happens starting with his Toccata Spectacular Recital, on Saturday 3rd June.
This will be followed by a 24 hour Organ Marathon on 16th and 17th June at All Saints Church to raise even more funds! This will involve playing (virtually) non-stop for 24 hours raiding the depths of his repertoire having promised to not play a piece twice!
Please drop into the church to listen from 10am during Saturday 17th June.
James invites you as a friend, a music lover or as a protector of the arts to join him in this endeavour by making a donation to help him raise funds to save this historic instrument.
Donations can be made via James’ JustGiving page by clicking on the button below. Thank you for your support!
All Saints Church, Pittville, Cheltenham
All Saints Church, Pittville, Cheltenham
All Saints Church, Pittville, Cheltenham
As Director of Music and Organist at All Saints, James oversees the well regarded organ recital series held at All Saints each year. Go to www.allsaintschelt.net for more details.
He enjoys performing on this special organ, designed by Adolf von Holst, the father of composer Gustav Holst. As a choirboy, listening to his father playing this organ, it is almost certainly the case that here is where the young Gustav first discovered his love of and talent for music. Certainly his early compositions were written for this organ, including the lovely carol, 'In the Bleak Midwinter'.
James says;
" It is a privilege to play the organ of All Saints week by week in Sunday services. Performing a recital, however, always gives the organist a chance to demonstrate the true colours and variety of the instrument. "
Regular services at All Saints are
Sundays 10.30am Mass & 17.30 pm Evensong with Benediction on the first Sunday of the month.