WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2025
Saturday Lunchtime Concerts at St Chad’s welcome back Alicia Cadwgan (Soprano) and Philip O’Connor (Tenor) with Logan Ferris (Accompanist)
Preview by Steve Cooke
The popular Saturday Lunchtime Concerts at the iconic St Chad’s Parish Church right in the centre of town welcome back Alicia Cadwgan (Soprano) and Philip O’Connor (Tenor) with Logan Ferris (Accompanist)
Alicia and Philip are known to St Chad’s audiences through working with many of them on Singing Days.
Alicia, now a proud mum is returning to her native New Zealand in the new year. It is great news that she has agreed to come and perform again with Philip.
Their programme of solos and duets has a romantic bias taking in Rachmaninov, Strauss, Tosti, Rossini, amongst others.
Pay on door £6.00 including refreshments beforehand from 11.30am
Concerts last about 50 minutes
Further information via https://rochdaleparishchurches.co.uk or
Phone: 01706 639162
Email: j.midgley448@btinternet.com
Saturday 11 October 2025 at 12 Noon
ST CHAD’S PARISH CHURCH, Sparrow Hill. Rochdale OL16 1QT
Philip O’Connor – Tenor
Derbyshire born musician, Philip’s main musical education began at Wells Cathedral School in Somerset. Subsequently, Philip then worked at Hereford Cathedral, culminating in the Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester in 2013. In 2016, Philip graduated from the University of Manchester, in 2021 concluding his studying at the Royal Northern College of Music with a Distinction in both his Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Studies and his MMus.
As a Tenor, Philip has performed throughout Europe with companies such as the Bergen National Opera, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Savonlinna Opera Festival, Danish National Opera, Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, and the Dutch National Opera.
Since 2015 Philip has served at the University of Manchester playing for services and ceremonies in the Whitworth Hall. He holds the ARCO Diploma and in 2024 was also appointed a visiting Professor of Organ to the University.
Since May 2023, Philip has been Organist and Director of Music at Bolton Parish Church, where he conducts and plays for the services.
During the last decade Philip has regularly performed at Rochdale Parish Church playing a key role in the re-establishing of their “Come & Sing” workshops as a
distinguished and popular vocal instructor.
Cadwgan – Soprano
Alicia Cadwgan is a New Zealand soprano based in Manchester. She completed her Bachelor’s degree from the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī, Victoria University of Wellington, continuing her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music graduating in 2021 with a Master of Music and subsequently an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction, both completed under the tutelage of Susan Roper.
Roles include Vixen Sharp-Ears (The Cunning Little Vixen - Janacek), Mary Crawford (Mansfield Park - Dove), Mabel (Pirates of Penzance - Gilbert and Sullivan), Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro - Mozart) and Dido (Dido and Aeneas - Purcell) among others. Alicia has performed a wide variety of song and concert repertoire and has a soft spot for Strauss; she won the Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the Singing of Strauss in 2019.
Alicia has regularly taken part in Singing Workshops at St Chad’s Rochdale in recent years.
In 2023 Alicia was overjoyed to become a mother and has taken a step back from performing to enjoy caring for her son. She is returning to her native New Zealand at the end of 2025
Logan Ferris – Accompanist
Logan Ferris is a final year undergraduate student at the University of Manchester reading music. He is a first-study organist, and in his second year was awarded the Procter-Gregg Prize for organ performance. Gaining a distinction in his ARSM Piano Performance Diploma whilst still in secondary school, Logan currently works in demand as a collaborative pianist, accompanying and directing a wide range of groups from community choirs, professional soloists and ensembles, and operatic and musical theatre productions. Logan is currently sub-organist at Bolton Parish Church and hopes to complete a cathedral organ scholarship after finishing his studies this summer.
HeyKids Presents: Nativity! The Musical at Middleton Arena
Preview by Steve Cooke
Christmas is coming!
Get ready to sparkle and shine as Heywood AODS’ [Amateur Operatic And Dramatic Society ] incredible youth society, HeyKids, brings festive magic to the stage! Join them for an early Christmas treat with Nativity! a heartwarming, hilarious, and joy-filled production that’s perfect for the whole family. A great chance to experience the wonder, the laughter, and the true spirit of Christmas in October!
Every child in every school has one Christmas wish, to star in a Nativity, and at St Bernadette’s School they’re attempting to mount a musical version! Only trouble is teacher Mr Maddens has promised that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show to turn it into a film. Join him, his teaching assistant the crazy Mr Poppy, hilarious children and a whole lot of sparkle and shine as they struggle to make everyone’s Christmas wish come true.
Feel –good, funny and full of yuletide joy, Nativity! The Musical features all of the favourite sing-along hits from the films including Sparkle and Shine, Nazareth, One Night One Moment, She’s the Brightest Star and a whole host of new songs filled with the spirit of Christmas!
Heywood Amateur Operatic And Dramatic Society was formed in 1930 and is affiliated to both the National Operatic and Dramatic Association and to the Greater Manchester Drama Federation. The Junior section, known as 'HeyKids' was formed in 1990.
The society produces two full musicals each year : one for the senior section(18+) and one for HeyKids (8 -18), as well as a play and concerts from time to time.
Throughout the year the Hey Kids don their brightly coloured Hey Kids T-shirts and take part in various activities to raise money for their society. Such activities include bag packing at Morrisons Heywood, carol singing and various other activities. And as you can imagine singing Christmas carols in December wearing those T-shirts shows how committed these young thespians really are! We also have regular fundraising events with the adults so keep checking the website for more information.
Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 October 2025
Duration: 2h 30m
Tickets from £16.00
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AG
General Enquiries & Bookings: 0161 662 4000
Ticket Sales & Event Enquiries (open Mon-Fri 10am – 2.30pm: 0300 303 8633
Box Office: arts.events@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk
A Month in the Life of a Jazz Broadcaster
By Steve Bewick
These last few weeks have been busy ones for a Jazz Broadcaster as I dipped into various jazz events both in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire and locally. I say dipped into, but honestly when I asked Google maps how I might get to Fishguard my jaw dropped at its 4.5 hour suggested route. I was advised by a friend, who is a much more experienced driver than myself, being a 3k a year man of the best approach to this challenge. “Take it easy and have lots of breaks.” was his reply.
Once I escaped from the M62/M6 congestion I was pleasantly surprised. It was almost like driving 20 years ago. Quiet traffic and scenic views. To the right, sea views, to the left mountains. Then eventually, as planned, Fishguard appeared before me and 5 days of good music, chat, nice food and a friendly set of volunteers organising it was now before me. You can see my full review of the festival at https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2025/09/10/aberjazz-festival-2025-small-town-big-sound/ for an audio take of how much I enjoyed it listen, in at; www.mixcloud.com/stevebewick/
Now that I had rediscovered driving, I decided to make my way north and home via Stratford-Upon-Avon to visit friends and Shakespeare. Both tuned out to make for a pleasant two days but sadly, the Bard was not home.
Once I readjusted to being home, I homed my creative
juices to finalising an article I had promised for Steve Cooke and Rochdale Style. A piece on the Jazz history of Rochdale. Did you know that such a thing existed? Make sure to get hold of a copy to find out about it in their Autumn/Winter edition and many more interesting articles about the Town.
My month ended with a change in mood music. Moving from swing to Classical at the Stroller Hall, Manchester. Find out about this at https://youtu.be/sewUDjJXMfs?si=cIzgBWlOhWmMh_nO A fine performance by the Mystery Ensemble.
Expect lots of Autumn Leaves next month. Whose was your favourite version?
I am a Freelance Jazz Broadcaster. I can be heard at www.mixcloud/stevebewick/ a 24/07 internet jazz platform and can be contacted via Messages on Facebook.
Rochdale, Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2025/26 – rounding off a successful mini-season of organ recitals
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association est.1908) have been supporting the town hall in presenting top performers at the magnificent JJ Binns organ for many years. They even managed to present a recital during Covid when the rest of the country was silent!
From 2003 Alex was a chorister at Durham Cathedral, studying the piano and, in his final year, organ. He continued at Chetham's School of Music before studying at the Royal College of Music. He has held many positions including Sub-Organist of Liverpool Cathedral.
Now a freelance musician, he combines his work at Henry Willis & Sons with concerts and accompaniment work around the North-West.
Outside of music, Alex's interests include change-ringing, history and architecture.
He suited his programme to Rochdale’s renowned instrument well - Elgar’s mighty Sonata in G (Opus 28) received poor reviews at its first airing but in the Great Hall’s splendour the JJ Binns’ ‘mighty beast’ revealed its true glory. A majestic Allegro Maestoso got everyone’s attention, followed by a more relaxed and tuneful Allegretto.
The Andante Espressivo had broad sweeping melodies so typical of the later Elgar whilst the Presto was brisk and jaunty.
Robert Schumann’s Four Sketches for Pedal-Piano (Op. 58) were interesting adaptations for organ of music for the unusual pedal-piano that explored colourful registrations.
Two wonderful numbers by Alexandre Guillmant followed from his Opus 15, the attractive Interlude in F and March on a Theme by Handel, making full use of the orchestral colours of our civic instrument.
Pierre Cholley’s Rumba sur les Grands Jeux was a riotous foot-tapper and its vigorous development of the countermelody steamed close to the fairground. Great fun.
An extra treat, dedicated to an old friend, the late David Birch, an ORTOA committee member, A Song of Sunshine by Hollins proved a poignant encore.
Given his association with the instrument and ORTOA, not to mention his fine playing, Alex was a highly appropriate performer to round off a successful mini season of Tuesdays at One!
Keep an eye on future times and days when the town hall and ORTOA find the best fit amongst so many other fantastic events at the town hall.
Next concert Saturday at 3 pm October 11th - 2025 Brereton Memorial Concert featuring Darius Battiwalla
Admission £10 (concessions £8) concerts last one hour. Card or cash at the door or visit www.rochdaletownhall.co.uk/events or iao.org.uk/ortoa.
RECOMMENDED
Saturday, 27 September 2025
Reading Group - Middleton Library
Last Saturday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers in this friendly and relaxed reading group.
For Adults - No need to book you can just turn up.
Free
1.30pm - 2.30pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Saturday, 27 September 2025
Kids' Club - Wardle Library
Come along and get creative at our craft table.
families with children aged 4 and over no need to book, you can just come along.
Free
10am - 12.30pm
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Saturday 27 September 2025
Samantha Jane School of Dance presents Love V’s Hate
Samantha Jane school of Dance presents their annual school dance show – Children from 4 years to adults will performance at this spectacular Event with dance and acro routines about Love and Hate.
Special performance from The Dancing Dude Dad’s too.
Children and Adults will dance an array of different styles from modern theatre /tap/classical ballet/contemporary/ commercial/country/zumba and so much more. Samantha Jane school of dance is one of the longest, most established dance schools in the area, so you’ll be in for a real treat.
Tickets from £17.50
General Enquiries & Bookings: 0161 662 4000
Ticket Sales & Event Enquiries (open Mon-Fri 10am – 2.30pm: 0300 303 8633
Box Office: arts.events@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk
2h 30m
LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AGSat 27 Sep6:30pmDoors open: 6:00pmTickets from £17.50
Wednesday, 1 October 2025
Heywood Scribblers - Heywood Library
First Wednesday of every month. Free, friendly creative writing sessions. Poetry and story-writing workshops. All abilities welcome, whether you're new to writing or a seasoned writer.
For adults, families and teenagers – no need to book you can just drop in.
Free
1.15pm - 3.15pm
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Students from Chetham’s School of Music
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020.
Running every Wednesday, Music at Lunchtime is a weekly live classical music concert series that has been going since the 1960s. The sessions were initially run at the old Rochdale Art Gallery by the local authority, but since May 2001 have been run by volunteer-enthusiasts and artistic director, Dr Joe Dawson.
£6
Phone: Dr Joe Dawson 01706 648872
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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