ONE OF the region’s most prominent organists, Jonathan Bielby, is to give a recital at St John’s Church, Upper Hopton in Mirfield.
Jonathan, organist emeritus at Wakefield Cathedral, will play the rare 19th century Forster and Andrews pipe organ at the church. Ticket sales for the event on Wednesday, May 16, at 7.30pm, will raise funds for the maintenance of the 118-year-old instrument.
Jonathan was awarded the MBE for services to choral music in 2011.
A number of high-profile organists have visited St John’s to give concerts, including Robert Sharpe from York Minster; Simon Lindley from Leeds Town Hall and Gordon Stewart, the BBC Songs of Praise musical director.
Jonathan was the organist and musical director at Wakefield Cathedral for 40 years until he retired in 2010. In 1974 he became the first Kirklees borough organist and gave recitals on the Huddersfield Town Hall organ.
Tickets for the Upper Hopton recital are £7 on the door or £6 in advance from Owen Ryder on 01484 860882 or email owen.ryder@hotmail.com
