Events

During the celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar,

John sang on HMS Victory as the soloist in one of the inaugural events

- and a wonderful event it was.

He was accompanied by Roy Storrs.

The picture on the right shows Tewkesbury Abbey,

where John gave a recital entitled 'Songs of the Sea',

accompanied by Margaret Crompton.

The pictures below were taken at a celebrity concert at St Martin-in-

the-Fields, where John sang as soloist in aid of the Dame Thora Hird

memorial fund, in the presence of HRH the Countess of Wessex.

Funds from the concert went to John Grooms Association for the Disabled,

to enable them to create more independent homes for disabled people.

John has sung in a number of concerts with the Gotherington singers, pictured above, whose founder and Musical Director is Margaret Crompton, (www.gotheringtonsingers.co.uk). Margaret also accompanies John regularly in musical events. The Choir wins frequent awards, including the Gold Cup in the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts .

He made a recording of 'Music for a summer evening' with the Cleeve Chorale, and has also sung Faure's Requiem with them, and the Judge's part in 'Trial by Jury'. He has also sung as guest soloist with the Charlton Kings Choral Society, Dursley Male Voice Choir and the Churchdown Male Voice choir.

In March 2005 John sang a selection of comedy and popular dance songs at a dinner-dance to celebrate our friend Sue Wilson's special birthday. Here Sue is dancing with her Dad to his favourite song Unchained melody : a very poignant occasion as he sadly died a few months later.

In April 2006 John was very pleased to sing again alongside the late David Bennett, in a performance of Stainer's Crucifixion, directed by Chris Lammiman. David was most delightful person and excellent singer who will be sorely missed, and with whom it was a pleasure and honour to perform.

Other events include :

	A Proms concert at the Three Counties showground Malvern entitled "Around the world in 180 magical minutes". John sang operatic solos and patriotic duets alongside Jane Gilchrist, winner of Channel 4 TV's 'Operatunity' competition, accompanied by the English Symphony orchestra, conducted by Stephen Roberts.
	Many fundraising concerts for charities on themes like 'Music for a summer evening' , 'Springtime Serenade', 'Musical Fun and Frolics', Gala concerts for special anniversaries - most recently a lovely event at Elkstone Church in aid of their restoration fund, accompanied by David Groves.
	Soloist in Oratorio and other sacred music, such as Messiah, Elijah, Faure's Requiem, Carl Jenkins The Armed Man, Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs - also 'from scratch' events.
	Christmas concerts - often alongside other singers, musicians or choirs.
	the role of Aeneas in a production of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas with the Chippenham Cantata.
	Frequent duets and ensembles with other family members. Even John's wife Una has performed duets and duologues with him (although she claims she can't sing). Daughter Katherine accompanies on the piano, duets with son Alastair and brother Terence. Terence was winner of the coveted Cleveland Medal award last year, for the second time.
	Many performances, duets and ensembles with musical friends, including Margaret Crompton, David Groves, Vivien Nicholson, Amber Smith, Jane Field, AnnaMarie Goldsmith, Jenifer Harper, Barrie Cooper, Arie Eisinger and Laurens de Koekkoek. This year David won the piano recital class at Bristol Music Festival, whilst last year Vivien won the Rosebowl in the Cheltenham Festival for Performing Arts, and Anna won a European Songwriters award.
	Shakespeare Society - songs from Shakespeare's plays.
	Comic songs and generally embarrassing material at Katherine Qualtrough's special birthday party on the River Thames, alongside Una, Alastair, Claire and Terence, accompanied by Katherine and Roy.
	Songs from around the world : Italy, France, Germany, USA - and Britain, of course!
	Floral songs at the prize-giving of the Up Hatherley in Bloom competition.
	Regular performances of Scottish songs at Burns Night and St Andrews Night dinners.
	Songs for friends' events such as weddings, anniversaries and funerals.

Forthcoming events include :

	11th September 2009, Up Hatherley in Bloom prize presentation.
	31st October 2009, a concert to celebrate farming and fishing, in the Isle of Man.
	30th November 2009, St Andrews night, for the Cheltenham Scottish Society.
	Christmas concerts
	March, Bristol Music Festival.
	April/May, Manx Music Festival.
	May, Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts.
	In May 2010, an evening of Songs from the Musicals

John has an excellent network of musicians - singers and instrumentalists - who are willing to participate in concerts and other musical events, or to put complete events together.

They can provide excellent references for their work.