Georgian stars boost a Bishop's Stortford Church redevelopment project

The British Georgian Music Academy raised £600 for the Bishop’s Stortford Methodist Church and its plans to make the South Street place of worship more accessible to disabled users.

The Eurasian ensemble, who are based in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, performed at the church on Saturday July 20 during their visit to Bishop’s Stortford.

Lynn Graseman, the church administrator, said: “The concert was well attended and the audience were treated to a variety of different music styles including some classical Georgian music.”

Twelve-year-old Ketevan Tsiklauri, a TV star in her own country, sang songs from The Sound of Music. She was joined in them by 18-year-old George Reimann, who is originally from Germany and speaks German, Georgian and English fluently.

“One of the young pianists was joined in duets by her mother and it was charming,” said Lynn. “Fifteen-year-old Mariam Kuchava sang beautiful renditions of operatic arias.”

The young stars were accompanied by professional musicians, led by the directors of the British Georgian Music Academy, Dr Mike Ward, a British musician, and his wife Ketevan Miminoshvili, an internationally-acclaimed concert pianist.

“The highlight of the evening was the culminating performance by 14-year-old violinist Barbare Roinishvili playing Waxman’s Carmen Fantasie, which was originally composed for the violinist Jascha Heifetz,” said Lynn.

“She astounded the audience with her technical and artistic proficiency in performing the piece.

“Barbare has secured a place at the Purcell School in Bushey from September. We wish her well and will look out for her future success.”

The music academy did not charge the church for its concert. All the proceeds instead went to the church redevelopment project, which is expected to cost around £800,000.

A ramp, curving around the entrance vestibule, will be installed and lead to the newly-refurbished church hall and the rest of the church rooms.

There will also be a Changing Places toilet which can be used by the wider community. Although a number of community groups already use the building, the church hopes the refurbishments will open up the venue to even more.

Taking into account the money raised by the concert, along with pledges, grants and other cash, the church is about halfway there.

The delighted audience, which included the mayor Cllr Norma Symonds, gave the gifted youngsters a standing ovation at the end of their concert.

Lynn said: “Bishop’s Stortford Methodist Church is extremely grateful to them for providing such a memorable performance and raising funds for the church redevelopment project.”