Our regular monthly Open Monday slot was moved to Friday to kick off Penge Festival of Music with a bang. And what an evening it was! Two hours of an array of musical styles performed by local musicians as well as a visitor or two from further afield (including one from Cornwall who came especially for our festival weekend). 

   We heard performances from singers, guitarists, pianists, flautists, violinists and, of course, Penge Music's resident organist, Alan Langridge.

   The variety of composers was huge: Byrd, Quantz, Böhm, Gaubert, Chopin, Piazolla, Gershwin, Vaughan Williams, and Paul Simon. As well as own arrangements of songs, we heard several compositions by the performers themselves, including composer and pianist Misty Jade who played a piece from her forthcoming album. 

   The Blend Choir were fabulous performers and came prepared with cake and drinks to settle in for a lovely evening of music-making. Blend Choir sang a traditional folk song of love and farewell, and Rhythm of Life - possibly the wordiest of songs! 
Grazioso Duo (flautist Katy Taylor and pianist Leyan Tian) charmed the audience with a graceful performance of a lyrical piece by Philippe Gaubert. 
 
   Coming fresh from a photoshoot with ASBO Magazine, singer-songwriters Jean Genie Hayes and Jonny Hayes engaged the audience with their contrasting styles: Jean Genie thoughtful and dreamy, and Jonny with intense rhythm and energy. 
 
   Penge Music's Vicky Rockport brought the evening’s music to a dramatic climax with a Quantz duet with Radio 3's Elizabeth Arno playing violin, and the fiery piece 'Libertango' by Piazolla, which included an accomplished pianist. 
 
Finally, to round off an exceptionally wonderful evening, Penge Music regular Marion Brushett on the piano was joined by her violinist daughter Claire Rogers to play Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar, a lovely reflective piece from 1982 in the style of a traditional Celtic dance, and which was written for the end of a folk music and dance festival before the hustle and bustle of life takes over again. 
 
   Our thanks to all of the many musicians who contributed their very best, and especially to Jess Blake for ordering the varied contributions into a coherent concert of music, and for creating an uplifting and harmonious evening in celebration of music-making together. 

   If you like the sound of our evening, come along to one of the regular Open Monday sessions. You are guaranteed an evening of eclectic music and a warm welcome!