B AT H L I V E S
Q&A
A
s part of the Bath Abbey Footprint Project, the Abbey’s mighty Klais organ – the largest in the South West – is about to be stored away, its glory not to be seen or heard again for years. In October, Bath Philharmonia will perform Avec Orgue at a concert at Bath Abbey, and joining them as a soloist on the Klais is acting director of music at Bath Abbey, Shean Bowers. Here he tells us what to expect of the performance and how his career in music started at the age of eight. You’ll be performing an end-of-an-era organ solo at the Bath Abbey in October, what can we expect on the day? I’m looking forward to performing two of the most famous and well-loved organ concertos on such a wonderful instrument in such a wonderful venue. The Saint-Saens Organ Symphony will give me the opportunity to show off the Abbey organ’s most commanding stops and pipes, whilst the Poulenc Organ Concerto will show off the organ’s huge palette of colours. The audience can expect an evening of great music on one of the world’s most famous organs. We hear that you inspire over 1000 children a week to sing? Tell us more… Yes, I help local school children to find their voices through the Abbey’s schools’ singing programme, which I founded six years ago. We encourage over 1,100 children a week to sing. Is it true that your musical career began when you yourself were a child? I started my professional musical life aged eight as a chorister at Liverpool Cathedral where I was taught to play the organ by professor Ian Tracey. I went on to gain a full scholarship to study at Chetham’s School of Music. My studies have taken me to the Royal Academy of Music, Liverpool University and the Royal Northern College of Music. You’re currently the acting director of music at Bath Abbey, what does your important role entail? I run the music programme there. On an average day, I might direct rehearsals for one of the Abbey’s four choirs, organise the organists and choose the music for all Abbey services. What’s the best bit about your job? Spotting musical potential in young people that never knew that they could sing, and nurturing and developing their musical talents.
Shean with Bath Abbey’s Klais organ
SHEAN BOWERS The acting director of music at Bath Abbey, talks composers, Italian restaurants and his upcoming performance with Bath Philharmonia in an end-of-an-era concert And the most challenging? Not having the capacity to involve more young people in our schools’ singing programme. What drew you to Bath? I moved to the city six years ago when I was appointed assistant director of music and choral director at Bath Abbey. Where do you call home and what are the pleasures of living here? I live in Bath city centre; there are only 48 steps from my front door to the organ loft. If you listen out early mornings and evenings, you might just hear me practising the Abbey’s Klais organ. The architecture in Bath is amazing; after all, I get to go to work in the Abbey each day. Bath people are very cultured; they enjoy and appreciate good classical music played well. I appreciate the support I get from local head teachers when recruiting choristers for the Abbey Choirs; we’re lucky to have a high standard of education in this city. What’s your favourite shop, restaurant and café in Bath? Orvis is a favourite for clothing, my ideal restaurant is Martini on George Street – their pasta is delicious – and I love Cafe Lucca for their consistently delicious food and impeccable standards in service. Tell us about a city view that inspires you… Standing on Stall Street, looking through The
178 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Colonnades and facing the west front of Bath Abbey. Share a favourite spot in Bath? Bath Abbey’s organist’s bench. Your most treasured possession? A set of cufflinks given to me by my choir in Liverpool. Who is your favourite composer? It depends what I’m playing at the time. At the moment, I’m listening to Liszt’s Faust Symphony, which is magnificent. Best life moment… Not everyone has the best of starts in life; I’m forever grateful to Dean Derek Walters who gave me £100 to buy my first interview suit. What would you change about Bath if you owned it for a day? I’d turn down the volume on the street musicians. Surprise us… I’m an organist for BBC Radio 4’s Daily Service.
See Shean and Bath Philharmonia on 28 October, 7pm at Bath Abbey. For more: www.bathabbey.org/footprint and www.bathphil.co.uk