THE final concert of the 2021 Bishop Auckland Music Society will be dedicated to the memory of the group’s former chairman – dale music teacher John Lowles.
The concert will feature the Meraki Duo – Meera Mahara (on flute and guitarist James Girling – who will perform works by Bach, Villa-Lobos and Andy Scott, amongst others.
A society spokesman said: “John sadly died in 2020. A consummate musician himself, John was well known throughout the area for helping to promote live music and for encouraging people of all ages to practise and delight in the joy of music.”
As well as his involvement with the Bishop Auckland Music Society, Mr Lowles was also a champion of classical music performance at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, where he also spearheaded a fundraising drive to raise cash for a new grand piano.
In recent years he was also leader of the Deerbolt Singers ladies’ choir, before standing down as his health faltered.
The Meraki Duo were fairly frequent visitors to the are prior to the pandemic.
Formed in 2013, Ms Mahara and Mr Girling both studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, sharing a passion for chamber music that extends to jazz, Latin American and European folk, together with works by contemporary composers.
The concert takes place in the Methodist Church, Bishop Auckland, opposite the hospital on Friday, October 22, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £14 (£16 on the door) from Brotherton’s Music, opposite Morrisons, Bishop Auckland, or Brian Varley, 01388 606075.
