A new CD of special local interest goes on sale this week. 'Sounds from St. Mary's' was first suggested three years ago by the recently retired Rector of Tenby, Rev. David Jenkins. Much thought was given to what form this project should take. The end product is a disc featuring some of the organisations who have been part of the musical scene at St. Mary's and in Tenby in the years of David Jenkins's incumbency, 1997 - 2007. They are just some examples of the vibrant musical life of the area. Music has been important at St. Mary's for at least 140 years, firstly as an integral and powerful element of worship, and secondly in the form of concerts and recitals, which forge strong links between the church, the local community, and visitors. Frequent concerts are held throughout the year, and the church hosts several fund-raising musical events for a wide variety of charities. St. Mary's is also one of the venues for the rapidly expanding Tenby Arts Festival. The music chosen for this recording comprises sacred song of different styles and periods, arranged in a themed and seasonal sequence, together with instrumental works. Between the musical items are some poetry readings inspired by Celtic Christianity - a significant feature of the ancient history of Pembrokeshire. Included in this wide ranging programme of 30 tracks are two first performances. One of these is the exciting 'In a Pembrokeshire Home', specially composed by Rebecca Evans, with its reference to St. David; the other is Andrew Cusworth's uplifting arrangement of the traditional spiritual 'Steal Away'. The disc features 14 established ensembles: the inTune Youth Choir, the Mezin String Quartet, St. Mary's Church Choir, St. Mary's Tenby Handbell Ringers, St. Mary's Church Sunday Club, St. Mary's Church Tower Bell Ringers, St. Teilo's School Choir, the Salvation Army Band, Tenby Junior Community School Choir, Tenby Male Choir, Tenby United Churches Choir, Tenby VC Infants School Year 2 Choir and the Ysgol Greenhill School Choirs, as well as a congregation singing familiar hymns. The CD was recorded and produced by Gary Skyrme, a former Greenhill student and piano pupil of the late Kenneth Hewlings. He was the first Organ Scholar of St. Mary's, and after graduating from York University, Gary entered the recording business. Following a successful spell with the Meridian label, he established Just Music Production, now based at Batley in Yorkshire. The disc has been priced at £5. There will an opportunity to hear and purchase the CD in St. Mary's Church House, after the Parish Eucharist service on Sunday, July 1. They will be available thereafter by request in the church, and at numerous events and concerts throughout the summer.
