You may have noticed if you have walked up Chapel Street towards Castle Mound and the markets, the Grade 2 listed Hermon Chapel has had a bit of a face lift. The place has been taken over by Steve and Sarah Owens, relative newcomers to Oswestry. Being musicians and teachers by profession, they are thrilled to have become the next custodians of such an historic venue with its amazing acoustics, and they hope to contribute to the cultural life of Oswestry for years to come. Steve, who initially trained as a classical pianist/percussionist has spent a large part of his career touring as Music Director for major UK theatre companies as well as performing regularly in the West End and now teaches in Shrewsbury and Oswestry. Sarah was a professional singer for many years and now is a freelance vocal coach. She trains amateur and professional singers in Oswestry and Birmingham as well as working for the NHS in the voice clinic helping people with voice problems particularly when it affects their ability to sing.

HERMON ARTS OFFERS A DIVERSE SELECTION OF LIVE MUSIC

Hermon Arts aims to bring a wide variety of professional acts to the Chapel to satisfy North Shropshire’s diverse demographic. Already, audiences have been wowed this year by an array of extraordinarily talented national and international jazz, folk, country and blues artists. June saw the introduction of the first ever classical music series at the Hermon starting with a solo piano recital by Simone Damiani and then Joseph Martin (tenor) is to perform with Martin Bussey (piano).  July kicks off with folk from Canada’s highly acclaimed band ‘The Fugitives’ who “despite their all-acoustic lineup, bring enough energy to the stage to light up a small city!” (Georgia Straight) and then ‘Alive with wings’ performing an eclectic mix of styles from around the world followed by some delta blues with Remi Harris (vocals) and Roger Keenan (vocals).

August begins with an opera night performed by ‘up and coming’ UK professional singers including the Wrexham baritone Samuel Snowden and another local singer, Mezzo Soprano Samantha Lewis performs an afternoon recital followed by Iago Banet on solo guitar. At the beginning of September, monthly Blue Lantern Sessions begin. These are intimate acoustic gigs, already very popular in Chester. They feature “some of the most talented Roots, World, and Acoustic artists in the current music scene” (Storyhouse). Not forgetting some outstanding jazz instrumentalists booked to play in September starting with ‘Golden Keys’, a vintage jazz take on the music of 007. The following week Ben Creighton Griffiths (harp), ’a true virtuoso’ (The Jazz man) performs with his jazz trio.  A Paul McCartney tribute act is lined up in the Autumn and Hermon Arts will finish the year with an array of Festive gigs to suit different musical tastes.

A PLACE WHERE PERFORMING ARTISTS CAN DEVELOP THEIR CRAFT

Steve and Sarah are also committed to enabling community use of the Chapel for performing arts projects as well as giving opportunities to develop musical and theatrical skills. One such was the running of two workshops which helped develop confidence in singing, enabling participants who haven’t had much choral experience to sing the popular choral work, Carmina Burana by Carl Orf, at the ‘come and sing’ event at the end of June run by Oswestry based Cantiones choir. Songwriting, open mic and drum workshops are also in the offing as well as the opportunity to engage with one-to-one instrumental tuition.

Hermon Chapel has a fully licensed bar and disabled seating spaces available. This year Steve and Sarah are entering ‘Oswestry in Bloom’ so have been busy outside the Chapel as well!

As the next chapter of the Hermon Chapel unfolds, the creative energy of the community is at the heart of its story. Sarah and Steve invite you to come and explore the live performances almost on your doorstep – what’s stopping you?!

Visit www.hermonarts.co.uk , Hermon Chapel, Chapel Street, Oswestry, SY11 1LF