Reflections
Susie Gregson, one of the founders of Proms at St Jude’s, reflects on the Festival's history:
In 1993, two separate orchestras had offered concerts in aid of the North London Hospice and our local church, St Jude-on-the-Hill, had just launched an organ appeal. We put the two together and the idea of Proms at St Jude’s was born.
That first year, we added an orchestral night, a jazz night, Finchley Children’s Music Group, an organ recital, a concert by the Chapel Choir of Highgate School and a night of Flower Arranging – yes, really!
Looking back, it is extraordinary how far we have come and what variety and fun have been had along the way.
Magic moments have included...
Richard Baker narrating Walton’s Façade
Sir Donald Sinden giving a tribute to Gwen Watford
A performance of Murder in the Cathedral
Dancing in the aisle to Humphrey Lyttelton and his Band
Hearing the London Community Gospel Choir and the German Latin jazz group Coparuba
The rousing Last Night singing
The Tenebrae winter concert
The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain and the Morris dancers
Learning that a six-figure donation was to be made to Toynbee Hall as a direct result of a speech at Proms