Welcome to the last newsletter of the season, ready for our closing concert on Friday 17th April when pianist John Paul Ekins will entertain us at the Courtenay Centre, 7.30pm.
After studying at the Royal College of Music and as a scholar at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama he went on to win many international competitions, performing across Europe and beyond. Highlights have included playing at the Wigmore Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, and being presented to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Besides performing the music in concert, John Paul Ekins is passionate to seek out the story that the music tells, aiming to connect with the audiences who hear, the composers who write their stories, and the existential themes touched upon by the music. Expect then to be taken on a journey, with spoken introductions giving insight and background to the music. In sharing these stories, classical Music is brought to life in in new and exciting ways, deepening the audience’s experience.
Read more about John Paul Ekins here: Music — John Paul Ekins – Concert Pianist & Storyteller
The programme for the evening has, as you might expect, a common thread: each is the last piece that the composer wrote for solo piano, and it will be interesting to learn more about each.
- Mozart – Sonata no.18 in D major, K576
- Brahms – Four Pieces for Piano, Op.119
- Schubert – Sonata in B-flat major, D96
This promises to be an exciting evening of music-making and storytelling that you won’t want to miss: visit John Paul Ekins: An Evening of Musical Intimacy – nadsa concerts to book your tickets.
We are grateful to Austins Department store for their generous sponsorship of this concert.
Austins Department Store – Newton Abbot, Devon
For those who like to be well-organised, here are the dates for next season’s programme; note that all concerts will be held on Sunday afternoons and will start at 3.30pm. In August you’ll be reminded how to save by becoming a member with a season ticket, but that’ll wait for now!
- September 27th: Robert Cohen & Dina Duisen, Cello & Piano
- October 25th: Daniele Rinaldo, Piano
- November 22nd: Ensemble Mirage, Clarinet & String Quartet
- January 24th: Buck Brass, Brass Quartet
- February 28th: Tim Horton, Piano
- March 21st: Barbican Quartet, Strings
- April 25th: Carmen Co, Vocals, Flute & Guitar
Before we head towards the ‘Music Festival’ season, there are some nadsa domestic matters for your attention, starting with a ‘Thank You’ to those who are able to help put away the seats after a concert – it makes life so much easier after what can be a long afternoon. Can I ask you to think about other ways in which you might be able to help?
As a charity, nadsa relies on volunteers, which doesn’t necessarily mean a regular commitment for every concert. We’re an elderly population, helpers and audience alike, so can we cast our net wider? Do you have a younger relation who may be able to help out sometimes? We can’t offer a fancy job title, but we can offer the experience and satisfaction of being part of the team that brings world-class musicians to Newton Abbot. Think about it please.
What does it involve? To make the concert experience as pleasant as possible, the ‘Setup Team’ will typically start around 1pm by rolling out the piano and setting out the chairs. At the same time someone may be seen up a ladder having to re-position stage lighting while trying to avoid the flower-arranger. Sponsors’ and reserved seats need to be labelled, and if an ensemble is using the stage, the steps will need to be moved to the front and curtains drawn.
Sometimes artists may need to be picked up from the station, and at some point before their performance they’ll certainly need to eat and drink. The artists will be shown how to use the microphone, and new batteries freshly installed. Once the hall is set and artists are happily practising, attention moves to the reception area to make sure there’s seating for the interval.
As the start-time approaches various helpers move into position to welcome the audience and check (virtual) tickets; to control the stage lights and manage the house lights; give out programmes, and help with the little queries that invariably arise when 100+ people get together. Then at the end it all gets put back to normal (thank you) to become the Courtenay Centre again. Sometimes the artists will return home that evening, but often they’ll need overnight accommodation.
You know what’s coming next: Can you see one of your contacts helping sometimes in some way ? To find out more, contact our secretary, Sue Collman on 01626 368318, or susancollman21@gmail.com
Finally, a quick roundup of what’s happening locally through the summer:
On 24th April the Ambrosian Strings join with the Bridge Quartet as part of their ‘Music@StMary’s’ series, St. Marychurch, Torquay. Then on
23rd May they present ‘Violin @ the Movies’. Details for both of these concerts at Concerts – Ambrosian Strings.
On 16th May Shaldon Singers are at St Peter’s, Shaldon to sing Rossini’s exciting Petite Messe Solonelle, and some popular opera choruses – tickets & details via Shaldon Singers – 16/05/2026 7:00pm – Shaldon Singers’ 2026 Spring Concert
Shaldon Festival runs for four days from June 17th; if you enjoyed Milos’s accordion last month he’ll be there, as will another nasda favourite Craig Ogden. Shaldon Festival of Music – Shaldon Festival of Music for more information and tickets.
Devon Philharmonic Orchestra will be at the Cathedral on 20th June with Arnold, Sibelius and Vaughan Williams – see Devon Philharmonic Orchestra | Exeter for more information.
Also at the Cathedral on 10th July, Devon Baroque join with Exeter Festival Chorus for the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610; keep an eye on Concerts | Devon Baroque for more information.
That’s it for now; enjoy the summer, with plenty of live music!
John R
