AGAP has unveiled the programme for Arts in Autumn 2011! The line-up is varied and vibrant, with the annual faith-based mini-festival becoming a clear contender alongside it’s bigger sibling, Lentfest.
The Arts in Autumn programme is admittedly more “in-house” than Lentfest, with a less extensive marketing campaign, aimed mainly at parishes and schools in the the Archdiocese of Glasgow but it is no less inclusive and eclectic in its content. This year’s line-up is no exception!
Following the trend of previous “AiA” seasons, the events have a keen emphasis on the involvement of young people, collaboration with other organisations, and raising awareness of social/moral issues. Two of the concerts in the music programme are charity fundraisers: the outstanding Spirit of Life Youth Choir, kicks off the programme with a Famine Relief concert at St Andrew’s Cathedral on 15th September and Joe Murray’s acclaimed “From the Cradle to the Grave” returns for two final performances to help Ethiopian AIDS orphans on 21st and 22nd October.
Once again, the programme includes a collaborative theatre production. This year, AGAP has been working with the Notre Dame Centre in Glasgow’s West End, which celebrates its 80th Anniversary. “Freedom from Chains” tells the story of the centre, which was founded by Sr Marie Hilda SND in 1931 to provide therapeutic help and support to children, young people and their families. It is the first AGAP Theatre Production to open at the Old Sherriff Court on Brunswick Street, at the Brian Cox Studio Theatre which is home to Scottish Youth Theatre on 1st and 2nd October.
The music programme is strong this year, with the Scottish premier of James MacMillan’s Saint John Passion, performed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers at the City Halls, Glasgow on 29th September. (for tickets go to www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsso) Also, fresh from their beautifully uplifting concert at Lentfest, Russkaya Cappella return with an unmissable concert for St Andrew’s Day on 30th November at St Aloysius Church in Garnethill, celebrating the Patron Saint of both Scotland and Russia.
For the second year running, the AiA programme includes the Annual Schools Art Competition for Secondary School pupils across the Archdiocese to compete for the awards for excellence in the expression of faith through art. The theme this year is “Sacred Space” and focusses on Art and Architecture in the Church following the historic restoration of St Andrew’s Cathedral this year. It will be judged by artist, Brendan Berry, whose roundels of St Mungo and St Andrew greet visitors as they enter the Cathedral.
Finally, there is the opportunity to give thanks for those who contribute to the cultural life of the Archdiocese through the arts. This year, there is a special Mass on 4th November at St Andrew’s Cathedral, to mark the 40th Anniversary of the St Mungo Singers. Then, on Sunday 27th November, AGAP’s annual Mass of thanksgiving for the artistic community will take place at St Andrew’s Cathedral with music led by the Cathedral choir and an exhibition of entries to the schools art competition.
With such a busy line-up for Autumn, AGAP will have its work cut out to get ready for Lentfest 2012, which is already shaping up to be its busiest programme yet!
Tickets available from 0141 554 1333 or info@agap.org.uk