Welcome to our Festival blog

We are a small congregation commemorating the 400th anniversary of the death of the village's Elizabethan composer, William Byrd (c.1540 - 1623).

We are planning to erect a permanent memorial to Byrd to mark the quatercentenary since his death, and have begun a fundraising appeal. Our events this year have included a talk on The Life and Times of William Byrd (30 June), including book release; a Commemorative Service of BCP Evensong (2 July); and, welcomed The Stondon Singers who gave a sell-out William Byrd Anniversary Concert on the actual day (4 July). Stondon Massey has also featured on BBC Radio 3's 'Composer of the Week' programme (3-7 July).

This website contains everything you need to know about William Byrd's life and music as well as his links with Stondon Massey. /

Sunday, 1 May 2011

BBC Essex: Spreading the word about Byrd

I have just returned from the BBC Essex studios in Chelmsford having participated in a live interview on Ian Wyatt’s Sunday morning ‘Faith and Fun’ programme, promoting the name of William Byrd and the Festival which commences at Stondon Massey next Saturday. Ian had confessed to not having heard of William Byrd while I waited my turn in the adjacent office. In suitable first of May mood the station played an extract from ‘This Sweet and Merry Month of May’, the madrigal composed by Byrd in 1590, and released 400 years ago this year.

The interview can be heard on the I Player for the next seven days. I appeared at 7.24am, between the travel bulletin and news summary. I should appear about 1 hour 24 minutes into the programme.

To listen to the programme go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search?q=ian%20wyatt

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