Ted Maidment will present a talk about the life and music of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams who was a member of the Darwin- Wedgwood family.

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), born at Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, was a great nephew of Charles Darwin – related through his mother.  His extensive works include operas, ballets, chamber music, secular and religious vocal pieces and orchestral compositions including nine symphonies and popular favourites such as The Lark Ascending and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. He was also an avid collector of English folk songs.

Musical accompaniment to the talk will be provided by John Moore on the piano and Alex Postlethwaite on the violin.

·        Refreshments will be served at the end of the talk.

·        There will also be an opportunity for guests to visit the birth room of Charles Darwin

·        Book early to avoid disappointment

Ted Maidment – historian, singer, speaker and schoolmaster has a wide-ranging knowledge of history, music and art. He is an experienced performing musician and his acclaimed skill as a lecturer, presenter and raconteur makes him the ideal person to present this fascinating talk on the life and music of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

John Moore has been the principal conductor of the Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra since 2006. He studied piano with Sidney Harrison and Alexander Kelly. John taught music in Edinburgh as a conductor with Edinburgh Grand Opera and Edinburgh Music Theatre. He composed for several Channel 4 shows, an accompanist and continuo player with, The Edinburgh Contemporary Arts Ensemble and the Scottish Baroque group Kist of Music.

Alex Postlethwaite is a freelance violinist based in the West Midlands. He is in much demand as an orchestral leader, chamber musician, soloist and recording artist, having worked with top chart acts, including appearances on Top of the Pops, BBC, Channel 4, and French channel TF1.

*All proceeds from this talk will be donated to charity.

Parking: Please note that on-site parking is limited. Priority will be for blue badge holders and those with limited mobility. Please consider other parking options such as the nearby Frankwell car park – which is a 10-minute walk.

This event is organised by the Darwin Birthplace Trust