A solo violinist will be tugging at the heartstrings during Doors Open Weekend event on Saturday 4th September at All Saints Church, Challoch, Dumfries and Galloway.
With strains from Bach, Telemann, some Scottish tunes, and Mark O’Connor’s Appalachia Walz,. Catherine Demetriadi will be using her musical talents to add variety to the event which is focusing on a wedding-themed ‘Then and Now’ approach.
Catherine, a member of Challoch’s congregation, is a keen semi-professional violinist and singer when not working as an international charity development consultant. Originally from Massachusetts, she came to live in Whithorn on St. Ninian’s Day, (September 16th) with her husband Julian just five years ago.
Catherine’s parents were among the instigators of the Early Music Revival movement in the USA, and she grew up in an atmosphere of musical house parties featuring early and Baroque music. Decades later, while Head of Development for the Royal School of Church Music and living in Wiltshire, she played with the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra and Salisbury Symphonia, and founded the Farley Quartet (later known as the Wiltshire Quartet), performing in Salisbury Cathedral, at various venues around Wiltshire and Dorset, and in the Warminster Music Festival.
Catherine said: “We came to love this area after spending holidays here, and and this is my way of contributing to this lovely church and very worthwhile event. I thought I would play a selection of music to appeal to everyone, including some familiar favourites to tie in with the wedding theme.”
She will be playing between 1-1.45pm on Saturday 4th September. The free event runs from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, and 12 noon-3.30pm on Sunday. There is free car parking, disabled access and a toilet.
Visitors to the church over the two days will also be able to take advantage of a self-guided tour to enjoy the Victorian church’s rich historical features; floral displays fit for a Galloway wedding; wedding dresses through the ages; parish records, and children’s activities. Plants, home made produce and refreshments will also be available. The church is one of 37 venues taking part in Doors Open Days in Dumfries and Galloway.
Further information is available on the Doors Open website here: https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/places/dumfries-and-galloway/all-saints-episcopal-church-challoch/
by visiting: https://allsaintschalloch.wordpress.com/ or emailing: [email protected]
