Festival of music
Events
A festival of hymns will kick off this year’s series of free Fringe concerts in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral.
For the second year, Fringe-goers will have the chance to hear the palette of sounds of the magnificent Casavant Frere pipe organ and join in singing a wide selection of hymns from the Australian Hymnal, Catholic Worship Book II and other sources.
The pipe organ will be played by James Lloyd, who has been the regular organist at the Cathedral’s 11am Mass since 2013 and at significant events, including the funeral of Sir Donald Bradman.
He has provided music at parishes across Adelaide including Hectorville, Tranmere, Dulwich-Burnside, Newton and Dernancourt. For just over 10 years, James also assisted the Anglican Parish of St Saviour, Glen Osmond as a regular visiting organist.
Being the grandson of a former church organist, music was in his blood. At the age of five, James’ grandmother, the late Mary Ryan of Hectorville parish, recognised his gift of music. After Mass on Sunday mornings, he would come home and begin to play hymns sung at Mass.
He learned piano from Gillian Borgas, an accomplished classical piano tutor in Magill, continuing under her guidance until he was 18.
Encouraging congregational participation in singing at Mass is a passion for James, who is assistant principal Religious Identity and Mission at St Pius X School, Windsor Gardens.
The hour-long Festival of Hymns on February 19 will be followed by three free Fringe pipe organ recitals featuring organists Val Estrella, Gina Dutschke and Jacinta Jakovcevic on March 1, 8 and 15. All four concerts will commence at 1pm.
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