Spread the light of Christmas throughout our Community!
The performance is designed to engage with our community and bring Poole Dolphin Shopping Centre to life! We want as many people involved as possible and so Richard would like to invite as many people to come and form a choir for the concert. Whether you are an experienced singer or someone who has never sung before, the music has been written to cater for all levels!
All of the music has been written by Richard McLester.
Local choral maestro Sam Hanson is leading the rehearsal/workshops and will conduct the choir on the day, with Richard performing on piano.
The rehearsals are open to all, and are completely free! No previous experience necessary.
The Light is officially part of the International Year of Light 2015, UNESCO.
Conducted by Richard McLester, 17 choristers from St Peter’s Parkstone and 10 from St Peter’s Bournemouth came together on Tuesday 18th August to sing Choral Evensong in Salisbury Cathedral.
The choir sang Psalm 94, Noble in B minor (for Setting of the Canticles), The Lord’s My Shepherd (by Howard Goodall) and Responses by Richard Seal. Organist for the evening was Bev Manning.
Jo Kent & BBC South Today News broadcast “live” from St Peter’s Church, Parkstone with artist, composer & musical director Richard McLester and Rector Father Michael Camp.
The artistic installation, titled Lumin-Essence is a giant advent wreath (measuring 4 metres in diameter) evoking memories of the fallen during the world wars.
Images of the double-star Advent wreath “Lumin-Essence” designed by Richard McLester. The central star lowers to the ground to allow the candles to be lit. Proudly sponsored by Coleman Insurance Brokers and Lumin-Essence Candle & Gift Shop (Poole Dolphin Centre)
Work on the sculpture for the 2014 Carols By Candlelight service at St Peter’s Parkstone has begun. Called Lumin-Essence, the design involves two independent double stars (or Star of David’s) with a large candle suspended within the centre.
With the diameter of the outer star at 4 metres, design allows for either part of the wreath to be lowered to the ground.
“This will allow us to light 4 advent candles around the wreath every Sunday in the build up to Christmas” explains Richard McLester, the artist behind the sculpture. “It will also enable us to bring the central candle all the way to the floor, light it and then float it high in the nave of the church.”
Members of St Peter’s, Parkstone congregation Jon Dowty and Mike Wallis have taken up the task of making the sculpture reality, with more volunteers coming in later in the month to help decorate the sculpture with hundreds of poppies and barbed wire.
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Here are some of the photos taken on the day that BBC South Today came and interviewed Richard McLester about the giant Advent Wreath Lumin-Essence.