Your friends are fundraising. Don't miss out, opt in.

We did it!

Harlow Civic Society raised £725 from 18 supporters

or

Start your own crowdfunding page

Closed 30/09/2022

0%
£725
raised of £1,000 target by 18 supporters

    Weʼve raised £725 to fund a plaque celebrating the Alberni Quartet

    Funded on Friday, 30th September 2022

    Don't have time to donate right now?

    Story

    The Alberni Quartet – Harlow’s famous musical group

    In the early days of Harlow New Town the Council decided to recruit and fund its own classical string quartet. The first members were Dennis Simons (1st violin) Howard Davis (2nd violin) John White (viola) and Gregory Baron (cello). By the 1970s the quartet had become world famous in classical music circles, playing at Carnegie Hall and having works written for them by Benjamin Britten and Alan Rawsthorne. They went from rehearsing in a launderette to playing on the world stage. The quartet is still going, based in the West country after many changes of personnel.

    Harlow Civic Society has celebrated the lives of many local citizens by commissioning and putting up blue plaques in their memory. This is the first time we have ventured on remembering a group rather than an individual. Two of the original members are dead, the others have retired. The two widows, one of whom still lives in Harlow, the other in London, have been very supportive, as have Harlow Chorus and other local bodies.

    Blue plaques cost £1000 to make. The Civic Society seeks funding for this project. The plaque is intended for St John’s Arc in Old Harlow, where the quartet played. We will have a celebration concert for the unveiling, which will be in the indefinite future, depending on the pandemic. In the meantime we ask for donations from the local musical community and other Harlow citizens wanting to celebrate the memory of the early days of this phenomenal quartet.

    Updates

    1

    • Harlow  Civic Society2 years ago
      Harlow  Civic Society

      Harlow Civic Society

      2 years ago

      Firstly, thank you so much for your donations for a plaque to celebrate the Alberni Quartet. We have raised the funds needed and the plaque has now been made. There will be an unveiling ceremony on Friday 8th July 2022 at 12 noon at St John's ARC, Market Street, Old Harlow, CM17 0AJ. This will be followed by refreshments and a concert at 1.30pm by the ‘ASAKA’ String Quartet from the Royal Academy of Music. Donors are warmly invited to attend the unveiling and the concert. RSVP by 24th June to contact@harlowcivicsociety.org.uk.

      Share this update to help us raise more

    3 years ago

    Harlow Civic Society started crowdfunding

    Leave a message of support

    Page last updated on: 6/6/2022 09.17

    Supporters

    18

    • Harvey Davies

      Harvey Davies

      Dec 23, 2021

      A very worthwhile cause. What a wonderful Quartet and I spent many hours with John talking about Tertis and English music in general when we worked at Charterhouse Summer School and elsewhere!

      £30.00

    • Wenna Marks

      Wenna Marks

      Nov 23, 2021

      £100.00

    • Iona Zuiderwijk

      Iona Zuiderwijk

      Sep 26, 2021

      Ex pupil of Howard, superb teacher.

      £30.00

    • Carol White

      Carol White

      Sep 8, 2021

      Remembering my husband, John, and all the happy memories of the early days of the quartet in Harlow.

      £50.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Sep 5, 2021

    • Marian Farningham

      Marian Farningham

      Aug 21, 2021

      Treasured memories of Howard Davies performing.

      £40.00

    • Janette Ruocco

      Janette Ruocco

      Aug 10, 2021

      I remember their 1970s Beethoven quartet concert series in the studio theatre at The Playhouse very well. Howard was my violin teacher and after graduating I then taught violin to the Pople girls!

      £50.00

    What is crowdfunding?

    Crowdfunding is a new type of fundraising where you can raise funds for your own personal cause, even if you're not a registered charity.

    The page owner is responsible for the distribution of funds raised.

    Great people make things happen

    Do you know anyone in need or maybe want to help a local community cause?

    Create you own page and donʼt let that cause go unfunded!

    About Crowdfunding
    About the fundraiser
    Harlow  Civic Society

    Harlow Civic Society

    Report this Page