The Ron Gates Memorial Organ Recital will honor the memory of Ron Gates, a highly respected organist from Northampton.
Ronald Gates was a chorister at All Saints' Church under Ralph Richardson-Jones with one of his first experiences of
organ music being a recital at St Matthew's Church given by Charles King. Ron studied with Ralph Richardson-Jones,
Dr Ben Burrows and Robert Joyce, the then organist of St Matthew's Church, before heading to Trinity College, Dublin,
to take his BMus. Ron's early associations with St Matthew's led him to become Sub-Organist at the church for over
20 years, in which time he worked with successive Directors of Music including Michael Nicholas, Stephen Cleobury,
Timothy Day, David Ponsford, Derek Gillard and Andrew Shenton.
Ron was renowned in Northampton and further afield for his wonderful accompaniment and electrifying solo playing.
Trips to Cathedrals with Ron playing for the St Matthew's choir often resulted in invitations for him to return and
give a recital.
Ron worked for many years for the Phipps Brewery (itself having an association with St Matthew's!) and was always
consulted as to the quality of the local ale in any place the choir was to visit.
Following his departure from St Matthew's in 1993 Ron could be found playing at various churches in Northampton,
especially All Saints' Church where he was an Assistant Organist for some years.
Ron was instrumental in the planning for the rebuilding of St Matthew's organ by Harrison & Harrison of Durham, with
his many years experience of playing the instrument proving invaluable in the drawing up of the scheme for the contract.
Ron has always been encouraging of young organists that have crossed his path, and Andrew Reid, Simon Johnson and Richard
Pinel all name him as being an important figure in their professional development. Ron enjoyed a long involvement with the
Northampton and District Organists' Association which included four terms as President - an unprecedented record!
In 2014 the Vicar, Churchwardens, and Friends of St Matthew's Music took the decision to mark Ron's undoubted contribution
to the music and life of St Matthew's Church by naming the annual St Matthew's-tide organ recital the Ronald Gates Recital.
It is fitting that the above named organists have been the first to play this recital, Andrew Reid in 2014 and Simon Johnson
in 2015 with Richard Pinel to play on Sunday 25 September 2016.
The recital, this year, performed by Tom Moore, Director of Music at St Matthew's, will be held at St Matthew's Church
on Sunday 2 November 2025 at 6:30pm.
The Lunchtime Live! series lineup has now been confirmed for the first half of 2024. With performances by our very own Director of Music,
Jem Lowther and Assistant Organist, Laurence Caldecote, along with some special guests, we have a very exciting 6 months ahead.
Our Lunchtime Live! concerts take place on the first Thursday of every month at 1:10pm till 1:50pm. Why not enjoy lunch from All Saints' Bistro before,
during, or after the concert.
For more information and to see who is performing this year, visit our Lunchime Live! page.
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