Upper Ferntree Gully’s St Thomas Anglican Church will open its doors on Saturday, 1 November for the Sacred Stage Charity Concert to celebrate peace, faith and community.
The event will feature an impressive line-up of performers, including Emma Warburton (contralto), Jennifer Chou (piano), Monica Edwards (cello), Mary Knights-Rutten (piano), and the Singularity Choir conducted by Cecily Woodberry.
The program includes music spanning centuries from Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music to contemporary works by Australian composer Jacqui Rutten, who is also the organiser of the concert.
Ms Rutten said the program’s diversity was intentional, blending historical and modern works by both male and female composers.
“The music does span several centuries and is composed by both men and women,” she said.
“The unifying element is the music originates from a European and Australian tradition, although there is an influence of Irish music, Indonesian music and other music.”
Half of the proceeds will go to St Thomas’s Anglican Church and Anglicare, with the remaining funds helping to cover artists’ costs.
Entry is $10 or donation, with afternoon tea provided.
The concert’s title, Sacred Stage, reflects more than just the setting.
“Sacred to me has always spanned faith and nature,” Ms Rutten said.
“Because the charity concert is in a church, I hope we can be respectful of the tradition of the place, while also acknowledging peace as very important.”
Peace and spirituality are strong threads running through the afternoon’s performances.
“Two of the compositions have the word ‘Peace’ in the title,” Ms Rutten said.
“I believe this does not bring the opposite and should empower audience to work for peace. Certainly we welcome people of other faiths to the church, moreso than a traditional mass.”
Ms Rutten said supporting both the church and Anglicare was a natural choice.
“The church is hosting the charity concert and I thought only fair to give them something in return,” she said.
“They wanted to give to Anglicare so I agreed, and I hope to give something for musicians for petrol or bus fare. They are very generous in forfeiting a fee.”
Ms Rutten said Safeway Belgrave had kindly donated a gift card to help provide refreshments for guests.
Beyond fundraising, the concert aims to strengthen local connection through shared musical experience.
“The charity concert is affordable and there are both men and women represented,” Ms Rutten said.
“Hopefully these two factors will bring audience, and contemporary music as well as traditional. Community in this online age is vital.”
The Sacred Stage Charity Concert will be held at 2pm on Saturday, 1 November, at St Thomas’s Anglican Church, 12 Mount View Road, Upper Ferntree Gully.
“Everyone is welcome to enjoy an afternoon of music and tea with us – all for a good cause,” Ms Rutten said.
For more information, contact info@sacredstage.com.au
