On Saturday 26 August, musician and composer Paul Harris will be holding a Lunchtime Chamber Concert at 1.30pm at St Marylebone Parish Church in support of Lymphoma Action. Clarinetist Paul will be joined by Robert Secret on the viola, and pianist Selma Hande Gade to perform a recital of classical works for clarinet, viola and piano. The concert will feature a range of pieces, from Mozart and Bruch to Alan Richardson, along with Paul’s own compositions. All proceeds from the concert will go to the only charity in the UK dedicated to lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. It is a cause close to Paul’s heart, as he is now in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma following his own diagnosis of the condition in 2018. Paul hopes that the concert will also help to raise awareness about lymphoma as the fifth most common cancer in the UK.
“There were quite a number of low periods throughout my experience with lymphoma, but I was never going to let cancer block my creativity” Paul recalls. “During my six months of treatment, I managed to compose many pieces of music, continue my teaching and write a number of music teaching work-books. What struck me was that through the whole experience I was constantly learning- about empathy, about isolation, about fear, about patience. Above all I’ve learnt to take nothing for granted.”
“Anyone is welcome to join us on the 26 August for an hour of beautiful music while raising funds for a great cause” he adds. “The surroundings at the Church, right in the heart of London, are simply wonderful.”
“We are so grateful to Paul for his support” says Amy Billington, Senior Fundraising Manager at Lymphoma Action. “Every 26 minutes one of us is diagnosed with lymphoma. Through the support from people like Paul, we can continue to provide vital information and support to make sure no one has to face lymphoma alone.”
The Lunchtime Chamber Concert will be starting at 1.30pm, and doors will open at 1pm. Tickets are £10 and can be purchased in advance at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunchtime-chamber-concert-tickets-636485714907. Tickets will also be available on the door.
