 Grayshott is different
By any standards, Grayshott on the Hants/Surrey borders, is a pretty unusual village.
Not only does its 2500 population support 50 shops, 150 businesses and an impressive array of clubs, societies, sports and leisure activities, but it also boasts its own website, Grayshott.com, and business development group, 'Buy In Grayshott' (BIG).
No wonder then, that it has won a 'Best Village' award on each of the three occasions it's entered the competition since 2002 - and on one of them, walked off with the award for best in the country for 'Business in the Community'. Grayshott is an intensely supportive community!
 Great music too
And now Grayshott is proving it can achieve great things in music too. Since 2004, Grayshott Concerts, in association with BIG, has staged some of the most unusual classical music events in the district, from sell-out choral concerts to open-air opera. It's even formed its own highly acclaimed chamber choir, 'Excelsis'.
The inspiration behind the string of successful events, is the husband and wife team, Peter & Vivien Harrison, who are the first to admit that they are not trained musicians - but are simply passionate about top quality performance.
"It all started with a one-off concert in 2004 to raise money for our lovely St Luke's Church," said Vivien. "It was exhausting work and raised over £3,500 but we were glad when it was all over." The response from villagers was immediate. "When is the next one?" they asked.
Since then, Grayshott Concerts has staged Mozart's famous 'Requiem' with the Occam Singers and four top national soloists in 2006; then Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man' featuring BBC Young Musician of the Year, cellist Guy Johnston, and commissioned and performed its own work, 'Song of Wisdom', by local composer Nicholas O'Neill in 2007.
2008 has seen events doubled from two per year to four in response to demand. In February, the group revealed its new chamber choir, Excelsis, performing the Vivaldi 'Gloria' to strong critical acclaim, accompanied by the New London Sinfonia, with internationally renowned soloist, Judith Howarth, taking a break from her lead role in Madam Butterfly at London's Coliseum.
In March, the team assembled their largest ever orchestra for a performance of Bruch's iconic Violin Concerto with soloist Martin Smith who grew up in neighbouring Headley.
 World-class performers
Grayshott is developing a reputation as a 'centre of excellence' for world-class classical performances. In November, the 20-year-old violin virtuoso Chloe Hanslip, born in Guildford, is coming to Grayshott to perform Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' with the famous London Mozart Players. "Chloe won the 'Young Classical Brits' Award and is tipped by many to become the best violinist of her generation - perhaps another Menuhin or Kennedy," says Peter Harrison, "so it's fantastic to know that she will be playing for Grayshott music-lovers at St Luke's in November."
But Grayshott's biggest event by far this year is on 12th July when they stage their open-air production of Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly' performed by leading national opera touring company 'Opera Box' at Grayshott Primary School fields. In the title role will be Hong Kong born, Nancy Yuen, who has made this her signature role around the world to great critical acclaim. An audience of up to 600 people are likely to attend, eclipsing last year's total of over 500 who enjoyed Rossini's 'Barber of Seville' on the sunniest day of the year. Ticket sales have reached almost 400 with several weeks still to go. Open-air opera has really 'caught on' in Grayshott to become a grand social event at prices at a fraction of those at some larger venues.
 Support in depth
But the event might never have taken place this year at all, had generous local business sponsors, Barons BMW and Lloyds Pharmacy, not stepped in at the last moment to make it all possible. Local pub 'The Fox & Pelican' is also sponsoring the event with bar services and a mouth-watering alfresco buffet supper. And throughout the year, the concert series has benefitted, amazingly, from vital local sponsorship from a farmshop, 'Applegarth', and from a nursing home 'Huntington House'. In addition essential solid financial support grants have come from local authorities including East Hampshire District Council and Hampshire County Council who recognise that lack of public transport and fuel costs often prevent local people travelling the significant distances necessary to see performances of similar quality.
Local support is tremendous too. Every event sells out early amidst keen competition to secure the 'best' tickets. So the organisers formed 'Friends of Grayshott Concerts' to reward regular attenders with a priority booking service. Membership dues from the almost 60 'Friends' has raised an additional £2,500 this year to help finance the huge cost of attracting world-class performers to the village.
Beautiful music - on your doorstep
Dedicated to providing exceptional performances and works right in the heart of the village, the Grayshott Concerts team have an ambitious programme ahead. After Chloe Hanslip in November, next year heralds world famous pianist Howard Shelley with the London Mozart Players in May, and a special 'surprise' concert in February featuring Karl Jenkins' latest 2008 choral masterpiece, 'Stabat Mater', which Excelsis will be one of the first choirs in the country to perform.
"We've some great ideas planned for the next few years," says Vivien, "but meanwhile I'm aiming to repeat our major achievement of 2007 - securing brilliant weather for our open-air opera - 'Madama Butterfly' on 12th July!"
Tickets at £25 and supper tickets at £20 are available: by telephone on 01428 606666; in person at Blaze House Art, Crossways Road Grayshott; and through website www.grayshottconcerts.co.uk
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