A composer from Pinehurst talks about his 'amazing journey' ahead of hosting an orchestral concert in the town he lives in. 

46-year-old Nick Newton studied astrophysics and also began composing as a hobby, despite having no formal education in music. He then went into a career in accounting, and did very little with the music for the next 20 years.

"But I always hoped that one day I'd get an opportunity," he said. 

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, Nick finally took the opportunity and created and recorded his album "Havens" with many professional musicians, including recording sessions at big London studios such as the Abbey Road Institute.

The album was released in June 2023, for which he shot music videos in Kew Gardens and saw one of his songs performed with a 40-strong choir at Christmas, meaning his music career had reached many milestones. 

"But it's about to reach the biggest milestone yet," he said "A concert premiere of all my music with nearly 50 professional musicians and singers, that I've organised entirely by myself."

The concert is at Christ Church, Old Town on Friday 20th September 20, 7.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://ccccswindon.co.uk/events/31/details

"I'm doing everything as professionally as possible; bringing a top orchestra from London and a renowned choir, plus special guests adding their own music to the event to make it a really unique evening.

"I'm very honoured that singers such as Nadia Eide, a former finalist on The Voice, accepted my invitation to be involved.

"As the concert approaches I'm feeling some nerves, I have a lot still to do, but also the excitement is really building. I never could have dreamt I'd be doing something like this!"

The description of the event says: "Join us for a truly unique evening of beautiful & inspiring music, featuring a professional London orchestra & world-class singers.

"Premiere of the evocative orchestral & choral ‘Havens’ by composer Nicholas Newton,
plus wonderful special guests performing a varied programme of well-loved classics."

The orchestra is the Orpheus Sinfonia with Tallis Consort as the choir and James Marangone will be conducting. 

As well as The Voice UK and Voice Norway's Nadia Eide, other guests include - Soprano. Georgi Mottram and Monelise, a music artist who had a 5-star rated audiovisual show at Edinburgh Fringe. 

The event also will feature local singers who recorded the vocals for Havens, and who’ve been performing it since the launch: Mary-Kate Miller and Ronni Bailey.