A CELEBRITY organ recital will help mark the 100th anniversary of Marlborough Road Methodist Church, St Albans, later this month.

The recital will be given by rising star Alison Baker, who was born in Colchester and studied at the Royal Academy of Music.

Trained as both a pianist and organist, she has been tutored by such organ luminaries as John Cooper, Graham Elliott and Peter Hurford and accomplished pianists Peter Katin and Imogen Cooper.

Alison made her South Bank debut as a pianist at the age of 14.

She appeared at the Wigmore Hall for the first time when she was 17.

She went on to win many prizes and awards, including first prize in the Dudley Piano Competition and the John Lill Award.

Having spent her early 20's as a concert pianist, Alison decided to concentrate on the organ because of her love of Bach and Buxtehude.

She is now in great demand as a recitalist, regularly performing music of all periods at major venues across Britain and Europe.

Recent and forthcoming engagements include recitals at St Paul's Cathedral, London, and at Sheffield, Bristol, Bangor and Truro.

This summer, she will embark on a tour of Denmark and Sweden.

Alison has appeared on television many times, most recently on Esther Rantzen's BBC2 show to talk about her childhood.

In addition to her concert work, she is also frequently invited to give talks and masterclasses and to adjudicate in competitions.

She is a tutor for the Organist Training Scheme of the Royal School of Church Music and is a fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

Her recital at Marlborough Road will be a programme of wide appeal, including well-known works by Bach, Franck, Mendelssohn, Widor, Karg-Elert and Alain.

It will culminate in Boellmann's popular and exciting Suite Gothique.

She will be playing the church's fine 37 stop Bevington pipe organ, which was successfully restored in 1994.

The recital takes place on Saturday, January 24, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 (£4 concessions) and are available on the door.

To buy a ticket in advance, you should telephone 01727 863761 or 01582 713424.

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