Welcome to Ipswich Arts Association


On our website, you will find details of the IAA, its activities and those
of our many member organisations, which span a wide range of the arts.

Please take a look around, the headings and drop down menus will guide you through the various
subject pages on the site, which includes a comprehensive events listings page highlighting the
range of events and activities by our members, including, Literature, Drama, Choirs, Orchestras,
Film. Photography and more. If you have any comments or questions see the “contact us” page.

Ipswich Arts Association is a registered charity. Charity number 288939

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So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu… Website Changes!


As the song says, it’s time to say goodbye, as after more than 10 years the current
IAA Website, which has served us well, is to be retired, making way for a brand new website!
A preview of the new site was given at the recent IAA Annual General Meeting.
The new site will go live around the 6th -7th of December, once the valves have warmed up!
How to view, easy, just enter the web address as usual www.ipswich-arts.org.uk and
if you have that link to the site stored on your computer that will also continue to work.
With a bold and fresh new look, we very much hope you will like it.
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IAA Town Lectures and Concerts 2024
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Concert – December 12th.

Kesgrave Singers  Musical Director: Ed Dawson

The choir was formed more than 20 years ago with just 12 members (some of whom
are still singing with us) and were known then as Kesgrave Community Choir.
Today we have more than 40 singers and our very talented MD, Ed Dewson,
who joined us in Jan 2023 teaches music that perhaps we’ve never sung before,
but still including classic/popular styles. Today we will be singing a festive
programmeput together by Ed and sincerely hope you enjoy our singing.

Kesgarve singers -Iaa Lunchtime concert December 14th 2024

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IAA Lectures & Concerts
 Museum Street Methodist Church, Ipswich IP1 2EF
(entrance in Black Horse Lane),  From 1.00 to 1.50pm. Doors open 12.30pm.

ADMISSION IS FREE  – with a retiring collection.
Donations of at least £3.00 per person are valued to maintain the series.
Refreshments, served 12.30 -1.55pm. are included.

Full details of the 2024 series on the TOWN LECTURES & CONCERTS page.

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 Featured Poems


In addition to our
Featured Artist series we are pleased to present Featured Poems,
a series featuring poems from members of the Suffolk Poetry Society.
Follow the links to view both the current and previous poems published in the series.


A new poem will be featured approximately every three weeks. The current poem and previous
submissions are available on the dedicated Featured Poem page. To view Click Here.

The current poem is by Stephanie Feeney – ‘La brucatura’

Stephanie Feeney
I was born in Louisiana, and raised in Texas. My poems have been published by The Poetry Review,
Ink Sweat & Tears, and anthologised by Fish Publishing. I grew up in a family of fishermen,
musicians and drinkers, and still dabble in all three. These days, I call Suffolk home.
The poem ‘La brucatura’ won third prize in the Crabbe poetry competition 2023.

Click here to read the current and previous poems from Suffolk Poetry Society

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Featured Artist – Amanda Given


IAA are pleased to present Featured Artists, a series with works by local artists, some from:
The Ipswich Art Society  ●  Suffolk Open Studios  ●  Felixstowe Art Group
Suffolk Art Society  ●  Woodbridge Art Club
With a new artist shown every three weeks or so.

Rialto by Amanda Given. 2022 ‘Rialto’ by Amanda Given

Amanda Given spent her childhood in England and Northern Ireland. She has lived in Australia
and retired from there to Felixstowe in 2014. An active Member of the Felixstowe Art Group,
Amanda works in watercolour, ink, gouache or oils.

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Click image or here to read more and view current and previous Featured Artists

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Ipswich Arts Association News Column in the
Community News pages of the East Anglian Daily Times


In the Community News pages of each Tuesday’s East Anglian Daily Times
you will now find the Ipswich Arts Association column with Chris Green.

Current Edition – November 26th.
Click this link or the image to read or download a pdf copy.

Featuring:
Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir, The Dorian Singers,
Martlesham Brass, Morcambe & Wise and more…

image for IAA / EADT article with chris green 26/11/2024

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Noticeboard

Ipswich Arts Association – How To Join
Ipswich Arts Association welcomes membership applications from individuals,
groups and organisations involved in all areas of the arts and across the region.
Find details on the how to apply on our How to Join page

Kesgrave Singers – Musical Director required.
We are a choir of 40 members and are seeking a new Musical Director.
We meet on Monday afternoons 2-4pm. With additional availability for
occasional mini-concerts in Care Homes (dates to be mutually agreed).
Position commences January 2025.
In the first instance for more details please contact: sarahannepage@icloud.com 

The choir will be performing at the December 12th. IAA Town Concert
Kesgarve Singers

Town Lectures and Concerts
Lectures and Concerts are held live at Museum Street Methodist Church,
(Entrance via Black Horse Lane), IP1 2EF  1pm – 1.50pm.  Doors open 12.40pm.
Please contact: Chandra Grover: townlecturesandconcerts@ipswich-arts.org.uk

Full details of the 2024 programme on the TL&C page  – Town Lectures & Concerts
or click the link to view a pdf of the 2024 Brochure

Trianon Music Group – “Come and Sing Along”
Trianon are hoping to hold a “Come and Sing Along Day” – an Introduction to
Poulenc’s “Gloria” and Rutter’s “Mass of the Children” The event is due to
take place on 8th February 2025. However 40 singers min.are required by
the end of November for the event to go ahead. So register now!
Full details available here on the events page

Ipswich Charter Hangings
Ipswich Arts Association are keen to hear from volunteer stewards,
for sessions on Tuesdays between May – September.
More details are contained in this pdf – Charter Volunteers
If interested or would like to know more about being involved, please email –
Ann Cloke;  charterhangings@ipswich-arts.org.uk

Further details of all notices and updates on our NOTICEBOARD page

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Gainsborough and his musical friends
by Chris Green

gainsborough and his musical friends, article by Chris Green for Suffolk Norfolk Life magazineAvailable in the August edition of Norfolk Suffolk Life magazine.
Suffolk Norfolk Life – Gainsborough and his musical friends

.Both the magazine and the article may be read online by following the links below.
A published edition is also available on subscription or from local newsagents.

Suffolk Norfolk Life magazine – Homepage.

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Ipswich Charter Hangings 


The Ipswich Charter Hangings are on public display at St Peter’s by the Waterfront.
For details see: St Peters or Ipswich Charter Hangings
St Peter’s is open at the following times, admission free:
May – September: Tuesday 10am – 4pm. Wednesday 12noon – 2pm. Thursday 10am – 4pm.
 October – April: Wednesdays only: 12noon – 2pm.

photo of Ipswich Charter hangings at st Peter's by the Waterfront.The Ipswich Charter Hangings – Eight wall hangings that make up one remarkable work.

poster for charter hangings volunteers 2023

Click image for PDF version.
Email link: Ann Cloke:  charterhangings@ipswich-arts.org.uk
Ipswich Charter Hangings website page: IAA / Ipswich Charter Hangings

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Meetings for IAA Members

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IAA host a number of meetings throughout the year allowing societies to share
their thoughts about current planning and strategies to deal with the ongoing issues for
performers and the arts post lock-down. These meetings prove highly popular,

Next meeting:
tba

For meetings held via Zoom, If you wish to attend, please email
the secretary to register and obtain a link.
Mary Odam, Secretary IAA: secretary@ipswich-arts.org.uk

Have you or your society signed up for the Ipswich Arts Zoom meetings?

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Ipswich Music Day – IAA ‘Classical Stages’

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A big thank you to all our performers and audience for making the
IAA classical stages a successful part of Ipswich Music Day 2024, despite
the downpours, which did nothing to dampen the spirits of all involved.
We look forward to seeing many of you again for Ipswich Music Day 2025

Ipswich Arts Association –  ‘Classical Stages’ – Ipswich Music Day 2024.
St. Margarets Church,  Bethesda Baptist Church,
Wolsey Gallery and The Masonic Hall
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The 2024 Performers:
◆ Blueberry Moon ◆ Under The Bridge ◆ Ipswich Choral Society ◆ Musicology ◆
◆ Ipswich Gilbert & Sullivan Society ◆ East Coast Collective ◆ Accidentals ◆
◆ Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir ◆ Black Cactus Choir ◆
◆ Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra ◆ Ipswich Hospital Community Choir
◆ Trianon Music Group ◆ Funky Voices

   

Our thanks to Music World, Queen St. Ipswich, for their continued support in
supplying IAA with a Yamaha digital piano for the IAA Classical Stages.
www.music-world-ipswich.co.uk

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 Shining Threads – A New book by IAA member Joy Bounds


Joy will be known to many for her involvement with the IAA, including till recently
organising Concerts for the IAA Town Lecture & Concerts series. Now Joy has published
a new book ‘Shining Threads’ based on events in the life of composer Ethel Smyth.
Published in paperback format it is available from all good bookshops priced £9.99.

Author Joy Bounds and the cover of her new book Shining Threads.Joy Bounds and the cover of ‘Shining Threads’

www.joybounds.co.uk   facebook

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Hanseatic Ports and Hidden Treasures


Pat Grimwade, a member of the IAA Executive (instrumental music), reveals another string
to her bow, with a knowledge of matters nautical in her book, Ipswich – A Hanseatic Port.

“During the 13th – 15th centuries east coast ports such as Ipswich, King’s Lynn and Boston
traded alongside merchants of the Hanseatic League in the North Sea and the Baltic.
In that period, at the height of the wool and cloth trade with Europe Ipswich was one of the
most important and prosperous ports in the country…”
Read more (opens pdf)

Published by Ipswich Maritime Trust it is available from the following outlets;
Ipswich Museum and Christchurch Mansion, price £2.

www.ipswichmaritimetrust.org.uk

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The Trianon Enigma


When not chairing IAA meetings Chris Green may, amongst other things, be found conducting
the Trianon Orchestra and Choir, swapping baton for pen Chris has written a new book.

Charting the sixty year history of Suffolk’s best loved Symphony Orchestra and Choir.
In The Trianon Enigma, My Friends Pictured Within  its founder, Chris Green traces its
journey starting with a small youth group in the mid 1950’s, which became inextricably
linked with Ipswich, social developments and the changing face of youth culture.

Read a review by John Norman, Chair of The Ipswich Society – Review (pdf)

Books are available at the price of £10 from:
Ipswich Institute 15 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AA
Music World 16 Queen Street, Ipswich IP1 1SS
The Card Centre  6 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe IP11 7AU

Books may also be ordered at the price of £10 + £2.50 P&P from:
Dominique Nightingale, 39 Quilter Road, Felixstowe IP11 7JL
dominique.nightingale@btinternet.com   tel: 01394 286928

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Ipswich Arts Association:  Privacy Information Notice – click for pdf