International organist Martin Setchell sure to enchant in Dannevirke

Martin Setchell will play in Dannevirke's St John the Baptist Anglican Church this Sunday at 2pm. Photo/Supplied

Organ music is Martin Setchell's life and this Sunday the international performer will share that love in a concert at Dannevirke's St John the Baptist Anglican Church.

"Martin is putting together a celebratory concert to celebrate the new roof on the church and it's going to be wonderful," friend Maurice Miller said. "Martin believes in promoting entertaining organ music."

Mr Setchell's repertoire is enormous and he regularly performs around the world.

"He's very much in demand and spent the northern summer in Europe," Mr Miller said.

Mr Setchell performs in Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Japan.

This year's concert tours will take him to Australia (three times), Germany and Poland.

He has a special link to Dannevirke. His wife Jenny worked at the then Dannevirke Evening News, before working as a journalist for the Christchurch Press.

Born and educated in England, Mr Setchell is now based in New Zealand and is curator of the Rieger organ in the Christchurch Town Hall for the Performing Arts. He is also adjunct associate professor of music and organist at the University of Canterbury.

"To have someone of this calibre playing here is such a privilege," Mr Miller said.

"And for a concert by an international artist, the entrance prices here in Dannevirke can't be beaten."

Organ Concert
• Sunday, October 1 at 2pm at St John's Anglican Church, High St.
Admission: Adults $15; concession $10; 18 years and under free.