Rona Lowe &
Jeffrey Benton formed their musical partnership when Jeffrey moved to Shropshire
from London. They began as baritone and pianist for the performance of classical
works. Now, however, the two sing together, and are much in demand as duetists
of the highest quality. They have already produced a recording of romantic
duets.
Rona's musical career began at the age of seven when she began playing the piano. After studying the sciences she entered the teaching profession, holding posts in Manchester and Wolverhampton before moving to the Shropshire village of High Ercall. Always keenly interested in the musical aspects of her life she has become an outstanding and established singer in the Midlands and North, working as a freelance soloist with choral societies, singing as a member of the chorus of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, working as a principal soloist with the Midlands Chorale, and being a founder member of the vocal quartet 'Nostalgia' who are well-known in Shropshire for their charitable money-raising.
Jeffrey was based in London for much of his career and has played leading roles in many West End productions, notably 'The Great Waltz' and 'Gone with the Wind' at Drury Lane, and 'Showboat' at The Adelphi. He has also appeared in a Royal Variety Performance at the Palladium and sung in opera and operetta on television, as well as giving many recitals of classical music at the Wigmore Hall and at the West Bank. Jeffrey has a particular interest in translating songs from their original language into English. Since moving to Shropshire he has been accompanied at the piano for all his recital work by Rona Lowe.
Keith Orrell was born in Blackburn, Lancashire and began studying the piano at an early age, eventually working with Martin Roscoe. He read music at Liverpool University and has accompanied singers (including Derek Hammond-Stoud OBE) instrumentalists and choirs since then. Presently he is Director of Music at Adam's Grammar School in Newport (Shropshire) and conductor of both the Birmingham Singers, and the Beaumaris Singers of Newport.
1. THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM Music Stephen Adams / Words F.E. Weatherly
2. SILENT NIGHT Music Franz Cruber / Arr R Lowe & J. Benton
3. I WONDER AS I WANDER Trad Appalachian
4. THE THREE KINGS Music Peter Cornelius / Words H.N. Bate Adapted John Carol Case
5. CRADLE SONG Music Max Reger / Words Ed Teschemacher
a. ROCKING Trad Czech Melody / Words Percy Dreamer Adapted John Carol Case
7. HOW FAR IS IT TO BETHLEMEM? Music John Ritchie / Words Frances Chesterton
s. SLEEP LOVELY BABE Trad Italian / Arr Ruth Heller
9. GUARDIAN ANGELS Music Harpo Marx / Words Gerda
l0. SCARLET RIBBONS Music Evelyn Danzig / Words Jack Segal
11. O HOLY NIGHT Music Adolphe Adam / Words J.S. Dwight
12. AWAY IN A MANGER Music Jeffrey Benton / Words Martin Luther
13. THE STORKE CAROL Music Donald Swan / Words Anon.
14. THE FIRST MERCY Music Peter Warlock / Words Bruce Blunt
15. THE HOLY BOY Music John Ireland / Words Herbert S. Brown
16. AN OLD CAROL Music Roger Quilter / Words Anon.
17. THE ROBINS CAROL Music Michael Head / Words Patience Strong
18. SO GENTLE THE DONKEY Music John Barnard / Words Paul Wigmore
19. CHRISTMAS CANDLE Trad Russian / Arr Donald Swan
20. LONG AGO IN BETHLEHEM Trad Moravian / Words C.K. Offer Arr Phyllis Tate
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Jeffrey and Rona