Revd. Canon Dr Rod Garner, Honorary Fellow at Liverpool Hope University, is donating all proceeds from his new book ‘Reappraisals: Lives less Ordinary’ to Liverpool Philharmonic’s ‘Love Music: From the First Note’ campaign which benefits thousands of children across Merseyside.
From the inaugural sales of his latest book, published by Liverpool Hope University Press, Canon Garner has already raised £1,546 during a successful Book Launch in Southport.
Canon Garner has been fundraising for the past two years to support the work of Liverpool Philharmonic’s ‘Love Music’ campaign with his colleague Revd. Philip Caton, Church of England Priest. Now well established, each year the campaign provides opportunities for thousands of children and young people to share live concert performances and the chance to learn an instrument.
A passionate music lover himself - traceable to the influence of The Beatles and singing in a church choir - Canon Garner is also the author of numerous books. This year, with the help of his clergy colleague, Revd. Philip Caton, he recently organised a Charity Evening in All Saints Church, Southport. A buffet and popular chamber music recital concluded with the launch of his latest book resulting in £1,546 being raised for the ‘Love Music’ campaign.
Canon Garner commented: “I am delighted with the outcome of the evening. It provided some great music that pleased a very enthusiastic audience and allowed me to speak about some of the important and fascinating writers, reformers, poets, musicians, and political leaders that figure in Reappraisals. Most importantly, it will help to fund the future of the Phil’s admirable efforts to bring the joy of music to youngsters across Liverpool in such difficult times, and help them to continue their journey to higher education and employment.”
Zoe Armfield, Head of Learning at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic said: “Young people are at the heart of everything we do at Liverpool Philharmonic. 'Love Music: From the First Note' is our campaign in support of all our music education work with young people, including In Harmony Liverpool, Schools' Concerts, and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company. We know first-hand that our activities help to build confidence, pride, and skills so that children and young people can live happier, healthier lives.”
'Reappraisals: Lives less Ordinary' is a collection of profiles written by Dr Garner in recent years that remain important to him. These short essays bring into focus lives of considerable depth, complexity and achievement that shed light on how we live now and the possibilities of a better way of life. Some of the lives here achieved fame and belong to their ages. Others distinguished themselves through their particular work or vocation, but remain largely unknown to the wider world. Those featured on the cover: Emma Darwin, Gordon Brown, Robert Oppenheimer and Samuel Beckett, offer a glimpse into the book's diverse chapters.