Songs
1. Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord
2. Non Piu' Parole (Let My Words Be Few)
3. In Christ Alone
4. Santo Timore (Facedown)
5. Amazing Grace
Albums
Benedizioni
Worship Leaders
My BlogStuart Pendred
Stuart Pendred is a new breed of worship leader. A true performer, he is no stranger to sharing a stage with celebrities and bright lights. But there’s more to Stuart than the stage show: his driving passion is to see worship touch the masses in fresh ways.
‘My background is The Salvation Army – a church movement known largely for its work with the socially disadvantaged and for its bonnets, tambourines and brass bands. Walk down any high street often enough and you’ll have seen them playing God songs and carols and whatever else the season calls for.’
As a singer, actor and slightly fanatical Chelsea fan, Stuart has come a long way since then:
‘I guess that is one of the exciting things about being on a journey with God; you can have thoughts, plans and dreams - and as I reflect back on my journey so far I've had plenty of those. Most remain unfulfilled, some are in pieces and some are honed, polished and different to how I first imagined them. But in all of this life is simply much better as a result of allowing the Master-potter to take charge.’
Stuart’s singing career began when he sang the alto-line with the singing company at Bedford Congress Hall Salvation Army. Since then his voice has dropped a little and his career has risen. He has performed in concerts throughout the UK, Europe and the USA where particular highlights include appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Opera House; singing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and appearing alongside artists such as Sting, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Westlife, The Opera Babes, Il Divo and the Motown legend Lionel Ritchie.
Stuart has recently formed a new company, Opera Prima, that provides classical music to the sports and corporate hospitality arenas. Highlights for Stuart already include performing before 75,000 at Twickenham for the RFU, the Davis Cup for the LTA; the British Olympic Association and, numerous pre-match performances at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea Football Club.
Amongst all that, Stuart has also managed to find time for a bit of acting with appearances on tv including Spooks, London's Burning, The Bill, Rosemary and Thyme and Casualty, as well as theatre productions including Les Miserables, Calamity Jane, Wuthering Heights, Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth and the opera's Carmen and The Magic Flute.
So that’s the bling. Now for the main event:
Ask Stuart what his high point so far is and he’ll you straight: the recording and release of his debut solo album 'Benedizione'. Like all labours, this one was a long time coming, but worth every moment.
From ageing classics like Amazing Grace and Benediction to contemporary must-haves like Facedown and Let My Words Be Few, Stuart’s voice adds depth and breadth in ways you would never have thought possible.
Benedizione is an album unlike any other. It joins hymns from the past with more recent worship songs, alongside some of Stuart’s own compositions. Together they reflect a remarkable journey of faith, delivered with power, sensitivity and some of the most luscious arrangements you could ever hope for.
