Rev. Castle weds music to the gospel
May 27, 2004
“MUSIC is part of God’s creative action. It is a divine, beautiful gift that brings people together. It brings enjoyment and relieves stress. However, its most important role is to facilitate worship.â€
By Mathias Mazinga
“MUSIC is part of God’s creative action. It is a divine, beautiful gift that brings people together. It brings enjoyment and relieves stress. However, its most important role is to facilitate worship.â€
The above understanding of music by Rev. John Castle explains why he is obsessed with the art. The 43-year-old charismatic cleric goes with his cornet to Namirembe Cathedral’s pulpit to lead services. He leaves his pulpit seat and joins the choir, as they lift their voices in praise.
Castle does not limit his musical activity to the Cathedral. He is a member of Kampala Jazz Refugees, a secular band that plays at 7 Cooper Road, Kamwokya, near Kampala, every Wednesday. He also used to feature with Music Connections, a contemporary band started by Benon Kigozi, who is out of Uganda currently.
Rev. Castle is amazingly versatile. He plays the cornet, piano, trumpet guitar. He can sing contemporary, Jazz and classical music. “God is not interested in one style,†he explains.
Castle is not selfish with his talent. He has endeavoured to pass it on to others. He coaches the famous Boys/Girls Brigade brass band, (1st Mengo Company). He gives them practical training in playing and staff notation. The dynamic band members now produce pretty, impressive sounds for church and other functions.
Castle is also transmitting his talent to his family members. Georgina, his wife plays the saxophone. His three children are also learning instruments at Kampala Music School. Simon ,11, plays the piano. Matthew ,9, and Adam ,9, play the guitar and clarinet, respectively.
Individuals who misuse music irritate Rev. Castle. “Music is an international language that should be used responsibly. People must not use it to encourage promiscuous lifestyles,†he warns.
Castle has always had big plans to develop talents and uplift young musicians. He spearheaded a fundraising drive to raise money to erect a new building at Namirembe, which will be for the use of the Cathedral choirs, musicians, youth and Sunday school work. He has already raised sh8m for the project. He has also got two pianos, with the help of Fiona Carr.
It is because of his friendliness and outstanding contribution to the development of music that many people have received the news of his impending departure with sad feelings. The Church Mission Society has terminated his stay (in Uganda) because of lack of funds.
Rev. Castle reveals that he has enjoyed the four years of his stay in Uganda. “People have been friendly. The clergy and lay leaders at Namirembe Cathedral have been very accommodative to my lack of Luganda. In terms of weather and the environment, Uganda has been a dream,†he explains.
On the other hand, Castle has also found some things most difficult. For example, the assumption by some people that because his skin is white, he must have infinite resources at his disposal to pay for their fees, hospital and burial expenses and so on. “Fortunately, our Christians have not treated us in this way. We have been able to help some people, mainly those we know and whose stories we can trust,†he explains.
Castle acknowledges the musical heritage Uganda manifests in the many musicians who explore the traditional fusion of music with different kinds of ‘western’ music, both classical and modern, and with other Caribbean and Latin styles.
Rev. John Castle was born at Orpington, UK, in 1961. His parents were professional musicians. Stanley Castle, his father played the violin in the famous London symphony orchestra. Margaret, his mother was a violin teacher.
He went to St. George’s PS, Bickley (1966-69), where he started learning the trumpet. He joined King’s College School, Cambridge in 1970-74. He was chorister with the King’s College (Cambridge) choir, which is famous for the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast on the BBC World Service on Christmas eve.
As a chorister, Castle toured West Africa, Belgium, Canada and Switzerland, which gave him exposure, confidence and experience. The choir sang in six services, which gave Castle 16 hours of musical activity, a week. At Cambridge, Castle learnt the piano and trumpet. He got a music scholarship at Tombridge School, in 1975-78. He played with the school’s Orchestra and Wind band during his stay.
He studied French and German at Cambridge, in 1979. He had a year out, in France, where he played with a local French Jazz band. Back in Britain, he became a member of the Goldsmiths College Big Band that specialised in swing music.
Castle worked as administrator in London. He was with the Greater London Council (1984-86), Thames Water Authority (1986-89) and Port of London Authority from 1989 to 1992.
He trained for the Anglican ministry at Durham, North England, in 1992-95. While there, he joined the Spennymoor Town Band, a traditional brass band.
Castle was ordained priest in 1995. He worked as assistant priest in the diocese of Rochester (Kent, England). He came to Uganda in 2000. He has been Assistant Vicar at Namirembe Cathedral, responsible for the 8:30 am English service.
Apart from music, Castle also takes time to develop the game of football. He has been Assistant coach for his sons’ team, in the Kampala Kids League. Castle’s favourite food is Indian cuisine.
Rev. John Castle and his family will be moving at the end of July this year to the town of Sandhurst in the south-east of England where he will become a Parish Rector.
He has promised to keep in touch with developments in Uganda, both at Namirembe Cathedral and in the Church of Uganda generally.Ends
“MUSIC is part of God’s creative action. It is a divine, beautiful gift that brings people together. It brings enjoyment and relieves stress. However, its most important role is to facilitate worship.â€
The above understanding of music by Rev. John Castle explains why he is obsessed with the art. The 43-year-old charismatic cleric goes with his cornet to Namirembe Cathedral’s pulpit to lead services. He leaves his pulpit seat and joins the choir, as they lift their voices in praise.
Castle does not limit his musical activity to the Cathedral. He is a member of Kampala Jazz Refugees, a secular band that plays at 7 Cooper Road, Kamwokya, near Kampala, every Wednesday. He also used to feature with Music Connections, a contemporary band started by Benon Kigozi, who is out of Uganda currently.
Rev. Castle is amazingly versatile. He plays the cornet, piano, trumpet guitar. He can sing contemporary, Jazz and classical music. “God is not interested in one style,†he explains.
Castle is not selfish with his talent. He has endeavoured to pass it on to others. He coaches the famous Boys/Girls Brigade brass band, (1st Mengo Company). He gives them practical training in playing and staff notation. The dynamic band members now produce pretty, impressive sounds for church and other functions.
Castle is also transmitting his talent to his family members. Georgina, his wife plays the saxophone. His three children are also learning instruments at Kampala Music School. Simon ,11, plays the piano. Matthew ,9, and Adam ,9, play the guitar and clarinet, respectively.
Individuals who misuse music irritate Rev. Castle. “Music is an international language that should be used responsibly. People must not use it to encourage promiscuous lifestyles,†he warns.
Castle has always had big plans to develop talents and uplift young musicians. He spearheaded a fundraising drive to raise money to erect a new building at Namirembe, which will be for the use of the Cathedral choirs, musicians, youth and Sunday school work. He has already raised sh8m for the project. He has also got two pianos, with the help of Fiona Carr.
It is because of his friendliness and outstanding contribution to the development of music that many people have received the news of his impending departure with sad feelings. The Church Mission Society has terminated his stay (in Uganda) because of lack of funds.
Rev. Castle reveals that he has enjoyed the four years of his stay in Uganda. “People have been friendly. The clergy and lay leaders at Namirembe Cathedral have been very accommodative to my lack of Luganda. In terms of weather and the environment, Uganda has been a dream,†he explains.
On the other hand, Castle has also found some things most difficult. For example, the assumption by some people that because his skin is white, he must have infinite resources at his disposal to pay for their fees, hospital and burial expenses and so on. “Fortunately, our Christians have not treated us in this way. We have been able to help some people, mainly those we know and whose stories we can trust,†he explains.
Castle acknowledges the musical heritage Uganda manifests in the many musicians who explore the traditional fusion of music with different kinds of ‘western’ music, both classical and modern, and with other Caribbean and Latin styles.
Rev. John Castle was born at Orpington, UK, in 1961. His parents were professional musicians. Stanley Castle, his father played the violin in the famous London symphony orchestra. Margaret, his mother was a violin teacher.
He went to St. George’s PS, Bickley (1966-69), where he started learning the trumpet. He joined King’s College School, Cambridge in 1970-74. He was chorister with the King’s College (Cambridge) choir, which is famous for the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast on the BBC World Service on Christmas eve.
As a chorister, Castle toured West Africa, Belgium, Canada and Switzerland, which gave him exposure, confidence and experience. The choir sang in six services, which gave Castle 16 hours of musical activity, a week. At Cambridge, Castle learnt the piano and trumpet. He got a music scholarship at Tombridge School, in 1975-78. He played with the school’s Orchestra and Wind band during his stay.
He studied French and German at Cambridge, in 1979. He had a year out, in France, where he played with a local French Jazz band. Back in Britain, he became a member of the Goldsmiths College Big Band that specialised in swing music.
Castle worked as administrator in London. He was with the Greater London Council (1984-86), Thames Water Authority (1986-89) and Port of London Authority from 1989 to 1992.
He trained for the Anglican ministry at Durham, North England, in 1992-95. While there, he joined the Spennymoor Town Band, a traditional brass band.
Castle was ordained priest in 1995. He worked as assistant priest in the diocese of Rochester (Kent, England). He came to Uganda in 2000. He has been Assistant Vicar at Namirembe Cathedral, responsible for the 8:30 am English service.
Apart from music, Castle also takes time to develop the game of football. He has been Assistant coach for his sons’ team, in the Kampala Kids League. Castle’s favourite food is Indian cuisine.
Rev. John Castle and his family will be moving at the end of July this year to the town of Sandhurst in the south-east of England where he will become a Parish Rector.
He has promised to keep in touch with developments in Uganda, both at Namirembe Cathedral and in the Church of Uganda generally.Ends