An internationally acclaimed musician who grew up in Alsager is playing a concert in his hometown tomorrow – to give local people a chance to hear him perform. 

Composer and pianist, Matthew Thomason, who went to Alsager School, started his musical journey as a child after watching his father, Alan, also a leading musician, play.  

Matthew starting playing the piano as a young child. (Photo: Nub News)

Matthew, 40, has played all over the world from Venice to Helsinki, Berlin, Brussels and London but tomorrow night (August 29th), St Mary Magdalene's Church will blessed with his music. 

And it's not just his family who will be in the audience – members of Alsager Community Choir, which Matthew set up in 2012, will also be there.  

"I grew up here and have family here. I have a soft spot for Alsager and used to live next door to St Mary's vicarage," said Matthew. 

"I now live in Cornwall but love coming back here to visit my family. There's something very special about Alsager – it still has a village feel even though it's a town." 

Matthew studied at the prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), a world leading provider of university-level performing and creative arts training,before teaching in China. 

While in China, his musical talents were spotted and he started choirs for children which had led him to a life-long link

Matthew Thomason has performed all over the world. (Photo: Matthew Thomason)

"Choirs are an important part of the community and help people to connect in all sorts of ways – not just with music but also getting people together and sharing skills." 

Matthew, who lives in Falmouth with his wife, Stephanie and their two children aged five and two, is actively involved in community choirs there and other creative work alongside performing and composing. 

He wrote the soundtrack for the film, "Long Way Back" which is on Spotify here   and was then commissioned to write for a Nintendo game 'Europa'. 

Matthew has chosen St Mary's Church in Alsager for tomorrow night's concert. (Photo: Nub News)

Aside from this, Matthew has immersed himself into the Cornish way of life and language, using some of this to compose a suite of music "Gwlaskor", some of which will be played tomorrow night. 

"I just love the way of life and the landscape which provide plenty of inspiration for my work. We wanted to bring the children up by the sea and immerse ourselves in that lifestyle." 

Matthew will be featuring music from "Long Way Back" as well as music from the Nintendo game and the Cornish suite of music he has composed. 

Matthew has composed a suite of music based on the cornish language. (Photo: Matthew Thomason)

"Matthew Thomason in Concert" starts at 7.30 pm at  St Mary Magdalene in Crewe Road. There are no tickets – the audience is asked to make a donation on the door of between £5 to £10 or £15. 

"We want to make the event accessible to everyone," said Matthew. "It's a chance for everyone to get together and hear my music."  

Matthew has written soundtracks as well as composed other pieces of music. (Photo: Matthew Thomason)

You can find out more about Matthew Thomason's music on his Instagram page here or his website here

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