The 2026 Festival - thank you

This year's music Festival has flown by and proved to be one of the very best ever with so many truly remarkable concerts. Three stunning piano recitals by Marc-André Hamelin, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, and Antoine Préat, two Bach marathons from Florilegium, and Benjamin Baker, passionate chamber music from the Pavel Haas Quartet, the Nash Ensemble, the Hyde Clarinet Quartet, and oboist Ewan Millar, and two evocative song recitals from baritones James Newby and George Robarts. Who will ever forget the sublime choral evening from the Tallis Scholars which opened the Festival, the brilliance of the Jess Gillam Ensemble, and the meticulous detail and focus of Iestyn Davies' concert with the Fretwork. And this year's Festival Academy Orchestra surpassed themselves delivering incredible performances of some really challenging repertoire alongside our star soloists, Marc-André Hamelin, Jess Gillam and Ruth Rogers. 

As we draw a line under another fortnight of gorgeous music, let us take a moment to reflect on the work and dedication from so many. The music remains paramount to us all, but it takes a village (or in our case a town) to make this magnificent Festival work so well. To everyone: performers, composers, audiences, sponsors and donors, the vicar and church wardens of St James’ Church, front of house and behind the scenes staff and supporters, and those who fed, watered and cheered our musicians - our heartfelt thanks.

At the start of the Festival we announced that  Steven Isserlis has agreed to be our new Festival President. Steven is without question one of the finest cellists in the world and is a much revered regular on our concert platform, sharing his musical genius so generously with our orchestra as well as beguiling audiences year after year.  During Steven’s three-year tenure as the Festival's President we are planning unique performances, masterclasses and other surprises.

All to be revealed in due course.

Jessica May & Thomas Hull