ABOUT US
Chipping Campden Music Festival was founded in 2002 by Charlie Bennett. Since that time it has grown into one of the UK’s most prestigious festivals featuring some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians, who all love performing in the wonderful setting of St James’ church, described by Alfred Brendel as “One of the finest acoustics I encountered in my 60 year career”
The 2025 Festival is the second with the new team, Artistic Director, Thomas Hull, and Operations Director, Jessica May, at the helm.
Both Tom and Jessica have worked closely with Charlie Bennett at the Festival for many years and are deeply honoured that he and the Festival Trustees have entrusted them to take on the leadership of this world renowned festival. Both share Charlie’s devotion to excellence and his philosophy - the music is paramount.
In 2005 Internationally renowned pianist Paul Lewis became the festival’s president and he has performed here every year since then. The festival attracts visitors from Europe, America, Canada, Australia, & New Zealand, as well as from all over the UK.
Over the past 22 years the Chipping Campden Music Festival has grown into one of the most treasured and unique festivals in the UK. Its aim has always been simple - to bring world-class performances to this stunning spot in the Cotswolds, and to the sublime acoustic of St James’ Church. It is with great sadness but much gratitude that the festival says farewell to its founder and guider from the beginning, Charlie Bennett. We are all immeasurably indebted to Charlie for his vision, relentless hard work, and his total commitment to and support of the countless artists who have performed here over the years. He passes the
responsibility to two people for whom the festival matters a great deal. Thomas Hull and Jessica May have both been closely involved with the festival from its early days, and from next year will take on the task of leading the festival forward into its next exciting chapter with the same guiding principle of artistic quality at its core. The festival is incredibly fortunate to have such an outstanding and dedicated team as Jessica and Tom to carry forward and build on Charlie’s wonderful achievements. The warmest of welcomes to them both as they take up their new roles!
Paul Lewis, Festival President
I am grateful to have this opportunity to pay tribute to Charlie Bennett’s extraordinary achievement in singlehandedly setting up what has become one of the finest classical music festivals in the UK. Charlie has brought world-class musicians to a beautiful part of England which was hitherto bereft of high quality live performance.
As the Festival’s Education Patron I have regularly witnessed the importance Charlie attaches not only to training the musicians of the future but also to his belief which we share - that all children should have access to music regardless of background or family income.
Luckily, Tom Hull & Jessica May will make a great team to head up the music festival and take it forward. As well as being a superb musician himself, Tom has years of experience in the music business and countless contacts in the profession.
Jessica is also a fine musician who has been heavily involved in music education for well over twenty years. They both share a passion for giving as many young people as possible access to great music and have plans to expand the education side of the festival even further.
The Festival remains in safe hands but we will never forget the extraordinary legacy that Charlie has provided for us.
Julian Lloyd Webber, Patron of Education
HOW TO BUILD AN ORCHESTRA
The trailer for a documentary on how The Festival Academy Orchestra comes together and performs each year. The full version of this video can be viewed on our Education and Orchestra page.
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The Chipping Campden Music Festival brings worldclass artists – and also young musicians starting their professional journeys – to a wonderful venue. After a long lifetime as a performer, having the chance to be part of the audience and to hear concerts of outstanding quality in such a setting is the purest joy.
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I only discovered the joys of Chipping Campden late in my performing career but still relished the opportunity to play in the glorious acoustics of St James’ Church. Since retiring from the concert platform I have returned a number of times to lecture at the music festival and can’t think of many places that rival this most picturesque Cotswold town in late spring.
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The Festival is in my view, and that of all musicians I know, one of the loveliest in the British summer musical calendar. The audience is knowledgeable, attentive and extremely warm and there is always a sense of occasion. A beautiful piano completes a nigh perfect venue , the whole fuelled by the passionate enthusiasm of Charlie Bennett, whose devotion to quality at all costs is only too rare, and to be treasured.
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The Chipping Campden Music Festival is a jewel in the crown of British music making. Without compromising on either the choice of musicians or their programmes, Charlie Bennett has created one of the ‘hottest tickets’ in classical music.
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