STRATFORD ON AVON MUSIC FESTIVAL
The 14th Stratford on Avon Music Festival in October 2009 “surpassed all expectations”, according to Artistic Director, Ambrose Miller.
Mr Miller added:
“The 2009 Festival has been a tremendous success artistically and there has been a real buzz around the town and among festival-goers.”
“Our ever-popular lunchtime series has seen the largest ever audiences this year, with some almost double the size of last year's. Many of the concerts sold out and had people waiting for returns, which goes to show that the festival is going from strength to strength, and attracting interest not only from concert-goers but also from the local business community. We are already looking forward to planning next year, so watch this space.”
Festival organisers try hard to cater for every taste, and programmes in recent years reflect the huge range of entertainment on offer with top names who have attracted increasingly large audiences from all over Britain and abroad. In 2009, the eight-day Festival featured many famous names including:
Britain's best-loved clarinettist, Emma Johnson, violinist, Jennifer Pike who won the BBC Young Musician of The Year competition with her memorable performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, vintage folk legend, John Kirkpatrick - and, last but not least, the multi-award winning Black Dyke Band whose sell-out performance will no doubt long remain one of the highlights of the Festival.
Alongside these famous names there were many rising stars performing during the weekday lunchtime concert series in the Town Hall including the sublime Finzi Quartet (pictured), young Romanian violinist, Vlad Maistorovici and pianist Nicholas Walker who brought the house down with his performance of Balakirev's Islamey.
Other highlights included the hugely anticipated opening concert given by La Serenissima with their inspiring all-Vivaldi concert by candlelight in Holy Trinity Church, pianist Tom Poster, who gave an enthralling performance in the Town Hall, a joyous programme of music from Shakespeare's time in the Guild Chapel with medieval music specialists, Sirinu, and a rousing choral finale from the Stratford Chamber Choir.
For full details of all the artists involved in the 2009 programme download the full Festival brochure here:
EDUCATION PROGRAMME
Each year the Stratford on Avon Music Festival includes a lively Education Programme featuring many of the artists performing at the Festival. 2009 contributors included Sirinu, clarinettist Emma Johnson and world musicians Simon Abbot and Mauricio Velasierra who gave a series of highly entertaining workshops with their wonderful array of flutes and drums.
If your school would like to be involved in the 2010 education programme please contact Karen Gaymond at karen@gaymond.co.uk.
BECOME A FESTIVAL FRIEND
If you appreciate the importance of live music and enjoy performances of the highest professional quality, why not support the Festival by becoming a Friend?
With subscription rates remaining at just £20 for an individual and £30 for a couple, the many benefits of our Friends membership include: two weeks' priority booking, invitations to special Friends events, an invitation to the Festival Opening Reception, subscription to the Friends newsletter which includes advance notification of Festival plans, and more.
Your extra support is invaluable and helps us to continue engaging international artists with exciting and varied programmes.
If you would like to become a Friend of the Festival please contact Jane Cromack on 07805 796332, or email jvcromack@aol.com.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
To be put onto our mailing list please email your full details to stratmusicfest@btconnect.com or phone the Festival Office on 01789 298197.
FUNDING
The Stratford on Avon Music Festival is funded by the Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust and Arts Council England. These are backed up by a significant contribution from sponsors, trusts and other supporters.
FURTHER INFORMATION & 2010 DATES
The 2010 Festival dates are 2-9 October. For further information about this year's Festival contact Alison Smith at stratmusicfest@btconnect.com or phone
01789 298197.