Visiting Southwell

The 2019 Festival takes place from 21 to 26 August.

For comprehensive, up-to-date information about the town and its facilities please go to the Visit Southwell website.

To find out more about Festival Venues please go here.

What people are saying

"... a community event of an astoundingly high standard"

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

2016-08-23T12:36:29+00:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

"... a community event of an astoundingly high standard"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/a-community-event-of-an-astoundingly-high-standard/

"Excellent choice of programmes. It was very good to hear live performances from such talented young musicians. Particularly impressed by...

2016-08-23T13:11:27+00:00

"Excellent choice of programmes. It was very good to hear live performances from such talented young musicians. Particularly impressed by the way the Sung Eucharist was not so much a 'performance' as an integral part of the liturgy."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1673/

"Excellent contributions from relatively young, energetic committed professionals. Good choice theme(s) - worked well. State Chamber has intimacy and impact."

2016-08-23T13:12:21+00:00

"Excellent contributions from relatively young, energetic committed professionals. Good choice theme(s) - worked well. State Chamber has intimacy and impact."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1674/

"Exceptional! Many of the performances were beyond words. It was a privilege to be part of this inaugural festival. Well...

2016-08-23T13:12:47+00:00

"Exceptional! Many of the performances were beyond words. It was a privilege to be part of this inaugural festival. Well done to Marcus, the artistes and to the organising committee."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1675/

"Energetic! Good choice of madrigals and music generally. Young performers who enjoyed it as much as the audiences"

2016-08-23T13:14:11+00:00

"Energetic! Good choice of madrigals and music generally. Young performers who enjoyed it as much as the audiences"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1677/

Latest News

The Real Life EventAugust 28, 2018 - 8:51 am
A review of the Southwell Music Festival 2018 by Nottingham Post critic William Ruff: There’s no such thing as disappointment at the Southwell Festival – except when the tickets sell out. Forget about births, marriages and deaths: it’s the annual Southwell Music Festival that’s the real life event. It’s not at all unusual to hear…
2018 Festival Bach B Minor Mass ReviewAugust 23, 2018 - 6:23 pm
William Ruff of the Nottingham Post attended the performance of JS Bach’s B Minor Mass in the Minster on the first night of the Festival and was moved to write this piece which he has given us permission to publish here: “Something happened in the nave of Southwell Minster on the opening night of this year’s…
2018 Performer Profiles: Matthew GeeAugust 21, 2018 - 7:40 am
Associate Artistic Director Jamie Campbell introduces some of the outstanding performers taking part in the 2018 Southwell Music Festival. “We’re looking forward to welcoming trombonist Matthew Gee back to the Southwell Music Festival. 1) Who are you, where are you based, and what work do you do? I’m Matthew and based in Ealing in West…
2018 Performer Profiles: Benjamin MellefontAugust 20, 2018 - 9:00 am
Associate Artistic Director Jamie Campbell introduces some of the outstanding performers taking part in the 2018 Southwell Music Festival. “We’re looking forward to welcoming clarinettist Benjamin Mellefont to the Southwell Music Festival. 1) Who are you, where are you based, and what work do you do? My name is Benjamin Mellefont and I was born…
2018 Performer Profiles: Charlotte AshtonAugust 19, 2018 - 8:15 am
Associate Artistic Director Jamie Campbell introduces some of the outstanding performers taking part in the 2018 Southwell Music Festival. “We’re looking forward to welcoming flautist Charlotte Ashton back to the Southwell Music Festival. 1) Who are you, where are you based, and what work do you do? My name is Charlotte Ashton and I am…

What people are saying

"The eyes of the musical world now need to be directed towards Southwell in August."

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:37:18+00:00

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

"The eyes of the musical world now need to be directed towards Southwell in August."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/the-eyes-of-the-musical-world-now-need-to-be-directed-towards-southwell-in-august/

"Excellent contributions from relatively young, energetic committed professionals. Good choice theme(s) - worked well. State Chamber has intimacy and impact."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:12:21+00:00

"Excellent contributions from relatively young, energetic committed professionals. Good choice theme(s) - worked well. State Chamber has intimacy and impact."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1674/

"...Southwell can already equal, even surpass, more established festivals."

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:37:56+00:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

"...Southwell can already equal, even surpass, more established festivals."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/southwell-can-already-equal-even-surpass-more-established-festivals/

"Exceptional! Many of the performances were beyond words. It was a privilege to be part of this inaugural festival. Well done to Marcus, the artistes and to the organising committee."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:12:47+00:00

"Exceptional! Many of the performances were beyond words. It was a privilege to be part of this inaugural festival. Well done to Marcus, the artistes and to the organising committee."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1675/

"The choir and orchestra were excellent. The soloists were inspirational and the interpretation of the music was masterful."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:49:49+00:00

"The choir and orchestra were excellent. The soloists were inspirational and the interpretation of the music was masterful."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1650/

"Energetic! Good choice of madrigals and music generally. Young performers who enjoyed it as much as the audiences"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:14:11+00:00

"Energetic! Good choice of madrigals and music generally. Young performers who enjoyed it as much as the audiences"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1677/

"I must congratulate you on a faultless programme of events and of apparently seamless planning. I wish we'd been free to attend more events and will do so next year and all future years. Well done indeed!"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:54:46+00:00

I must congratulate you on a faultless programme of events and of apparently seamless planning.

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1658/

"A very special and memorable weekend"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:46:27+00:00

"A very special and memorable weekend"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1683/

"Some of the best chamber performances I've ever heard - I speak as an experienced classical recording engineer. Wonderfully varied programmes, avoiding some of the 'usual suspects'."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:55:20+00:00

Some of the best chamber performances I've ever heard

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1659/

"The standard is extraordinarily high; the enthusiasm of the musicians completely infectious."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:50:49+00:00

"The standard is extraordinarily high; the enthusiasm of the musicians completely infectious."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1684/

"Very polished, well performed and most enjoyable."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:56:41+00:00

"Very polished, well performed and most enjoyable."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1660/

"Amazing, astounding, truly fabulous."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:51:16+00:00

"Amazing, astounding, truly fabulous."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1685/

"The professionalism, energy and delight in playing together in a very well thought out programme, was evident. As sponsors we regard it as worth every penny - we are still in Seventh Heaven!!"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:57:55+00:00

"The professionalism, energy and delight in playing together in a very well thought out programme, was evident. As sponsors we regard it as worth every penny - we are still in Seventh Heaven!!"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/we-are-still-in-seventh-heaven/

"Best festival ever attended. Joyful atmosphere."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:51:51+00:00

"Best festival ever attended. Joyful atmosphere."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1686/

"The whole festival was simply outstanding and I enjoyed every minute of it! The programmes were so well thought out and the performers' enthusiasm and wonderful playing and singing were SUPERB."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:05:05+00:00

"The whole festival was simply outstanding and I enjoyed every minute of it! The programmes were so well thought out and the performers' enthusiasm and wonderful playing and singing were SUPERB."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1664/

"Imaginative, beautiful, creative and performed to utter perfection."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:52:56+00:00

"Imaginative, beautiful, creative and performed to utter perfection."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1687/

"Outstanding choice of music - a rich variety. The quality of the performances was amazing - what a treat for little Southwell!"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:05:35+00:00

"Outstanding choice of music - a rich variety. The quality of the performances was amazing - what a treat for little Southwell!"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1665/

"So good to have different venues which all seemed so well kept and run."

southwell music festival

2016-08-24T08:26:24+00:00

"So good to have different venues which all seemed so well kept and run."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1690/

"It was lovely to hear fresh young voices in the choir. I thought the quality of the performance was exceptionally good from the orchestra to soloists. The dynamics and interpretation of the Creation was excellent."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:06:06+00:00

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1666/

"Aren't we lucky to have such great venues within easy reach of each other?"

southwell music festival

2016-08-24T08:26:49+00:00

"Aren't we lucky to have such great venues within easy reach of each other?"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1691/