Events

Southwell Music Festival Events

The 2019 Southwell Music Festival has now ended. To read a virtual copy of the 2019 programme, go here.

The 2020 Southwell Music Festival will be held from 26 to 31 August. More information about the programme of events will be posted here following the programme launch on 17 April 2020.

Event Information:

Sat
17
Aug
2019

Festival Singing Day
1000-1700The Minster School, Southwell
This event takes place prior to the Southwell Music Festival, 21-26 August

Work in-depth on Come and Sing repertoire and learn new choral and vocal techniques with course leader Marcus Farnsworth.

What people are saying

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

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

2016-08-23T12:36:29+01:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

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

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

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

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

2016-08-23T12:37:18+01:00

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

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

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

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

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

2016-08-23T12:37:56+01:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

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

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

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

2016-08-23T12:49:49+01:00

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

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

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

2016-08-23T12:54:46+01:00

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

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

Latest News

A Christmas CelebrationNovember 27, 2019 - 1:57 pm
As preparations for Christmas inexorably gather pace I would like to remind you of the Festival’s own Christmas Celebration at Southwell Minster on Friday 20th December at 7.30pm. Our brilliant Festival Voices will once again be exploring magnificent music from mediaeval times to the present day and I’m very pleased that Clive Mantle, star of stage…
Marcus talks to Nottingham Post about ‘summer’s classiest music festival’October 4, 2019 - 3:07 pm
Today the Nottingham Post have published an interview with our Artistic Director, Marcus Farnsworth, about the Southwell Music Festival, which Marcus set up six years ago. Marcus spoke with the editor of the Nottingham Post, Mike Sassi, who was able to experience the festival at first hand when he attended the popular Come & Sing…
Sunday Times Culture Review, 2019 FestivalSeptember 2, 2019 - 9:27 am
We were pleased that the Chief Classical Music Critic of the Sunday Times, Hugh Canning was able to join us for this year’s Southwell Music Festival. He was able to see events over a couple of days, and drew the conclusion that Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth’s achievement is to have delivered “a week of chamber,…
Record-Breaking SuccessAugust 30, 2019 - 6:19 pm
Audiences, performers and organisers have all expressed delight at the success of the 2019 Southwell Music Festival which took place over the August Bank Holiday. This sixth annual festival, which was supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, broke a number of records: around 3,900 tickets were sold in total;…
Annual Southwell Music Festival ‘an absolute phenomenon’August 30, 2019 - 7:59 am
Yesterday’s print edition of the Newark Advertiser carried a front and double page spread about the 2019 Southwell Music Festival. ‘Festival success!’ referred to the 36 events, National Lottery funding and the enthusiasm of audiences and performers alike, summed up in interview with returning mezzo-soprano Judy Brown, who said: “There aren’t enough superlatives to describe…

What people are saying

"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+01:00

"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."

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

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

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:52:56+01:00

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

https://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+01:00

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

https://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+01:00

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

https://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+01:00

https://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+01:00

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

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

"Friday in the Old Theatre Deli stage area was a very special night. Thanks for arranging this extra concert."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:06:53+01:00

"Friday in the Old Theatre Deli stage area was a very special night. Thanks for arranging this extra concert."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1667/

"The Minster is an ideal base for the Festival. Great atmosphere and imaginative use of the space. State Chamber ideal for smaller scale recitals. Old Theatre has an enjoyable intimacy."

southwell music festival

2016-08-24T08:27:40+01:00

"The Minster is an ideal base for the Festival. Great atmosphere and imaginative use of the space. State Chamber ideal for smaller scale recitals. Old Theatre has an enjoyable intimacy."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1692/

"We have been privileged to hear an outstanding quality of music. The musicians, singers and soloists have given great pleasure to those who heard them. The whole weekend has been an opportunity to experience a variety of music performance. The standard has been first class."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:07:16+01:00

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1668/

“Anyone who doubted that conductor and Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth could possibly work such magic again must now feel certain that his supremely high standards of music-making are to be the hallmark of the Southwell Music Festival for the foreseeable future."

southwell music festival

2016-08-29T18:14:55+01:00

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/2016/

"The performances were all outstanding. I doubt if you could hear anything any better anywhere. The programmes were varied and interesting."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:07:41+01:00

"The performances were all outstanding. I doubt if you could hear anything any better anywhere. The programmes were varied and interesting."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1669/

"A good choice of excellent but unusual music in both concerts attended, and excellent standards of performance by both musicians and singers."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:10:41+01:00

"A good choice of excellent but unusual music in both concerts attended, and excellent standards of performance by both musicians and singers."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1671/

"Old Theatre Deli was absolutely spellbinding, intimate and of international quality. Haydn Creation in the Minster was amazing and of such high quality."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:11:06+01:00

"Old Theatre Deli was absolutely spellbinding, intimate and of international quality. Haydn Creation in the Minster was amazing and of such high quality."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1672/

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

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:36:29+01:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

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

https://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 the way the Sung Eucharist was not so much a 'performance' as an integral part of the liturgy."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:11:27+01:00

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

"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+01:00

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

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

https://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+01:00

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

https://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+01:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

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

https://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+01:00

"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."

https://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+01:00

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

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

Events

Event Information:

Festival Singing Day

What people are saying

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