Gallery

More images via instagram.com/southwellmusicfestival

The 2019 Festival

Photos: Dick Makin Imaging

The 2018 Festival

Photos: Dick Makin Imaging

The 2017 Festival

Photos: Nick Rutter, except where indicated* (if publishing these photos, please credit ‘Nick Rutter’)

The 2016 Festival

Photos: Nick Rutter (if publishing these photos, please credit ‘Nick Rutter’)

The 2016 Festival – opening day social media selection

Photos: Southwell Music Festival

The 2016 Festival Launch Event

Photos: Southwell Music Festival

The 2015 Festival

Photos: Nick Rutter (if publishing these photos, please credit ‘Nick Rutter’)

The 2015 Festival Launch Event

Photos: James Turner

The 2014 Festival

Photos: Andy Staples Photography

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

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…
Sometimes mystifying, always engrossingAugust 28, 2019 - 8:15 pm
William Ruff’s final concert review of the 2019 Southwell Music Festival was of our Sunday night chamber concert of American music: Sounds of the New World. Mr Ruff’s summed up his own experience with As I was leaving the Minster I overheard comments such as: ‘Did you hear those lovely woodwind solos?’ It was that…

What people are saying

"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/

"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+01:00

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

https://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+01:00

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

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

"A very special and memorable weekend"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:46:27+01:00

"A very special and memorable weekend"

https://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+01:00

Some of the best chamber performances I've ever heard

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

Gallery

The 2019 Festival

The 2018 Festival

The 2017 Festival

The 2016 Festival

The 2016 Festival – opening day social media selection

The 2016 Festival Launch Event

The 2015 Festival

The 2015 Festival Launch Event

The 2014 Festival

What people are saying

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