We are very sad to announce that our joint-President, Philip Langridge, died on 6th March. He was a great supporter of the Festival and intended to sing this year on Friday 26th March. He and his wife, Dame Ann Murray, have given the Festival temendous and very generous support over the years and their concern for the continuity of this year's event was very touching even when they became aware of the serious nature of his illness. We are very grateful to Philip and Ann for the encouragement and help they gave in establishing GSMF.
Philip Langridge (1939 - 2010)
With Philip and Ann's agreement the President's Concert will remain unchanged and Andrew Mackenzie-Wicks will sing Vaughan Williams’s On Wenlock Edge with the prize-winning Heath String Quartet and Terence Allbright (piano). The Heaths will also play two quartets by Beethoven and Mendelssohn.
The Festival
The Guildford Spring Music Festival was created in 2003 when a group of Guildford musicians, including members of the Surrey Mozart Players, local instrumentalists and singers, met to explore the possibility of promoting performance opportunities. The abundance of musical talent in the area quickly became apparent and the idea of a biennial Festival given by local musicians, and to take place between the International Festival, quickly became the focus.
The Electric Theatre was chosen as the home of the Festival and the initial finance was provided through a lottery grant administered by Awards for All and GBC Arts Grant. GSMF 2004 attracted about 600 audience members. GSMF has grown continuously since.
The week will get off to a flying start with four sessions given by members of Rock Choir. Rock Choir is a sensational newcomer to the British tradition of amateur choral music making. Director, Caroline Redman Lusher, trains the singers in harmony and movement to the strains of rock, pop, gospel and Motown. 400 members from the youth, young adult and adult Rock Choirs in our district will take part in these sessions at the Electric Theatre on the first Sunday of the Festival.
Click here to go straight to the programme page
Whatever your taste in music you should find something to appeal to you during the week. Ticketing information is obtained by clicking the BOOKING button on the left. Details are given on how to obtain a multiple event discount and join the ‘Friends of the Festival’ before you buy your tickets to receive a further reduction.
New this year – and hopefully in future Festivals – we have included an associated event which fills a gap which could not be filled at either of our venues, The Electric Theatre or The Guildhall. Guildford and its surroundings contain many churches with fine organs as well as many fine organists who have lived or worked here. GSMF, in association with the Guildford Institute, has included two lecture/recitals featuring local organist Graham Thorp. Click here to go to the details page
We could not bring this variety of music to Guildford audiences every two years without the support of Guildford Borough Council, the Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust and local businesses. Especially this year, we have had to rely on their grants and awards as well as the funds provided four years ago by our Founder Sponsors. We are grateful for this recognition of the value of music in the community.
We look forward to welcoming you and hope that you can come to and enjoy as many events as you can fit into the Festival Week.
Peter Terry (Chairman GSMF)
Gold Founder Sponsors
Allianz A J Bennewith & Co
Bang & Olufsen, Guildford
BDO Stoy Hayward LLP
Burns & Webber Clyde & Co
Clydesdale Bank Hamptons International
PKF, Guildford
Founder Sponsors
Baker Tilly, Guildford Hill Clements
The Festival is supported by
The Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust and Guildford Borough Council