Sherborne Abbey Festival

26/07/2024

It was a marvellous 2024 Festival season, but we shan't be reminiscing for too long, as we will be bringing you exciting news of Sherborne Abbey Festival 2025 very soon! 🎶

You can now look back on some of this year's Festival highlights here:
https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/portfolio/sherborne-abbey-festival-2024/

15/07/2024

We love behind-the-scenes photos just as much as concert shots—sometimes even more!

This particular favourite shows cheerful Sherborne Abbey Choristers relaxing before their incredible evening performance at this year's Festival.

25/06/2024

This year's Festival attracted enormous audiences from near and far, and the community as a whole was a real credit to the town!

Visitors and performers alike were enchanted by Sherborne, its vibrant atmosphere, and the warm hospitality they received.

05/06/2024

Volunteers’ Week is a time to express our gratitude for the incredible contributions made by volunteers. The Festival is run entirely by volunteers, each bringing unique and invaluable qualities for which we are profoundly grateful.

This year, one volunteer in particular deserves special recognition. As Production Manager for Sherborne Abbey Festival, Sammy has meticulously overseen all aspects of the concerts, ensuring everything is ready for both musicians and audiences. The scope of her responsibilities has been extensive, so as she stands down from this hugely demanding role, let us simply say thank you for your years of hard work and dedication! 🥂

https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/support-festival/

15/05/2024

We were thrilled to host our annual patron's party in the sunny and beautiful surroundings of the vicarage garden last week. 🥂

It provided a delightful occasion for our supporters to socialise over wine and nibbles, while allowing us the chance to express our sincere gratitude for their continued support.

15/05/2024

We were thrilled to host our annual patron's party in the sunny and beautiful surroundings of the vicarage garden last week. 🥂

It provided a delightful occasion for our supporters to socialise over wine and nibbles, while allowing us the chance to express our sincere gratitude for their continued support.

🎶 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/support-festival/

10/05/2024

Dinner & Opera at The Plume Of Feathers was a joyful way to bid adieu to yet another fabulous festival season.

Thank you to the thousands of you who attended this year's concerts; your wonderful etiquette, applause, and general appreciation were a delight to all who performed for you.

Many thanks must also go to everyone who contributed to the success of this year's Festival. From organisers, performers, schools, and venues, to our incredible group of volunteers who greeted all who attended with such warmth, and worked so hard to ensure each event ran smoothly.

https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org

09/05/2024

The Academy of Ancient Music performed the last evening concert of the Festival in the Abbey, to a large, appreciative audience on Tuesday evening. Earlier that day, Sherborne Girls presented 2 captivating concerts; first from their talented chamber choir, the Madrigal Society, and then later their exceptional Chamber Ensembles took their turn. 🎶

And so we find ourselves here, on the final day of Sherborne Abbey Festival 2024. As has become customary in recent years, we will be going out on a high with a wonderful evening of Dinner & Opera at The Plume Of Feathers later today. 🥂

https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org

08/05/2024

Yesterday marked the final evening concert in Sherborne Abbey of the 2024 Festival (with 2 sold-out opera dinners at The Plume of Feathers still to come)! It was a fitting occasion to extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to this year’s success and to honor John Baker, the Festival Chairman, as he steps down from his dedicated role since founding the Festival in 2000. 🎶

We were delighted to present him with the original oil painting by Laurence Belbin Artist, showcased on the cover of this year’s Festival Souvenir Brochure. Along with it, we extend our heartfelt thanks for his remarkable achievements and for the love, support, and friendship he has shared over the years. 🥂

🎼 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org

07/05/2024

Rehearsing in the beautiful , where we have our ‘Art of the Italian Concerto’ programme tonight.

07/05/2024

Bank holiday Monday was a musical celebration for the entire community! Our youngest Festival goers had a fun start to the day with Toddler Tunes, which was followed by Carnival Samba, with those joining in aged from 9 - 80+!

The afternoon saw even more variety, with an impressive recital from Robert Quinney, one of the UK's most esteemed organists, and then later in the day, Leweston School Chamber Ensembles were an absolute delight!

The day drew to a close with a sublime evening concert from Sherborne Abbey Choir, with a uniquely special programme that included music from the Sherborne Missal.

🎟 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/all-events/

07/05/2024

4 tickets have become available for Dinner & Opera at The Plume Of Feathers on Thursday evening. This event sold out very quickly so hopefully this will be welcome news to some!

🎟 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/portfolio/dinner-opera-thu-2024/

05/05/2024

A handful of visual highlights from a weekend of soaring musical highs! 🎶

From talented local students, to world renowned ensembles, it's been a memorable and exhilarating weekend so far, and it's not over yet!

🎟 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/all-events/

04/05/2024

Day two of the Festival brought outstanding performances from Sherborne School, firstly with their impressive Chamber Ensembles, and then later from their phenomenal Swing Band!

The day culminated in a mesmerising evening concert with Violinist Leia Zhu and the Iuventus Chamber Orchestra in the magnificent Sherborne Abbey .

As always our audiences were an absolute joy, and we hope you'll join us for many more concerts over the coming days.
🎟 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/all-events/

03/05/2024

17-year-old violin sensation Leia Zhu is pictured warming up for this evening's concert, in which she will perform one of the great Romantic works of the violin repertory, the Brahms Violin Concerto.

Leia plays this magnificent Guadagnini violin which was made in 1757, 1 year after the birth of Mozart. It has been on loan to her from a Swiss foundation for almost 2 years.

In the second half of the concert, the Iuventus Chamber Orchestra come to the fore in Mozart’s grand final symphony – the dramatic and exuberant ‘Jupiter’.

🎟 Final tickets remaining:
https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/portfolio/leia-zhu-iuventus-chamber-orchestra/

03/05/2024

We are incredibly grateful to our Festival Patrons, each of whom enjoy a range of privileges at the level they have chosen.

This year, our Diamond, Ruby, and Pearl Patrons can look forward to a Champagne interval when attending evening concerts in the Abbey! 🥂

We are always delighted to welcome new Festival Patrons at all levels, you can find out more about supporting the Festival on our website:
https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/support-festival/

02/05/2024

We've got an extraordinary 8 days of concerts lined up for you, beginning this evening with the Sherborne Festival Chorus. 🎉

This year's beautiful Souvenir Programme will be available for £5 on the door, or £4 when you purchase it in advance alongside your tickets. 🎶

🎟 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/all-events/

01/05/2024

Enjoy some bank holiday fun for the whole family - from children to grandparents! Shake, rattle and drum with cross rhythms and Latin American percussion, then come together in an exhilarating informal performance - Brazilian carnival style! 🪇

Carnival Samba 🥁
Monday 6th May at 10.30am
🎟 Tickets: FREE (advanced booking only):
https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/portfolio/toddler-tunes-carnival-samba/

30/04/2024

Sherborne Museum Curator, Elisabeth, gave a fascinating talk last night about the Sherborne Missal, the spectacular and unrivalled late medieval service book created by the abbey monks between 1399 and 1407.

Attendees enjoyed a complimentary glass of wine and were given the opportunity to interact with the digital version of the Missal during a private tour of the Museum.

There are a few places remaining for the second museum talk tomorrow evening (Wed 1st May, 7pm). If you would like to attend please book your free place by emailing: [email protected]

🎟 Tickets are also still available for the uniquely special Sherborne Abbey Choir concert on Monday 6th May, which will include music from the Sherborne Missal: https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/portfolio/sherborne-abbey-choir/

29/04/2024

Sherborne Abbey Festival 2024 opens on Thursday evening with the epic Sherborne Festival Chorus!

With more than 20 concerts and events taking place in and around Sherborne, an awe-inspiring, 8-day celebration of music awaits!

For ticket information, and booking, please visit our website:

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive announcements & news. You’ll also find event information across our social media pages.

26/04/2024

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Porter Dodson for their unwavering support over the years.

They have been our main sponsor since the inception of the Festival 25 years ago, and their commitment has been instrumental in the continued success of the Festival. 🎶

🎟 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/all-events/

📣 TWO WEEKS TO GO! 📣

We're thrilled to be sponsoring the Sherborne Abbey Festival for the 25th consecutive year! 🌟

The Sherborne Festival Chorus kicks off a fantastic lineup of events across the 8 day festival in the heart of the town 🎷🏡

Find out more and buy tickets by following the link! https://bit.ly/44byrJN

24/04/2024

The daughter of legendary Jazz icons Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, Jacqui Dankworth brings a unique blend of jazz and soul to the stage.
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With her rich, soulful, and velvety voice, she has a versatile range that allows her to convey a wide range of emotions, from intimate ballads to powerful jazz performances.
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Join us on Sunday 5th May for an unforgettable evening with Jacqui Dankworth:
🎟 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/portfolio/an-evening-with-jacqui-dankworth/

22/04/2024

Woven throughout each Festival are a number of concerts featuring pupils from schools in and around Sherborne.

Many of these talented young people will go on to do great things, and it is such a privilege to witness the results of their hard work and determination during these astonishingly accomplished performances.

Please visit our website to view all Festival events including concerts by Sherborne School, The Gryphon School, Leweston School, and Sherborne Girls.
🎟 https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/all-events/

19/04/2024

We're delighted to be hosting violinist Ruth Rogers, leader of the London Mozart Players, as part of our Subscription Series this April!

18/04/2024

The Festival recently gave £5,000 in sponsorship to the Sherborne Douzelage Committee to help with funding for the 48th Douzelage General Meeting which was hosted in Sherborne last week.

Sherborne Douzelage promotes educational, sporting, cultural and employment links between Sherborne and the other Douzelage towns of Europe.

On Saturday, at a dinner for delegates from 24 countries, an orchestra performed made up of locals and visitors who had only met for the first time 2 days previously!

It was a wonderful evening, enjoyed by all!

https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org

17/04/2024

Sherborne Museum and Sherborne Abbey Festival are delighted to invite
ticket holders of the Sherborne Abbey Choir concert to an exclusive
presentation on the Sherborne Missal, including an opportunity to
interact with the digital version of the Missal at the Museum, followed
by a private tour and a complimentary glass! 🥂

🎟 Tickets for Sherborne Abbey Choir on Mon 6 May 2024 at 7:30PM https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/portfolio/sherborne-abbey-choir/

Ticket holders, please book your free place for the Sherborne Museum events by emailing: [email protected] no later than Friday 26 April.
Numbers are limited to 20 for Monday 29 April at 5pm, or Wednesday 1st May at 7pm.

📸 Image courtesy of the British Library (Add MS 74236)

15/04/2024

Academy of Ancient Music's Bojan Čičić leads his hand-picked team of virtuoso players to rediscover a fabulous lost world: music that never loses its power to seduce, dazzle and delight. 🎶

Using historically informed techniques and period-specific instruments, AAM will be bringing a celebration of the Italian concerto, from Vivaldi’s Venice, to the splendour of Rome!

🎟 To find out more about this exciting concert, and to book tickets, please visit our website:
https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/portfolio/academy-of-ancient-music-the-art-of-the-italian-concerto/

📸 Credit: Benjamin Ealovega

09/04/2024

Following their incredible performance in 2023, we are delighted that Sherborne Festival Chorus will also be opening our 2024 Festival on Thur 2nd May. 🎶

Sherborne Festival Chorus is a non-auditioning, community-based choir of 140 people, formed in 2006, in collaboration with Sherborne Abbey Festival, to enable, and to encourage, local people to sing to a high standard within an informal environment.

Their aim is to provide more local people with the opportunity to perform in Sherborne Abbey and to involve members of the community in Sherborne Abbey Festival.

🎟 For concert details, and tickets, please visit our website:
https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/portfolio/sherborne-festival-chorus/

05/04/2024

Join us for a charming afternoon recital with Kieran White Tenor; ex-Sherborne chorister, former Festival grant recipient, and now leading, internationally sought-after tenor, as he presents a programme of songs and arias accompanied by renowned harpsichordist extraordinaire David Wright.

Prepare to be captivated by favourites such as 'Sweeter Than Roses' and 'One Charming Night' from The Fairy Queen - an absolute treat for Purcell lovers!

Henry Purcell: songs and arias Kieran White – ex-Sherborne chorister and now leading, internationally sought-after tenor – presents a programme of songs and arias accompanied by renowned harpsichordist extraordinaire David Wright. With favourites including the transcendent ‘Sweeter Than Roses....

02/04/2024

Go on, try something new! Each year we welcome people of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the UK to experience a wide range of performances and genres; from opera, choral, and classical music, to jazz, swing and more!

We believe everyone should be able to enjoy inspiring musical performances, you’ll therefore find that many performances are free whilst others are affordably priced.

Visit our website and discover what we’ve got lined up for you this year!
https://www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org/all-events/