About the Chipping Campden Music Festival
Chipping Campden Music Festival was founded in 2002 by Charlie Bennett. Since that time, it has grown into one of the UK’s most prestigious festivals featuring some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians, who all love performing in the wonderful setting of St James’ church. 2023 will be Charlie’s last festival at the helm and from the end of this year he will be handing the running of it over to Thomas Hull and Jessica May.
In 2005 Internationally renowned pianist Paul Lewis became the festival’s president and he has performed here every year since then.
In 2006 Julian Lloyd Webber became Patron of the Festivals Education programme.
The festival attracts visitors from Europe, America, Canada, Australia, & New Zealand, as well as from all over the UK.
Music Education
As a charity, the festival is seriously committed to music education.
In addition to the festival lunchtime concerts, we run workshops and regular coaching sessions in local schools given by experienced practitioners.
The ‘Chipping Campden Festival Academy’ orchestra, formed in 2008, has become an extremely significant part of the festival. The Academy is formed a new every year (although many of the professionals are regular members) and each desk has an advanced conservatoire student or recent graduate playing alongside an experienced Professional. This gives the young artists an invaluable insight into what playing in a professional orchestra really entails. For details about applying as an ‘Academy’ member please email Thomas Hull – or Jessica May
Community Choir
Our community choir is known as the Festival Chorus. If you are interested in joining, please email the Music Director Charles Matthews .
There are no auditions for the choir, all are welcome. They rehearse on Wednesday evenings during school term times and give three public concerts each year, usually with professional ensembles and soloists.
