A heartwarming start to the festive season with Southwell Music Festival
Southwell Music Festival returns this December with two fantastic seasonal concerts.
Taking place on Monday 8 December, A Christmas Celebration brings together seasonal words, poetry and music in the stunning setting of Southwell Minster.
Directed by Festival Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth, this concert features the beautiful sounds of the Southwell Festival Voices, accompanied by readings and poetry performed by popular TV actor and author Clive Mantle.
Marcus has been curating a Christmas programme for all to enjoy, blending traditional carols with contemporary works from the likes of Sally Beamish, Bob Chilcott and Florence Price. The programme also includes a new arrangement of The Coventry Carol, by jazz vocalist Clare Wheeler, who performed at this year’s Festival back in August.
Southwell Music Festival is also proud to support young artists, especially those with roots in Nottinghamshire. Continuing this tradition, this concert will also showcase three works by up-and-coming composer George W. Parris. George, a former chorister at Southwell Minster, is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and is building a career as an accomplished composer. He says:
“Having been a part of the behind-the-scenes Festival team since 2019 and seen the fantastic work they do with young artists, it’s a real privilege to be involved as a composer this year. It’s particularly special for me to be returning to Southwell Minster as it is where my musical journey started as a chorister, as well as to have three pieces which mark quite different stages of my composing performed, one of which will be a premiere!”
This year’s Southwell Music Festival Christmas offering will also include a special concert, Relaxed Christmas Carols, taking place at The HopBarn, Southwell on Sunday 7 December.
Hosted by Carris Jones, this will be a welcoming and inclusive Christmas music experience specially designed for those who would benefit from a more relaxed performance setting, including families with young children and individuals with sensory or communication needs, learning disabilities or who are neurodiverse.
A quartet of singers will perform a programme of fun festive favourites, alongside audience carols for all to sing along. With a friendly, flexible approach to noise and movement, audience members will be free to move in and out of the venue. This is a “pay-what-you-can” event.
Tickets for A Christmas Celebration and Relaxed Christmas Carols can be booked by visiting southwellmusicfestival.com or by calling the Box Office on 01636 330014.