Brixworth Music Festival was created in 2014 by a small group of enthusiastic Northamptonshire musicians who wanted to bring together a variety of musical talent to perform a series of concerts in the heart of the historic village of Brixworth.  Most of the concerts are held in Brixworth’s Saxon Church, its ancient walls and cavernous ceiling providing a wonderful acoustic and the perfect surroundings for the timeless pieces being performed.  In previous years the festival was held in September, but in 2018 concerts will take place over an extended week in late April.  From Friday 20th through Sunday 29th April, Brixworth Music Festival will host nine superb concerts over ten days, ranging from classical to pop, from chamber ensembles to brass band and orchestral music. 

This is a very much a community event.  The festival relies on volunteers who help in a variety of ways, from planning the programme, designing the posters and handling social media and advertising, through to delivering leaflets and providing cups of tea in the refreshment tent.  If you would like to become involved, would like to sponsor one of the concerts or promote your businesses in the festival programme, please get in touch.

The Brixworth Music Festival is gradually gaining a reputation, not only in Northamptonshire but also nationwide and in Europe.  Since its inauguration, audiences have been provided with an interesting mix of classical and contemporary music, interspersed with jazz and light music.  Artists have included some of the best orchestras, choirs and bands in the area, as well as international ensembles and soloists.  In 2015, the festival had the pleasure and privilege of hosting the Master of the Queen’s Music, Judith Weir. The 2018 Festival will cater to all tastes, ranging from choral music of the Renaissance, classical music for orchestra and string quartet to contemporary works. 

One of the Festival highlights is the mid-week ‘Evening of Poetry and Song, hosted by the Rector of Brixworth, Chloe Willson-Thomas and her husband Gwion Thomas, both professional singers.  Chloe and Gwion assemble some of Northamptonshire’s best musicians and actors to present a musical chocolate box of an evening.   The ambience is that of an intimate 17th century salon.  This year’s concert will include the winner of an international competition for women composers pioneered by the festival.  Another highlight is Sarah Small, who was born in Brixworth before moving to London to study recorder and viola da gamba at the Royal College of Music in London.  Since graduating she has moved to Bremen, Germany to further her studies.  For the festival, Sarah is returning to perform an exciting programme celebrating the music of Shakespeare’s time.

Brixworth Music Festival 2018 PROGRAMME

Friday 20th April

7pm Bell Ringers of the Church of All Saints’ will signal the start of the Festival

7.30pm Memphis Blue.  Rock’n’Roll Music of the 50’s and 60’s.  Come and boogie in the church to this fabulous band.

Saturday 21st April 3pm Piano Recital.  Oksana King performs pieces by Bach, Britten and Olive.

7.30pm Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band Sunday

22nd April

10.30am Sung Eucharist

7.30pm ‘Angel Voices’- Fiori Musicali - transcendental music from the Renaissance and the Modern.

Wednesday 25th April

7.30pm ‘If Music be the Food of Love’ - An Evening of Poetry and Song.  The John Clare Wind Quintet with singers Gwion Thomas, Chloe Willson-Thomas, Juliet Lawson and Kay Soteriou.  Includes the first performance of a piece by the winner of the International Competition for Women Composers.

Friday 27th April

7.30pm Tedesca String Quartet.  Works by Haydn, Schubert and Finzi.

Saturday 28th April

7.30pm Brixworth Festival Orchestra.  Beethoven, Mozart and more.

Sunday 29th April

10.30am Sung Eucharist 12noon Brixworth Songsters & Singing Saints (free concert).

6pm  Festal Evensong 7.30pm ‘An Old English Fantasy’ - A concert of Early Music.  This exciting ensemble includes Sarah Small (viola da gamba), Felix Heuser (voice), Morag Johnston (violin) and Gabor Juhasz (Renaissance lute).

Tickets are £12 per concert or you can dip in and out with a Festival Pass at £25. Under 16’s are free when accompanied by an adult.  Tickets are available on the door or from www.wegottickets.com/ BrixworthMusicFestival.

Competition: Brixworth Music Festival is kindly offering readers of Village Connect the chance to win a pair of Festival Passes. Please send your reply by email to:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday 6th April. The question is: One of the biggest supporters of Brixworth Music Festival is the  Master of the Queen’s Music -  who holds that position? 

Further information and  concert details available at www.brixworthmusicfestival.co.uk or from 01604 740796

Brixworth Music Festival 2018

Brixworth Music Festival 2018