Shipley Arts Festival begins

Streaming live from Shipley Parish Church on Sunday 2nd May at 8.30pm, the Shipley Arts Festival is launching its 21st anniversary celebrations with a musical programme that explores both past achievements, and future ambitions after 21 years of inspirational music making.
Andrew BernardiAndrew Bernardi
Andrew Bernardi

Andrew Bernardi, violinist and director of the Shipley Arts Festival, said: “This special concert is a double celebration, as for the first time in many months, the Bernardi Music Group will be performing side by side with the String Academy.

“In this beautiful, historic church, the highly talented youth orchestra will create the most delightful music alongside professional musicians, as they return once again to where the vision for the festival started 21 years ago.

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“The programme includes thanks to the late composer and performer John Ireland who rests in the Shipley church grounds. His compositions were inspired by the Sussex communities and stunning countryside vistas surrounding the church, providing the festival with passion and inspiration for over two decades.

“Hosted by many local churches and the great country estates in Sussex; Shipley Arts Festival has grown to be recognised as one of the most inclusive and diverse Music Festivals in the UK, with internationally based musicians returning year on year to perform.

Inspired by English music, the festival commissions new music written by leading musicians and composers. And, maintaining the great tradition of creating and performing music which emanates from the grass roots of Sussex, the Festival has delighted in working with musicians such as Paul Lewis, Roderick Williams, Malcolm Singer and Cecilia McDowall.

“It is a huge achievement to be celebrating this milestone anniversary. From its humble beginnings, we have had the most amazing support and commitment from both the local communities and businesses. This has enabled our nationally renowned festival to grow and achieve the success it has today. John Ireland continues to provide us with lasting inspiration, and as we celebrate, we are also extending our commitment to creating and performing music inspired by the communities of Sussex.”

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For further information and tickets for the Shipley Arts Festival and Leonardslee Garden Concert Series, please visit the website www.bernardimusicgroup.com, check the festival’s Facebook and Twitter pages, or email [email protected].

The Bernardi Music Group are 'supported with public funds from the Arts Council of England’ and enjoy working closely with their sponsors; Tooveys, Nyetimber, Kreston Reeves, Wakefields, NFU Mutual and YuYaun Arts.