Some reflections on our first 40 years and looking looking forward to the future
REFLECTIONS
Looking back over 40 years of Amersham Festivals, I have so much to be thankful for, Richard Steele (Chairman), Martin Berry (Treasurer) and Mary Murley, now Ledingham, (administrator) joined me in launching the first Festival in 1983 and gave me great support in promoting and publicising our first programme. The Reverend Alan Campbell welcomed us to the lovely church of St Mary’s in Old Amersham, which has since been the venue for many orchestral and choral events. Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs Macleod Matthews hosted festival events at Chenies Manor House on an annual basis, combining beautiful concerts and good food and wine in a delightful setting.
The Amersham Festival Chamber Orchestra was established in 1988, made up of experienced and very talented professional musicians, who bring much enthusiasm and mutual enjoyment to their music making. Our annual orchestral concerts in St Mary’s Church have been a very popular feature, introducing many fine soloists and a wide-ranging repertoire. We have been unusual among festivals in having our own 'in house' chamber orchestra.
We have been lucky to have a series of expert chairmen – Richard Steele, Christopher Smith, Peter Gell, Sheila Cousens, Lynda Weiss, Jane Partridge, Jonathan Pegler and now Claire Jenkin, all of whom have brought their own insights and wisdom to our endeavours. I am deeply grateful for all they and many committee members over the years have contributed to the success of the Festival.
The Festival has given me some of my finest and most memorable musical experiences – orchestral concerts, chamber music, large scale choral works and even operatic productions, superbly staged by my dear friends Katherine Bond an Alan Paterson. Above all, it has been a great pleasure and a privilege to work with our Chamber Orchestra. It is a joy to make music with these fine players and I am deeply grateful for their support and friendship.
'PASSING ON THE BATON'
I am absolutely delighted that Chris Hopkins is taking over from me as Artistic Director. He is a brilliant musician and a very experienced conductor and pianist. I have no doubt that future festival goers are in for a treat. I wish him every success and hope that the festival will give him as much pleasure as it has given me over the last 40 years.
Iain Ledingham - Outgoing Artistic Director
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
I am thrilled to be receiving the baton from one of my musical idols. Some years ago I was a student at the Royal Academy of Music where I was inspired by Iain’s incredible musicianship, generosity, and care - not just for the music but also for the young artists he was working with. I’ve learnt since that indeed there are very few musicians around who can come close to balancing such wisdom, knowledge, and experience with calm and assured focus, and so I am in no doubt about the size of the shoes that I will attempt to fill next year.
It is no mean feat to keep any artistic endeavour not just going but thriving for four decades, let alone in the current climate. That this is the case is testament not only to Iain’s passion for music and our area, but also to all the support over the years from the dedicated and hard-working committees, fantastic musicians, generous sponsors, volunteers, venues, and of course to audiences in and around Amersham. I am pleased that we are in a strong position to continue the Festival’s long history and to continue to find new ideas, new projects, and new connections - exciting plans are already in the pipeline for 2025/6. I’m looking forward to meeting friends and supporters new and old soon, and I hope that you will continue to support the Festival as we strive to build on and expand our musical offering to you all.
Chris Hopkins - Incoming Artistic Director