A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN

Andrew Lenon Chairman

One of the hallmarks of the Wimbledon International Music Festival is the sheer variety of the concerts which Anthony Wilkinson succeeds in putting together each year. This 15th Festival is no exception. As you will see, the programme ranges from the large-scale choral and symphonic works to be performed by the Academy Choir and the Philharmonia, to a Mozart opera, the traditional jazz evening, a wide variety of chamber groups, solo piano recitals and a virtuoso accordionist. Alongside artists with established international reputations, such as Sofya Gulyak, Roderick Williams and the Chooi brothers we have up and coming young musicians, such as the Morningside Music Bridge Trio, the Meliora Collective and players from the Yehudi Menuhin School. We can look forward to familiar repertoire in the concert of Mozart’s Greatest Wind Music and the Glories of English Song but also opportunities to get acquainted with less well-known masterpieces such as the Cozzolani Vespers, written by a 17th Century nun, to be conducted by Olivia Shotton Contemporary music features in a number of concerts including Ashley Wass’s piano recital. The typically eclectic concert to be given by Lunaris, a virtuoso violin and recorder group, spans music from the 13th to the 20th centuries.

Budding local performers are encouraged to take part in PlayFest, a day of informal music making on Saturday 4 November (see page 12 for details).

The trustees hope that you will indulge yourselves by coming to as many concerts as you can. In this way you will be ensuring the continued success of the Festival which depends on ticket sales as its main source of earned income.

We are hugely grateful to our major benefactors for their wonderful support particularly the Tertis Foundation, The Taylor Family Foundation, and grants from Arts Council England Lottery Fund; and to our longstanding event sponsors, Robert Holmes, Marcus Beale Architects, WSM Private Clients, TWM Solicitors, John Dyer-Grimes Architects, Stephen and Vicky Streater, and huge thanks to our loyal group of Benefactors and Friends.

New Friends and Sponsors are always welcome and would make a significant difference to secure our future and help make Wimbledon a flourishing cultural destination. Details of how to become a Friend are at page 31. You may wish to consider leaving a legacy for the Festival.

Finally, the trustees wish to pay tribute to our superb team of local volunteers who act as ushers and bar staff for all the concerts and without whom the Festival could not proceed. I very much look forward to seeing you at the Festival!