Free and fabulous! Lunchtime concerts in Chagford

Free lunchtime concerts spice up the Dartmoor town of Chagford church this summer. The popular Summer Music Series begins on Friday June 7th and continues every Friday until August 23rd with more than thirty musicians performing across twelve entirely different concerts in the historic parish church. Musical genres span classical, folk, jazz, world music, choral music, klezmer, songs from the musicals, and a couple of genre-defying ensembles!

Now in its third year, the series has captured the hearts of audiences with its eclectic mix of exceptional musicians and its informal, convivial atmosphere. Tea and coffee is available and audiences are welcome to bring a packed lunch into the church. Many of the thriving cafés in the town offer a delicious choice of takeaway food for ‘munch and music’. Don’t miss the local colour of the town-crier announcing the concerts. He’ll be out in the Chagford square come rain or shine!

I’m one of the  volunteer organising team, and I absolutely love helping put this series together! In these difficult times when the entire world is beset with seemingly insurmountable challenges, there is a compelling argument for focusing our energies within our own communities. How can we build more caring and compassionate places to live? How can we support the most vulnerable people within our rural parishes? There are a myriad ways to change the world, but arts and kindness are two of them.

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and private individuals, Chagford’s Summer Music is able to present some top-notch professional musicians including the sensational young violinist, Joel Munday; the outstanding Pete Canter Jazz Trip; the Bristol-based concert pianist, Sophia Surenovna McKett; and long-established performers such as Susie Hodder-Williams and Chris Caldwell, whose music is inspired by the Dartmoor landscape. 

The concerts take place in the Grade I listed parish church of St Michael the Archangel. Dedicated in 1261, this remarkable Grade 1 listed building has been an anchor in Chagford’s rural community for centuries. Today, it hosts many concerts and other community events, as well as a food bank.

Friday is undoubtedly the best day of the week to explore the vibrant little town of Chagford. As well as the popular lunchtime concerts, visitors can pop into the Friday morning flea-market, browse the many independent shops, indulge in a wicked cream tea, and, on fine summer evenings enjoy a drink or two whilst soaking up the festive atmosphere of ‘Music on the Wall’-  a Friday potluck medley of local musicians who generate a lot of fun busking on the church wall opposite the characterful Globe Inn. 

All concerts begin at 1.10pm and last about 45 minutes; they’re free to attend, and there's a retiring collection for those who wish to make a donation. Full details of the Chagford Summer Music Series can be found online at chagfordmusic.com

THE CONCERTS

Friday June 7th

Amanes

Lisa Rowe (accordion/vocal) and Anita Munson (clarinet)

Passionate East European, Roma and Balkan music. Lisa and Anita take their audience on a meandering musical journey through different countries, cultures and eras, by means of beautiful melodies and soulful songs.

Sponsored by Paul Henderson

Friday June 14th

Adeos Duo

Joel Munday (violin) and Vanessa Hristova (viola)

Rising star Joel Munday took Chagford by storm last year (“like a young Mick Jagger”). He returns with Bulgarian violist, Vanessa, to perform a dazzling mosaic of violin and viola duets.

Sponsored by Kit and Anthony Newsome

Friday June 21st

Flute Cake 

Sophie Brewer, Jennifer Campbell and Ruth Molins (flutes)

A selection of light classics and original pieces celebrating the summer solstice, including ‘Ancient Rites’ by local composer Andrew Wilson which features the whole flute family and is inspired by ancient Devon traditions.

Sponsored by Anonymous Donation

Friday June 28th

Elizabeth-Jane Baldry (harp)

Internationally recognised harpist performs delicious harp music from the last five centuries: music by the 19th-century Devon-born harp virtuoso, Elias Parish-Alvars, Victorian fairy harp music and arrangements of traditional Devon folk melodies.

Sponsored by Vanessa Garratt and family

Friday July 5th

Music on the Edge

Susie Hodder-Williams and Chris Caldwell

The Dartmoor-based multi-instrumentalists perform music which melds the ancient with the contemporary, creating ambient improvisations and landscape inspired soundscapes. ‘Utterly captivating’ - The Independent

Sponsored by Anonymous Donation

Friday July 12th

Sophia Surenovna McKett (piano)

Soul-stirring works by Tchaikovsky, Schubert and Beethoven. The tragic ‘Tempest Sonata’ forms the focal point: a magic journey in a storm of emotions. Sophia gave her first piano recital at the age of 11 at the Russian Cultural Centre in Colombo.

Sponsored by Casa Magnolia

Friday July 19th

Levowan XII (chamber choir)

Music from some of the popular choir’s favourite young talented American composers including Eric Whitacre, Dan Forrest, and Elaine Hagenberg. Haunting melodies, innovative arrangements of spirituals and rich harmonic choral pieces.

Sponsored by Anonymous Donation

Friday July 26th

Music Allsorts

Ruth Penrose (clarinet) and Roger Cleverdon (piano)

An engaging selection of music for clarinet and piano, perfect for a summer lunchtime. Meet Mozart, visit the Victorian Kitchen Garden, and sail down the Swanee River. 

Sponsored by The Exeter Music Depot

Friday August 2nd

Trojan Gorse

Explore this remarkable band’s musical journey through Latin American rhythms and Celtic melodies, blending double bass, flugal horn, cahon, and harp into an enchanting, borderless aural tapestry.

Sponsored by Chagford Spar

Friday August 9th

Louis Bingham and Griselda Sanderson (multi-instrumentalists)

A vivid soundscape inspired by the many rich traditions of Europe and beyond, the mother and son duo perform music on instruments such as Celtic cittern, guitar, Bulgarian tambura, fiddle, viola, Norwegian Hardanger and Swedish nyckelharpa.

Sponsored by Fowlers Properties

Friday August 16th

Songs from the Shows

Gregory and Ellen Steward (voice), James Garland (piano)

Brother and sister Gregory and Ellen perform songs from musicals such as West Side Story, Sound of Music and Carousel, along with classical favourites, accompanied by James on piano.

Sponsored by The Fat Mouse Dairy

Friday August 23rd

Pete Canter Jazz Trio

Superb swing and latin jazz with fine saxophonist and flute player Pete Canter and talented fellow musicians James Clemas on piano and Kevin Sanders on upright bass. One of last year’s most popular concerts.

Sponsored by the Van Der Steens