Chagford Summer Music Full Programme

Chagford Summer Music is now in its fourth season, and offers some fantastic concerts, including performances by several international musicians. For the first time, there’s a concert by young prize winners from the Two Moors Festival Young Musicians’ Competition. There's Indian Classical Music from esteemed santoor virtuoso, Kiranpal Singh, and, in complete contrast, a performance by the brilliant folk duo, ‘Harbottle and Jonas’, described by The Guardian as “like a cosmic, contemporary Fairport Convention”. Pianist Duncan Honeybourne presents an illuminating programme of music by Westcountry composers, and there’s a welcome return visit from the Pete Canter Jazz Trio, one of the finest in the Southwest.

Concerts take place in the magical St Michael’s Church, Chagford, beginning at 1.10pm and lasting about 45 minutes. They’re free to attend, with a retiring collection to support the upkeep of the Grade 1 listed building. It’s worth arriving in good time, and audience members are welcome to bring a packed lunch. For more information, visit the website: chagfordmusic.com

Friday June 6th

Caroline Kay-Mouat (soprano), Elizabeth-Jane Baldry (harp)

A joyful tribute to an enduring friendship, Caroline and Elizabeth-Jane present popular favourites alongside some rare gems. Caroline studied at the prestigious École Normale de Musique de Paris, and Elizabeth-Jane lives in Chagford, and is The Moorlander’s arts editor.

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Friday June 13th

Gerard Flotats (cello), Julian Chan (piano)

Two rising star musicians present a thrilling programme of music for cello and piano. Gerard won the Royal Over-Seas League Strings Competition in 2023, and Julian recently won First Prize and Sonata Prize at the Nanyang International Music Competition in Singapore.

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Friday June 20th

Paul Thomas (trumpet), Sean Sweeney (organ)

Paul and Sean evoke Italian sunshine with baroque composer Giuseppe Torelli, and vivid Cornish flavours with the premiere of a new suite by Paul Drayton. Also music by Devon composer Clive Jenkins, and the joyous romp of the finale of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto.

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Friday June 27th

Two Moors Festival Young Musicians’ Competition - Past Winners Concert

Harold Lee (oboe) Dee Dee Redford (piano) Teagan Craggs (violin)

Young prize-winning musicians showcase their skills in three micro-concerts within one lunchtime. Harold is currently studying at the Royal Academy, 11-year-old Dee Dee hails from a family of pianists, and Teagan is in her final year of a full music scholarship at Wells Cathedral School.

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Friday July 4th

Pete Canter Jazz Trio

Superb swing and latin jazz with three of the Southwest's finest jazz musicians, Pete on flute and saxophone, James Clemas on piano and Marcus Vergette on double bass.

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Friday July 11th

Alison Smith (classical guitar)

One of the UK’s most exciting and lyrical guitarists performs a delightful, varied programme of music from across the centuries. ‘Enthralling...demonstrated sheer virtuosity…superb technique and sensitivity’ - International Guitar Festival of Great Britain.

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Friday July 18th

Harpe Noire

Emma Graham (harp), Liz Grier (harp)

The Harp Duo ‘Harpe Noire’ presents “Popcorn” - a relaxed programme of music from stage and screen featuring familiar favourites such as ‘Pride and Prejudice’, ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, ‘Downton Abbey’ and many more.

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Friday July 25th

Music by Westcountry Composers

Duncan Honeybourne (piano)

A fascinating insight into piano music by composers from the Southwest, including Plymouth-born Stanley Bate, Barnstaple native Hubert Bath, and Reginald Redman, Head of Music at BBC West in the 1940s and 50s. Duncan is a frequent broadcaster on BBC Radio 3 and a teacher at the Royal Academy. ‘Gripping performances’ - The Times

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Friday August 1st

Victoria Cornet (clarinet), Andrew Wendon (piano)

A selection of delectable short pieces for clarinet and piano including Vaughan-Williams’ ‘Studies in English Folksong’, a tango by Piazzolla, and music from the BBC TV series ‘The Victorian Kitchen Garden’.

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Friday August 8th

Harbottle and Jonas

David Harbottle, Freya Jonas (folk duo)

Devon-based Dave and Freya, partners in both life and music, combine a love of the richness of traditional folk with their own original songwriting. Their compelling signature sound blends concertina, keyboard, harmonium, cittern, stomp box, acoustic guitar and banjo with mesmerising intertwined vocal harmonies. ‘The legendary Harbottle and Jonas... incredible’ - BBC 6 Music

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Friday August 15th

Kiranpal Singh (santoor), Kartar Singh Deoora (tabla), Dhevdhas Nair (tanpura)

Kiranpal Singh is an esteemed santoor virtuoso who has toured across Europe, Kenya, United States, Canada, Australia and India. He has performed at the South Bank, the Royal Albert Hall, and in Buckingham Palace for the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. A rare chance to hear world-class Indian classical music.

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Friday August 22nd

Trojan Gorse

Chagford Summer Music concludes with a much-requested return visit from this unique ensemble. Trojan Gorse take audiences on a musical journey through Latin American rhythms and Celtic melodies, blending double bass, flugal horn, cahon, and harp into an enchanting, borderless aural tapestry.

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