Cheltenham Music Festival dates back to 1945. The first concert, on 13 June - just 5 weeks or so after VE Day - featured the London Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Basil Cameron, with the first notes sounded those of Beethoven's Leonora Overture.

Music fans can expect the best in live performances, ranging from orchestral works and opera, to folk music, brass bands and even an accordian recital. Running hand-in-hand with the Music Festival is The Cheltenham Fringe Festival with assorted entertainment to suit all.

Cheltenham Music Festival

The Festival is a huge summer celebration of live classical music with events ranging from free family workshops and young artists’ projects, through to concerts from well-loved performers and the promotion of contemporary composers.  

The events of Cheltenham Music Festival take place in a number of different venues ranging from Cheltenham Town Hall, Everyman Theatre, Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham College to Cheltenham Art Gallery. Some free events are staged in Imperial Gardens.

The festivals usually follow a theme, celebrating countries' best composers. 2005 saw performances of Russian composers, while 2006 celebrated Scotland and its music, both traditional and contemporary. Cheltenham hosted traditional musicians the Blazin’ Fiddles, as well as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra visiting from Edinburgh performing an exciting new work commissioned from Scots composers David Horne, Edward McGuire, Alasdair Nicolson and Anna Meredith and Sally Beamish, honorary Scot who was our featured composer.

Led by Artistic Director Martyn Brabbins, the 2007 Cheltenham Music Festival explored the great American composers of the Twentieth Century: Gershwin, Bernstein, Barber, Copland and Ives. Highlights included performances from Chloe Hanslip, Nancy Gustafson, Felicity Lott, Marc-André Hamelin, Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Willard White and a Dvorák-athon with the Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Martyn Brabbins.

CHELTENHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL 2008
4 - 20 July 2008

In person at the Town Hall, or by telephone on 01242 227979. To book by post please address your booking forms to the The Jazz Festival Box Office at the Town Hall address and supply s. a. e. or £1 postage if you wish your tickets to be posted to you. You can also book online at www.cheltenhamfestivals.com