Hertfordshire Festival of Music 2023

This year's Hertfordshire Festival of Music (HFOM) runs from 9 to 16 June 2023 with events in and around the county town of Hertford under the theme of The Art of Music & The Music of Art. The festival's principal artist this year is clarinettist Emma Johnson, and she will be heard in recital and at an in conversation event as well as giving a masterclass.

Genre-bending ensemble ZRI return to the festival with their mix of classical and traditional in their recreation atmosphere of the legendary Red Hedgehog bar in Vienna, at the McMullen Brewery courtyard in Hertford. Pianist Katya Apekisheva performs Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, violinist Litsa Tunnah will be exploring colour in music, guitarist Jack Hancher (winner of the 2022 Gold Medal of the Royal Overseas League Competition) gives a recital themed on art, whilst the Rossetti Ensemble performs music by David Matthews and the festival's artistic director, James Francis Brown.

To mark the Coronation, at Hertford Castle, the HFoM Community Concert Band musicians will perform arrangements of music associated with royalty in a fun, relaxed performance. The Hertford Chamber Choir and Manvinder Rattan take up the theme in a special performance at All Saints’ Church, including exquisite solo works for organ performed by William Whitehead.

There will also be 15 events/outreach projects in community venues, many free or with discounted tickets, and with the support of community sponsor, Network Homes and collaboration with Sing from the Heart, HFoM’s Music in Mind project offers a series of interactive sessions for people living with dementia, as well as their carers and families, in selected care homes across Hertfordshire.

Full details from the festival's website.