Residents both local and from further afield, including the Mayor of Hertford, Cllr Vicky Smith, attended a free, inaugural concert heralding the return of the Hertfordshire Festival of Music (HFoM). 

Renowned violinist Litsa Tunnah, who performed at the Festival in 2023, played at the concert, accompanied on the piano by Artistic Director, James Francis Brown. The concert took place at St Andrew’s Church in Hertford on Thursday 29 February. 

James Francis Brown, HFoM Artistic Director, said: “We were delighted to see such a large gathering of people both familiar and new, in shared appreciation for the music and what the festival is achieving. We are busy planning the full Festival, which takes place in June, but this inaugural event provided music lovers an opportunity to hear about our plans and enjoy some wonderful music.” 

Planning for this year’s Hertfordshire Festival of Music, which takes place from 7 to 15 June 2024, is well underway. This year’s festival theme is The Power of 2: Musical and Artistic Dialogues, embracing the concept of partnerships – with the “whole” being more than the “sum of the parts”.  The full programme of events and artists will be announced soon.

Over the last eight years, the Festival has been built on the involvement, support and encouragement of Hertford and the county’s communities. 

The Hertfordshire Festival of Music, which is a registered charity (charity no. 1175716), is an annual summer celebration of classical music, based in and around Hertford. The Festival first took place in 2016. 

There are many ways that residents and businesses can get involved in the Festival, from volunteering at events to supporting the charity financially. For more information, contact info@hertsmusicfest.org.uk or visit www.hertsmusicfest.org.uk.

“the very highest level of music-making and extremely imaginative programmes” – Dame Judith Weir CBE, Master of the King’s Music (HFoM Featured Living Composer in 2021)

(Text by R Beahan, Trustee of HFoM)