Whittington Music Festival May 19 - 22

Message from Stephen Isserlis CBE, Honary Patron of the Whittington Music Festival

Steven Isserlis CBE, our Honorary Patron, writes 'Welcome to the Whittington Festival 2022! Live performance seems to be back in force (touch wood), and it's good to see such a fresh, varied and intelligently-planned programme, performed by artists ranging from the young to the - well, the more mature. There's something for all tastes here, and lots of new discoveries to be made. I'm proud to be associated with this event; 2022 is going to be a good Whittington vintage!'

Fundraising Concert - save the date Zoe Rahman, our MOBO award-winning jazz pianist, received an Ivor Novello Impact award in December in recognition of her contribution to the UK jazz scene as a composer and performer. The Ivors Academy described her as "one of Britain's most powerful compositional voices and important contemporary artists who puts a spotlight on Jazz from the UK as an international musical force." Tickets Festival tickets are now on general sale and are selling well. If you haven't yet seen the full programme you can find it here: https://www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk/festival-programme-2022/. For the first time, all seats are bookable and to buy tickets go to: https://www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk/booking-information/. Entry is free to anyone aged under 26.   Priority booking for Friends and Patrons is no longer available but there are other benefits to joining the Friends Scheme, including an advance complimentary copy of the programme. Most importantly, however, by joining you will be helping to secure the future of the festival. You will find details here: https://www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk/support-us-friends-scheme/ Desperately seeking a treasurer The future of the festival also depends on us finding a new treasurer soon. This essential role involves basic book-keeping using Excel spreadsheets, making payments online, dealing  with suppliers , and being available to attend monthly committee meetings, currently on a Wednesday morning. You will not have to write grant applications, and becoming a Trustee is not essential. I look forward to hearing from you by email mailto:rob@whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk Festival Food Food for concert-goers will be available from the White Lion pub and the Kitchen at the Castle. The White Lion will be open for meals from 4:30pm and picnic boxes will be available from the Castle. Pre-ordering will be necessary for both.