Perhaps the highlight of the year of 26 concerts, from September 2023 to July 2024 – arranged by the Cheltenham Music Festival Society in collaboration with The Cheltenham Trust took place on 11 June and was given by two outstanding 15-year old pianists, Krystyna, studying at Bournside School, and Natali from Dean Close School. They were joined by a wonderful soprano, Eva, also 15, who attends Solihull School, and who was superbly accompanied by Christopher Guild. All three performers from Ukraine are refugees from the ongoing conflict. Mayor Paul Baker attended the concert and as a Trustee spoke about the local charity Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees. Audience numbers for these Young Musician Concerts that take place in the glorious Pittville Pump Room are usually around a hundred. However, in this case, over two hundred people attended, and the retiring collection, given in its entirety to the charity, was £1,449.51 – well over four times the normal sum collected. If you have been able to attend any of these concerts, may I sincerely thank you for your support. A new series starts in September 2024 on Tuesdays at 1.00pm as detailed below. No tickets are required and admission is free.
24 September Crypt School
1 October Cheltenham Ladies’ College
8 October Michael Lei piano
15 October Bournside School
5 November Solihull School
12 November Bridget Yee piano
19 November Christopher Guild piano
26 November Cheltenham College
Author: Andrew Auster