Five Churches Music Festival

The Five Churches Music Festival returns this July for to the Glaven valley for the third time.  Featuring musicians of international acclaim alongside
established professionals from across Norfolk, the Festival provides five days of high-level concerts with something for everyone. Chamber music, jazz, brass, and an idyllic finale of English music for strings.

Five Churches Music Festival: A Celebration of Music and Young Talent

The Five Churches Music Festival returns to Norfolk’s Glaven Valley for its third year, from July 9th to 13th, 2025. This year’s festival promises an exciting blend of high-level concerts, featuring internationally acclaimed musicians alongside established Norfolk professionals. The program spans chamber music, jazz, brass, and culminates in an idyllic finale of English music for strings.

A cornerstone of the festival is its commitment to nurturing young local talent. Artistic Director Brenda Blewett, formerly Head of Accompaniment at Chetham’s School of Music, emphasizes that providing young musicians with opportunities to perform for live audiences and have their compositions performed by professionals is crucial for their development.

Festival Highlights:

Wednesday, July 9th (Wiveton Church):The festival opens with mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean and guitarist Dimitris Soukaras presenting their inventive “Time Stands Still” program.

Thursday, July 10th (Cley Church, Glandford Church, Bayfield Hall): A day dedicated to showcasing young talent, including Tristan McCardel, the Norfolk Young Musician 2025 (violinist), and Norwich School scholars Benjamin Griffiths (tenor) and Isaac Schaad (viola, piano, singer, composer). The day also features “Glaven Rhapsody,” a multimedia performance, and “Jazz@Bayfield” with Barbara Gough and the Chris Cooper Trio.

Friday, July 11th (Blakeney Church): Festival directors Brenda Blewett and Chaos Collective join forces with renowned cellist Robert Cohen featuring duos by Schubert and Schumann and the Schubert String Quintet.

Saturday, July 12th (Letheringsett Church): The award-winning London Central Brass Quintet brings their dynamic sound.

Sunday, July 13th (Cley Church – Festival Finale): “An English Idyll” will feature music for string ensemble conducted by Stephen Threlfall, with works by Elgar, Britten, and Holst. This grand finale will also include BBC Young Musician 2020 woodwind finalist Ewan Millar performing Vaughan Williams’ Oboe Concerto, and a performance of young Isaac Schaad’s own composition, “Divertimento for Strings.”

Full details, online booking and how to become a Festival Friend can be found at
fivechurchesfestival.com. Tickets available now.