WYE VALLEY MUSIC
Programme Director’s Report 2024/2025

Since September 2024, the society has presented 12 concerts, (not including tonight), three in Monmouth at the Bridges Centre, one in Chepstow at the Drill Hall, one in Ross-on-Wye at the Priory Church, one at the Scarr Bandstand in Sling and 6 in St Briavels Church.

The programme included: one solo piano recital (Clare Hammond) who treated us to a fabulous programme en route to a big performance in Montreal. We have three duos with piano, featuring: violin (Fenella Humphreys and Emma Abate); cello (Willard Carter, cello Gorka Plada); and oboe (Ewan Millar & Tommy Boyles. The other duo we had were the famous twins -Peter and Zoltan Katona who wowed everybody with their incredible virtuosity. 

We managed to organise three superb string quartets: the period instrument group the Consone Quartet, the Carducci Quartet in Ross and, last month, the Salomé Quartet. To cap that, back in May we had the amazing Bojan Cicic and the Illyria Consort (violin, harpsichord, theorbo and baroque cello).

In March, we had what many thought was the best ever showcase from the stars of the RWCMD, and the Bute Brass Quintet, also from the Royal Welsh, performed as part of the Scarr Bandstand’s outdoor summer music programme. And our Christmas choral concert, the Solstice Ensemble, also featured singers who were former graduates of the Royal Welsh.  

Thanks to your support, we continue to push the boat out with lots more exciting music coming up. Next month a return from the Astatine Piano trio – winners of the Birmingham Chamber Music competition. On the 7th December, another first in terms of venue, we have the Bristol University Singers performing a wonderful selection of Christmas music in the lovely Priory Church in Chepstow. It gets better and better with pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen (winner of Critics Circle award for outstanding performer 2024) returning to St Briavels. In the spring, Dan Tong and cellist Robin Michael, a song recital from Olivia Dance and Lorna, in June Rachel Podger and Brecon baroque will be performing for us in Ross, and in July, amazing clarinetist, Susi Evans and her Klezmer and Balkan band She’Koyokh will be playing in the Drill Hall in Chepstow.