Amersham Festival Launches Winter Series Under New Artistic Director Chris Hopkins!
The Amersham Festival of Music proudly unveils its Winter 2025–26 Season, the first series under the direction of acclaimed conductor and pianist Chris Hopkins.
Running from October 3rd 2025 to February 13th 2026, this winter series is full of highlights, from internationally renowned ensembles such as the Fibonacci Quartet and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, to immersive song and two-piano performances, and masterpieces including Mozart’s 40th Symphony and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the Festival’s own celebrated professional chamber orchestra.
Audiences can expect to see world-class artists up close in local venues across Amersham, including:
· Fibonacci Quartet (Oct 3 @ 7.30pm, Amersham Free Church) – One of the world’s leading string quartets, and the only quartet ever to win both the first and audience prize at the Borciani competition, come to Amersham for the first time. They bring freshness in Haydn’s ‘Sunrise’ Quartet, a brand new commission, and intense musical journeys in a stunning pairing of Janacek’s ‘Intimate Letters’ and Smetana’s ‘From my life’
· Mozart in the Chilterns (Oct 25 @ 7.30pm, St Mary’s, Old Amersham) Amersham’s celebrated professional Festival Chamber Orchestra, returns with an evening based around orchestral masterpieces by Mozart. Chris Hopkins directs the 40th Symphony, and his A major Piano Concerto from the keyboard.
· The Glenn Miller Orchestra (Nov 9 @ 4pm, The King’s Church, Amersham) – The timeless swing of the 1930s and ’40s is brought to life by the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, directed by celebrated band leader Ray McVay.
· The Rite and Rachmaninoff (Nov 22 @ 7.30pm, King’s Church, Amersham) – A bold and immersive two-piano concert performed in the round, featuring Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and Rachmaninoff’s Second Suite for Two Pianos, live video projection, and the illustrious British pianist Libby Burgess. In the afternoon, young pianists from Buckinghamshire will have the rare opportunity of a two-piano masterclass.
· Mozart’s Requiem (Nov 29 @ 7.30pm, St Mary’s, Old Amersham) – Mozart’s final choral masterpiece, performed by the South Bucks Choral Society and Amersham Festival Chamber Orchestra with distinguished conductor Iain Ledingham.
· The Four Seasons by candlelight (Jan 3 2026 @ 5pm, St Mary’s, Old Amersham) – A beautiful baroque programme to bring in the new year, including Vivaldi’s iconic work led by internationally-renowned violinist Janice Graham in a stunning candlelit setting.
· Love’s Philosophy (Feb 13 @ 7.30pm, Saint James, Gerrards Cross) – A specially-curated Valentine’s treat; this romantic concert of opera, song, and musical theatre is performed by four exceptional young singers with the Festival’s Artistic Director at the keyboard.
In a new initiative for the festival, from 2025 Amersham Festival will also pilot ‘relaxed performances’ – events specifically for people who might otherwise not feel able or comfortable to attend live music performances. These shows are intended for anyone who needs a more informal setting to enjoy the music; this includes people living with dementia, learning disabilities, an autistic spectrum condition, Tourette’s syndrome, sensory disorders, anxiety, carers and parents.
“I’m thrilled that we are able to continue the Festival’s long tradition of bringing a range of fantastic artists to Amersham this winter” says Chris Hopkins. “We’re blending tradition with fresh ideas and building on strong foundations to bring world-class music making direct to our wonderful audiences in Amersham. I’m delighted also to be able to introduce the renowned violinist Janice Graham (sub-leader of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) as new leader of the Amersham Festival Orchestra.”
Concert venues include: St Mary’s Church, Amersham Free Church, The King’s Church, and Saint James, Gerrards Cross.
Book Tickets and Explore The Programme
or call 0333 666 3366.
Disabled access reservations: 07802 939826.
Follow @amershamfestival and #AFOMWinter2025 for artist features, behind-the-scenes content, and updates.
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