The Chester Summer Music Festival is an annual classical music festival held in the beautiful, historic city of Chester. The Festival’s signature theme celebrates the voice and music written for the voice.

The two week long Festival in early July is programmed by our wonderful Artistic Director Andrew Cornall.  Andrew, who is also Vice President at EMI Classics, has been programming the festival for the last four years. Year on year Andrew attracts vibrant and stunning artists. His eclectic and exciting programme encompasses not only local, regional and national talent, but also internationally renowned artists that never cease to amaze audiences. Andrew programmes well established artists and superstar names in the classical, jazz and folk worlds, but also has a talent for handpicking those relatively unknown artists who are up and coming and on their way to the top. The festival is becoming more and more renowned for this feature and it’s often a case of “See them first, here in Chester”. It’s truly exciting welcoming artists and audiences to our Festival and we enjoy accommodating them in unique, unusual and historical venues such as, St Mary’s Centre - the city’s ‘hidden gem’, the rather beautiful Town Hall and the very grand Chester Cathedral!

The Festival is also becoming very well known for it’s community strand called THE BIG SING! Choirs from all over the region hit the streets of Chester on a Saturday during the Festival, to sing loud and proud, from morning till night! This singing extravaganza is growing year on year and normally hosts 20 – 30 choirs throughout the day. It’s great fun and is a fantastic way for amateur choirs from all parts of the community to participate within the Festival. If you’d like more information or would like your choir to participate, email Kate, the Festival Manager on k.sawallisch@chesterfestivals.co.uk or find her telephone number on the ‘Contact Us’ page.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2012 Chester Summer Music Festival. It is guaranteed to be another truly fantastic two weeks of musical entertainment. As Andrew often says: “Chester, summertime and great music-making in beautifully unique surroundings: there’s no better way to spend your time!”

See you in 2012! (2012 dates to be confirmed, please check back for details).

Become a Friend of the Festival:
Do you regret not having access to priority booking this year? Then why not become a Friend of the Festival so that next year you can get your hands on tickets two weeks earlier than the public (especially useful with sell out audiences). Plus it’s not too late to become a Friend of the Festival this year to reap the benefits during this year’s festival. Friends membership is only £20 for the year. Please contact us - info@chesterfestivals.co.uk - and we will put you in touch with the Friends of the Festival who will provide further information.

Click on the link below to view the 2011 Chester Summer Music Festival brochure.

http://tinyurl.com/2011-MusicFest-brochure