Schools and Family Concerts

In 2023 we were delighted to continue our relationship with the Purcell School for Young Musicians who joined us to bring your own music to life! With repertoire including the Toy Symphony by L. Mozart (Wolfgang’s dad) there were opportunities to play along with the orchestra as ratchets, cuckoos, and all other sorts of toys.

Here is a film of the concert for you to enjoy

Bringing the arts to life is what we do at HHMF, and so for the first time, we commissioned four dancers, led by the amazing Maycie-Ann St-Louis to work with us and create two works. One of these was a brand new piece written especially for the Festival by a Year 8 student at the Purcell School called Poetic Dances inspired by Rachel Bruerville’s Dancing on Tiptoes. The looks on young peoples faces as the dancers whipped past them were full of grins, and being able to see a near peer stood before them gave a real sense of ‘I could do this too’.

While firm Festival favourite James Mayhew was unable to attend due to illness, every audience member brought music to life in their own way. Starting with a whistlestop tour of Kandinsky, Monet, and the concept of drawing to music, our audiences young and old drew their best impressions of a seriously impressive, unconducted performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. With four different soloists directing the Purcell School orchestra, and budding artists being inspired in the building, the Schools and Family concerts were full of life, laughter, and creativity.

Hatfield House Music Festival Youth Choir

After the success of our collaborations with VOCES8 and Ora Singers over the last few years, this year we’re really showcasing the young talent of Hertfordshire. In collaboration with Cantate! And Hertfordshire County Youth Choir, young singers from across the county came together for an intense rehearsal period rehearsing Haydn’s masterpiece The Creation. After 6 hours of rehearsal the performance to a crowded Old Palace alongside professional soloists and the Orion Orchestra was something that every singer will remember for a long time.

Young Musicians Platform

Bringing together soloists, small ensembles, and choirs from across the county, the Young Musicians Platform in St Etheldreda’s Church showed that there is a bright future for music in the county. Young people from secondary schools performed to their peers, parents, and audience members in an hour long showcase of virtuosity. We are very grateful to the teachers who have prepared students, and to parents for bringing them along. After the success of this showcase, we are looking forward to continuing to develop these relationships next year.

For a fuller picture of all we do at HHMF, here is a report of our 2023 Education and Outreach activities.

Support Us

Behind the scenes, we also provide lesson plans, schools workshops, and administrate this life-changing and affirming work. If you value the power of music education to make us all better citizens, consider supporting our work. Email james@hatfieldhousemusicfestival.org.uk to find out how.