Ribble Valley Music Festival

Our 100th fund raising concert is close to selling out. We are so grateful for this high level of support. Thank you.
There are a limited number of places left for this Gala Evening of Opera in St Helens Church Waddington later this month on Friday evening the 23rd.
Email [email protected] to book your place.

There is an opportunity soon to surprise yourself and discover there is more to Opera than we first realise.
The magic of opera can be enjoyed like never before when Encore Opera Group will deliver enthralling arias, duets and chorus pieces in the marvelous accoustics of St Helens Church, Waddington on Friday, August 23rd, starting at 7-30pm. The group include some of the best opera singers form across the north of England.

This concert will be a portal to audiences who are new to the opera genre.
Opera is enjoyed for the music and artists skill alone and is often sung in a foreign language which is not understood, and the character or plot are not clear.
The Encore Opera group will maximise the enjoyment with additional dimension of an explanation of the plot and characters before each performance and deliver them with drama.
The concert will also include some Gilbert and Sullivan pieces that are particularly appropriate in the current political climate. Audiences can expect a stunning blend of world-famous opera pieces and an introduction to more obscure music, but all are guaranteed to be delivered with passion, precision and professionalism.

This unforgettable act was originally formed by a gathering of best performers across the North of England, with aspirations to bring the genre out of theatres and into local communities.

Around two thirds of places have already been booked for this Summer Night at the Opera in a beautiful village. Remaining places can be secured by email to [email protected] or by calling 01254 384893. Entrance is £10 which includes light refreshments at the interval and all surplus proceeds will be donated to the church.
This event will be the 100th fund raising concert of the Ribble Valley Music Festival.

Thank you to a wonderful audience who attended the church fund raising concert yesterday by the Haley Sisters.
Your feedback clearly conveys just how much you enjoyed the pleasure deliverd by the Sisters, Brian and Dad.
Your support created a significant amount raised for St Andrews Church in Slaidburn. Thank you.
We are still debating which is best - the Cornish jam first method or the Devon practice of cream first on those delicious homemade scones by the church ladies and gentlemen.

We are delighted to confirm that the 100th concert in the Ribble Valley Music Festival takes place next month.

It is an honour that Encore Opera Group will be performing in celebration of this milestone.

Opera is a signiture genre of the Ribble Valley Music Festival among the wide range of music that is included throughout the year at venues around the Ribble Valley.
This celebratory concert takes place on Friday evening 23rd August in the marvelous acoustics of St Helens Church, Waddington and entrance of £10 includes light refreshment.

Encore Opera Group always thrill audiences with their performance of a variety of opera solos, duets and choruses which have descriptions of the plots and characters, and enhance the scene with drama which makes the performance all the more meaningful and enjoyable.
They are in high demand to return to the music festival each year and not surprisingly around a third of places are already booked.

So, if you are planning to join us for a wonderful evening of some of the best music and drama then do not hesitate to email [email protected] or call 01254 384893 to book your places

The next fund raising concert in the 2024 Ribble Valley Music Festival is following the trend of previous concerts and has now Sold Out 4 weeks before it takes place.
We are operating a reserve list to accomodate further bookings should there be any cancellations.
Simply call email [email protected] uk to place your booking on the reserve list.
Thank you to everyone for your terrific support this year.

TICKET ALERT
Please get in touch if you were planning to attend the Haley Sisters concert in 5 weeks time at 2.00 pm on 21st July in Slaidburn Village Hall as there are only 5 places left.
You can do this by calling 01254 384893.

Bookings are increasing for the Haley Sisters concert in Slaidburn Village Hall on Sunday afternoon 21st July.

Becky, Jo-Ann and Brian “Sliding Smiffy” return to the festival after the instantaneous standing ovations and demands for encores last year.
They will perform a wide repertoire of Country, Folk and Blues with a magical blend of harmonies, humour and captivating rhythms.

With still over 6 weeks to go there have already been 66% of places taken, so if you were considering attending it would be wise to book your places.
All surplus proceeds from this concert will be donated to St Andrews Church in Slaidburn.
Bookings at £10 per person can be made by calling 01254 384893 or send email to [email protected]

Thank you for all the positive feedback regarding the D Day 80 Commemoration yesterday.

Thanks go to Mark and his team at the Old School Rooms, all members of the Ladies Group from St Michael and St Johns Church, John Flanagan who skilfully created promotional material and everyone that was involved in the essential unseen bits that go on over the weeks and months before while putting together a success like this, such as selecting and sourcing the music; thank you Paul and Melanie from the band.
The coordination and performance of the Band and Drums of the Cheshire Constabulary was stunning. Thank you Paul Andrews and to John Gillmore who delivered a professional description of events on the journey to D Day and the aftermath.
Both John and Paul captured the atmosphere of the times.
Thanks to the band members for their dedication to rehearsals and the deps who stood in to cover for those on holiday.
Danielle Haworth, Pipe Major of the Accrington Pipe Band, the oldest civil pipe band in the world, provided a welcome surprise with her professional rendition of Highland Laddie as a tribute to Bill Millin the piper who provided so much moral support to the soldiers on the beeches of Normandy.
All of their input made the event yesterday a fitting reminder that this was such an important event 80 years ago that preserved the freedom and democracy that we all enjoy today.
Thanks go to every member of the capacity audience for your support with your attendance and creating a memorable spirit on the day.

It all helped to make the event successful.

The D Day 80 Commemoration in two weeks time has now sold out.
We are grateful for the terrific support given to the Ribble Valley Music Festival.
All of the first three events this year have had maximum attendance.
March: Great Composers of Film Music at Clitheroe
April: Celebration of Song with soprano Elizabeth Phillips and Saddleworth Male Voice Choir at Waddington (Originally schedule for Salesbury)
Your support is very encouraging for everyone involved including those at the venues and the artists.

The latest news on the major event that soon takes place is that King Charles will be travelling to Normandy in France for the international events marking the landings which took place in 1944 during the Second World War.

He will attend this event on 6 June at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer in France, which lists the names of more than 20,000 under British command who died during the Battle of Normandy.

He will also be attending a ceremony in Portsmouth the day before on 5 June, remembering the wartime Allied landings to liberate France when it was occupied by the N***s. He will be accompanied by Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales.

The Ribble Valley Music Festival event put together for the Ribble Valley to mark the 80th Anniversary of D Day takes place on Sunday afternoon 2nd June and only a limited number of tickets are now available.
Email [email protected] before these are snapped up.

The countdown continues to the 80th anniversary of one of the most significant events in recent history that enabled the continuation of freedom and democracy we all enjoy today.

It is known as D Day and included the largest armada the world had ever witnessed to invade Northern France and overcome the dictatorship of the German N***s.

British troops were bravely led onto the beach of Northern France by piper Bill Millin playing Highland Laddie on his bagpipes which provided moral support to the troops under heavy enemy fire.

The significance of that which took place 80 years ago is recognised for 80 days this year from 18th March to 6th June at 8am each day when pipers are playing Highland Laddie at locations throughout the United Kingdom as a tribute to those courageous people and Bill Millin and as a countdown to the D Day 80 commemoration events in June.
Pipers taking part actually include the son and grandson of piper Bill Millin.
As a continuation of that exercise Pipe Major Danielle Haworth from the Accrington Pipe Band, the oldest civilian pipe band in the world, will be performing Highland Laddie as one of the additional features at the special 80 D Day commemorations for the Ribble Valley.
This D Day 80 commemorative event for the Ribble Valley is produced by the Ribble Valley Music Festival and takes place on Sunday afternoon 2nd June at the Old School Rooms in Clitheroe.

Bookings can be made by calling 01254 384893 or email:
[email protected]

More than just a date in the past, this is an occasion that led the way to secure the benefit of freedom and democracy that we have today.

Just 80 years ago the largest invasion the world has ever witnessed mounted by naval, air and land operations took place when allied forces invaded Northern France and turned the tide of war which led to the defeat of N**i Germany dictatorship throughout the western world and began the end of the Second World War.

Known as D Day, the official D Day 80 commemorations involving world leaders are being arranged to take place throughout the UK and France to acknowledge this significant and meaningful occasion.
The D Day 80 commemoration for the Ribble Valley will take place on Sunday afternoon 2nd June.

D Day was more than one day and the Ribble Valley Music Festival event will cover the preparation including ingenious technology, deception to mislead the enemy, the training and intense manufacturing. The event will also cover the aftermath.
Advance booking is essential. Details are on the poster.

Thank you to everyone who attended the fund raising concert on Saturday night at St Helens Church in Waddington with soprano Elizabeth Phillips and the Saddleworth Male Voice Choir.

A good amount of funds were raised towards the work of the church, and feedback conveys there was a great deal of enjoyment in doing that.

"A great combination of voice which was pronounced in the joint numbers with Elizabeth and the men"
"You can tell a singer is professional when you cannot detect intake of breath just before surprising you with that long held high note"
"Sheer professionalism"
"The high standard you would find at a national arena"
"A carefully selected programme that gave something for everyone"
"The wonderful acoustics of this church bring out the best of singers"

Those are just some of the comments that relate to both the choir and to Elizabeth.
Your support is very much appreciated.

Preparations are underway locally and internationally for the important commemoration that takes place of the 80th anniversary of D Day just a few weeks away.

Amongst those preparations are 1,475 life size silhouettes of soldiers, each one representing a serviceman who died under British command on June 6 1944. These are to be displayed at the British Normandy Memorial, in Ver-Sur-Mer, France between the Memorial and the beach.

They form the Standing with Giants exhibition which creates the "For Your Tomorrow" installation. A reminder that many made sacrifices so that we all could enjoy the benefit of freedom and democracy today.

We shall continue to bring you news of features in the commemorations including those in the local event for the Ribble Valley which takes place on Sunday 2nd June.

Click on the following link for details about a major forthcoming event in the Ribble Valley.
https://www.burnleyexpress.net/arts-and-culture/anniversary-of-d-day-to-be-remembered-in-event-in-lancashire-4591728

There is limited ticket availability for Saddleworth Male Voice Choir and soprano Elizabeth Phillips concert at St Helen's Church in Waddington on 27th April.
We would thank everyone for their overwhelming support.

The Great Composers of Movie Music taking place at the Old School Rooms in Clitheroe on Saturday night 23rd March has now Sold Out.
If you were planning to come please call 01254 384893 to be placed on the reserved list and we can contact you should there be any cancellations.

A rare treat in the area

Fine adjustments are being made to the coordination of live music with popular movie clips on the big screen to provide a truly cinematic and unique experience never seen in the region before.
Milnrow Band are busy rehearsing to bring you their usual high standard of performance.
The Old School Rooms venue in Clitheroe is well accustomed to providing warm hospitality and are preparing the fine detail to maintain this.
Planning and preparation over the past months is sure to provide a most enjoyable evening.
It is not surprising that the increase in bookings over the past week has taken place and so it is advisable to to book your place soon to ensure you do not miss out.
Email [email protected] or call 01254 384893.
£10 per person can be paid on the night next Saturday 23rd March, and all surplus proceeds will be donated to the venue which provides a valuable centre for people in the area.

Fine adjustments are being made to the coordination of live music with popular movie clips on the big screen to provide a truly cinematic and unique experience never seen in the region before.
Milnrow Band are busy rehearsing to bring you their usual high standard of performance.
The Old School Rooms venue in Clitheroe is well accustomed to providing warm hospitality and are preparing the fine detail to maintain this.
Planning and preparation over the past months is sure to provide a most enjoyable evening.
It is not surprising that the increase in bookings over the past week has taken place and so it is advisable to to book your place soon to ensure you do not miss out.
Email [email protected] or call 01254 384893.
£10 per person can be paid on the night next Saturday 23rd March, and all surplus proceeds will be donated to the venue which provides a valuable centre for people in the area.

We are grateful to Lancashire County Council for their supportive funding towards the 2024 Ribble Valley Music Festival.
This is great support for everyone involved at churches, village halls and community centres, not just financially but also the moral support and encouragement it gives to all unpaid volunteers involved in this Music Festival which brings benefits to the residents of the Ribble Valley.
It is thank you to both Councillor Rupert Swarbrick and Councillor Sue Hind for their input.

Win two free places at a concert of your choice from 15th April

The 100th fund raising concert produced by the Ribble Valley Music Festival takes place this year.
That is 100 concerts raising funds for Churches, Village Halls and Community Centres, and overcoming residents mobility, loneliness and financial issues by bringing quality artists to the area.

All you have to do is predict which one of the concerts below is the Centennial one. Then before the closing date of Friday 5th April submit your answer and your choice of which concert you wish to have free entry for two people.
Entries can be submitted by email: [email protected]

Correct answers will be placed in a draw which will take place on Friday 12th April. Winners will be notified by email or telephone.

Which concert is the 100th in the 2024 Ribble Valley Music Festival?

7.30pm 27th April St Peters Salesbury: Soprano Elizabeth Phillips and Saddleworth Mail Voice Ch
2.00pm 2nd June Old school Rooms Clitheroe:
D Day80 commemoration with Cheshire Police band and drums plus John Gillmore
2.00pm 21st July Slaidburn Village Hall:
Haley Sisters
7.30pm 23rd August St Helens Waddington: Encore Opera Group
7.30pm 21st September Old School Rooms Clitheroe: Last Night of the Ribble Valley Proms with Milnrow Band
3.00pm 1st December St Helens Waddington: Christmas Concert with Whitworth Vale and Healey Band

Have fun!

We are absolutely delighted and motivated by Stones Young continuing their support and funding from all of last year and into this year of the Ribble Valley Music Festival.

In case you have not heard this company are a local family organisation who have recently expanded into the Ribble Valley from their origins in Wilpshire and offer a wealth of experience in advising across a whole range of personal financial aspects, and are experienced in property sales and lettings.

Their Clitheroe office can be contacted on 01200 408408.

Our thanks go to them for the recognition of what we do and their ongoing support.

We greatly appreciate the support given by The Fort Foundation towards the 2024 Ribble Valley Music Festival.

It is most encouraging.

The meaningful amount of financial assistance enables more that can be done in putting the Music Festival together to increase the enjoyment to be gained from the concerts and for a greater amount of financial help for the recipient venues.

Thank you to the Trustees of The Fort Foundation

Due to logistical situations there is a slight change to the March pre-fest warm up concert. The dancers from The Performance Academy will now be appearing at a future concert and the theme of the evening will be Great Composers of Film Music.

Part of the Great Composers series of concerts, this one profiles the composers and where they get their inspiration from that enhances a range of emotions in a film and adds to the drama in a way that is not often realised while watching a film.
The Championship Section Milnrow Band will perform a varied and entertaining programme of music with the superb tonal quality they are known for and is their trademark. Live music will accompany extracts from popular films on the big screen and include a sequence of the best known film about a Brass Band community.
The programme will include music by John Williams, Hans Zimmer, John Barry, Elmer Bernstein, Nina Rota, James Horner and more.
This will be a night at the movies, and more.

Thank you to everyone who has already made a booking.
To book your seat for a magical evening at The Old School Rooms, Lowergate, Clitheroe starting at 7.30 pm on Saturday 23rd March simply email [email protected].

Tickets are still only £10 to beat high living costs and all surplus proceeds go to the venue which is part of St Michael and St Johns Church. There is a pay bar.

We are delighted to announce the 1st batch of fund raising and community care concerts for 2024.
This year there is an increase in larger productions in order to offer more people the opportunity to enjoy city quality entertainment at local venues to combat mobility and loneliness issues.
The programme of concerts will also include specialist music rarely performed in the area of opera and country to meet the requests of many people.
Prices remain at £10 per person and all surplus proceeds will continue to be donated to the venues in order to sustain the role they play in the fabric of the community.
One of the events this year will be the 100th concert in the Ribble Valley Music Festival.
Click on the picture for more information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR6NAhGMudM
Advance booking can now be made by email at the end of the video.

2024 RVMF 1st edition - YouTube

2024 RVMF 1st edition A peep at the first fund raising concerts booked for the 2024 Ribble Valley Music Festival

The 2024 programme of fund raising and community support concerts will include the 100th event in the Ribble Valley Music Festival.
Planning of the 2024 Music festival is still in progress at this stage so the actual concert is not known at this time.
Rest assured a big cake will be made when the date is known.

Happy New Year!
There are many treats coming your way in 2024 and it all starts on 27th April.
Before that there is a pre-fest warm up when the wonderful people from Rochdale return by your request to provide 1st class entertainment under the professional leadership by Lee Skipsey of Milnrow Band.
They will be joined by the talented young dancers from the Performance Academy, and will continue the series of Great Composers.
This time it is the turn of The Great Composers of Stage and Screen.
Music, dance and video with interesting inspiration and background of the composers.
This special event in the Ribble Valley takes place at 7.30 pm on Saturday 23rd March in the Old School Rooms, Clitheroe, and tickets are still only £10.
Call 01254 384893
or email [email protected]

A huge thank you for the massive support during this year.
You have helped to raise a record amount of money too keep churches, village halls and community centres going - the highest amount in all the years that the Ribble Valley Music Festival has been running.

Your feedback is so encouraging and very much appreciated.
We are already underway with plans for next year and have already booked 7 events across the year. Details in January.

Our sincere wish that your Christmas is filled with Love and Happiness and 2024 brings you Good Health and Prosperity.

Happy Christmas

Three world class seasoned professionals who have performed on notable stages in the UK and around the world, including the far east and with leading orchestras of the world, came to a small church in the village of Grindleton in Lancashire during the summer of 2023 to perform a concert of classical music and opera arias.
The intimate setting provided a unique opportunity for the audience to be close up and absorb the passion embodied in the music plus the brilliant skill and talent of the artists to convey this.
The marvelous acoustics of the church enhanced the magic of the evening.
A handsome sum of money was raised for the church in the process.
Take a peep at some of the content of this wonderful evening by clicking on the link below.

2023 Ribble Valley Music Festival at Grindleton Three world class seasoned professionals who have performed on notable stages in the UK and overseas, including the far east and with leading orchestras of t...