Saffron Walden Music Festival celebrates 10 years

1st February 2023

Saffron Walden Music Festival is celebrating a decade of bringing music to our ears and now, thanks to a funding boost, it has been able to expand.

A grant of £750 from Essex Community Foundation (ECF), has enabled the Festival to modernise and broaden its scope to include a percussion and jazz section.

The funding came from two charitable funds managed by ECF – the Sebright Fund and the Brian and Julie Cue Fund, both of which support musical activities in Essex.

The festival, which was set up in 2012, gives budding young musicians the opportunity to play in a competitive environment.  Their latest event took place in November 2022 at Saffron Hall and attracted over 200 young people from around the area. It left a lasting enthusiasm for music-making and was an inspiring experience for local musicians looking to develop their musical abilities.

Each section of the Festival was judged by a professional adjudicator, with the newly formed jazz section being welcomed by well-known jazz pianist, Kate Williams.

Certificates, medals, and trophies were presented, with the overall winner of the event receiving the coveted Festival Cup.

Amanda Shaw, who is a Committee Member for the Festival, said: “The past two years have been difficult for music in so many ways but particularly for our younger, developing musicians, as they have been deprived of live performance opportunities for such a long period of time.”

“There are families in the area who have had very little experience of live music, but our Festival, and indeed schools, passionately want to encourage children to contemplate taking up an instrument.”

She added, “We aim to give all young musicians, their teachers and their families the opportunity to be inspired by the Festival and to enjoy live music.”

Polly Lankester, Headteacher of Saffron Walden County High School where the Festival is hosted said: “The Saffron Walden Music Festival has had an amazing journey since its first event in 2012. From small beginnings in the modest surroundings of the music block with a single adjudicator, to seven sections plus a parallel Jazz event and celebratory concerts in Saffron Hall, it has been a joyful adventure and Saffron Walden County High School has been proud to host this wonderful festival of live performance for local young musicians”.

Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “We are pleased to have supported the Music Festival, helping them to give a platform to young musicians and an opportunity for them to perform live.

“We work with a number of fundholders who are keen to support individuals, children and young people, where finance is the barrier to them improving either their musical talents, their sporting ambitions or their educational opportunities.  For anyone who is interested, please get in touch and have a conversation with us.”

To find out more about ECF and funding for local charities, community groups, and individuals click here.

If you want to discuss how we can help you to give back to Essex communities, please call us on 01245 355947.