History & Organisation

Patrons

FOUNDER PATRON
Sir Neville Marriner CH, CBE
(15 April 1924 – 2 October 2016)

Alasdair Beatson
Laurence Cummings
Dame Emma Kirkby
Andrew Marriner

Concerts in the West
Charity no 1139301

Trustees

John Bartholomew
Peter Lansdown
Andrew Maddocks Chairman
Catherine Maddocks (Hodgson)
Director of Concerts in the West

Elizabeth Coleman independent examiner

Publicity – social media – Stephen Upshaw
General PR – Shiry Rashkovsky
Printer – Creeds of Bridport
Distribution – Acoustic Distribution

A note from Sir Neville Marriner
‘Concerts in the West goes from strength to strength, providing a much needed service, bringing the best young musicians to perform music from jazz to Monteverdi.’

A note from Laurence Cummings
‘I am proud to be a patron of the Concerts in the West series. They provide high quality music-making, supporting and encouraging the younger generation of musicians who reap huge benefits from this high-profile platform. The programming is highly imaginative and the venues are so charming that the series also manages to draw in audiences who are not so familiar with the enriching qualities of classical music as well as the die-hard fans.’

History of
Concerts in the West

Concerts in the West was launched in 2006 when I was asked if I would like to organise a concert in Ilminster as there was no Classical music being performed locally at the time. As I was very new to the town it seemed like a good way to meet people and so it proved!

One concert quickly became four in the first year with Lyme Regis joining in. We have continued inviting young professional musicians to perform for us as they are embarking on a difficult and demanding career. When we started Concerts in the West I was still Festival Director of the London Handel Festival, from which I retired in June 2016. Working with very fine musicians in London I was determined to have a very high standard of performance in the West Country. The musicians, all of whom are trained to at least postgraduate level, find the tours quite useful in embedding repertoire and working towards recordings or a big concert in London or elsewhere.

Concerts in the West is run by a small group of Trustees. They are all very committed and hands-on, bringing their expertise to the charity.

We are also indebted to our hosts who look after the musicians during their stay.

We are a small charity and, as with many arts organisations, have to work hard on the finances and fundraising. We are very grateful to those who support us and without whom we would not survive! As our venues are not big and often in towns and villages with relatively small surrounding populations, ticket sales only cover about half the costs of running the series. In addition to paying our performers we need to publicise the concerts, which involves advertising. print and distribution. Then there are other costs like piano tuning and venue hire. If you feel that you can help us financially we would be very grateful. My contact details are below.

Venues

We started putting on concerts in ILMINSTER ARTS CENTRE in 2006. We then added two other main venues – BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE (since 2011) and LOWER PULWORTHY near Okehampton (2007-2018). We also spent many years in Lyme Regis at the MARINE THEATRE (2006-2016). In addition we branch out for single concerts to out-of-the-way places.

In 2019 we went to ILMINSTER ARTS CENTRE (10 concerts); BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE (10 concerts), THE DANCE HOUSE, Crewkerne (7 concerts); PENDOMER near Yeovil (one concert), UPLYME Church, Lyme Regis (one concert) and St Peter and St Paul, BISHOPS HULL, Taunton (one concert) and Jordans Courtyard (one concert). We held four concerts at CICCIC in Taunton and five at WELLHAYES VINEYARD near Waterrow/ Wiveliscombe.

In 2020 we went to ILMINSTER ARTS CENTRE (3 concerts); BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE (3 concerts); THE DANCE HOUSE, Crewkerne (3 concerts); Seven tours were then cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We organised an ONLINE SERIES of 18 concerts from August to October.

In 2021 we went to ILMINSTER ARTS CENTRE (5 concerts); BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE (6 concerts); THE DANCE HOUSE, Crewkerne (6 concerts); BISHOPS HULL HUB (1 concert); SS PETER & PAUL CHURCH, UPLYME (1 concert); ST LAURENCE CHURCH, Upwey (2 concerts).

In 2022 we went to ILMINSTER ARTS CENTRE (9 concerts); BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE (9 concerts); THE DANCE HOUSE, Crewkerne (9 concerts); MINEHEAD METHODIST CHURCH (3 concerts); CHURCH OF ST ROCH, Pendomer (1 concert); ST LAURENCE CHURCH, Upwey (3 concerts).

In 2023 we went to ILMINSTER ARTS CENTRE (9 concerts); BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE (9 concerts); THE DANCE HOUSE, Crewkerne (9 concerts); CHURCH OF ST ROCH, Pendomer (1 concert); ST LAURENCE CHURCH, Upwey (2 concerts); SS PETER & PAUL CHURCH, UPLYME (1 concert).

In 2024 we went to ILMINSTER ARTS CENTRE (9 concerts); BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE (9 concerts); THE DANCE HOUSE, Crewkerne (9 concerts); CHURCH OF ST ROCH, Pendomer (1 concert); ST PETER’S CHURCH, SHAFTESBURY (2 concerts).

Pianos

Alan King, Milverton Pianos, piano tuning

Piano in Bridport Arts Centre – Yamaha C7
(1980s)
Piano in Ilminster Arts Centre – Kawai RG2 (1974)
Piano at The Dance House Crewkerne – Yamaha C3 (1980s)

Thanks to the generosity of two of our donors, and the advice of one of our patrons, we were able to buy a beautifully restored Yamaha C7 in early 2022, which is housed at Bridport Arts Centre.

We also have a good Yamaha C3 in the Dance House in Crewkerne.

The piano in Ilminster is a Kawai RG2 and is owned by the Arts Centre.

Catherine Maddocks (Hodgson)
concertsinthewest@gmail.com
01823 252658 & 07776 995789

Pictures on this page:
Jonathan Rees’s cello – June 2012
Tom Foster and his harpsichord – June 2012
Elaine Ruby and her clarinet – October 2014
Blaine Downie of Piano Removals Service – Crewkerne – February 2022