The 18th annual Wymondham Music Festival, centred on Festival Fortnight, June 22 to July 7, but with events from May to October, will be launched in Wymondham Market Place on Saturday, May 11 at 10am, with an open-air performance from Wymondham Area Schools’ Brass Band.  

The Festival brochure, available from May 11, features more than 80 events, with 40 during Festival Fortnight. Events are organised by both the Festival committee and other groups. Many of the events during Festival Fortnight are free in venues across the historic South Norfolk market town.

Tickets for Festival Fortnight concerts go on sale on May 11 at the Book Fountain, Wharton’s Court, Wymondham, and for the first time can be bought online at www.wymfestival.org.uk . For Festival event enquiries, contact the Festival office, t. 01953 601939, e. [email protected]. Save £1 on Festival Fortnight tickets booked by June 15, either online, or by using the discount voucher in the Festival brochure.

Enjoy performances by national, regional and local musicians with everything from Rachmaninov, Bach and Britten to folk, Americana, swing, jazz, flamenco, blues, bluegrass and contemporary rock.

Festival Chairman John Wood said: “Soon we shall be converting months of planning into music – it’s a really exciting time for everyone. The Wymondham area will be buzzing from May to October. Festival Fortnight is going to be a real treat for music fans, with its superb mix of classical, folk, jazz and contemporary music.”

 

Early Events in May and June

 May 11, 10am to 12noon, Wymondham Area Schools’ Brass Band, Market Place.

 May 25, 10am to 12noon Town Busking Day.

 June 1, 10am to 12noon, Matt Watson Band (former lead singer with Huck), Market Place.

 June 8, 10am to 12noon, Ragamuffin (folk), Market Place.

 

Festival Fortnight highlights

Wymondham Abbey

 The Lightning Thieves, June 22 at 7.30pm, Adam Summerhayes, concerto violinist turned ultra-modern electric fiddler, with David Gordon, the ‘Hendrix’ of the harpsichord. Ticket £12, under-18 £3.

 Jazz in The Abbey June 27 at 7.30pm, presents Peter King, rated by Dave Gelly in ‘The Giants Of Jazz’ as…‘the finest alto saxophonist that Britain has ever produced, and one of the finest in the world today’ with Steve Melling (piano), Owen Morgan (bass) and Roger Odell (drums). Ticket £12, under-18 £3

 Lunchtime recital, June 28 at 1.10pm with Finn McEwen, saxophone, winner of Norfolk Young Musician 2013. Retiring collection.

 Voigt Piano Trio, June 30, 8pm. Rachmaninov Trio Élégiaque No 1 in G minor and Schumann, Piano Trio No 1 in D minor. Retiring collection.

 Lunchtime organ recital July 1 at 1.10pm, with Ashley Grote, Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral. Retiring collection.

 Wymondham Young Musicians’ Concert, July 1 at 7pm. Admission on the door £4 (children and performers free).

 Lunchtime recitals all at 1.10pm, Norfolk Winds Quintet, July 2, The charm of Ivor Novello in words and song, July 3 and Britten Song Recital with Nicholas Allen (tenor) and Soojeong Joo (piano), July 4, Retiring collection.

 Rupert Egerton-Smith – piano, July 3 at 7.30pm. Rupert, originally from Norwich is an international concert pianist. Music from Scarlatti, Beethoven, Scriabin and Rachmaninov. Ticket £10, under-18 £3.

 

Ex-Servicemen’s Club

 Megson – Folk at The Regal, June 29 at 8pm, Stu and Debbie Hanna are Megson. They draw heavily on their Teeside heritage to create an infectious mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and driving rhythmic guitars and mandolas. Ticket £10, under-18 £3.

 Flamenco at the Regal, July 6 at 8pm with Zimali Flamenco from Norwich. Ticket £10, under-18 £3.

 

Wymondham Central Hall

 The Vagaband July 4 at 8pm – Norfolk eight-piece band performing Americana, blues, jazz, country, celtic and rock. Ticket £10, under-18 £3.

 Wymondham Roots, The Acoustic Sessions, July 5 at 8pm. Johnny Steinberg presents Whirligig, The Jake Morrell Band and Andy Kirkham (guitar) with Henry Walker (drums). Ticket £10, under-18 £3.

 

Open-air Events

 Wymondham High Jazz Bands, June 22, 10am to 12noon, Market Place

 Midsummer Jazz Picnic at Becketswell, June 24, 6pm to 9pm, featuring Dixie Mix Jazz Band

 1940s evening, June 28, 7pm-9pm, Skyliner plays nostalgic family favourites Glenn Miller-style in the Market Place, 7pm to 9pm; also Norfolk Military Vehicle Group display.

 The Proposition, acoustic American music, June 29, 10am to 12noon, Market Place

 Teddy Bears’ Picnic, June 30, 11am to 1pm, at King’s Head Meadow with live music and storytelling.

 The A13 All Stars, blues, country and Americana, July 6, 10am to 12noon, Market Place.

 

Wymondham Baptist Church

 Wymondham Songfest 2013, June 22, 9am to 5pm – songwriting workshop with Johnny Steinberg. Workshop fee £5, advance booking essential t. 01953 604816, e. [email protected].

 

Ketts Park Centre

 The Kickstart Sessions June 29, 11am to 6pm, showcasing young local bands; organised in partnership with SNYA Radio and Woodshack Rehearsal Studios. Tickets £3, t. 07515 146337.

 

Festival Fortnight Finale Wymondham Baptist Church

 The Drones present The Toy Symphony, July 7 at 3pm, this fun family concert features music performed on the cello, harmonium, bouzouki, mandolin, clarinet, percussion, car parts, toys, birdcalls, musical saw and items from the garden shed (3pm). Ticket £10, under-18 £3.

 

Wymondham Music Festival is supported by Wymondham Town Council, South Norfolk Council and Norfolk County Council.