An immersive week at the world's oldest Classical music festival
The sun (mainly!) shone and the festival site at Gloucester Cathedral buzzed with atmosphere and activity.
On Tuesday 25 July I gave a talk in the Chapter House on the life and work of vaccination pioneer Dr Edward Jenner - and how his life and work has been celebrated through music and words with The Jenner Project.
Wednesday 26 July saw the world premiere of ‘What the Lark Saw’, evolving from the outputs of Gloucestershire community groups and their facilitators, and performed by the Cheltenham Youth Choir, Cheltenham Children's Choir, Severnside Singers, children from Elmbridge Primary School, accompanied by an ensemble of 2 flutes, violin, guitar, harp and piano and conducted by Rachel Bowen. Such a fabulous project.
Friday 28 July I attended a supporter's reception and had the opportunity to meet many interesting people involved with this fabulous festival - and from a distance saw the actor Sam West (Siegfried from All Creatures Great and Small)!
Saturday 29 July I was back for a superb performance of 'Tide and Time' by Flowers Band conducted by Michael Fowles, a fantastic programme, again in the glorious surroundings of Gloucester Cathedral.
Many thanks to the Three Choirs Festival for inviting me and to everyone who played, sung, conducted, facilitated, supported, and listened! Looking forward already to going to Worcester next year!
Serenata recording by Grimethorpe and Jack Stamp featured again on BBC Radio 3's Sunday breakfast show
Serenata recording by Grimethorpe and Jack Stamp featured again on BBC Radio 3's Sunday breakfast show
Connections around the world from New Zealand to Australia, Canada and the USA - and a special performance next year in the Netherlands.
Connections around the world from New Zealand to Australia, Canada and the USA - and a special performance next year in the Netherlands.
'Landscapes' and 'Shadow cast by the sun' from 'Rhythm of Light', recorded by Hepworth Band and conducted by Ryan Watkins, will be broadcast on Radio 3 Sunday 29 June. 'Rhythm of Light' was commissioned in 2021 to celebrate the life and work of sculptor Barbara Hepworth.
'Landscapes' and 'Shadow cast by the sun' from 'Rhythm of Light', recorded by Hepworth Band and conducted by Ryan Watkins, will be broadcast on Radio 3 Sunday 29 June. 'Rhythm of Light' was commissioned in 2021 to celebrate the life and work of sculptor Barbara Hepworth.

Community Music Recital | refreshments served, retiring collection for Staines Salvation Army


Katrina Marzella conducts the Brass Band Vorarlberg
In February 2026, the Brass Band Vorarlberg will make a powerful statement: the stage belongs to female composers. Under the direction of Katrina Marzella and Benjamin Markl, works celebrating the broad spectrum of female creativity will be performed.
Alongside Benjamin Markl, guest conductor Katrina Marzella will lead the Brass Band Vorarlberg, shaping an evening of music that shines a spotlight on the distinctive styles of women. Katrina Marzella is one of Europe's most sought-after conductors.
She is a driving force in the brass scene, was the first woman to conduct the European Brass Band Championships in 2025, and is the principal conductor of the Cooperation Band in Glasgow.


Katrina Marzella conducts the Brass Band Vorarlberg
In February 2026, the Brass Band Vorarlberg will make a powerful statement: the stage belongs to female composers. Under the direction of Katrina Marzella and Benjamin Markl, works celebrating the broad spectrum of female creativity will be performed.
Alongside Benjamin Markl, guest conductor Katrina Marzella will lead the Brass Band Vorarlberg, shaping an evening of music that shines a spotlight on the distinctive styles of women. Katrina Marzella is one of Europe's most sought-after conductors.
She is a driving force in the brass scene, was the first woman to conduct the European Brass Band Championships in 2025, and is the principal conductor of the Cooperation Band in Glasgow.
![Serenata [world premiere in the wind band version] | The Royal Marines Band](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5cb49828bba38cfab910a45a/697113ac122b7add512bab2f_Screenshot%202026-01-21%20175249.png)
The Royal Marines Band Service
Follow
Part of the The Portsmouth Concert Season 2025-2026 collection
Portsmouth Grammar School, Portsmouth, England
Thursday, Feb 26 from 7:30 pm to 9:45 pm GMT
Overview
Join us for a spectacular evening of music and entertainment from the world famous Bands of His Majesty's Royal Marines.
The Royal Marines Band Service returns to venues across Portsmouth for another exciting year of world-class music and entertainment. For more than 25 years the Portsmouth Concert Season has brought together the best of the Band Service with the Concert Band, soloists, singers, pianists, string orchestras and the unbeatable Corps of Drums. This year will be bigger and better than ever before, plus we’ll be taking you behind the scenes of the prestigious and internationally recognised Bandmasters Training programme, where talented musicians become the great conductors of the future. Be part of this exciting journey and experience beautiful music and unforgettable entertainment from some of the finest military musicians in the country.