Lincolnshire

‘Annual Festival founded in 2004 featuring traditional chamber music concerts at several venues within Lincolnshire, enhanced each year with a range of performers and performances from other genres. Main Programme held Mid August. There is also now a monthly Lunchtime Concerts Series which runs September through July.

‘We believe in Making Music Matter in Lincolnshire and that EVERY child should have access to high quality opportunities regardless of circumstance or background. Lincolnshire Music Service is an award winning Local Authority music service. We exist to provide the best possible music opportunities for Children and Young People within the county. We are also the lead organisation of the Lincolnshire Music Education Hub which was launched in 2012.’

‘The LOA has 70 members across the county, and in a few cases, beyond its borders. Many are organists in churches and chapels of various denominations, possessing every level of proficiency, while others are not organists themselves but love the sound of the instrument and are keen to see the organ and organ-playing flourish in the county. We meet about once a month. Some meetings feature talks on all aspects of the organ and church music, some are visits to organs, when those who wish to get the chance to play, and some entirely social occasions such as the annual dinner ... We are always keen to welcome new members, but the help and advice we can offer is not limited to members. These days many people find themselves “volunteered” to play the organ on the basis of their being pianists. Such “reluctant organists” may know little or nothing about such things as stops, having more than one keyboard to choose from, pedals and swell pedals, yet these things are easily explained and there is probably a member of the Lincolnshire Organists’ Association living nearby who would be happy to do it.’

‘Our four County Groups explore and perform an exciting repertoire of orchestral masterpieces and contemporary works by composers of today. What’s more, young musicians get the chance to play in a professionally staged concert, with members of some groups having the opportunity to take part in a fabulous four day residential and travel programme as part of a biennial foreign tour ... Lincolnshire Music Centres are in eight locations around the County, offering evening, after school or Saturday morning activities. There is a wide range of group playing opportunities in orchestras, bands and choirs.’

'The objectives of the Association are to foster interest, participation and study of all kinds of music within Lincolnshire, making music more accessible and relevant to the community living in the area and forging links with sympathetic organisations both within the East Midlands area generally and elsewhere.'