A passion for great music
Hay Music began its life in 2011, the vision of John Stark, a retired Consultant in Respiratory Medicine. A lover of music, his ambition was to bring the highest quality classical chamber music to Hay-on-Wye at modest ticket prices and he achieved this by attracting a young, highly qualified 'new generation' of local and international musicians in the early stages of their careers as well as many established and well-known professional musicians.
In 2015 a Trust was formed under the name of the 'Hay Music Trust' and in August 2016 Hay Music was granted charitable status (Registered Charity Number 1168901).
Changing of the guard
In 2018 John Stark stood down from Hay Music and Mick Peake (also, coincidentally, a Professor of Respiratory Medicine) took over as both Chairman of the Trust and the Programme Co-ordinator. As well as continuing to present concerts of the highest musical quality, the Trust is committed to presenting new music which includes premiering completely new commissions. Our Chairman is supported by a first-rate Board of Trustees and a very efficient group of volunteers who help to manage the on-going programme of concerts and events.
Our venues
Having used a number of venues over the years, Hay Music now holds most of its concerts in St Mary's Church, Hay-on-Wye and, since 2022, in the newly restored Hay Castle. It presents a regular calendar of monthly concerts including a special series of events each year as part of the internationally famous Hay Festival.
The Hay Music Festival
2015 also saw the first of four consecutive annual Chamber Music Festivals with the Fitzwilliam String Quartet in residence. However, as this event grew in complexity and popularity a new independent organisation was formed to run it - the Black Mountains Chamber Music Trust with their first ‘Fitzwilliam at Hay Festival’ in 2019. The Hay Music Trust has now taken this annual festival back under its wing and it will now be known as the ‘Hay Music Festival – in collaboration with the Fitzwilliam Quartet’ from 2024 onwards.
Connecting with the community
Hay Music is committed to bringing musical experiences to the children and less advantaged people in our community. We currently run a significant outreach programme as part of the Hay Music Festival in collaboration with the Fitzwilliam String Quartet in September each year and also present a number of free workshops by visiting professional musicians at local schools throughout the year. We also offer a limited number of free tickets to under 25s at many of our concerts.
Acknowledgements
Hay Music aims to be self-sufficient from ticket sales, but this has become increasingly difficult whilst maintaining our philosophy of keeping ticket prices as reasonable as possible, while at the same time continuing to pay our musicians a fair level of remuneration. To this end, in February 2017, Hay Music introduced its Friends and Patrons Scheme. We are extremely grateful to those supporters who have joined the Hay Music Friends and Patrons community and individuals who support specific events, making it possible to pursue our aims whilst maintaining financial stability.
We are particularly indebted to the Mid Wales Music Trust and thank them for their ongoing support of Hay Music.
Also to
The Layton Bright Trust
Thank you! - Diolch yn fawr!
In addition to financial support Hay Music is indebted to a host of individuals whose various talents and generously-given time make the enterprise possible.
We are hugely grateful to Richard Booth's Bookshop for providing a unique performing space in the past and, until 2020, for managing our ticket sales.
To Michael and Mary Hession, thanks for arranging and hosting many recitals in their spacious home in Dorstone as well as for hosting some of our Friends and Patrons events.
To Rachel Podger for her valuable support and encouragement in the early days and for playing for us on several occasions.
To The Fitzwilliam Quartet for their long-standing association and friendship through the Hay Chamber Music Festival.