Shipley Arts Festival 2025
The Shipley Arts Festival proudly celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2025, marking a silver year filled with music, gratitude, and joy. This milestone season will weave themes of celebration into every performance as we return to cherished venues across the county, sharing unforgettable moments with our loyal friends and supporters.
With our box office now open, we invite you to experience an extraordinary lineup of Classical, Opera, Jazz, and avant-garde performances. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time guest, Shipley promises a year of music that will inspire and uplift. Don’t miss this landmark season – join us for an evening (or more!) of exceptional artistry, community, and celebration.
Back in 2000, the Shipley Arts Festival began with an intimate performance at the Selsey Arms pub, just outside Horsham, featuring Christina Maude and Gini de Zoete. With the unwavering support of a core group, including Peter Sanderson and Gordon Lindsay, we embarked on a journey that has been nothing short of extraordinary.
From these humble beginnings, the Festival has grown into a cherished institution, fostering emerging talent through initiatives like the String Academy, a vital platform for young musicians. Our Stradivarius Piano Trio and the wider Bernardi Music Group have brought together an inspiring array of musicians, from baritone Roderick Williams OBE to the late, legendary Jon Lord of Deep Purple.
Over the years, we have collaborated with and commissioned works from esteemed composers such as Cecilia McDowall, Malcolm Singer, and John Rutter CBE. Helen Ottaway’s White Storks resonated with audiences during a special BBC Radio 3 broadcast from Knepp Castle’s Wilding Concert during lockdown, while Paul Lewis’ Violin Concerto beautifully captures the journey of our treasured Stradivarius under our custodianship.
Our commitment to community runs deep. Across Sussex, we unite audiences through music and have supported vital charities, including Blood Cancer UK, Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice, and The Alzheimer’s Society, Friends of Sussex Hospices and The Focus Foundation.
As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited to expand our reach and deepen our impact. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey – we can’t wait to share the next chapter with you.
Yours, Andrew
Founded by Andrew Bernardi in 2000, the annual Shipley Arts Festival brings world class music to communities in and around Shipley and the Sussex county.
Through a curated programme of concerts and events, it celebrates the connection between music and nature, wellbeing and heritage. And, whilst showcasing our professional ensembles, we also champion young talent. As part of the festival, musicians from our String Academy are invited to perform alongside our professional musicians.
Established as one of the leading cultural events in Sussex, we also commission and premiere new works by some of today’s leading composers. The festival runs from April – November and performances take place in different locations each year; ranging from local community venues through to stately homes, heritage buildings, schools and churches.
We are grateful to our Shipley Festival Friends, and Sponsors and Patrons who have supported us since the beginning and without whom the success of the festival and community spirit would not have been possible.
Email Andrew to discuss sponsorhip opportunities at tracey@bernardimusicgroup.com. To become a friend of Shipley Arts Festival, follow the local giving link below.
Take a look at some of our brochures from previous years of the Shipley Arts Festival
New Commissions
Central to our work is the commissioning of new works from today’s leading composers which reflect the communities we serve.
Recent commissions include “White Storks” for string octet by Helen Ottaway inspired by the birth of wild storks at Knepp Castle Estate and a new violin concerto written by Paul Lewis.
- 2005 Three movements reorchestrated from the ‘Brotherhood Suite’ by Gordon Giltrap
- 2007 ‘Great Hills’ by Cecilia McDowall (commissioned by Eve Barret and published by Oxford University Press)
- 2007 ‘To Notice Such Things’ by Jon Lord (commissioned by Eve Barret and published by Schott Music)
- 2008 ‘Descending Blue’ by Cecilia McDowall (commissioned by Colin and Lucy West and published Gemini Press)
- 2013 ‘Stilled Voices by James Whitbourn (commissioned by John Snelling and published Chester Music)
- 2015 ‘Ada’ by James Whitbourn and premiered by Andrew Bernardi and Anna Lapwood and friends in celebration of 200 years of Ada Lovelace (commissioned by the Earl and Countess of Lytton and published by Chester Music)
- 2016 ‘Goodwood Variations’ by Roderick Williams OBE (commissioned by Maria Marchant and Andrew Bernardi)
- 2018 ‘Shipley Psalms’ by Malcolm Singer (commissioned by Revd Rupert Toovey and John Snelling)
- 2018 ‘Knepp Piano Trio’ by Roderick Williams OBE
- 2019 ‘Dragons’ by Malcolm Singer reorchestrated with Arts Council England support
- 2020 ‘White Storks by Helen Ottaway ( commissioned by Shipley Arts Festival Life Friend Jamie Martin and Alison Beckett )
- 2020 ‘Shipley Concerto for violin and strings: Cremona 1696 / Shipley Idyll /Chinese Adventure’ (commissioned by Shipley Arts Festival and published by Goodmusic)