Shipley Arts Festival 2026: Where World-Class Music Finds Its Home
We are delighted to welcome you to the Shipley Arts Festival, a celebration of musical excellence, creativity, and community set in some of Sussex’s most inspiring and unexpected venues. From medieval churches and historic country houses to reimagined landscapes and intimate rural estates, each performance is designed to connect audiences with music, place, and story.
Our 2026 programme weaves together chamber concerts, elegant evenings, jazz-infused collaborations, bold new commissions, world premieres, and cinematic favourites. From Bach, Schubert and Vaughan Williams, audiences will encounter internationally acclaimed artists alongside exceptional emerging talent. From a performance of our Shipley Concerto on the 1696 Stradivarius violin at the resting place of composer John Ireland, to the Wilding Concert at Knepp Castle, and a jazz & swing-inspired programme at Drew’s Barn, Warnham. Each event transforms its setting into part of the musical journey, offering experiences that are unforgettable, intimate, and deeply rooted in community.
The Shipley Arts Festival thrives thanks to the loyal support of our sponsors and Friends, whose shared commitment to artistic excellence, inclusivity, innovation, wellbeing, and community connection enables every aspect of our work. We are especially grateful to Toovey’s Auctioneers & Valuers, NFU Mutual: Chichester, Horsham & Pulborough, Nyetimber, and Kreston Reeves, alongside our dedicated Festival Friends, who form the backbone of our festival family and help make each season possible. Their continued belief in the festival allows us to bring extraordinary music and meaningful experiences to audiences locally and far beyond our county borders, with planned concerts for our Hong Kong and Macau Chapter in 2026.
While deeply rooted in Sussex, the festival continues to connect communities through music, foster creativity, and inspire participation for audiences of all backgrounds. Through performance, education, and commissioning, the festival innovates and celebrates the power of music to enrich lives – a place of welcome, inspiration, and shared experience for everyone who joins us.
We invite you to visit the Box Office and explore our 2026 concert programme and book your tickets today.
Warmest,
Andrew Bernardi – Founder & Artistic Director
Our History
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 late spring through early autum and performances take place in different locations each year; ranging from local community venues through to stately homes, heritage buildings, schools and churches.
The Shipley Arts Festival is sponsored by
Shipley Arts Festival Programme Archive
Commissioned Works
Central to our work is the commissioning of new works from today’s leading composers which reflect the communities we serve.
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)