The Festival
Held mainly in the spring each year, in Liss and Petersfield (UK), the festival aims to 'CREATE, NURTURE and INSPIRE' across a broad range of musical styles and mediums by holding concerts, talks and workshops which are fully inclusive. The area is blessed with a large number of expert and professional musicians, many with international reputations, and the common desire is to share good music in a way which can be enjoyed by everybody. Local composers are encouraged and showcased, music students share their learning, and both children and adults can participate in enjoyable workshops to gain new experiences in making music under the guidance of enthusiastic experts. Equally, people who just want to hear good music played brilliantly in concerts which are both local and inexpensive, are delighted with what is on offer every year. See our Concerts and Workshops page for details of this year's events.
The Venues
St Peter’s Parish Church, The Square, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 3HS
A Norman church begun c 1120, having a fine chancel arch and interesting 18th C wall monuments
St Peter’s Church, Church Lane, West Liss, Hants, GU33 6JY
The original 13C Parish Church of the village with interesting octagonal arcading. The whole church was recently restored.
St Mary’s Parish Church, Station Road, Liss, Hants, GU33 7AQ
Built in 1891/2. Much Kemp stained glass and a fine triptych by Martin Travers.
The Triangle Centre, Mill Road, Liss GU33 7DX
The Triangle is a thriving Community Centre situated in the heart of Liss and is used by villagers of all ages.
Festival organisers
Violinist Sara Deborah Struntz performs internationally as a soloist, chamber musician and in orchestra, both on modern and period instruments. She directs the SouthDowns Camerata from the violin since its foundation in 2013, and also coaches and composes for the young string players joining in the concerts as the Young SouthDowns Strings. Formerly an assistant teacher for violin at the Yehudi Menuhin School, she now teaches violin at Churchers College, and runs a private teaching business, the SouthDowns Centre for Musical Excellence, alongside family life.
Dorry Macaulay has played the violin since the age of 4. She studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Royal Academy of Music. She is now a freelance violinist and covers a wide range of styles and settings, from chamber to orchestral and from classical to folk/pop music. She enjoys teaching violin at several schools. When she is not busy as a mother to two boys she composes her own music, some of it will be premiered in the Camerata concert.
Bridget Hughes initiated the SouthDowns Camerata by rallying together interested locally based musicians for their first concert in spring 2013. She is a passionate music teacher and has inspired generations of violinists in local schools.
Other members of the organising team include Sarah Crew, Lucy Flint, Wendy Lowe and Steve Sargent.
Festival supporters
The Spirit of Music Festival is kindly sponsored by East Hampshire District Council
Want to support the Spirit of Music Festival?
We are looking forward to continuing the Spirit of Music Festival in future years. For this, we need your support. If you would like to become a Friend of this festival (with a suggested annual donation of £20), please email us at admin@spiritofmusicfestival.org.uk with your name and contact details and we will be in touch.
Want to receive emails with news about future concerts?
You can sign up to receive email notifications with news of future concerts. Please email us at admin@spiritofmusicfestival.org.uk
Send us your feedback
We would be delighted to hear your comments on the concerts and the Festival. Please email your thoughts to admin@spiritofmusicfestival.org.uk