ABOUT US

Chipping Campden Music Festival was founded in 2002 by Charlie Bennett. Since that time it has grown into one of the UK’s most prestigious festivals featuring some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians, who all love performing in the wonderful setting of St James’ church, described by Alfred Brendel as “One of the finest acoustics I encountered in my 60 year career”   


Artistic Director, Thomas Hull and Co-Director, Jessica May, who stepped into Charlie's shoes in 2024, both share Charlie’s devotion to excellence and his philosophy that 'The music is paramount'.


Thomas Hull, Artistic Director


"Charlie’s dedication to musical excellence has fuelled the success of the Chipping Campden Music Festival and established itself in the eyes of both concert goers and performers as one of the loveliest in the British summer musical calendar."


Charlie and the Chipping Campden Music Festival

Jessica May, Co Director

I am delighted to have been appointed President of what I have long described as my favourite festival. Of course,  following the example set by other Presidents, my first demands upon receiving the invitation were 1) that St James’ be renamed the church of St Isserlis and St James' and 2) that the church be closed for renovations for two years.....


Despite these eminently reasonable requests being refused, I am still

delighted to be the new President of a festival extremely close to my heart, held in such a breathtakingly beautiful environment. I look forward to bothering you incessantly with my presence and to many truly, uniquely wonderful festivals. From my first visit to the CCMF, I felt a very special atmosphere. It wasn’t long before I was enjoying late-night dinners with my dear friends Charlie and Vicky Bennett and others, batting ideas (and occasionally eyelashes) late into the night.


And now, under Jessica May and Tom Hull’s devoted leadership, the

Festival continues to go from strength to strength, without sacrificing any of the freshness and excitement of those earlier years.


It is not just the direction of the Festival that engenders that special

atmosphere, however, nor only the leading musicians that the Festival has always attracted. Equally important is the amazingly devoted support of the volunteers, all of whom truly care about every aspect of the concerts, and look after us musicians assiduously. Without them, the Festival wouldn’t exist – and I for one am extremely, presidentially glad that it does!


Steven Isserlis, Festival President

HOW TO BUILD AN ORCHESTRA

The trailer for a documentary on how The Festival Academy Orchestra comes together and performs each year. The full version of this video can be viewed on our Education and Orchestra page.

“

The Chipping Campden Music Festival brings worldclass artists – and also young musicians starting their professional journeys – to a wonderful venue. After a long lifetime as a performer, having the chance to be part of the audience and to hear concerts of outstanding quality in such a setting is the purest joy.

Bernard Haitink (RIP Maestro)

“

I only discovered the joys of Chipping Campden late in my performing career but still relished the opportunity to play in the glorious acoustics of St James’ Church. Since retiring from the concert platform I have returned a number of times to lecture at the music festival and can’t think of many places that rival this most picturesque Cotswold town in late spring.

Alfred Brendel

“

The Festival is in my view, and that of all musicians I know, one of the loveliest in the British summer musical calendar. The audience is knowledgeable, attentive and extremely warm and there is always a sense of occasion. A beautiful piano completes a nigh perfect venue , the whole fuelled by the passionate enthusiasm of Charlie Bennett, whose devotion to quality at all costs is only too rare, and to be treasured.

Imogen Cooper

“

The Chipping Campden Music Festival is a jewel in the crown of British music making. Without compromising on either the choice of musicians or their programmes, Charlie Bennett has created one of the ‘hottest tickets’ in classical music.

Julian Lloyd Webber

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