SAVE THE DATE
4th - 13th OCTOBER 2024
Welcome to the 49th Calne Music and Arts Festival – an annual community event, run entirely by a dedicated team of volunteers and supported by local sponsors.
Over recent years, the lunchtime concerts have become increasingly popular and are free to Friends of the Festival. A leading Ukrainian harpist, Alina Bzhezhinska, who has performed at Balmoral, will be giving a recital on Friday 13th October, which will be followed by a Ukrainian lunch. An amazing week of concerts will cover most genres of music – choral, classical recitals, jazz, opera, folk- as well as illustrated talks, and the spoken word and for the first time we shall be hosting a mid week Comedy evening. Opera fans will be delighted to see the return of ‘Opera Anywhere’ who will perform HMS Pinafore on the final Saturday. Inevitably our ticket prices have had to rise slightly but still remain good value for the quality of the performances. Several free events are included in the programme as well as free lunchtime concerts for Festival Friends. This year we are taking part in the Big Draw, the world's biggest drawing festival from The Campaign for Drawing and hosting our first Life Drawing Evening as well as the Drink & Draw, a children's art competition and the Artist Talks.
The Family Day on the first Saturday, when all events are free, is a celebration of music and art for young and old through workshops and an immersive theatre experience. Throughout the week the Open Art Exhibition in Marden House, featuring the work of local artists both professional and amateur, is open to visitors. Please consult the programme for visiting times.
Finally, we hope that you will take time to visit the programme and make your choice of events and that we shall see you during Festival week.
Carole Browne (CMAF President)
FESTIVAL PATRON
With thanks to Judith Weir, Master of the King's Music, Patron of Calne Music and Arts Festival
Calne Music and Arts Festival (CMAF) is a community celebration of music and the arts, which takes place during a ten-day period at the beginning of October each year.The Festival aims not only to provide entertainment for the people of Calne and surrounding villages, but also to promote local musical and artistic talent.The Festival was inaugurated in 1974 and has grown substantially over the years, showcasing some exceptional talent, whilst reaching a wide cross section of the community.
Charity Constitution
The objective of the society shall be to encourage interest and participation in the Arts by the local community, through a programme of activity including performances, concerts, exhibitions, talks and workshops during the festival period.
The society is committed to supporting local and regional performers and artists as well as showcasing visiting performers and exhibitors where appropriate to the programme.
In order to deliver the objectives of the society, the committee shall have the power to raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any persons or person whatsoever by way of subscriptions, sponsorship, donations and otherwise provided that the society shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for its charitable objectives.
Registered charity number: 276875
OPEN ART EXHIBITION
Each year Marden House in Calne hosts an impressive Open Art Exhibition, presenting the works of predominantly local Artists. Nearly all works are for sale and the exhibition boasts some reputable names, making this a must for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Participation in the Open Exhibition is truly inclusive and 'open' with work only being refused if it does not meet the entry criteria.
The Open Art Exhibition 2023 showcased nearly 300 pieces of art by local artists.
It was an incredible display of talent and creativity. Thank you for exhibiting / visiting.
See you next year!
In 2023 the Calne Music & Arts Festival took part in the world's biggest drawing festival from The Campaign for Drawing and hosted CMAF's first Life Drawing Evening as well as the annual Open Art Exhibition, the Drink & Draw and Talks by art historians, local artists and photographers.
There were many specific art events, most of which are free to attend.
Click here for this year's programme
Find out more about The Big Draw Festival by clicking here
The organising Committee are always looking for new participants, both amateur and professional, and would welcome any suggestions for events which could be included in future years.
If you would like to offer continued support to the festival, please consider becoming a 'Festival Friend', which comes with reduced ticket prices to some concerts and special events.
The Festival is run entirely by volunteers so please do bear with us as we respond to your enquiry.
Phone number : 07834199190
Email : contact@cmaf.org.uk
CONTACT US
FESTIVAL FRIENDS
Become a Friend and help a wonderful local festival to thrive.
The Calne Music and Arts Festival has been an important part of Calne life for nearly 50 years.
Funds from our supporters have enabled us to bring an exciting programme of music and art focusing on local talent to Calne for a week every year.
But what of future years?
We need your help to ensure the continuation of the Festival for the next generation.
The benefits for Friends include:
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Priority mailing of programme.
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Free lunchtime concert and reduced price tickets for most other events.
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Invitations to special Friends' events and exhibition previews.
The Friend’s fee is a modest £20.00 per year.
Becoming a Friend will help to ensure that the Festival is secure for future years.
For membership details and subscription form please click here
CMAF COMMITTEE
Carole Browne (President), Glenis Ansell (Chair), Jacintha Douglas (Treasurer), Anne Davey (Friends Secretary), Genevieve Sioka (Art & Exhibition Coordinator), Nina Slater (Art Director) John Boaler, John Spiller, Robert Merrick, Kristy Jones, Geoff Brown, Jemima Palfreyman
We are always excited to hear from people interested in being a part of the Festival Committee. We are especially interested to hear from people with accounting, finance and fundraising experience.
There are also many volunteering opportunities during the festival, including stage hands and exhibition stewards.
We are also always keen to hear from art, theatre and music students as well as media students who might want to add experience to their resume. Please do get in touch to discuss contact@cmaf.org.uk
NEW CALNE ART TRAIL APP
Have you heard about the Calne Art Trail by our friends at Wordfest in partnership with Active Calne and the Calne Heritage and Amenities Organisation?
This 2.5 mile walk will take you around the wonderfully diverse art in Calne, taking in both the urban environment of the town centre and some of the green spaces along the Abberd Brook and Castlefields park.
The Calne Art Trail (one of three on the Wordfest App) was developed as a self guided paper-based Trail by Calne Heritage and Amenities in partnership with Active Calne, before being added to the Wordfest App.
For more information and additional points of interest (including the lost art of Calne), check out the 'Calne Heritage and Amenities Organisation' website by clicking here.
With thanks to our generous sponsors:
