Chagford Music | Free Live Summer Music!

Friday June 14th 2025

Elizabeth-Jane Baldry & Caroline Kay-Mouat

Caroline Kay-Mouat (soprano)
Elizabeth-Jane Baldry (harp)

Caroline and Elizabeth-Jane perform some of their favourite songs for voice and harp including works by Bach, Fauré, Gershwin, and two rare gems composed by Edmund Rubbra, the father of the late Ben Rubbra, the well-known artist who lived locally.

Caroline Kay-Mouat studied singing at the prestigious École Normale de Musique de Paris, Alfred Cortot. Her time in Paris was transformative working alongside extraordinary musicians and making her stage debut at the iconic Théâtre du Châtelet as the Queen of the Fairies. Love then led her to Bath, where she embraced family life, raising three children. She later taught at the Welsh College of Music and Drama before founding a vibrant festival in Alderney, Channel Islands, celebrating the island’s spirit and bringing audiences closer to the performers. It was here that Elizabeth–Jane and Caroline met. This recital is a joyful tribute to their enduring friendship. Caroline says: “Of course, Elizabeth-Jane is The Queen of the Fairies!”

Elizabeth-Jane Baldry

“She is a great artist and consummate performer. She can draw more tone colours out of the instrument than any other harpist living in the world today.”

– David Watkins, Professor of Harp, Guildhall School of Music

Elizabeth-Jane Baldry fell in love with the harp as a little girl whilst reading fairytales in which the harp had magical powers! Born in Hampshire, she studied music at Exeter University and harp at the Royal College, and has been freelancing as a professional harpist for thirty years. Her uniquely rich tone on the harp has graced many film and television soundtracks screened in over thirty countries including America, Canada, Iceland, Kenya, Iran, South Africa, Poland and Cyprus.

She is the only specialist silent movie harpist in the UK, composing and performing live accompaniment to cinema screenings of early film. This exciting work takes her to film festivals around Europe and beyond. Her long-standing duo with London multi-instrumentalist, Stephen Horne, is highly acclaimed and the pair have won multiple awards for their atmospheric live soundtracks.

Elizabeth-Jane’s compositions have been used by ITV, the BBC and by Irish, Japanese, Danish and Canadian film, radio and television. A particular favourite was a commission by the Army Benevolent Fund to compose a work for a special concert in Exeter Cathedral commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

Elizabeth-Jane now lives in Chagford. A life-long lover of nature, she is fortunate indeed to own a small wood nearby. Here, she is in the midst of a fabulous project: creating a monumental outdoor table – the longest table in the world fashioned from a single English oak tree. Centuries old, this remarkable tree was a sapling in Tudor England. Wars, plague, industry, and politics passed it by until the 21st-century when it fell in an apocalyptic thunderstorm. Creating a magical table where people can gather to connect with both nature and each other seems like the best possible way to honour this noble tree.

elizabethjanebaldry.com

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Friday June 13th 2025

Julian Chan & Gerard Flotats

Julian Chan (piano)
Gerard Flotats (cello)

Gerard Flotats

Prize-winning Catalan cellist Gerard Flotats is a versatile young musician performing a wide spectrum of music, from Baroque on historical instruments to contemporary compositions with electronics. Winner of the Royal Over-Seas League Strings Competition 2023, he has also been selected for the Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artist, Tillett Debut, and Munster Trust Recital schemes, giving him ample performance experience from a young age. Solo engagements for the 2024/25 season include concerts at venues such as Manchester Bridgewater Hall, King’s Place, and Pierre Boulez Saal.

Gerard is currently studying for an Artist Diploma with, and he previously graduated with honours in both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, studying at the Royal Academy of Music. There, he won various prizes in solo and chamber settings, including the Regency Award, Homi Kanga for the best strings final recital, Duo, and Craxton Prizes. At the Academy, he also studied Baroque cello and chamber music.

He is an active member of various orchestras, having been the principal cellist of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO). He is often invited to play with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE), Hope Orchestra, and the Spanish National Orchestra.

Recently, Gerard gave the premiere of his project in collaboration with composer Alexander Papp called Re-imagining Bach. Together as a cello and electronics duo, they performed with light and sound effects a new composition inspired by Bach’s 3rd cello suite. He also performed several of the major cello concertos including Dvorak and Haydn, and gave duo and solo recitals around the UK.

Gerard aims to make classical music more relevant and resonant for today’s audiences through innovative performances. He is passionate about showcasing lesser-known pieces and collaborates with composers to introduce contemporary music to new listeners.

Julian Chan

Rapidly developing a reputation as one of the most innovative pianists of his generation, Julian Chan has given performances at numerous prestigious venues across the UK, including Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre, St John’s Smith Square, and the Sheldonian Theatre. Performing music by a particularly diverse range of composers, he has given alluring recitals featuring works by figures from Sweelinck to Messiaen, from Alkan to Rzewski, unifying these various styles in a captivating manner.

Recently, Julian has been awarded First Prize and Sonata Prize at the Nanyang International Music Competition, Singapore, First Prize at the Norah Sande Award, and First Prize at the Coulsdon and Purley Festival with his performance of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto.

A passionate composer and performer of new music, Julian has collaborated with several eminent composers. He is currently recipient of the Aud Jebsen Fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music.

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Friday June 20th 2025

Paul Thomas & Sean Sweeney

Paul Thomas (trumpet)
Sean Sweeney (organ)

Paul and Sean open with brilliant Italian sunshine with a concerto in D major by baroque composer Giuseppe Torelli. The premiere of a new suite by Paul Drayton will then evoke some vivid Cornish flavours: Toccata (St Agnes Beacon). Barcarolle (Drifting on Carrick Roads). Reverie (Sunset on Porthmeor Beach). Moto Perpetuo (A spin from St. Ives to St. Just).

The second movement of Clive Jenkins’ Concertino will provide a lush moment of reflection before the final movement of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. In addition, Sean Sweeney will play two lively organ pieces by Welsh composer William Mathias.

Paul Thomas took a degree in music and modern languages at what is now Oxford Brookes University, followed by postgraduate study at the Royal Academy of Music

He has performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, English Touring Opera, Glyndebourne Touring Opera, Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Oxford Pro Musica, RTE National Symphony Orchestra (Dublin), Sadlers Wells Touring Opera, Wren Baroque Soloists and Wren Consort; travelling to Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Israel, Malta, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

He has lived in Italy for extended periods, appearing with the Orchestra Boccherini di Lucca, Baroque Ensemble of the Orchestra di Parma, Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina, Orchestra Emilia Romagna Arturo Toscanini, Orchestra Regionale Toscana and Orchestra Tiepolo.

In a lighter vein he was first trumpet in the West End show “Pirates of Penzance” (Broadway version) at the London Palladium and also toured as first trumpet of the shows “Annie”, “Hair”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”

Paul has also developed a parallel career in management, organising many successful concerts and tours, eg: the Almeida Festival, Barbican Chamber Orchestra, English Theatre Orchestra and New London Singers. He was also Assistant Manager of Bournemouth Orchestras in 1999.

Paul initiated, organized and ran a series of master classes for different instruments in the Tuscan village of Sillico in the twenty year period from 1996 to 2015.

Dr Sean Sweeney has almost sixty years experience as a pianist, organist and harpsichordist. Much of his time has been spent directing choirs, most recently in Tavistock, Plymouth, Launceston and Britannia Royal Naval College.

He held his first organist’s post at the age of eleven in Swansea. He studied organ at Llandaff and Salisbury Cathedrals whilst pursuing music and music education degrees at the Universities of Cardiff (BMus), Reading (MA) and Bath (PhD).

His recital career continues to this day having performed in many churches, cathedrals and concert halls in the UK, USA, Germany and Italy and he holds several piano teaching and organ performance diplomas.

After almost twenty years as headteacher in five challenging secondary schools in the South West, South East and the Midlands Dr Sweeney now balances the demands of a large family with organ playing, choir directing and managing the Tavistock Festival. He remembers with fondness his time assisting at the organ here in Chagford, and is delighted to be back.

Sponsored by Casa Magnolia

Friday June 27th 2025

Two Moors Festival Young Musicians’ Concert

Harold Lee (oboe)
Dee Dee Redford (piano)
Teagan Craggs (violin)

Dee Dee Redford is an 11 year old pianist from Axminster, Devon. She hails from a family of pianists. After her recent successes at the London International Chopin Competition and winning first prize at the Birmingham Piano Festival for her interpretation of French music, Dee Dee will play Ravel’s Sonatine (1905) to commemorate his 150th birthday anniversary. Featuring many of his stylistic trademarks, Ravel’s Sonatine harks back to the traditions of the French clavecinstes, Couperin and Rameau. Just a few short motives are transformed throughout all 3 movements which exquisitely combine classical form and modernity.

Harold Lee writes: “This programme takes listeners on a chronological adventure through the musical eras, showcasing the evolution of oboe repertoire. We begin with the elegant ‘Oboe Sonata in G minor’ by C.P.E Bach: one of the composers who bridged the gap between the baroque and classical periods.

Next, we delve into a Romantic gem by Gabriel Pierné: ‘Pièce’. I truly enjoy the lyrical charm and subtleties of colour in this piece. It beautifully demonstrates the oboe’s singing quality in its simple melodies; and the expressive warmth, and emotionally sensitive phrases display the beauty of late 19th-century French music. Finally, a striking modern work: Étude No. 5 from Gilles Silvestrini’s ‘Six Études pour Hautbois’ – subtitled ‘Scène de plage – Ciel d’orage’ (‘Beach Scene – Stormy Sky’). At only one minute in duration, this piece was musically inspired by a painting by the French artist Eugène Boudin. Silvestrini translates the shifting sky and looming storm into a vivid sonic landscape, full of turbulence, colour, and drama, leaving not much room for breath!

Teagan Craggs is in her final year of a full music scholarship at Wells Cathedral School. In September, she is set to commence her studies at the Royal College of Music where she has also been awarded a full scholarship.

This Spring she gave a recital at Evaristo Valle Museum Foundation in Spain and performed at a Future Talent fundraising concert in the Roundhouse, London. She has won multiple prizes at various festivals, and in 2023, she won both the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Junior Artist Award and the Two Moors Competition.

Teagan has led the Nicola Benedetti Foundation Orchestra in concert on several occasions, and has been fortunate enough to be selected for individual masterclass tuition with Nicky. In addition she has led the Wells Symphony Orchestra, and has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra for five consecutive years. This summer, she will be travelling to Switzerland to perform as a member of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra, and returns to the BBC proms playing with the Chineke Orchestra.

She is involved in many chamber groups, and has appeared on numerous BBC broadcasts. She recently featured on Scala Radio’s “One to Watch”. This November, Teagan is thrilled to be making her debut with St Woolos Sinfonia, performing Mendelsohn’s Violin Concerto in Newport Cathedral.

Teagan plays a bespoke Melvin Goldsmith violin, (the Guarneri ‘Del Gesu’ model), generously loaned by the maker.

Sponsored by Mrs Kit Newsome

Friday July 4th 2025

Pete Canter Jazz Trio

Pete Canter is a highly accomplished jazz saxophonist, upright bass player and flautist and a composer of original jazz music. His jazz repertoire draws upon swing, bebop and latin jazz and he has been responsible for a string of creative projects in the South West over many years. Pete has recorded several well received jazz albums and has played at major U.K. Festivals. “…..an inventive soloist with a distinctive sound……” (Ian Mann, The Jazzmann). James Clemas is one of the South West’s most versatile pianists playing across a wide range of jazz styles with a melodic and punchy attack. Marcus Vergette is in high demand on the local jazz scene and is also frequently called upon to accompany visiting high-profile musicians. He has a creative and highly engaging approach to the jazz bass. Both James and Marcus are long time collaborators with Pete. Expect superb swing and latin jazz drawing on well know standards, soaring improvisation and spontaneous group interaction.

Sponsored by Fowlers Properties

Friday July 11th 2025

Alison Smith

Alison Smith (classical guitar)

The highly acclaimed Plymouth-born classical guitarist Alison Smith has been described as one of the most exciting and lyrical guitarists to emerge in recent years. She delights audiences with her fluid technique and expressive playing, performing nationwide and in Europe at concert halls, festivals and has broadcast on national radio including BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio Scotland.

Alison has played eight times at the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain, where her performance was described as “enthralling…..demonstrated sheer virtuosity….superb technique and sensitivity”. After a concert in Germany, “the audience broke into tumultuous applause and gave another standing ovation to the young guitarist who had played her way into their hearts.” (Nortorfer Zeitung Germany)

Alison gave the World Premiere of Rame Head, a stunning new work written for her by the celebrated guitarist and composer William Lovelady, inspired by the beautiful headland on the Rame Peninsula and the sea. She will be including this work in her concert.

Her CD Albums titled ‘Recuerdos’ and ‘Incandescent’ have been highly successful. She has recently been engaged by Willowhayne Records, to become one of their artists and has recorded a new album titled ‘Poético’, under their label. Alison’s CDs are distributed physically and digitally worldwide.

In 1995 Alison graduated with honours from Trinity College of Music, London. She was awarded the Grace Wylie Thesis Prize, a college scholarship and a scholarship from the Mary Datchelor Trust to enable her to pursue her Post-Graduate studies. She studied the Guitar with Gilbert Biberian and Nicola Hall and Piano with Raymond Banning. During her time at college Alison also performed on the violin. In July 1997 she was awarded a Distinction in the Post-Graduate Performance Certificate.

Alison taught guitar and coached chamber music at the The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama) from 2002 – 2008 and lectured on Techniques of Teaching She has given performances and talks as guest artist at Plymouth University and is currently the appointed University Classical Guitar tutor for the BA Hons music course. She is Director of the Cawsand Bay Guitarfest, an exciting classical guitar weekend with Alison Smith, Craig Ogden, Gerald Garcia, and the Eden Stell Guitar Duo.

www.alisonsmithguitar.com

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Friday July 18th 2025

Harpe Noire

Emma Graham & Liz Grier (harp duets)

Harpe Noire is the harp duo of Emma Graham and Liz Grier. Both harpists are accomplished musicians and have been playing the harp for many years – maybe too many to count!

The only thing better than one harp is two harps and we have enjoyed playing together since 2012. Since then we have performed in a variety of venues, from concerts to weddings, charity fundraisers to murder mystery evenings on board the Titanic!

We love bringing the harp to new audiences, performing a huge range of music both old and new, all with a trademarked relaxed style.

Emma Graham began her harp studies at the age of 18 with Chagford’s own harpist, Elizabeth-Jane Baldry. Emma passionately threw herself into her harp playing, practising for hours every day. Her diligent efforts paid off, and she rocketed through her harp exams achieving distinction at Grade 8 after only 23 months of study. She went on to study at Exeter University followed by post-graduate studies at Trinity College. She now lives in the village of Kenn near Exeter, and is a devoted harp teacher, bringing the harp to a new generation.

Revd Dr Liz Grier studied physics at Oxford. Before her call to ordination she worked as a professional harpist, providing beautiful harp music for events including weddings, conferences and balls for many years. She also taught the harp, flute and piano for over sixteen years on top of being a busy mum with two sons. She is married to James Grier, the Bishop of Plymouth.

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Friday July 25th 2025

Music by Westcountry Composers

Duncan Honeybourne (piano)

Commended for his “gripping performances” (The Times), “glittering performances” (International Piano) and “great technical facility and unfailing imagination” (Musical Opinion), Duncan Honeybourne has toured extensively for thirty years as concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician throughout the UK, Ireland and in Europe. He has been a frequent soloist on BBC Radio 3 and has recorded extensively. His programme of piano music by composers from his native South West gives a fascinating insight into some forgotten gems and neglected masters, including the 19th century composer and conductor Edward Loder of Bath; Plymouth-born Stanley Bate; Barnstaple native Hubert Bath, best known for his popular ‘Cornish Rhapsody’; and Reginald Redman, Head of Music at BBC West in the 1940s and 50s, who composed many romantic miniatures inspired by the countryside of Devon and Cornwall.

Sponsored by The Music Depot, Exeter

Friday August 8th 2025

Harbottle & Jonas

David Harbottle and Freya Jonas (folk duo)

“They come over like a cosmic, contemporary Fairport Convention” – Jude Rogers, The Guardian

“The legendary Harbottle and Jonas… incredible” – Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

“One of the finest folk duos in the country” – Mike Davies, Alternative Roots

“One of the most exciting acts on the folk scene today” – Morning Star

Partners in life and music, dynamic Devon based folk duo Harbottle & Jonas are one of the most exciting acts on the UK circuit today, combining a love of the richness of traditional folk with their own original and powerful songwriting. Dave and Freya have developed a distinct and compelling signature sound, blending concertina, harmonium, cittern, stomp box, acoustic guitar and banjo with their beautiful and closely intertwined vocal harmonies.

Folkwords magazine said they’d ‘stake money on a bright future’ for the pair. They released their debut album ‘Cutthorpe Hill’ in 2014 and even had a beer named after it at the launch gig. They are well known for being one of the hardest working bands on the folk circuit and have clocked up an average of 100+ gigs a year between 2014 – 2019. They have been awarded funding to work with the Peace Museum to create new songs using lyrics from the Conscientious Objectors Songbook and in 2018 and 2019 David and Freya led the folk course at the internationally renowned Dartington Summer School.

Well-travelled across the UK and abroad they have undertaken two tours of Germany playing in venues such as REWE supermarkets to 150 people and an 800-year-old church in North Friesland.

“Spellbinding originals, they will knock your socks off” – Musicians Union

“Extraordinarily affecting” – Songlines

“Disarmingly honest and spine-tingling’” – RocknReel

“Awash with strong songs & excellent musicianship” – Folk Radio UK

“Fine contemporary folk music” – Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6 Music

“Stunning songwriting and heart-rending arrangements” – Americana UK

Sponsored by O’Brien Van der Steen Architects

Friday August 15th 2025

Kiranpal Singh
Kartar Singh Deoora
Dhevdhas Nair

Kiranpal Singh (santoor)
Kartar Singh Deoora (tabla)
Dhevdhas Nair (tanpura)

Kiranpal Singh

Ustad Kiranpal Singh is a distinguished Santoor virtuoso and the senior disciple of the legendary Santoor master, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. With the blessings of His Holiness Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj, he embarked on his musical journey in 1977, studying Santoor and Hindustani Classical Music in Bombay. Over the years, he has mastered the delicate nuances and intricate techniques of the 100-stringed instrument native to Kashmir.

Born in Tanzania, East Africa, into a family of classical vocalists, Kiranpal’s initial passion was for the Tabla. [Indian drums]. After his family moved to England, he continued his education while simultaneously receiving Tabla training for eight years from Ustad Ripudhamman Singh Plaha of the Punjab Gharana. His musical education also included learning Raga, Tala, and Bandishes [styles of Indian classical music].

Kiranpal Singh is celebrated for his advanced technical proficiency, creative expression, and spontaneous improvisation, all of which have made his performances uniquely captivating. His remarkable career includes performances for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during UK-India Week 2023, an invitation to the prestigious 144th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Samellan in Jalandhar, India, and a performance at Buckingham Palace for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

He has also graced stages at the South Bank Halls, Royal Albert Hall, and numerous festivals around the world. His tours have taken him across Europe, Kenya, the United States, Canada, Australia, and India.

In addition to his performance career, Kiranpal Singh has dedicated over thirty years to teaching Classical Music in London schools. He has also conducted workshops at universities across the UK, nurturing many students who have gone on to build successful musical careers.

Kiranpal is married to Davinder, a Sitar player, and they have three children – two daughters, and a son, Kartar Singh Deoora who will be performing with his father at the Chagford concert.

Kiranpal Singh has released several CDs worldwide, including notable titles such as ‘Sounds of India: Santoor-Keda Virtuosos’, ‘Santoor Nirvana’, ‘100 Strings’, ‘The Good Disciples – The Mountain Path’, ‘Morning Meditation’, and ‘Moments in Time’. His music continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the globe.

Kartar Singh Deoora

Kartar Singh is the son of Kiranpal. He learned Tabla from his father, and is also an excellent Santoor player, continuing the family’s musical legacy. He holds a BSc in Construction Management and works in London.

Dhevdas Nair

Chagford-based jazz pianist and composer, Dhevdas Nair, has a background in African and Indian music. From playing ska and reggae in London, Afro funk in Sudan, classical music in India, and township style pop in Lesotho and South Africa, Dhevdhas’ influences have been wide and varied. He says: “Its all music, the language of love and life….”

Sponsored by Astors Bookshop & The Beehive

Friday August 22nd 2025

Trojan Gorse

Chagford Summer Music concludes with a much-requested return visit from this unique ensemble. Trojan Gorse take audiences on a musical journey through Latin American rhythms and Celtic melodies, blending double bass, flugelhorn, cahon, and harp into an enchanting, borderless aural tapestry.

Sponsored by All Seasons Landscape Gardeners

Welcome to free Summer concerts in Chagford every Friday lunchtime

June 6th to August 22nd 2025

Enriching and connecting the community through free live music

Welcome to free Summer concerts in Chagford every Friday lunchtime

June 6th to August 22nd 2025

Enriching and connecting the community through free live music

Enjoy live music in the beautiful parish church of St. Michael the Archangel. Concerts begin at 1.10pm and last about 45 minutes

Don’t go hungry! You are welcome to bring your lunch into the church

Why not treat yourself to something delicious?

Blacks Delicatessen and Beachwood Bakery in the centre of Chagford are very happy to provide takeaway lunches for concert-goers

Download a PDF of the Summer Programme

Friday June 14th 2025