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Sell-out concerts at June ‘pop up’ Festival

The first live concerts in over a year for many, CMF’s pop-up June Festival events were a huge success.

The emphasis was on incredibly talented young artists, and we were delighted that Sheku Kanneh-Mason made two appearances – with London Mozart Players and with sister Isata Kanneh-Mason – which bookended performances by Chineke! Chamber Ensemble and 12 Ensemble.

Repertoire ranged from 17th century Dowland to a 2011 work by Caroline Shaw, encompassing Schubert, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, Florence Price, Bridge, Shostakovich, Britten & Thomas Ades.

Twitter messages poured in from audiences who had missed the experience of sitting in a hall with musicians playing in front of them, and who had appreciated this chance to return to live concerts in a safe way:

Hats off to @JustinMSLee and the @cammusicfest team for presenting such a superb programme of concerts at @WestRoadCH this month. Outstanding and memorable performances from @mozartplayers @12ensemble @IsataKm @ShekuKM & @Chineke4Change

First concert in a long time … bravo @cammusicfest @ShekuKM @IsataKm it was a magical evening. We were beaming with joy underneath our masks! Hope you felt the energy

Wonderful to hear live music! Thank you @12ensemble for such gorgeous playing!!

A real privilege to listen to @12ensemble live at @cammusicfest! It’s hard to express how it felt sitting in the audience tonight, I only wish I had attended concerts earlier in life!

Shostakovich was indeed wonderful! First live music for 16 months. Felt so good

Another stunning concert this evening – wonderful programme and virtuoso, beautiful playing by @ShekuKM and @IsataKm @cammusicfest Thank you!

Covid-secure measures meant every other seat at West Road Concert Hall was left empty, but these restrictions didn’t spoil the atmosphere of joy in the hall.

Thank you to all who supported us and to our sponsors: TTP, Artemis, Birketts, Howard Group and LT123.

If you would like to support our work and help bring more live music to Cambridge you can donate online. Every gift matters. Thank you.