Let the music play

Surrey Hills International Music Festival is one of the most prestigious events in the country, shining a light not only on some magnificent music but also the beauty of the local area. We find out more...

The Surrey Hills International Music Festival (SHIMF) is one of the highlights in the county’s cultural calendar. 

This year marks 16 years of the event which brings world-class musicians to perform in beautiful venues across the Surrey Hills.

Since its inception, the festival has attracted artists and orchestras of the very highest calibre, from patrons, violinist Nicola Benedetti and singer Dame Sarah Connolly, to saxophonist Jess Gillam, and jazz legend Clare Teal. 

Its appeal rests not only on the talent of the visiting and local musicians but also in its choice of venues and its determination, through the added benefit of guided walks before a selection of lunchtime concerts, to showcase the beauty of the Surrey Hills.

Julia Pearson, who has been a vital part of the organising committee for several years and chair of the festival since 2022, says honouring the event’s location is key. Indeed, the opening performance by Londonium Consort will be preceded by a walk around the ancient woodland and copse of the festival’s West Horsley Place venue, as well as a discussion on the topics of music, exile and pilgrimage, led by broadcaster Katy Hamilton. 

Julia says the eclectic programme is meticulously planned by the committee and pianist Wu Qian who co-founded the festival with local musician and entrepreneur Tessa Marchington in 2010.

“Qian has stayed on as artistic director and it is her brilliance that has managed to combine really exciting programming with really exciting performers,” says Julia. “We are very reliant on Qian’s capacity to know the music and understand what blends well.”

Julia says it is important that the programme features a mix of pieces enabling first-time visitors to feel comfortable while at the same time offering music or events audiences may not have previously heard about.

“The walks which we introduced relatively recently are an example of this,” Julia explains. “For example this year we have one surrounding the beautiful countryside of St Michael’s Church in Betchworth. The walkers will then return to the church in their boots, feeling very well exercised and hear a performance by students from the Menuhin School. It should be really special.”

Festival organisers are also very keen to extend the offer beyond Guildford and Dorking and to be more multi-generational in its approach.

“We want to appeal to all people. We want families to come along and we are working towards projects that will really reach out across the Surrey Hills to stage events for children and families in various outdoor settings and we have some exciting plans for that.”

This year, as with other years, audiences will be promised a vivid mix of styles, from a wide range of musical eras. There are soloists, trios and a finale that promises to be simply spectacular.

“The reason to come is we are offering the world’s greatest musicians - and that is not an over-exaggeration - the musicians we have come from all over Europe and New York. We can also guarantee that audiences will be hearing world class musicians in intimate Surrey venues that are virtually on their back doorstep,” says Julia.

“We are offering people a chance to hear all this without slogging up to London or flying to Berlin or Amsterdam to hear these people. You can enjoy exquisitely performed live music in beautiful settings and the audience experience is like joining a family. It is warm, comfortable and incredibly friendly. We have a loyal audience that really is welcoming to newcomers.

“We don’t just want aficionados to buy our tickets we want people to come and give it go and not to feel intimidated. We want those people who stopped playing violin before Grade I - just come and hang out and let this marvellous music roll over them because it is absolutely sensational.”

Why not see for yourself: For more details, visit: shimf.co.uk

Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble VOCES8 celebrating their 20th anniversary and performing a special concert at Guildford’s Holy Trinity Church as part of their 20th anniversary world tour.

Musicians from the internationally acclaimed Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New York performing with the outstanding Sitkovetsky Trio at the Menuhin Hall, Cobham and also in the Festival Finale at St Martin’s Church, Dorking.

Virtuoso pianist Alim Beisembayev - winner of the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, one of the world’s foremost music competitions – giving his first concert at the Menuhin Hall.

Continuing its commitment to support young and emerging artists, this year sees the return of the Festival’s Lunchtime Young Artist Concerts, featuring the award-winning Londinium Consort at West Horsley Place, and students from Surrey’s world-renowned Yehudi Menuhin School at St Michael’s Church in Betchworth.

Plus guided walks through the Surrey Hills National Landscape with musical interludes and a number of expert talks about this year’s programme.