Music, Sunshine & Summer Festival Memories

From balmy summer evenings and packed venues to extraordinary performances and some very special moments, this year’s Petworth Summer Festival was a wonderful celebration of music, musicians, performers and the community that makes the Festival so unique.

Across two weeks, audiences were treated to an incredible variety of musical genres, with something for every taste. From the beauty and precision of classical music to the energy of jazz, the depth of world music and everything in between, our venues came alive with superb musicians and unforgettable performances.

The balmy July evenings encouraged festival-goers to linger long after performances had ended, as late-night conversations spilled out into the streets of Petworth, adding to the atmosphere and enjoyment of exceptional live music.

The musicians were truly superb. From established names to exciting emerging talent, each brought their own energy, artistry and personality to the Festival. There were moments of extraordinary musicianship, unexpected collaborations and performances that stayed with audiences long after the final note.

There was something particularly special about this year’s Festival, as it marked Stewart Collins’ final Summer Festival as Artistic Director. The closing concert was a fitting and memorable conclusion, with heartfelt speeches celebrating Stewart’s contribution to the Festival and sharing wonderful memories from his years as Artistic Director.

A full house, four exceptional pianists and an electric atmosphere created the perfect close to two remarkable weeks. Then came the final piece, Oscar Peterson’s Hymn to Freedom, followed by a rapturous standing ovation. A truly unforgettable way to end this year’s Festival.

A huge thank you to every musician and artist who performed, every audience member who joined us, and to all our supporters, sponsors, donors, volunteers, venues and local businesses who helped make this year’s Festival possible.

And a special thank you to our new Co-Artistic Directors, Charles Owen and Lizzie Ball, for their wonderful performance and for being there to share such a memorable moment as we brought the Festival to a close.