Hailsham Festival Mayor’s Concert: Save the Date for a Free Afternoon of Music

Residents and visitors are being encouraged to mark Saturday 12 September in their diaries, as the Town Council invites the community to enjoy a free afternoon of live music as part of this year’s Hailsham Festival of Arts & Culture.

The Mayor of Hailsham, Councillor Chris Bryant, will officially open the Mayor’s Concert at Hailsham Parish Church, with the event taking place from 2pm to 3.30pm.

The concert is open to all and free to attend, offering an opportunity for residents to enjoy an afternoon of choral and classical music in the beautiful surroundings of the church.

The Mayor will introduce an afternoon of performances by Hailsham Choral Society, conducted by Jozik Kotz, with acclaimed soprano Nicola Sharkey and organist and pianist Brian Cotterill.

Hailsham Choral Society, which has been bringing choral music to the town for more than six decades, was founded in 1961 and now has around 60 members. The Society performs several major concerts each year, with an extensive repertoire spanning composers and musical styles from Bach and Rossini to Rutter, Gershwin and The Beatles.

The Society is delighted to be joined for the Mayor’s Concert by soprano Nicola Sharkey, whose extensive professional career has seen her perform leading operatic roles across the UK and Europe. She has worked with major opera companies and festivals and has also appeared in concert, oratorio, recital, radio and television performances. Her career has included performances with Welsh National Opera and Opera North, as well as a period touring internationally with the world-renowned Swingle Singers.

Accompanying the concert will be Brian Cotterill, an experienced organist, pianist, musical director, teacher and composer. Brian has held a number of prominent church and school music positions and has performed throughout the UK and internationally. His career has included performances at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and St Mark’s Basilica in Venice, as well as work with choirs, schools and cathedral music organisations.

Councillor Chris Bryant said: “The Mayor’s Concert is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together through music and to celebrate the wealth of artistic talent taking part in this year’s Hailsham Festival.”

“I’m delighted to be attending what promises to be a memorable afternoon, and I hope residents will make a note of the date and join us at Hailsham Parish Church. With such an accomplished line-up and free admission, this is an event not to be missed.”

The Mayor’s Concert forms part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Hailsham Festival of Arts & Culture, one of the town’s much-loved annual events. The festival brings together a diverse programme of music, theatre, visual arts, performance and cultural events, featuring artists and performers from across the South East and further afield.

For the full Hailsham Festival programme and details of other events taking place as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, visit hailshamfestival.uk.