North Yorkshire’s Most Talented Choirs And Musicians Celebrated At Ryedale Festival’s First Ever Spring Season Friday 21 – Sunday 29 March 2025

Some of Ryedale’s most talented amateur choirs and musicians will be celebrated between Friday 21 and Sunday 29 March at Ryedale Festival’s inaugural spring season.

Yorkshire’s celebrated classical music festival will also welcome one of the UK’s most famous orchestras as it extends the joy of music beyond its traditional summer dates with two Spring Weekends of music.
In tune with the festival’s sense of vision and adventure,

the Spring season begins with a weekend of performances curated by Artistic Partner Alison Davis and designed to celebrate some of Ryedale's brightest choirs.

On Friday 21 March, Chanticleer takes to the stage, showcasing their sparkling performances of music from medieval times to present day. They are joined by the ladies of York’s Main Street Sound, who specialise in the ringing tone and close harmonies of Barbershop singing, and by local youth choir, The Young Crescendos whose motto is ‘Sing – Have fun – Build Confidence’.

On Saturday 22 March, Harmonia and Sound Fellows, the region's acclaimed all-female and all-male choirs, deliver an eclectic mix of jazz, folk, musical theatre, and classical pieces. The two choirs come together to present an evening of music and poetry, introduced by the well-known writer and mainstay of Ryedale’s arts scene, Martin Vander Weyer.

Artistic Partner, Alison Davis
I’m thrilled to curate this celebration of local talent and creativity. I see every day how choral singing has the power to uplift and connect people, whether they’re on stage or in the audience. I’m excited to bring these remarkable choirs together and share their joy with new audiences.

The second weekend showcases the legendary Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, internationally renowned for their lively style and a pioneering approach that sees them perform on instruments from the period in which the music was written.

Their concerts will feature a variety of music including Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons and music by J.S. Bach. Adding a unique twist, they also including Bach’s little-known ‘country cousin’ - Johann Bernhard Bach – a talented composer in his own right whose recently rediscovered music sparkles with elegance and charm.

The OAE performs this unmissable programme on Friday 28 March in St Peter’s Church, Norton, before repeating the same concert on Saturday 29 March in the Church of St Martin-on-the-Hill in Scarborough.

After the concert in Norton on 28 March, the audience will be the first to hear what is in store for the renowned summer festival in July, introduced by Artistic Director Christopher Glynn.

The festival continues to demonstrate a deep commitment to reaching the widest possible audience by offering tickets to any Spring event for just £2 to anyone under 25, ensuring a new generation of music lovers can experience the joy of live music.

Click here for more details