Festivals happen all around the world, but it is the community in Amersham that really knows how to put on a special event.
Part of the magic can be attributed to the founder of the Amersham Festival of Music, Iain Ledingham.
He started his mission to bring music to the town in 1983 as a side project to the creation of the South Bucks Choral Society in 1980.
Starting from a young age, Iain first got a taste for music when he left school with an organ scholarship to Cambridge.
Speaking to AMERSHAMnews, Iain shared: “It has been very rewarding but it is time to step back. I decided over a year ago it would be my last festival.
“The festival was about bringing music to the local community and the legacy is in great hands.”
Having celebrated over four decades of musical excellence, Iain will be passing on the conductor’s baton to his successor, Chris Hopkins.
Chris, a former pupil of Iain’s, will “bring an exceptional musical pedigree” to the role.
A conductor for 10 years at the English National Opera Academy of Music, he is also currently serving as head of vocal faculty opera at the Royal Academy of Music.
He shared his enthusiasm for the new role: “It’s an incredible honour to follow in Iain’s footsteps. His vision and dedication have shaped this festival into something truly special, and I look forward to building on this remarkable legacy.
“This year’s festival will be both a celebration of Iain’s achievements and an exciting introduction to what’s to come.”
Upcoming events for the festival include Music From the Movies Live at The King’s Church in Amersham on Friday, March 28; and a special performance by Amersham A Capella at Amersham Free Church on Sunday, April 6.
Find out more at www.amershamfestival.org
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