Plethora of international classical musical stars will swarm to the annual non-profit Wimbledon Music Festival between 13-28 November, writes Kieran Walsh.
Musicians will perform throughout the two-week event showcasing pieces from Chopin to Schumann to jazz for people of all ages and experience.
Festival director, Anthony Wilkinson, said: “I think some children are afraid to say they like classical music. They are afraid they will be laughed at by other children.”
The festival encourages young people and children, with discounts on ticket prices, to come along and experience this often neglected art form.
Mr Wilkinson said: “I think it is so important to give children the opportunity to listen to more types of music and play classical instruments.
“This especially true with all the recent budget cuts which will threaten children’s opportunities to get these types of experiences.”
The charity is also organising recorder workshops at King’s College Wimbledon supported by Merton Music Foundation.
This will culminate in a special performance on the 22 November, the patron saint of music St Cecilia’s Day, with recorder virtuoso Piers Adams who will be joined with children from around Merton.
There will also be ‘Sing Out’ with 3,000 children singing from 56 schools from across Merton which proved so popular that six schools had to miss out.
Mr Wilkinson said: “I love to see children’s faces when they hear classical music. Their face is so surprised and startled.”
He said he was especially looking forward to 17-year-old prodigy Karem Hasan.
Karem was taught piano in Wimbledon by Marion Blech and he will performing sonatas by Schubert and Liszt on 26 November.
For more information and to tickets call 0844 8717685 or visit http://www.wimbledonmusicfestival.co.uk/default.htm.
