Bury Music Festival

18/02/2026

We are delighted to introduce our Festival Director, Benedict Collins Rice.
Here he is in his own words explaining why he wanted to relaunch Bury Music Festival:

I’ve loved becoming more and more involved in the rich musical life of Bury St Edmunds — it’s a scene of real quality and warmth. The Cathedral’s music-making is outstanding and deeply welcoming, and Bury Bach Choir is developing rapidly and beginning to build a reputation beyond the town, which is tremendously exciting.

Having brought The Facade Ensemble here for many years for our Palm Sunday concerts, I’ve long felt that Bury deserves a festival with national reach. A festival that brings major artists like Roderick Williams to the town, while proudly shining a light on the remarkable quality of music-making already happening here. Bringing together Bury Bach Choir, the Cathedral and The Facade Ensemble for this Walton Weekend feels like a natural and joyful starting point. I hope it will galvanise local musicians and audiences alike, and help secure the wider recognition that a town as culturally rich as Bury so richly deserves.
I hope it will grow into something the whole community can own, celebrate and see recognised on a national stage.

18/02/2026

Thank you so much for all the support you have shown us on launching the festival this weekend.
After some brilliant feedback we have modified our logo to match the warm colours of our website and think it is looking GREAT!
Head over to burymusicfestival.co.uk to have a look at it ‘in situ’.
Massive thanks to Pen Barford for all their hard work in bringing this to life.

Embrace the music of Sir William Walton at this culturally enriching event in Bury St Edmunds based at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

13/02/2026

And last (but not least) of our three founding partners - facadeensemble

Founded at Cambridge University by its conductor Benedict Collins Rice to champion the music of 20th-century modernism, The Facade Ensemble now brings together Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine and Royal Philharmonic Society award-winners with BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists, Britten Pears and City Music Foundation artists in compelling and original concerts like no others.

The ensemble has a core of eight or so musicians but one of its strengths is a versatility which enables it to perform music outside the scope of most chamber ensembles.

They are Ensemble-in-Residence at The Courtauld Institute and recent highlights have included sell-out performances of Stockhausen; UK tours of Schoenberg and Arvo Part.

For more information, about the ensemble here is their website or follow on social media: https://www.facadeensemble.co.uk

13/02/2026

Introducing the next of our three founding partners - burybachchoir

Bury Bach Choir is a group of enthusiastic people who love to perform the great choral works in wonderful surroundings. We are very fortunate to have an absolutely top class Music Director and Rehearsal Accompanist.
We were founded in 1932 so have a long and interesting history. Over the years our repertoire has included all the great composers of choral music. We increase our horizons every year by mixing the familiar with the unfamiliar, including twentieth and twenty first century music. We celebrated our 90th Anniversary in 2022.

Find out more about Bury Bach Choir on their website or instagram account.

https://www.burybachchoir.co.uk

13/02/2026

Introducing the first of our three founding partners - St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Music is central to the life of St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Our choirs enrich and beautify our worship across at least six weekly services. Many children across Bury St Edmunds and beyond experience the joy of singing through our work, either as choristers in the renowned Cathedral Choir or through our work with schools in the area. The Music Department is led by Claudia Grinnell, and Richard Cook is the Assistant Director of Music.

A word from DoM Claudia:

“We are delighted to be exploring the music of William Walton in this year's Bury Music Festival across our Sunday services at the Cathedral. Walton's energetic Jubilate is a particular favourite of mine, so we look forward to welcoming you to a service at the Cathedral for more fantastic music.”

📸 Claudia’s headshot by Tom Soper and other photos by kind permission of St Edmundsbury Cathedral

13/02/2026

✨ Introducing Bury Music Festival ✨
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Bury Music Festival — a reimagining of a highly regarded and established music festival in Bury St Edmunds.

‘A Walton Weekend’, 12-14th June 2026:
Join us for the inaugural festival where we will be celebrating the music of Sir William Walton.

🌟 Our new website is now live!
Discover upcoming concerts, festival news, artist announcements, and how to get involved:
👉 www.burymusicfestival.co.uk

Embrace the music of Sir William Walton at this culturally enriching event in Bury St Edmunds based at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.