Solent Music Festival 

Annual music festival held in St Thomas Church Lymington

The Solent Music Festival was founded in 2013 with the aim of attracting the highest possible calibre of classical music performances to the beautiful sailing town of Lymington.

Inspired by the romantic tradition, we endeavour to programme different ensembles within one programme. In Schumann’s time, for example, it was common to programme individual movements of symphonies along with piano solos, string quartets, singers – even poetry readings.

Our concerts take place in the beautiful St Thomas Church, which offers comfortable seating and a fabulous acoustic. 

SOLENT MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026

25-31 May 2026  ·  St Thomas Church, Lymington

The Solent Music Festival returns for a week-long celebration of music across the centuries, featuring world-class artists bringing the great repertoire vividly to life. Central to the 2026 edition is a magnificent 1832 Érard grand piano - championed by Chopin, Liszt, and Mendelssohn - heard in multiple concerts throughout the week.

PROGRAMME

Mon 25 May  Simply Symphonic - Opening concert (7pm)

Sam Haywood directs the SMF String Orchestra from the Érard in Mozart’s Piano Concerto K.414, alongside Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Warlock’s Capriol Suite, and Britten’s Simple Symphony (Dominika Fehér, conductor - marking the 50th anniversary of Britten’s death.

Tue 26 May  Family Concert (11am) | Sam & Friends - Chamber music evening (7pm)

This year's Family Concert is based on the story of the winning piece of the 2026 Lawson-May Award. A chamber music evening with Rose Gosney (violin), Katherine Spencer (on the historic Martell clarinet), and Sam Haywood at the Érard. Includes the world premiere of the 2026 Lawson-May Award winning composition.

Wed 27 May  Choral Workshop (10am-5pm) & Sam Jewison (8pm)

A choral day course exploring sublime 17th-century Italian repertoire, led by soprano Kate Semmens and harpsichordist Steven Devine. In the evening, jazz sensation Sam Jewison returns for an electrifying one-hour concert.

Thu 28 May  Consone Quartet (7pm)

Mozart’s ‘Dissonance’ Quartet, Clara Schumann’s Three Romances Op.22, and Schumann’s Piano Quintet with Sam Haywood on the Érard – a perfect union of voices old and new.

Fri 29 May  The King's Singers (7pm)

‘Such stuff as dreams are made on’ - a magical journey through European Romantic song, from Vaughan Williams’ Shakespeare settings to Debussy, Ravel and Elgar.

Sat 30 May  English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble: Echoes of Venice (7pm)

A Venetian-themed programme with the ECSE, featuring songs by trombonist Emily White and Sam Haywood from their recent recording together.

Sun 31 May  Red Priest: The Great Experiment (4pm)

A dazzling finale: medieval mystics, Baroque alchemy, Albinoni, Handel, Piazzolla, and a reimagined suite from Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

Tickets: ticketsource.co.uk/solentmusicfestival  ·  Phone: 0333 666 3366 (Mon–Fri 9am–7pm, Sat 9am–5pm)

All the details and bookings for each concert here