Winchelsea Arts
10th Anniversary Season
2025 - 2026
Winchelsea Arts aims to organise concerts of the highest quality for the local area, support emerging young musicians and raise the profile of the historic church of St Thomas the Martyr both in the wider South East region and nationally.
The Ancient Town of Winchelsea, part of the Cinque Port Confederation, is an historical, architectural and environmental gem; set on a hill overlooking Romney Marsh and the English Channel, protected by its status as a conservation area, yet easily accessible by the motor car and public transport. For some two centuries, the town has been a magnet for writers, artists and musicians, drawn by its charm, peace and inspiration. Central to these qualities and geographically central to the Town itself is the Church of St Thomas the Martyr.
This Church, of which only the choir nave remains of a much more extensive early 14th century structure, contains magnificent monuments, a unique collection of stained glass windows by Douglas Strachan and features excellent acoustics. These attributes make the Church a perfect venue for concerts.
Ticket Information:
Indiviudal concerts
Adults - £25
Under 18s - free
Single Subscription to all six concerts - £90 (a saving of £60)
Joint Subscription to all six concerts - £170 (a saving of £130)
Our 2025/2026 programe is listed here:
- Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra (July)
- An afternoon at the opera
- The Outcry Ensemble & Pegasus Chamber Choir
- Ensemble OrQuesta directed by Marcio da Silva
- Poulenc and friends: the music of Les Six
- The Clarinet Goes to Town
Sunday 6th July 2025 at 7.00pm
Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Marcio da Silva
Emil Chakalov - violin
A. Vivaldi – The Four Seasons
E. Grieg – Holberg Suite
The Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra return to Winchelsea to perform two staples of the orchestral repertoire. Vivaldi’s four famous concerti were composed to represent the different aspects of each season. All were published with accompanying sonnets and are revolutionary since they represent some of the earliest programmatic music. Grieg’s five movement Holberg Suite is based on eighteenth century dance forms with which Vivaldi would have been familiar, making it a perfect companion piece.
Sunday 7th September 2025 at 4pm
An afternoon at the opera
Ava Dodd - soprano
Dawid Kimberg - baritone
Mark Nixon and Ashley Fripp – piano
Sponsored by The Doggett Family Foundation
Harewood Artist with English National Opera Ava Dodd, and member of the Royal Opera, Dawid Kimberg, will perform solo and duet arias covering a wide range of operatic repertoire. Both have received glowing reviews, Ava’s ‘stirringly delivered performance marks the Irish soprano as one to watch’. (Neil Fisher – The Times). Dawid’s performance ‘met its tough... musical challenges admirably’ (Rupert Christiansen – The Telegraph). They will be joined by Ashley Fripp and Mark Nixon, pianists.
Saturday 4th October 2025 at 7.30pm
The Outcry Ensemble
Pegasus Chamber Choir
Directed by James Henshaw
G. Dyson - Hierusalem
B. Britten - Frank Bridge variations
A. Part - Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten
B. Britten - Advance Democracy
A. Part - Berliner Messe
Comprised of young, exceptionally skilled professionals poised to become the next generation of global orchestral leaders, The Outcry Ensemble brings together vibrant energy and captivating performances. They will be joined by the Pegasus Chamber Choir under the direction of Olivier nominated conductor James Henshaw, ‘Everything works beautifully...confidently conducted by James Hanshaw’ (The Guardian).
Thursday 18th December 2025 at 7.30pm
Ensemble OrQuesta directed by Marcio da Silva
G. F. Handel - Messiah
The church will be specially decorated by Nigel Ashton for this candlelight performance of Handel’s oratorio which was premiered at the Fishamble Street Musick Hall in Dublin in 1742. At the first performance ladies were asked to, ‘wear dresses without hoops’, and gentlemen had to, ‘remove their swords’ in order to free up space for the huge audience. The piece has remained a firm favourite with concert audiences and this concert promises to be the perfect start to the Christmas season.
Saturday 14th March 2026 7.30pm
Poulenc and friends: the music of Les Six
Pascal Rogé and Elena Font – piano
Pascal Rogé who exemplifies the finest in French pianism and is renowned for his masterful interpretations of the French repertoire returns to Winchelsea to perform solo and duet repertoire with Elena Font. This concert will feature music by Les Six, a group of six composers living in Paris during the first half of the Twentieth Century, as well as Erik Satie whose music was their inspiration.
Saturday 9th May 2026 7.30pm
The Clarinet Goes to Town
Emma Johnson - clarinet
John Lenehan - piano
Paul Clarvis - drum kit
Emma Johnson is one of the few clarinettists to have established a career as a solo performer which has taken her to venues all over the world. Johnson has made 30 recordings to date. Her album English Fantasy has been streamed 5 million times on Spotify whilst Voyage and The Mozart Album both reached the top of the classical charts. Together with John Lenehan, piano and Paul Clarvis, drums, Emma explores the roots of jazz whilst paying tribute to some of the greatest clarinettists of all time - Sidney Bechet, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. ‘This is a fabulous experience, a trio par excellence – ebullient, reflective, historical and unquestionably uplifting. Quite brilliant.’ (Philip Dukes, Artistic Director, Marlborough Concert Series)