Abbotsholme Arts Society

The Abbotsholme Arts Society was founded in 1968 by Gordon Clark, the Director of Music at Abbotsholme School, with the first concert performed by the oboist Leon Goossens on 24th September of that year.

There have been well over a thousand concerts, films, readings, lectures, and discussions featuring many of the finest professionals in their fields over the four decades that have followed. The vast majority of events are held 'in the round' in the fine chapel at Abbotsholme School; however, on occasion, due to the nature of the performance, the Society has staged events at major concert halls throughout the Midlands, at National Trust properties (such as Kedleston Hall and Sudbury Hall), and at private estates (for example, Chatsworth House), bringing great orchestras such as the Hallé, the London Symphony, and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw to the area.

The Society has been honoured to have had four highly supportive Patrons. Lord Platt was the first, succeeded by Lord Gibson, then Paul Tortelier, and now Steven Isserlis. When Gordon Clark died in 1989, he was succeeded by Paul Spicer, followed in 2001 by Meurig Bowen, then Richard Hawley, and now the current Artistic Director, Neil Millensted.

The main façade of Abbotsholme School is dominated by a magnificent copper beech tree, an image of which forms the Society's logo.

Get in Touch

Abbotsholme Arts Society is a registered charity. Please visit the website at www.abbotsholmeartssociety.co.uk. If you would like further information, please email info@abbotsholmeartssociety.co.uk.

For tickets to upcoming Society concerts, please call 01543 263 304 or email Claire Tetley on claire@tetley.org