After presenting sixteen festivals, it’s easy for the New Paths team to become immune to the splendours of our central venue, St Mary’s – so it was uplifting to hear the artists this week, one after another, so charmed by the light and sound and space of this glorious building. That these musicians, who regularly appear on the great opera and concert stages of the world, take such delight in the offering of Beverley, is very special to us.
Connaught Brass kickstarted proceedings with a lively performance for 120 primary school children, who were invited variously to conduct the group, investigate a baffling array of mutes, and enjoy a smorgasbord of music. A highlight was the ‘surround sound’ Gabrieli, the players spread around the edge of the audience, listeners’ heads craned in all directions!
Eight concerts for our full audience followed, featuring Roderick Williams, Martin James Bartlett, Hugh Cutting and his eclectic Refound Ensemble (everything from theorbo to celeste), and our resident group of string players – ‘New Paths Collective’ – who gave three concerts between them. In this outstanding lineup we were glad to welcome Roberto Ruisi and Yume Fujise to New Paths for the first time, alongside familiar faces Jane Atkins and Leo Popplewell. Flora Willson – regular writer for the Guardian and presenter on the BBC – completed the lineup with a wide-ranging talk on the history and issues in concert programming.
The festival was built on New Paths’ trademark mix of the deservedly-famous and the lesser-known. And so, side by side with music by Mozart, Chopin, Purcell and Puccini, were found Grażyna Bacewicz’s String Quartet No 3, Rebecca Clarke’s Lullaby & Grotesque, Florence Price’s Resignation, and songs by Joan Trimble and Ina Boyle. As always music by living composers was on the menu, including only the second ever performances of Fabulous Beasts by Elena Langer and Morpheus by Piers Connor Kennedy, as well as a powerful encounter with James MacMillan’s Cello Sonata No 1.
It is very rare at a New Paths festival that a clear majority pick out the same thing as their favourite event or moment! For some it was Jane Atkins’ radiant Arpeggione Sonata; for some it was Roddy Williams and Libby Burgess’ spellbinding The Seal Man; for some it was Martin James Bartlett’s virtuosic Handel Chaconne; for some it was the soulful Gershwin brass medley; for some it was Britten’s epic second string quartet; for some it was the deeply emotional Elgar Quintet; for some it was Leo Popplewell and Libby in the MacMillan; for some it was Hugh Cutting and his vibrant Refound Ensemble reimagining music from Cavalli to Schubert’s Erlkönig, and wrapping up the festival with a joyous Goodnight Sweetheart.
We are proud to put on programmes which not only entertain and move but also challenge and, yes, sometimes, divide opinion! Like food, books, films, paintings or anything else, we believe the world is richer for its texture and layers, and we are so proud to have an audience which is so open to adventure. One audience member commented, ‘It is unbelievable that we get programming of this creativity and this boldness here in Beverley. Normally you’d have to travel to London for this. We’re so lucky.’ Another said, ‘Everything here is done with a smile. It’s good for the soul.’ And one new artist observed, ‘You seem to have this amazing mix of very high standards and seriousness of purpose with an incredible approachability. It’s a magical combination.’
We had the largest ever uptake of our Golden Tickets scheme, offering free tickets to under-18s and students. And we were pleased to add a ‘Silver Tickets’ day in collaboration with the church’s Vintage group, which combats loneliness amongst the elderly.
The seven teenage musicians on our Voyagers scheme had the chance to meet starry festival artists, receiving coaching and advice from some of them. They all performed as the ‘warm-up act’ and did themselves and New Paths proud, not just with their poise and courage but also with the level of communication in their performances, and their receptiveness to new ideas during the week. We were so glad to see them in the audience, absorbing so much musical inspiration!
Our ‘Inspire!’ day on Saturday was a celebration of string playing, for the junior and intermediate string players from the East Riding Music Hub. 40 young players – some who’d never played in a group before – spent the day learning folk music, creating their own versions of pieces, working on team skills and communication, before performing the results of their work at the end of the day. The group’s own version of Vivaldiana became about a theme of outer space (featuring the Armstrong Centre’s glitterball). The young people were invited to create titles for their new work: suggestions included The Galaxy, Planet of Strings, Nebula in D Minor, Universe of Drama, and Attack of the Alien Bees! Many thanks to the brilliant tutors Gemma Wareham and Charlotte Fairbairn for their creativity and energy, and for living up to the brief of ‘Inspire!’.
Time and again, friendliness, atmosphere and quality, are picked out as New Paths hallmarks. A huge thank you to everyone on and off stage who helps to make it so!
If you don’t already have New Paths Spring Festival 2027 inked in your diary, grab your pens, diaries, tablets, phones and highlighters now: it runs Wednesday 7th – Sunday 11th April. This will be our usual springtime jamboree across many venues with music at all times of day and night. We cannot wait to see you again in beautiful Beverley then.
We were sad during the week to receive news of the death of John Carling, who for many years gave a warm welcome to festivalgoers – and sold an impressive number of festival programmes. Since retiring as a concert steward, John has been a loyal audience member – spreading good cheer among festivalgoers. The last time we saw John was in June at an end-of-term informal performance by the Voyagers. It was typical of John to support that event with his presence. He was a huge encouragement to us to the very end. We send our love and condolences to his wife, Judith, and to his wider family and friends.
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Publicity distribution assistance
Helping out with poster / brochure / flyer distribution in Beverley and/or the wider region in the run-up to festivals.
Hosting festival artist cars
Allowing festival artists to park at your home during the festival (hotel parking is expensive and most don’t use their cars for the duration of their visit). Beverley locations only.
Schools’ liaison
Helping us strengthen our connections with local schools, by sharing information with their music teams and co-ordinating class visits or school events. Knowledge of local schools (even better, their music departments) would be valuable, but willingness to learn is also an option!
Please note: this role is subject to DBS check.
Publicity distribution co-ordinator
Leading on the distribution of printed materials (posters / brochures / flyers) in Beverley and the wider region, in the run-up to festivals. This needs to be someone local who knows the area well, is happy wielding blu-tac and chatting with people at local venues, who can keep an eye on where materials need topping up, and/or who is happy to co-ordinate the team of people distributing materials.