Due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis we took the decision to cancel the 2020 Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art. There will be two concerts on 10 September 2021 More

Message from the Artistic Director

It is with great sadness that we have decided to cancel the Burton Bradstock Festival 2020  but, in these difficult times, the well-being of the many people who make the festival such a special event – our audience, performers, volunteers and many others – must be our main concern.

Although the festival is some months away we felt that, given the considerable challenges that lie ahead for everyone in the UK, it would neither be possible nor responsible to hold the festival as usual. Even though we know that this is the right decision, we have taken it with a heavy heart. That sadness is shared by our performers and artists who join me in wishing you and your loved ones well in these very difficult times.

We had already finalised the programme for this year’s festival which we had hoped to celebrate as our 40th. That will now happen in 2022 when we will simultaneously mark the 40th anniversary of the festival’s founding by Mary Ryan in 1981.  We very much hope that you will join us in August 2022 for our double celebration.

The Burton Bradstock Festival owes its existence to a large group of volunteers, sponsors, supporters and donors. We musicians are the ones who receive all the applause but t is now our turn to show our appreciation. I am sure that you will join us in showing our profound gratitude to the many courageous people, whether they are staffing hospitals or keeping shops open, who are keeping their show on the road.

Thank you.

David Juritz
Artistic Director

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Inaugurated in 1981, the Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art takes places in mid-August, presenting an astonishing range of high quality events in just a few days, including orchestral concerts, evening and lunchtime recitals, jazz and World music, intimate late evening performances, and an art exhibition. Most of the concerts take place in Burton Bradstock’s exquisite 16th century church.The Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art in August 2018 enjoyed record attendances with sell-out concerts and an Art Exhibition that attracted its highest number of visitors to date.

One Festival goer wrote, “This is my first visit to the Festival and it has been quite the best week of my life for years. Thank you all very much for your exquisite playing, good humour and hard work, it has really been a joy”.

When asked to what he attributed the success of the Festival, Bill Cain, Chair of the Festival Committee said: “It is David Juritz and the amazing musicians that bring such quality and diversity to the programme which just has to be heard to be believed. To have the good fortune of an excellent Art Exhibition at the same time adds a major dimension to the event and finally the hard work of volunteers in the village makes this a unique Festival.”

The Festival’s Musical Director is David Juritz, one of the world’s most celebrated violinists. David Juritz studied at the Royal College of Music where he won the college’s highest award, the Tagore medal. He was leader of the London Mozart players for 20 years and has appeared as a soloist in North and South America, the Far East, Europe, South Africa and Australia. His programming for the Festival combines inspired collaborations with an eclectic range of music to ensure there is truly something to surprise and delight everyone.

David Juritz
Artistic DirectorFestival

2019 Festival

The Musicians