De Mowbray Music
Based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire
DE MOWBRAY MUSIC FESTIVAL
The De Mowbray Music Festival is an exciting weekend of high-class professional performances and events in Thirsk, with a huge range of genres. Over the last five years, the festival has seen opera, classical music, jazz, musical theatre, folk music, film & orchestra, community performances and more in the beautiful North Yorkshire market town.
“The de Mowbray Music Festival may be a baby in comparison to the other Yorkshire music festivals, but its ambition far exceeds its years...What will they do next year? The ambition of the festival’s Music Director [Benjamin Ellin] and its Project Manager Emily Taylor, might take us anywhere.”
Music OMH
2025 Gallery
Take a look at the full programme here:
“The Festival Orchestra is small in number, but under Benjamin Ellin’s direction it shaped Verdi’s music with real distinction, providing sensitive support for the soloists and the excellent Durham Voices.”
Review - Music OMH
“You should be charging us more for this!"
Audience Member
“We will be planning our holiday next year around the festival so we can definitely attend all of the events as they sound fantastic!”
Audience Member
“I just wanted to say how much l enjoyed working with you and the rest of the orchestra during the rehearsal and concert yesterday. I must also mention the accomplished performances by the soloists and choir - you must have been very proud!”
Performer
“Thanks so much for involving me in the festival. I really enjoyed the weekend and working with you again. Well done to both of you for putting on a fantastic event.”
Performer
“The orchestra again proved its worth under Benjamin Ellin, providing strikingly well-shaped accompaniment for the singers after a delicate, chamber-like overture.”
Review - Music OMH
2024 Gallery
Take a look at the full programme here:
"The Requiem was really outstanding. The choirs, soloists and orchestra (not to mention the organist and conductor!) combined seamlessly to deliver a sublime and uplifting performance.
Thank you for a memorable evening!"
Audience Member
Many thanks again for the opportunity to be part of your festival. It was a pleasure to work with you, and a joy to see a festival embedded in the community with such integrity (and kazoos!). I particularly loved the working atmosphere you created, and wish there was more of that in the profession!"
Performer
"The concert in St Mary's wouldn't have been out of place in the Albert Hall- the quality was so good. Please continue to grow and develop it- it is wonderful for the town. Why shouldn't Thirsk have its own Festival to rank alongside Swaledale, Ryedale and Ripon?!"
Audience Member
2023 Gallery
Take a look at the full programme here:
“This was living evidence of what can come from dedicated individuals and groups, collaborating at all levels can deliver for a community. There should be only one way up - to engage even larger and varied audiences with continuing quality productions.”
Article in the Darlington & Stockton Times
“Herriot Hospice Homecare is so grateful to have been supported by this year’s De Mowbray Music Festival. From providing refreshments for the opera at St Mary’s, to holding a raffle during an Evening of Jazz at Thirsk Racecourse, it was an incredibly special and thoroughly enjoyable weekend. We have loved being part of the festival this year, and extend our thanks to everyone involved with planning and running the festival for their support.”
Herriot Hospice Homecare
2021 Gallery
Take a look at the full programme here:
“The Festival was a charitable gift to Thirsk and all who attended its events. The varied contributions, the melding of musical forms and worlds, provided something for every taste. But the standout point was the quite exceptional quality of the performers and performances which brought audiences to their feet in admiration and thanks.”
A Letter of Thanks to the Darlington & Stockton Times from Dr John R Gibbins