About Grayshott Concerts

Classical music in Hampshire and Surrey

Grayshott Concerts presents regular, live classical music events featuring leading performers from around the world
in an intimate setting 45 miles outside London.

 

Peter and Vivien HarrisonFounded in 2004 by Peter and Vivien Harrison, Grayshott Concerts has grown from a single fundraising event for St. Luke's Church to a highly regarded concert series that stages 5-6 major events each year ranging from chamber music to huge performances with a 50-strong choir and 40-piece orchestra.. Our aim is simple: World-class performances-on your doorstep !

We've had the privilege of hosting some of the world's most renowned musicians and ensembles, including the London Mozart Players (our Orchestra in Residence since 2011), Conductor and Pianist, Howard Shelley, appointed Associate Artist in 2012; Tasmin Little, who performed her final three public performances of 'The Lark Ascending' in Grayshott, before retiring in 2020; Nicola Benedetti, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and our Patron until the end of 2024, Sir Karl Jenkins.

In addition, Excelsis Chamber Choir, co-founded by Peter and Vivien with Robert Lewis in 2007 was appointed Choir-in-residence in 2013. In 2009, the Excelsis, accompanied by the Grayshott Festival Orchestra performed Karl Jenkins' Stabat Mater, the first non-professional choir to do so, in the presence of the composer.

Our performances range from chamber music to large-scale orchestral works, all held in the acoustically perfect setting of St. Luke's Church.

Bringing top performers to the village means that local people can avoid the inconvenience of travelling to London and beyond, when they can enjoy the same stars - almost on their doorstep. "We've brought the Royal Albert Hall into our community." says Peter Harrison, our Co-Founder.

Our concerts have proved so popular that, not only do concert-goers come from a radius of 50 miles or more, but every one of the events staged so far, has sold out to capacity audiences - an achievement believed to be unique anywhere in Britain.

Grayshott Concerts supports young performers, organises free workshops for aspiring young musicians, and in 2022, arranged a free professional performance of Prokofiev's 'Peter and the Wolf' for pupils and staff at Grayshott Primary School to celebrate their 150th Anniversary.

Surprisingly perhaps, we are a not-for-profit, Registered Charity, entirely run by volunteers. Our events, on average, cost us twice as much to put on as we generate from ticket sales - so we make ends meet from donations (especially from our members, the Friends of Grayshott Concerts), from business sponsorships - and from occasional grants.

In 2024, we also launched an Outreach Programme to bring the mental health benefits of music to local schools and adult care settings. Our first project provides music lessons to pupils at Grayshott Primary School. More information on this programme can be found here