Classical Music Events

Showcase duets from two emerging Cambridge virtuosos, whose portfolio already includes three albums, film scores and BBC Radio airtime.

George Smith is a cellist, composer and producer. He graduated from Queens’ College, Cambridge, during which time he studied cello with Hannah Roberts at the Royal Academy of Music. He previously attended the junior department of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he was a finalist in the 2020 Lutine Prize. 

He has taken part in masterclasses with distinguished musicians including Sébastien Van Kuijk and Steven Isserlis, and has performed at festivals and venues such as Kings Place, the Lake District Summer Music Festival and Southwell Music Festival, as well as appearing on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune. Under his project 30 Century Man, he has released three albums, performed at Electric Castle in Romania, and received frequent airplay on BBC radio.  Alongside his work as a performer, George is active as a composer and producer, creating string arrangements for a wide range of projects and contributing to film scores. He performs on a 1765 cello by Louis Guersan, kindly lent by the Capron family at Southwick Hall.

A concert of love poems and music from the cello suites of J.S.Bach. Born in Dublin, David Burrowes sang as a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral. Later, he was a choral scholar at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he read music.   He has played as guest principal cello with the London Mozart Players and City of London Sinfonia, as well as performing extensively with the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. David held the post of Principal Cello in the London production of Phantom of the Opera from 1998- 2020, and is currently Principal Cello for English Classical Players and Southern Pro Musica. Sarah Hayhurst is a Professional Communications Expert, with an MA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. Having worked in the highly successful creative industries for more than twenty-five years as a freelance vocal coach, theatre director & actor, Sarah has garnered many accolades and high-profile credits including Voice Coach on two Olivier Award Nominated Productions, & residences at various internationally renowned drama schools.

Tune your ears to early music airs, as the Carolean Ensemble weave violin and wind instruments into the cello continuo and harpsichord. A feast of the Baroque.

As its name implies, the Carolean Ensemble was formed in the King’s Coronation year by Caroline Hawkins.

They play predominately Baroque music by such composers as Bach, Telemann, Handel, Quantz and Oswald and meet on a monthly basis here in Oundle.

The current members of the group are Ann Speyer, Sue Healey,  Ros Wilmot, Doug Northwood and Charles Cornford.  They use a combination of violin, flute and recorder instruments with a ‘cello continuo and harpsichord/spinet.

Currently they play at modern concert pitch on mostly modern instruments, though otherwise still aim to produce an authentic sound.

Classical favourites played by the string section of Oundle’s Rusty Players.

Louise Jones began a solo and chamber music career in London in 1992  upon returning from the States where she gained her Master’s and Performing degrees under Shmuel Ashkenasi in Michigan and Chicago. Louise recorded her first solo album within the year which was frequently played on Classic FM, opening doors to recitals across the UK, with TV appearances in England and Wales.

Tours abroad as a soloist and as leader of The Gladstone String Quartet followed, taking her to the States, Europe, Japan , the Middle East and Africa.  Louise formed and conducted the first national orchestra in Nigeria during 2000 and 2004, courtesy of the British Council.In recent years following motherhood, Louise enjoys teaching the violin, viola and piano. This concert, which showcases some of her prize pupils, includes Haydn's 'Lark' Quartet.

We are very pleased to confirm that Oundle’s very own Rusty Players Orchestra will perform an exciting summer afternoon concert with the theme Movie Matinee as the culmination and celebration of Oundle Fringe Festival 2026! With over fifty members the full orchestra is a sight to behold and will sound simply wonderful in St. Peter’s Church. This final event of Fringe 2026 on Sunday 5th July is free, with no tickets required. Do come along. There were close on 300 people last year and it was a superb closing event. Retiring collection.