William Shield Festival 2025 | Friday
Events List
Friday 17th October 2025 | 1:00 pm to 7:30 pm
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | Prices vary per event
Friday 17th October
1pm-2pm
Gordon Dixon (cellist), John Treherne MBE (harpsichord) & Laura Oldfield (mezzo soprano).
Gordon Dixon, eminent cellist, and John Treherne MBE, harpsichord, perform ‘cello music by Shield’s contemporaries including Tricklir and Breval. The are joined by guest soloist, Laura Oldfield, mezzo soprano.
Gordon makes a welcome return to the Festival; his career has included Director of Walnut Hill School of Music in Boston, and he taught at the New England Conservatory of Music. On return to Newcastle he founded the Avison Ensemble, now recognised as one of the finest period instrument ensembles in England.
Laura Oldfield is quickly making a name as one of the foremost younger singers in the region. She holds positions at Newcastle and Durham Cathedrals as Alto Lay Clerk and is Choral Director of the Cathedral’s Schools2 Singing Programme. She has performed throughout England and has been selected as a Next Generation Young Artist with the Irish Baroque ensemble Sestina.
She will present a vareity of baroque works, including compositions by George Friedric Handel and Michel Richard de Lalande.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £7
6pm-7:30pm
Vox Populi
This vibrant young vocal consort from Newcastle makes a welcome return to the Festival, bringing high quality choral music to the North East of England. Their repertoire ranges from Renaissance plainchant to stirring contemporary works. Their engaging themed concert programme ‘Night Prayer’ includes poerty and choral works by Tallis., Celia McDowall, Rheinberger and Roxanna Panufnik. ‘Night Prayer’ is inspired by the Christian service of compline.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £12
(This is an externally organised event and the Lit & Phil cannot take bookings. Please follow the links provided to book these events)
We are grateful to support from Alan England, The Avison Ensemble, and other sponsors.
The Festival is organised through Community Music Whickham and Swalwell as part of its ongoing programme of courses, recitals and cultural activities.
Registered Charity Number 1162027
https://www.communitymusicws.com/
