William Shield Festival | Music from the 17th and 18th Centuries
Events List
- William Shield Festival | Music from the 17th and 18th Centuries
William Shield | Image source copyright free
Saturday 17th October | 12pm
Community Music Whickham & Swalwell and the Lit and Phil are proud to announce the 2026 William Shield Festival, an annual series of musical concerts to celebrate the life and times of this great, but often overlooked, local musician of yesteryear.
William Shield was born in Swalwell in 1748 and rose to the position of Master of the King’s Musick and was principal violinist at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. He is buried at Westminster Abbey. Events to celebrate the life and times of this local lad done good will take place in Swalwell (Shield’s birthplace), Newcastle upon Tyne and Whitley Bay.
A collection of 17th and 18th century music performed by Laura Oldfield and James Hall.
A collection of 17th and 18th century music performed by Laura Oldfield and James Hall.
Mezzo-soprano Laura Oldfield, a Newcastle University graduate, has performed widely as a soloist and ensemble member in England and abroad, including with Ensemble Pro Victoria, Vox Populi and Mira Ensemble. She has also worked at Newcastle and Durham Cathedrals. James Hall, Festival Assistant, is an organ and harpsichord specialist with a particular interest in 17th- and 18th-century folk music. He is studying for a Master’s degree at Newcastle University and is Organist and Choirmaster at St Mary’s Church, Whickham.
For details of the whole festival including the Operas please download the leaflet here
The William Shield festival is grateful to Mr A. England for his unfailing support.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £8
(If you would like to book for this event, please click the link provided)