The first edition of the Latin American Music Festival took place in November 2012 in Cheap Street Church, Sherborne. Three exceptional concerts set the benchmark of the festival: some of the best musical works written by Latin American composers were performed by young musicians from all around the world. Alberto Ginastera, Astor Piazzolla and Carlos Guastavino from Argentina, Brazilian Heitor Villa-lobos, Cuban Ignacio Cervantes and Ernesto Lecuona and Teresa Carreno and Jose Antonio Estevez from Venezuela were some of the composers whose works were presented to the orchestra in an unprecedented event. 

There was great rapport between the musicians and the audience. All concerts were memorable performances of works that was perhaps even unknown in this part of England. We had the honour of sharing the stage with distinguished mezzo-soprano Melanie Armistead, winner of the BBC String Young Musician of the Year guitarist Jadran Duncumb and flautist Marta Goncalves, who recently won the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, amongst many other amazing performers.

In 2013, Wessex strings joined as our orchestra in residence with Arturo Serna as the new musical director. The orchestra has embraced the ethos of the festival and its members are excited about learning new repertoire from Latin America for each edition of the festival. We aim to bring something new to the the cultural life of Sherborne and we are extremely excited with the warm support we have received from the community.

We are now in the process preparing the 2017 edition and we are extremely pleased to announce that the Eastbury Hotel will continue to be one of our sponsors. We are very grateful to Nicky King for getting involved with the festival in the past few years and we look forward to working together in 2017. Along with the Eastbury Hotel, Leweston School will be hosting our first educational workshop at the school with pianist Milly Riquelme. Thank you to all our sponsors and the Sherborne community for your support!