The Hexham and District Music Society has been arranging concerts of classical music for 75 years. Like Music in Allendale and the Corbridge Chamber Music Festival, the Society works hard to bring a high standard of classical music to the area through live performances by accomplished musicians of both familiar and less familiar pieces.

I’ve made no secret in this podcast of my recent discovery of the joys of hearing classical music played live – it’s an experience I would encourage everyone to try even if, like me, you don’t know much about it. Just go and find out. You won’t be disappointed.

In this episode, I talk to Treasurer Cathy Duncan and Secretary Di Dickinson about the Society’s history, its aims and the challenges of promoting live music concerts at a time when people’s leisure habits are changing and the family budget is spread ever more thinly.

The music in this episode was played by the Isla String Quartet, a very accomplished group of young musicians, and was recorded at one of the Society’s concerts in Hexham. I’m grateful to the Quartet for their kind permission to include it here. Do check out their website at https://www.islastringquartet.com, where you can find information about their performances and several videos showcasing their excellent work.

You can find out more about the Hexham and District Music Society, and details of how to subscribe, at https://www.hexhammusic.net.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com