Introduction
Sandbach Concert Series is a non-profit arts organisation run entirely by volunteers. It was started in 2010 and has been very successful and well attended. We have eight concerts a year at St Mary’s Church Hall with a deliberately early start and finish time, as well as reasonable ticket prices to encourage more families and younger people to attend classical music concerts.
The structure of every concert is the same with a half hour Spotlight concert by young musicians, followed by a half hour interval with an art exhibition by a Sandbach Art Club, and then a one hour concert by top class professional musicians. This Concert Series is unique in the UK and has been well received by musicians and the local community alike.
VIPs
VIP representatives from the local councils often attend and sometimes the local MP when her schedule permits. As well as ticket entry, the Series is funded by Sandbach Town Council, and the voluntary work of the hard working volunteers.
Showcase
Please use the Concert Series to showcase the music of your students. Look at our website to see the forthcoming professional musicians that have been booked as we usually try to schedule Spotlight musicians with similar instruments or sound. Our Spotlight Director Kevin Birch (kevinbirch60@gmail.com) co-ordinates the Spotlight concerts.
Please share news of Sandbach Concert Series in your publications to parents, especially if you your students are taking part. The aim of the Concert Series is to bring classical music to a younger audience. Concert information is kept on our website: www.sandbach-concert-series.co.uk
Concert schedule
The eight concerts each series are on the last Wednesday of the month in September, October, November, February, March, April, May and June. Doors open at 6.30pm and each event ends by 9pm. Spotlight Rehearsals are from 5.15pm to 6.15pm.
Teachers and artists
Music teachers providing Spotlight participants, and Artists, have complimentary entry and are encouraged to stay and enjoy the whole concert. For fire and safety reasons, all participants, volunteers, music teachers, artists and Charity Display people need to sign in on arrival at front desk and to sign out on exit.
Ticket prices
| £12.00 | Adult |
| £11.00 | Concessions |
| £3.00 | Students in full time education |
| £25 | Family (2 adults & 2 Children) |
| £3.00 | The first parent or guardian of each Spotlight musician or £20 for Spotlight Family ticket |
Photographs
Photographs of the Spotlight performers are taken with the professional musicians and any VIPs. We have policies in place to protect young people’s online privacy.
Timetable
| 5.15pm to 6.15pm | Rehearsal in the venue for Spotlight artists who will be given a timed rehearsal spot. |
| 6.30pm to 7pm | Doors Open and audience comes in. Bar usually open. |
| 7pm to 7.30pm | Spotlight Concert |
| 7.30pm to 8pm | Interval (Art exhibition, drawing of Charity Raffle, Bar) |
| 8pm to 9pm | Main Concert with prompt finish at 9pm |