>>>2008 Programme
In 1991 the Gaudier Ensemble proposed that an annual music festival be organised in the West Dorset village of Cerne Abbas (famed for the Cerne Abbas Giant), which is close to the family home of Richard Hosford. The suggestion was taken up with enthusiasm in the village and the first Cerne Abbas Music Festival took place in July 1991. The primary focus of the programme was on chamber music by the classical composers, but also included twentieth century works.
The Festival has been extremely successful from its first year and is now the centrepiece of the Gaudier's calendar. Cerne Abbas is particularly proud of its association with the group. Members of the Ensemble stay in private houses in the village during the Festival week and the village church, St Mary's, is the venue for the concerts with stage and numbered seating arranged specially for the Festival.

The original musical formula has been retained to offer a mix of the contemporary and the classical. In 2002, for example, the programme contained works by Purcell, Vivaldi, Pachelbel, Bach, Quantz, Bottesini, Dohnanyi, Dvorak, Messiaen, Strauss, Mozart, Schubert and Brahms. For the 2007 programme click >>>2008 Programme

The Festival Friends are a major force behind the continued success of the Festival. Friends have priority booking for all future Festival events and receive a biannual newsletter giving information about the Gaudier Ensemble's activities throughout the year. Sue Foulser is the Friends Secretary and is happy to respond to enquiries about membership. She can be contacted at:-

The Festival Office
The Dairy House
7 Barton Farm
Cerne Abbas
Dorchester, DT2 7LF