Entrances and exits
As we enter our eighty-second season, we celebrate the achievements of the man who has led this society for most of them. After almost 300 concerts and 58 years in post Michael Williams MBE will be handing over the baton to our Musical director designate Sam Hayes.
Michael’s remarkable accomplishment will be marked by a performance of Elgar’s The Apostles in November involving singers and players who have shared at least some of his career. We are delighted that Michael will continue to lead the Buxton International Festival Mass services each year – a tradition that he established.
We look forward to continuing the Society’s journey in the coming years under the direction of Sam Hayes
Sunday 16 November 2025 – 7.30pm
St John`s Church Buxton
Elgar – The Apostles
Georgie Malcolm – Soprano
Louise Innes – Mezzo-soprano
Andrew Mackenzie Wicks – Tenor
Bradley Travis – Baritone
Marcus Farnsworth – Bass
Andrew Greenan – Bass
Chorus of Buxton Musical Society
Sam Hayes – chorus director
The Hayfield Singers
Simon Mercer – director
Orchestra of Buxton Musical Society
Steven Wilkie – leader
Conducted by Michael Williams MBE
Sunday 14 December 2025 – 7.00pm
St John`s Church Buxton
A Christmas Feast
A celebration of Christmas music for all ages. We are joined by youngsters from local schools, a brass quintet and the chorus of Buxton Musical Society in a journey through Christmas music old and new.
Peak District Junior Choir
Choirs from local junior schools
CLASSIC BRASS quintet
Chorus of Buxton Musical Society
Conducted by SAM HAYES
Sunday 15 March 2026 – 7.30pm
St John`s Church Buxton
Baroque music you never knew you knew
GF Handel Anthem on the Peace
JS Bach Suite No. 3 in D major
CPE Bach Magnificat
M-A Charpentier Te Deum
BUXTON MUSICAL SOCIETY
Soloists:
Hannah Weakley – soprano
Macy Jagger – mezzo-soprano
Daniel Marles – tenor
Oscar Fairclough – baritone
SAM HAYES – conductor
Some of these titles may not be familiar to you but we feel sure that you will recognise many of the melodies. Bring your ticklist along with you to the concert.
Sunday 7 June 2026 – 7.30pm
American Rhapsody
CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA OF BUXTON MUSICAL SOCIETY
SAM HAYES – conductor
Soloist from Chetham’s School of Music
Bernstein – Overture Candide
Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
Beach – Mass in E-flat
As we mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence, we present a programme of American music from less turbulent times. All three of these composers broke down barriers; Bernstein bringing jazz and dance rhythms to the concert hall, Gershwin dissolving the divide between popular and classical music and Amy Beach overcoming the male-dominated tradition to become America’s first successful female composer of large-scale art music.
Saturday 20 June 2026 – 9.30 – 18.15
Haydn Singing Workshop
Haydn – Harmoniemesse – with the option of singing the work in its true liturgical context at an International Festival!
We offer a rare opportunity not only to study Haydn’s last great choral work with Musical Director, Sam Hayes, followed by a performance with orchestra, but also an option to perform the work a few week’s later in its original liturgical setting by joining the chorus in the Buxton International Festival Mass on Sunday 19 July (see below).
Save the date(s). Full details to be announced shortly
Sunday 19 July 2026 – 11.00am
Festival Mass
Haydn – Harmoniemesse
The Society’s annual contribution to the Buxton Chorus and Orchestra join the congregation at St John’s Church as they celebrate Eucharist with soloists from the Buxton International Festival company.
(As this is a church service admission is free. There will be a retiring collection for musical expenses in addition to the normal church offertory.)
All performances take place in St John’s Church, Buxton
Buxton Opera House Box Office: 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 or book online: buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
Tickets are also available from Society members and on the door before each concert in St John’s Church (limited availability)