Cumnor Festival of Performing Arts

(A map of the grounds will be provided to show where these performers can be found) 

Programme of Events 2024

2.30pm-3.00pm.  The exciting a cappella group - Indigo Road will hold our attention in the palm of their hands with unaccompanied songs from a variety of genres including rhythm and blues, folk, pop etc.

3.05pm-3.40pm.  A delightful and versatile clarinet quartet Pipework will produce the evocative sounds of the clarinet in its many guises through jazz, pop, swing or classical. If any of these styles is your thing, you are going to be in your element!

3.50pm-4.15pm.  High Jinks, our very own ever so slightly anarchic, ukulele band/singers - all Cumnor based folk, will escort you through the years from 1930’s to 2020’s without even a mention of George Formby or window cleaning experiences!

4.20pm-5.40pm. The Oxford Cherwell Brass Band, the twenty-piece strong band which blew our socks off last year with a fabulous variety of tunes from the shows, will offer us this delight in a new set - and much more besides.

5.45pm-6.20pm.  It is so lovely to be able to welcome back The Saxonians - the highly respected, brilliantly versatile quartet, who can produce a great range of mesmerising melodies, just perfect for such a glorious setting.

6.25pm-6.55pm. We are thrilled to bits to welcome Sir Philip Pullman CBE FRSL, our amazing local writer of a mind-blowing plethora of best-selling and award winning books, films, plays and television series, including ‘His Dark Materials’.  In conversation with Philip, we will explore the influence music has had on his life and writing. If you are a fan of music and/or Philip’s writing, this item is a must for you.  He has also very kindly offered to stay on site for a while for some book signing, so do bring along your favourite Pullman book, or buy a new one.

7.00pm-9.00pm (30min interval for raffle draw and drink top-up).  The impressive  Velvet Tones - the fabulous, black tie clad BIG Jazz/Swing band we enjoyed so much last year. This highly sought after group of 24 amazing musicians, joined by singers - Clare Abbott and Richard Francis,  will spoil us with 90 minutes of first class evening entertainment while we sip Prosecco and show off our finest dance moves, or at the very least, our foot tapping prowess!

Programme of Events 2023

Main Tent

1.00pm - 1.30pm. Stannik. Tatiana Soloviova and Jon Bennett make up this lovely duo who specialise in traditional and contemporary songs from afar.

2.15pm-2.35pm. What Larks. A group of delightful acapella singers which will put a smile on your faces and a song in your hearts.

2.45–3.30. The Kirals – Accompanied by their guitar, double bass and banjo, this gifted group will transport you to days of Dylan, Neil Young and the Everly Brothers and introduce you to their most enjoyable new music.

3.40pm-4.15pm. High Jinks – Our very own community ukulele band returns with some well known oldies, and not so oldies, to sing and smile along to.  Do not worry, it will be a George Formby music free zone again this year!

4.30pm–6.00pm. The Oxford Cherwell Brass. (Close to Main Tent) - Formed in 2013 and based in Kidlington, this impressive big brass band’s performance will be full to the brim with tunes from the shows and film that we all know and love. They are guaranteed to blow your socks off!

6.00pm–6.40pm. The Oxford Commas’ - Eight talented young men from Lincoln College will captivate you with their fabulous acapella sounds. Be enthralled by their interpretation of a wide range of songs from Elvis, The Beach Boys, Ed Sheeran, John Legend and more…

The Pool Lawn

1.30pm-–2.15pm. The Saxonians. A delightful and versatile saxophone group. If the evocative sounds of the saxophone in its many guises through jazz, pop, swing or classical are your thing, you are going to be in your element!

2.25pm–2.50pm. Abingdon Operatic Society.  A selection of singers from this illustrious society will entertain you proudly with a wide choice of songs from various genres.

3.00pm–3.30pm. The Cumnor Consort. Remember your old school recorder lessons when all you could get out of your instrument was a face grimacing squawk? Well, these lovely people will put to bed all those blood chilling memories and bring us a really accomplished musical bonanza.

 6.45pm – 8.30 pm. Next to the house - Prosecco is served.

7.00pm-7.45. The Velvet Tones Big Band. This large Glen Miller style band and wonderful singers - Clare Abbott and Richard Francis will get us up and dancing, or at the very least, our feet tapping, to our favourite jazz and swing numbers.

30min interval in which the raffle is drawn and you top up your glasses.

8.15pm-9.00pm. The Velvet Tones Big Band. The band returns to play for us until our Cumnor Festival of Performing Arts day comes to a close. 

It has been lovely having you with us. Thank you for your valuable support. Goodnight.

Programme of Events 2019

Various times  Anna Lockett  This fabulously talented local harpist will welcome with beautifully haunting sounds as you join us for more festival treats.

11.30 – 12.00   What a Lark  (Main Area). This group of  lovely songsters have been invited back after their impressive debut at the festival last year.

12.10 – 12.50   The Kirals  (Main Area). Accompanied by their guitar, double bass and banjo, this group will transport you to days of Dylan, Neil Young and the Everly Brothers… and thrill you with songs of the moment.

1.00 – 1.30       Creaky Knee (Main Area).  Mark Austin, a sought after regular on the  local acoustic rock/folk scene, has an easy style and music sure to  please every discerning ear.

1.40 – 2.10        High Jinks (Main area). Our very own irrepressible, ever so slightly unruly community ukulele band returns with some well known oldies, not just talking about us, but the tunes) plus some up to the moment renditions to sing, smile, clap, wiggle along to. Do not worry, it will be a George Formby music free zone again this year!

2.25 – 3.00       Conversation with Erica James. (Main area) We are delighted to bring you our special guest and multi-book best-selling author hot foot from her home on the shores of Lake Como… Erica will also sign  books and sell some, very generously, in aid of local breast cancer support group Positively Pink Oxford.

3.15 – 4.15       Poppy Smallwood. (Main area) This internationally renowned artiste is a lovely young singer songwriter guitarist from Manchester. Poppy’s lilting and folksy tunes have captured the hearts and imagination of audiences from Edinburgh to St Petersburg.

4.20 – 4.50       Pipeworks  (Area on the swimming pool lawn).  A delightful and versatile clarinet group. If the evocative sounds of the clarinet in its many guises through jazz, pop, swing or classical are your thing, you are going to be in your element!

4.50 – 5.50       Cumnor Players – A medley of three short plays. (Theatre Lawn). This  highly talented and accomplished group of actors return to entertain us royally with ‘Something Old Something New’ by Mike Meldrum, ‘Drama Queens’ by Ali Baker and ‘Badger’s Colon’ by Ian Bannerman.

6.00 – 6.45      The Bob Cutting Big Band (18 players). (Area next the swimming pool lawn) Bob is the musical director of this large Glen Miller style band of top musicians. He has played lead trumpet with the famous John and Herb Miller Orchestras. He also brings to the festival a lovely young vocalist who will get us up and dancing, or at the very least  our feet tapping, to our favourite jazz and swing numbers.

6.50 – 7.10       Big Prize Raffle Draw – Could yours be a winning ticket?

7.15 – 8.00       The Bob Cutting Big Band  (as above). The band will play as we sip our Prosecco, or other favourite tipple from the bar and prepare to make our way home to dream of next year’s festival! Thank you so much for supporting us and the causes for which we raise such vital funds – Positively Pink Oxford and Maggie’s Cancer Centre.   

Programme of Events 2018 

 11.00–11.15 am.  Philip Powell and Daphne Briggs – English Bagpipes – Yes, there are such instruments and fine sounds they make too, especially with the aid of Philip’s substantial puff and Daphne’s enviable pumping elbow!

  11.20–11.40.  The Farmoor Fumblers – Remember your old school recorder lessons when all you could get out of your instrument was a face grimacing squawk? Well, these lovely people will put to bed all those blood chilling memories and bring us a really accomplished musical bonanza.

  11.45–12.15.  Vivace – Our very own community choir will bring a variety of well loved songs to celebrate our    (hopefully summery) day.

  12.20–12.45.   Pipeworks - A delightful and versatile clarinet group. If the evocative sounds of the clarinet in its many guises through jazz, pop, swing or classical are your thing, you are going to be in your element!

  12.50–1.15.  Creaky Knee - Mark Austin and friend - regulars on the acoustic rock/folk scene to entertain you.

  12.55- 1.05.  What a Lark! Just a couple of songs from these lovely ladies, singing for the first time in public. Encouragement is the order of the day!

  1.25–1.50.  Merlin the Clown – will make you laugh and teach you to juggle, walk on stilts and model balloons… Phew, you will need one of our lip smacking ice creams to cool down!

  1.25–1.50.  South Newington Singers – The  community choir with a song in their hearts for this special day

  1.55–2.20. The Kirals – Accompanied by their guitar, double bass and banjo, this group will transport you to days of Dylan, Neil Young and the Everly Brothers… to name but a few. 

  2.25–2.35.  Joanna Foster CBE – Welcomes you to the festival

  2.40 onwards. Afternoon teas are being served and calling you!!!

  2.40–3.15. High Jinks – Our community ukulele band returns with some well known oldies, (not just talking about some of us, but the tunes) to sing and smile along to.  Don’t worry, it will be a George Formby music free zone again this year!

  3.20-3.50.  James the Magician – will cause your eyes to (almost) pop out of your head with his super amazing tricks!

  4.00-4.30   Harmony Inspires – A group of delightful Acapella singers which will put a smile on your faces and a song in your hearts! 

  4.40-5.40. The Cumnor Players – A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This fabulously talented cast, some of whom have worked with the RSC in Stratford, will captivate you in this ideal setting. This adaptation of Shakespeare’s work is brimming with fairies, farce, love and laughter… Prepare yourself for a real treat and look out for the fairies, who really are at the bottom of the garden, (truly, the Prosecco has yet to be served!).

  6.00 – 8.00 pm.  Prosecco is served… bring your adult entry  ticket for your complimentary glass!

  6.00 – 6.45. The Harold Elmey Big Band.   Bob Cutting is the musical director of this large Glen Miller style band of top musicians. Bob has played lead trumpet with the famous John and Herb Miller Orchestras. He also brings to the festival Karen Wymbs, a lovely young vocalist who will get us up and dancing, or at the very least our feet tapping, to our favourite jazz and swing numbers.

  6.55 – 7.10.            Raffle Draw  – with writer/producer and Classic FM presenter –  Nicolas Tresilian

  Will you have a winning ticket?

See the Raffle Prizes!

  7.15 – 8.00.   The Harold Elmey Big Band.    The band returns to play for us until our Cumnor Festival of Performing Arts day comes to a close.         Goodnight.