‘Music in the Castle’ aims to create a regional centre of musical excellence in Powderham Castle, near Exeter and is based on a vision, conceived between Emeritus Professor of Music George Pratt, and fellow trustee Dr Adrian Huxham.
This initiative follows the ‘discovery’ of Powderham Castle’s rare 18th Century Brice Seede organ in 2009, its subsequent restoration and very popular concerts held to raise the necessary funds.
The UK has an extraordinary amount of young musical talent in its Specialist Music Schools, its Conservatoires and Universities. We have only rare opportunities to experience their enthusiasm, inspiration and often fabulous techniques, for example through BBC Television’s ‘Young Musician of the Year’ and Radio 3’s ‘Young Generation Artists’. So, in addition to our popular classical concerts ‘Music in the Castle’, supported by every Specialist Music School in the country, now showcases the best of future talent, and encourages the next generation of listeners.
Professor Pratt recalls ‘Many years ago, I went to a concert given by a young string quartet playing in a local Church hall. Decades later, I was able to boast that I had heard the Amadeus Quartet long before they had become, arguably, the best in the world’!
Audiences are still enthralled and inspired by such talented young people. One day we too may be able to say; I was there!’