Friends of the Festival
INVITATION TO FRIENDS OF SIM
If you are thinking about becoming a Friend, you are welcome at SIM’s first fund-raising event on Saturday 14 February, Valentine’s Day from 18.00 to 20.30. Musicians who will be performing at the 2026 SIM Festival will present excerpts from their programme at a private house in North London.
Imogen Emmett and Laura Moisey-Gray of The Painted Fall will perform a selection of ‘ancient’ Shakespeare songs followed by their ‘modern’ re-interpretations from musical theatre and the pop scene. Our artists both sing and also play harp and viola, and this special combination lends a vibrancy to their selection of songs four centuries apart.
The Bloomsbury Baroque ensemble – Philippa Hyde (soprano), William Summers (flute), Diane Moore (violin), Ibrahim Aziz (bass viol) and Yeo Yat-Soon (harpsichord) - will give us a flavour of music from Shakespeare’s age contrasted with that of his rediscovery in the mid-eighteenth century. Using original instruments they subtly underline the continuity from Renaissance to Baroque through their chosen examples from Dowland and Morley, through Purcell and Arne, to Willem de Fesch and others.
Join our Friends scheme and support the Festival
If you share our love of Shakespeare and music, then join us in our mission to establish an annual Festival in Stratford-on-Avon by becoming a Friend of SIM.
Support for Shakespeare in Music Festival really does make a difference.
** SIM is the only organisation dedicated to celebrating Shakespeare extraordinary legacy in music.
** The annual spring Festival in Stratford-on-Avon presents a wide range of events, from semi-staged opera to chamber concerts, solo recitals and talks.
** The Festival supports emerging artists by showcasing young performers alongside experienced performers at the top of their profession.
** SIM keeps ticket prices accessible by offering concessions to old and young, OAPs and students, bringing Shakespeare in music to the widest possible audience.
** As a charity SIM does all this without regular public subsidy. Our Friends provide essential support.
SIM offers two levels of sponsorship for Friends and one more for Sponsors.
Annual membership costs as little as £50* per year with options for supporters who wish to become more involved in our innovative work by donating something more as they wish.
If you are eligible for Gift Aid, SIM can claim a further 25p for every £1 of your donation, and higher rate taxpayers may claim a tax credit on their donation.
Ariel Friends are our core supporters. Paying £50* a year gives Ariels the advantage of concessionary prices on all SIM events and priority booking a month before the general public.
To become an Ariel Friend follow this link.
Miranda/Ferdinand Friends offer stronger support for SIM. For £100 Mirandas and Ferdinands receive all the advantages of Ariels plus regular updates on developments as the Festival programme is created, opportunities to attend rehearsals and the chance to meet the artists after performances.
To become a Miranda/Ferdinand Friend follow this link.
Prospero Friends are prepared to go one step further. They direct their support to where they choose. For as little as £250 Prosperos can sponsor a lunchtime lecture or a daytime recital of their choice. In addition to all other Friends’ advantages, they contribute to the choices SIM makes in structuring the Festival and their name will appear on the programme notes of the event of their choice.
If you would like to become a Prospero Friend and offer SIM this level of support, please contact the Chairman of Trustees – martyn.bond@cantab.net
* SPECIAL OFFER £40 IF TAKEN OUT BEFORE 31st DECEMBER
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If you would like to attend this event and enjoy good company, good music, good cheer and good value, you can enjoy this free event if you sign up as a Friend of the Festival. Places can be booked here. Email martyn.bond@cantab.net for more information.