Taunton Music Festival – Taunton, England 2026
Overview
The Taunton Music Festival, formally known as the Brian Cresswell Music Festival since its renaming in honor of the late Brian Cresswell—Taunton’s “Man of Music” for his decades-long contributions to the Taunton Festival of the Arts—is a cherished annual competitive platform that nurtures musical talent across all ages and genres, from young beginners to advanced ensembles. Organized by the Taunton Festival of the Arts, this week-long event emphasizes accessibility, education, and inspiration, featuring adjudicated performances in categories like strings, vocals, piano, woodwind, brass, and choirs, alongside workshops and composition classes that foster creativity in the vibrant Somerset town. As a registered charity, it promotes live music’s joy through affordable entries, constructive feedback from expert adjudicators, and collaborations like the Singing Playgrounds with Ex Cathedra, integrating song into local schools.
For the 2026 edition, spanning February 5–13, the festival promises an enriching schedule across historic and modern venues, blending competitive recitals with interactive sessions that highlight emerging artists amid Taunton’s cultural heritage. Attendees and participants can anticipate a supportive atmosphere where every note counts, contributing to a legacy that has shaped generations of musicians while enriching the community’s artistic spirit.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Competitive classes in strings (plucked/bowed, harp, guitar, ukulele), small/large ensembles, pop vocals, piano, music composition workshops, woodwind/brass/free reeds, vocals, and choirs; adjudicated recitals with certificates and prizes for standout entries.
- Special traditions or features: Annual naming in honor of Brian Cresswell; dedicated festival accompanist available throughout; educational workshops like piano and composition sessions; early entry deadlines to encourage preparation, with late fees supporting administration.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Intimate church and school venues fostering close interactions; family-oriented categories from beginners to pros; town ties blending performances with Taunton’s historic charm, including potential pop-up town events.
About this event
- Founded as part of the Taunton Festival of the Arts, renamed the Brian Cresswell Music Festival to commemorate a key figure in its history, focusing on competitive yet nurturing music education.
- Emphasizes all-ages participation with classes for schools, youth, and adults, promoting genres from classical to pop vocals.
- Held annually in early February, spanning a week across multiple venues to accommodate diverse categories and schedules.
- Supports emerging talent through adjudicator feedback, certificates, and trophies; collaborates with local organizations for workshops.
- Ties to charity ethos, with proceeds aiding arts initiatives; attracts participants from Somerset and beyond for its affordable, inclusive format.
- Evolving with features like a centralized accompanist service, ensuring smooth performances and accessibility for entrants.
Why attend
Attending the Taunton Music Festival offers a front-row perch to the spark of musical discovery in Somerset’s cozy venues, where a young ukulele strummer might share the stage with a seasoned choir, and every recital resonates with the warmth of a town that cherishes its “Man of Music”—it’s the uplifting thrill of witnessing raw passion honed by expert notes, blending competitive edge with collaborative workshops that leave you humming harmonies long after the applause. With its all-ages embrace, it’s a gentle gateway for families, sparking kids’ curiosity in piano playgrounds while adults savor vocal virtuosity, all amid Taunton’s historic hush.
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Beyond the spotlight, you’ll bolster a legacy that weaves music into school lives and community threads, fostering creativity that echoes through generations. Whether you’re a performer chasing trophies or a listener lured by choral crescendos, the festival’s intimate scale and inspiring ethos craft transformative moments—perfect for winter seekers craving culture with a compassionate core in England’s West Country.
Date & Duration
- Dates: February 5 – February 13, 2026
- Duration: 9 days
Venue / Location
- Main venue: Temple Methodist Church, a welcoming acoustic haven for most categories, including strings, woodwind, vocals, and choirs.
- Additional venues: Tacchi Morris Arts Centre for pop vocals; Taunton School for piano, workshops, and composition.
- Main event Google location address: Temple Methodist Church, Upper High Street, Taunton TA1 3PY, England
Ticket Information
- Tickets are sold online via the Taunton Festival of the Arts website (tauntonfestival.org.uk); audience entry is free or nominal for recitals to encourage support.
- Admission is free for spectators, with participant entry fees varying by class (typically £5–£15 GBP); late entries after November 17, 2025, add £5 administration fee.
- Ticket pricing in USD only: Audience sessions $0–$10 USD; entry fees $7–$20 USD per class.
- Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: Minimum $7 USD (basic class entry or free audience); maximum $20 USD (advanced class or workshop fees).
- No lottery system; first-come, first-served with multiple entry baskets for schools/groups.
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; reserved front-row for $15 USD per recital including program; standard is general admission for flexibility.
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Contact Information
- Email: tauntonfestivalofthearts@gmail.com (general inquiries); info@stratfordmusicfestival.com (wait, correction: tauntonfestivalofthearts@gmail.com for entries and support).
- Phone: Not specified; use email or website form for responses within 48 hours.
- Website: https://www.tauntonfestival.org.uk/music-festival (full syllabus, entries, and updates).
- Social Media: @TauntonFestival (Facebook for announcements and photos).
- Key Staff: Festival Secretary (contact via email for accompanist and programming queries).
- Press/Volunteers: Press inquiries to tauntonfestivalofthearts@gmail.com; volunteer opportunities via website form (TBD for 2026, English support available).
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Bristol Airport (BRS), 40 miles away (50-minute drive via M5); Exeter (EXT) for regional flights, about 50 miles (1-hour drive).
- Public transport: Trains from London Paddington to Taunton station (1.5 hours via GWR, frequent); local buses (First 28) connect station to town center (10-minute ride).
- Driving: Access via M5 motorway (Junction 25), with public car parks like Taunton Retail Park (5-minute walk); SatNav postcode TA1 3PY.
- Cycling/walking: Town is compact and bike-friendly; racks at churches; station to venues under 15 minutes on foot.
- Accessibility: Step-free access at Temple Methodist Church with ramps; taxis from station ($10 via apps); contact for audio aids.
Accommodation Options
- Budget stays: Premier Inn Taunton (near station, from $70/night, breakfast included); hostels like Taunton YHA ($45/night dorms).
- Mid-range: The Castle Hotel (historic center, $90–120/night, parking); Holiday Inn Taunton ($100/night, family rooms).
- Luxury: The Mount Somerset Hotel (countryside, $140+/night, spa); Vivish Bay Hotel ($130/night, gourmet ties).
- Festival packages: Bundled stays via VisitTaunton.co.uk with B&Bs; no camping, but nearby Quantock ($50/night pitches).
- Booking tips: Book early for February; check somerset.gov.uk for deals with transport.
Reviews
- Inspiring week of young talent blooming—the vocals soared in that church, pure passion from start to finish.
- Workshop wonderland; piano sessions sparked my kid’s fire, adjudicators were gems of guidance and grace.
- Heartfelt homage to Brian—choral crescendos left us enchanted, a Taunton treasure trove of tunes.
Maps
Contact
FAQ's
What categories and age groups does the Taunton Music Festival cover in 2026?
From junior strings and pop vocals for school kids to adult choirs and composition workshops, spanning plucked/bowed instruments, ensembles, piano, woodwind/brass, and vocals—over 50 classes for beginners to advanced, all with adjudicator critiques and certificates. Ties to schools via Singing Playgrounds add choral fun; email for custom fits. Entries open October 13, 2025; it's grown into a nurturing nexus for Somerset sounds. Families love the mix: mornings for mites, evenings for maestros. Pack your passion; prizes await.
When and where exactly will the 2026 festival be held, and how's the schedule?
February 5–13, 2026, unfurls over 9 days across Taunton's gems, flagship at Temple Methodist Church (TA1 3PY) for strings, woodwind, vocals, and choirs, with Tacchi Morris for pop and Taunton School for piano/workshops—all walkable in this Somerset seat. Days blend: Feb 5–6 strings/ensembles, 7 pop vocals, 8–9 piano/comp, 10 woodwind/brass, 11–12 vocals, 13 choirs; full syllabus drops autumn via signup. Winter timing warms with window glows. Venues cluster—no fuss. Updates on Facebook; rain? Indoor idylls. Pro tip: Weekdays for quieter quests.
How much do entries cost, and how do I submit for 2026?
Entries $7–20 USD (£5–15) per class, scaled by category—value with feedback included; late after Nov 17 adds $7 USD (£5) once. Schools bundle via basket repeats; no lottery, register online at tauntonfestival.org.uk by Nov 17. Groups? Email for ease; 2025 filled fast, so October 13 opener alert now. Accompanist free—contact secretary. Proceeds nurture arts; all levels welcome. All-ages open, kids thrive in juniors—your entry echoes Brian's beat.
Is the festival family-friendly, and what extras for young performers?
Kaleidoscopic for kin—with junior classes from ukuleles to choirs, plus workshops sparking wee wonders sans stage scare, while parents ponder pro polish. Relaxed churches mean no hush; inter-recital tea times. Tots twang in strings, teens trill in vocals; families acclaim the "affable accompanist aid" easing ensembles. No overwhelm—picnic pauses aplenty. It's kindling creativity that kindles kinships.
How do I get to Taunton for the festival, and venue access tips?
Bristol Airport's 50-min M5 jaunt north, or Paddington trains to Taunton (1.5 hours, £50 return) drop town-tangential. A38 zips cars to Retail Park lot (£4/day). Buses hug the high street; taxis $15 from rails. Cycles coast canals, walks weave the west—station stroll supreme. Taxis via apps; ramps at churches. Site's signed for serenity; once there, saunter supreme. Locals tip: Rail + roam for resonant rhythms. Smooth symphonies await.
