ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Hertfordshire Festival of Music is an annual summer celebration of classical music, based in the historic and attractive county town of Hertford during the warmth and long days of June.
Hertford is just over twenty miles from central London, easy to get to by rail and road, and nestled in the beautiful countryside of the Lea Valley.
Tom Hammond 1974-2021, Co-Founder
James Francis Brown, Artistic Director
Hertford concerts generally take place within a ten minute stroll of the town's centre which boasts excellent restaurants, many independent shops and accommodation for those who'd like to take advantage of the many events held over the weekends of the Festival. The Festival also takes in other locations in the county - so far performances and projects have also taken place in Hitchin, St Albans, Stevenage, Hertingfordbury and Watford.
HFoM exists to celebrate and nurture exceptional music-making, featuring some of the world's finest performers. The Festival also supports professional and young musicians from Hertfordshire, presents fascinating music by living composers, and devises major, innovative projects for education and participation.
Founded in 2016, the Festival has presented concerts that have inspired extraordinary audience responses to artists such as Tasmin Little OBE, Dame Emma Kirkby, Stephen Hough CBE, Steven Isserlis CBE, the Carducci Quartet, the Galliard Ensemble and the Orchestra of the Swan. The Festival also celebrates a Featured Living Composer each year, which has led to audiences discovering the music of Matthew Taylor, Alan Mills, Peter Fribbins and Stephen Hough.
HFoM is fortunate to receive the support of a number of sponsors, charitable trusts and foundations, county, district and town councils, while a growing Friends Scheme allows individuals to play an important role in furthering the Festival’s scope and potential.
The Festival is the vision of conductor Tom Hammond and composer James Francis Brown, supported by a small dedicated team, a board of Trustees and a fabulous team of volunteers. The Festival is also registered as a charity.
The Hertfordshire Festival of Music marks the passing of our much-loved Co-Artistic Director Tom Hammond with great sadness and huge pride in his many achievements.
Tom Hammond 1974 - 2021
Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Hertfordshire Festival of Music
“Without Tom, this wonderful Festival simply wouldn’t exist. That HFoM is going from strength to strength is a remarkable testament to a man of great vision and humanity who will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to encounter him.
HFoM will surely continue presenting wide-ranging programmes of the highest artistic excellence, drawing inspiration from Tom’s remarkable example.”
James Francis Brown – Artistic Director
HFoM TEAM
Artistic Director - James Francis Brown
Publicity & Social Media - Frances Wilson
Graphic Designer - Lynette Williamson
HFoM Board of Trustees
Gill Dodge – Chair
Chris Pease – Vice Chair
Mark Prisk
Dom Childs
David Utting
Robert Beahan
Pro-bono support of the Board
Christine Drury – Administration & Research
Dora Hatch –Treasurer
HFoM Volunteers
Each event is supported by a team of front of house volunteers.