Blog

In at the deep end

In at the deep end

LET'S JUST SAY THE LAST 12 MONTHS HAVE BEEN SOMETHING OF A BAPTISM BY FIRE For anyone starting a new post ideally you want to ease in gently, get...

Latest News

It is with great sadness that we announce that our

It is with great sadness that we announce that our Founder and lifelong Artistic Director, Renna Manduell MBE (nee Kellaway), has passed away.

A student of Johannes Röntgen in Amsterdam and Franz Osborn in London, South African-born Renna enjoyed a glittering musical career as a pianist and chamber musician, performing, broadcasting and teaching widely across the UK, Europe, USA, East Asia, Australasia and South Africa.

It was during her honeymoon with husband Sir John Manduell CBE that she first fell under the spell of the stunning landscape of the Lake District; an experience which was to prove a major turning point in her life.

So it was in 1985 that Renna founded Lake District Summer Music (as it was formerly known), bringing world class performances to Cumbria combined with training for talented young musicians.

Under her guidance the festival quickly became well-established on the national and international calendar, attracting students from across the globe including the likes of violinist Nicola Benedetti, pianist Steven Osborne and many more.

While Lake District Music approaches its 40th anniversary in 2025 sadly without our much-loved Founder and Honorary President, we look to the future guided by Renna’s innate belief in the power of music to change lives and her drive to nurture and inspire the next generation of young musicians.

“A young and exciting voice in the world of cham

“A young and exciting voice in the world of chamber music”

See the amazing London Central Brass Quintet at Ambleside Parish Church on Thursday 23 May at 1pm.

Reimagined classics from Jevtic, Susato and Ravel. Tickets in biog.

We welcome exciting talents @londoncentralbrass to

We welcome exciting talents @londoncentralbrass to #Ambleside Parish Church on Thursday 23 May at 1pm. Their repertoire includes Jevtic, Susato, and Ravel. Tickets in biog.

Lake District Music’s Summer Festival returns th

Lake District Music’s Summer Festival returns this summer and we are looking for artist managers, event managers and event assistants to join us. This is a fantastic opportunity to play your part in a major classical music festival set across the Lake District. Go to our website for more details.

"It is a full-circle moment to return and play her

"It is a full-circle moment to return and play here…"

How amazing were @heartwoodquartet on their return to the Lake District?

We spoke to Michaela and Audrey after their fantastic performance at Ambleside Parish Church.

We have four concerts left in our spring series. The second Hanna Bachmann concert at Holker Hall is almost sold-out. You can still buy tickets for London Central Brass on 23 May.

TODAY 🎻 Heartwood String Quartet at #Ambleside

TODAY 🎻 Heartwood String Quartet at #Ambleside Parish Church. Tickets available on the door. 1pm, Thursday, 28 March.