Morpeth Music Society
Structure and History of MMS
Read the MMS constitution by clicking here . MMS is registered with the Charity Commission (England & Wales) No. 1048490.
Morpeth Music Society is open to all. Read our Equal Opportunities policy here Read our Safeguarding policy here
MMS is a community partner Associate Member of the Greater Morpeth Development Trust .
MMS annual reports
History of the Society
Morpeth Music Society (MMS) was formed in 1944 after the first concerts had taken place in 1941 under the auspices of the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (the forerunner of the Arts Council). The constitution stated that ‘the object of the society is to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of art and science of music in all its aspects by presentation of public concerts and recitals’. Originally the society organised a five concert series costing 6d. Early performers included singer Kathleen Ferrier and oboist Léon Goossens. Notable highlights included a concert by the renowned Lindsay String Quartet, which was recorded by the BBC for broadcast in 1974 and a performance by cellist Julian Lloyd Webber.
During the 1970s, MMS acquired its own Yamaha grand piano with the aid of substantial grants from Morpeth Council and Alcan Aluminium Ltd. The concerts were held in Morpeth Town Hall until 2008 when the series moved to Morpeth Methodist Church. The society has approximately one hundred members and is grateful to receive significant financial support from Morpeth Council and charitable grant giving bodies as well as local businesses.
The society was extremely grateful to receive £5000 from Northumberland County Council Community Chest Scheme in 2022. This funding supported essential repairs to the society's Yamaha grand piano.
The society has been a registered charity since 1995.
MMS chairs
E.C. Jackson 1944
A. Campbell 1947
Archie Armstrong
Ian Armstrong (Archie's son)
Alan MacDonald 1995 - 2005
Tony Davies 2005 - 2008
Kathy Smith 2008 - 2012
Simon Foley 2012
Neil Robinson
Highlights from recent years
Eminent pianist Peter Donohoe opened our 2019-20 season.
Superstar clarinettist Emma Johnson performed for us in 2018 with pianist John Lenehan.
In 2017, Tasmin Little delighted us on the violin with eminent pianist Martin Roscoe.
Review by David Whetstone of the Journal:
'Tasmin Little’s smile alone can warm up a room and her fiddle playing could power a small part of the national grid. In the world of classical music she’s a superstar and it says something about Morpeth Music Society that they were able to book her.’
In 2008, the renowned pianist John Lill performed a sold-out recital for us in Morpeth!
Archive
2022-23
2019-20
2018-19
MMS brochure archive - back to the 1970s!
Not a complete list - seasons with a hyperlink (underlined) have the relevant brochure file attached. Please let us know if you have any of the missing brochures!
2021 -
77th 2022-23
76th 2021-22
2020-21 no season
2011 - 2020
2001 - 2010
59th 2003-04
58th 2002-03
57th 2001-02
56th 2000-01
1991 - 2000
55th 1999-00
54th 1998-99
53rd 1997-98
52nd 1996-97
51st 1995-96
50th 1994-95
49th 1993-94
48th 1992-93
47th 1991-92
1981 - 1990
45th 1989-90
42nd 1986-87
40th 1984-85
38th 1982-83
37th 1981-82
1971 - 1980
33rd 1977-78
27th 1971-72
26th 1970-71
