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.
I n 1973, 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
Emily .C. Jackson 1944
A. Campbell 1947
Archie Armstrong 1969 -1988
Ian Armstrong (Archie's son) 1988-1995
Alan McDonald 1995 - 2005
Tony Davies 2005 - 2008
Kathy Smith 2008 - 2012
Simon Foley 2012 - 2015
Neil Robinson 2015 - 2024
Wendy Locks 2024 -
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!
