This year’s newsletter is now available (and can be downloaded here)

Most people will be aware of the necessary change to our venue for the 2016 Touch of Basil. It will take place at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School in Sutton Coldfield on October 1st. Philip was a student there until 1999 and there is a music room at Bishop Vesey’s dedicated to his memory in regular use for instrumental lessons and practice throughout the week.

The concert will take place in Big School starting at 7pm and will again be filled with performers associated with Philip’s trust. The winners of the two school prizes at John Willmott and Bishop Vesey’s schools will be there along with Ashleyan Opera Prize winner Andrew Randall and a winning piece from the Philip Bates Prize for Composers and Songwriters. Georgina Bloomfield 12, will join us for the third time to thrill with her brilliant violin playing. The young voices of Ex Cathedra will also return to show some of the most celebrated music education in the country and Bishop Vesey’s own music department will be represented by a clarinet quartet. Thanks to all the staff there for their ongoing support.