At its heart, the new Residency is a firm commitment from both the Festival and the Philharmonia to continue bringing world-class concert performances to each Festival.  Prestigious artists with whom the Philharmonia has long-standing relationships with both in London and internationally will be making appearances as part of future Festival programmes. We’ll also be working together to develop the artistic programme ensuring that Three Choirs continues its position as one of the UK’s most distinctive and imaginative music festivals. This is already manifesting itself in the Hereford 2012 programme, as we welcome Venezuelan conductor Diego Matheuz, cellist Julian Lloyd Webber (Delius Cello Concerto), a performance of a new orchestral work by Joseph Phibbs commissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra and Anvil Arts for Summer 2012, and a recital by the young violinist Hannah Roper, recipient of the Martin Musical Scholarship awarded by the Philharmonia.

Supporting Three Choirs Festival’s ambitious strategy to develop community and education will sit central to the new partnership, the Philharmonia drawing on its extensive experience in these areas most notably via its award-winning digital programme. Safeguarding the future of the Festival through audience development initiatives that contribute and animate the wider communities in each Cathedral city are all key objectives across the coming years.

This unique partnership is about bringing together both organisations’ joint resources to exploit the many opportunities available to the world’s longest running music festival and creating a journey from audiences, artists and the wider communities.