Tonbridge Music Club (TMC) is getting ready to celebrate 60 years of bringing top-quality musicians to Tonbridge.
Every year since the Club was founded in 1962, it has presented a season of concerts featuring world-class artists. Over the years, members and the general public have enjoyed performances of the highest artistic standards by internationally-renowned musicians as well as young, award-winning performers at the start of their careers. All ages and stages of our community are welcome at TMC events!
The TMC season comprises a number of formal evening concerts with additional events including relaxed Sunday morning ‘Coffee Concerts’, school-based workshops and performances, family concerts and special events for TMC members.
We are committed to the enrichment that high quality live music can bring to all members of our community and to the educational as well as the entertainment potential of fine performances.
When Covid hit in 2020, to supplement our reduced programme for 2020/21 – and to keep musical spirits high when other similar organisations had to close their entire programmes -TMC offered a series of exclusive, monthly online ‘Virtual Events’ for our Benefactor Members.
From this online series grew ‘Totally Tonbridge’, a unique programme drawing on the richness of the musical calibre of artists living in our local area. Nearby musicians generously contributed their talent in recorded performances, articles and interviews. TMC is very proud of the success of its Totally Tonbridge series which has continued to feature in our 2021/22 Season.
And now, as we prepare to celebrate our special Diamond Jubilee we’d like to tell Times readers about some of the musical delights we have in store over the coming months…
Our final evening concert of the current season takes place on Saturday, June 11. This features the fabulous Van Kuijk String Quartet. The French ensemble has won numerous prizes both in the UK and at overseas international competitions and were BBC New Generation Artists from 2015-17. They will perform a wonderful programme of Mozart, Shostakovich and Mendelssohn quartets.
The last event of the 2021/22 season is a relaxed concert specially designed for young ears – Totally Toddler! This takes place on the morning of Friday, June 17 at Tonbridge Baptist Church.
After this, the focus shifts to our 60th Anniversary Season. In a real coup, TMC is delighted to announce that its first concert of this new season will feature world-class trumpeter Alison Balsom and will take place on Saturday, October 15 in the Chapel of St Augustine at Tonbridge School.
Joining Alison will be Anna Lapwood, the outstanding organist and Director of Music at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Together, they will perform an innovative and creative programme presented with ultimate artistry and variety. This is a concert absolutely not to be missed!
Also on the TMC website from Sunday June 12, will be details of other events in the new season. These include evening concerts by one of Britain’s finest chamber music groups, the Nash Ensemble and the internationally acclaimed guitarist, Sean Shibe, plus a relaxed evening of jazz with the Ben Cox Band.
As part of our 60th Anniversary celebrations, we have also launched the TMC Diamond Music Awards to encourage and support local, young musicians in developing their creative skills. Promoting young, musical talent is central to our charity’s mission and this feels even more important after the past two years when so many opportunities for young people have been severely restricted.
The awards, consisting of eight financial grants, are available to any young musician studying in Tonbridge to put towards a variety of musical costs including the purchase of an instrument, instrumental or singing lessons, sheet music, ensemble membership fees or concert tickets. More details about the awards, and how to apply, can be found on the TMC website.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events over the coming months. You will receive a very warm welcome. Keep in touch with the Club through our website. Your support will enable us to continue bringing world-class musicians to Tonbridge for another 60 years!
You can book tickets for the forthcoming Tonbridge Music Club concerts at www.tmc.org.uk
And as of June 12 there will be the opportunity to buy tickets for the 60th anniversary season.
