West Midlands
It is generally agreed that the Elgar Society began its life in Worcester and Malvern in 1951 and the West Midlands Branch has continued to flourish since then. We have a membership of approximately 180, second only to London. We are also fortunate in being the ‘home’ Branch of the Elgar Birthplace with which we maintain a close relationship. In common with other Branches of the Society, we hold a regular program of talks and recitals.
In addition to our events program, we also publish a twice-yearly Newsletter which is distributed to members by post or email depending on their preference. We feel that this is an excellent way of communicating with our membership, especially to those who find it difficult to travel.
Venues: Unless noted otherwise, all Branch meetings take place in Link Top, Malvern, at Holy Trinity Church Hall, 1 North Malvern Road, Malvern, WR14 4LR. This has excellent facilities and ample space. The hall has disabled access and is close to bus services; Malvern Link Station; and car parking. Members and non-members of the Elgar Society are most welcome to any meeting.
Car Parking: Free parking is available in the MHDC car parks in Newtown Road. The main one is near the hall and there is another, smaller one, opposite Cox’s Outfitters. You are also welcome to use the Holy Trinity Church car park, which can be accessed from Worcester Road (Note that the main path from the car park down to the hall is quite steep but there is second option via Trinity Road that is less steep). There is also some on-street parking in Trinity Road and Hornyold Road.
Charges: There is no charge to attend meetings at Holy Trinity, but a donation from non-members would be welcome. For meetings at The Firs, free admission is available for members of the National Trust and the Elgar Society. Three Choirs Festival meetings should be booked via the Three Choirs box office.
Directions: When coming from Great Malvern turn off the A.449 (Great Malvern – Worcester road) at the traffic lights for Leigh Sinton B.4503 and West Malvern.
Branch Contact
Wendy Hill.
Email: west.midlands@elgarsociety.org
Programme for 2025
Saturday, 26 April 2025, 2.30 pm AGM followed a short talk – subject to be decided
Saturday, 26 April 2025, 2.30 pm
AGM (note the later than usual date). This meeting is most important as it will examine the future of the West Midlands Branch of the Elgar Society. Like all of us our committee is getting older and it may be that the Branch will have to close unless replacements are found. Holy Trinity Church Hall, 1 North Malvern Road, Malvern, WR14 4LR.
Saturday 17 May 2025, 2.30 pm John Knowles - “Elgar’s Music for the Church”
Saturday 17 May 2025, 2.30 pm
Elgar Society North-West Branch Chairman, John Knowles, will explore all the music Elgar wrote specifically to be used in church services, placing each piece in its historical and liturgical context, illustrated by a wide variety of recordings ‘ancient and modern. Elgar composed much of it for St George’s Catholic Church in Worcester. Holy Trinity Church Hall, 1 North Malvern Road, Malvern, WR14 4LR.
Thursday, 31 July 2025, 11:30am. Three Choirs Festival Lecture - “Elgar the Symphonist and the Challenge of Absolute Music”.
Thursday, 31 July 2025, 11:30am. (Note change of date from earlier listing)
The Elgar Society Lecture at the 3choirs Festival will be given by Sir David Eastwood, former Chancellor of Birmingham University. Sir David will talk about what makes Elgar’s symphonies so distinctive. His talk will be followed by the Elgar Society lunch. The event starts at 11.30 am and concludes at 2.15 pm. Ticket price is £38.00 for both events. Tickets are only available from the 3Choirs box office (www.3choirs.org) or 01452 768928 from 16 April 2025.
The Green Dragon Hotel, 44-46 Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9BG.
Saturday 20 September 2025, 2.30 pm Stuart Freed “The Elgar Cello Concerto”.
Saturday 20 September 2025, 2.30 pm
Elgar Society Chairman, Stuart Freed, will give an illustrated talk on one of Elgar’s most well-known compositions, which has often been hailed as a requiem for the dead of the First World War.
Holy Trinity Church Hall, 1 North Malvern Road, Malvern, WR14 4LR
Saturday, 18 October 2025, 2.30 pm Daniel Grimley ‘A Tale of Three Concertos: Elgar, Delius, and Beatrice Harrison’
Saturday, 18 October 2025, 2.30 pm
Elgar scholar Dan Grimley will consider the role played by the cellist Beatrice Harrison in the composition and performance of three works: the Cello Concertos by Elgar and Delius, and Delius’s Double Concerto (which he wrote for Beatrice and her sister, May Harrison). The talk will assess Beatrice’s creative contribution, as well as Elgar and Delius’s compositional approach to the format.
Holy Trinity Church Hall, 1 North Malvern Road, Malvern, WR14 4LR