Welcome to the website of Kensington and Chelsea Music Society.
Launch of our 2026-27 Concert Series
On behalf of the KCMS committee, I am delighted to introduce our 65th season of concerts in partnership with Leighton House. The former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896), Leighton House is a unique and unforgettable setting for music. From its first construction in the 1860s up until shortly before his death, his studio-house and garden was Leighton’s constant preoccupation and delight, as he extended and decorated the building, and filled the rooms with an extraordinary collection of paintings, ceramics, textiles, furnishing and other objects. Leighton House recently underwent a transformative capital project and reopened in October 2022 with improved visitor facilities, step-free access to all public parts of the building, a new purpose-built gallery, new contemporary commissions and recovered original architecture lost in later additions following Leighton’s death.
We will be presenting another outstanding season of KCMS concerts, performing a varied and exciting programme of solo piano works, chamber music, and opera. The renowned baroque duo Michael Form and Nathaniel Mander open our season; we continue with concerts in association with The Keyboard Trust, Making Music and Opera Holland Park. KCMS Vice-President Madeleine Mitchell gives a very special concert to mark International Women’s Day, Simone Alessandro Tavoni commemorates the Beethoven 200th and our concluding concert, curated by Kirker Holidays, will be a spectacular end to our season. See the concerts tab for full programme information.
We will also continue to give young, local musicians “Five Minutes of Fame” slots over the course of the season in association with the Wandsworth Young Musician of the Year Competition. We also continue last season’s initiative to provide afternoon workshops for schoolchildren before two of our concerts. Supporting young talent is very important to KCMS, and we continue to find innovative ways to support emerging artists.
None of this would be possible without the support of Corridy Property Management and Kirker Holidays, our new sponsor for 2026-27, whose sponsorship enables KCMS to prosper and to showcase the finest musical talent. Corridy Property Management provides independent property management services in prime locations in London and Kirker Holidays creates tailor-made short breaks for curious discerning travellers with an appetite for art, music and culture, as well as a range of expert-led Cultural Tours with a particular focus on chamber music and opera – and art, history, gardens, food and wine. For further details, see their advertisements in this programme and visit their websites. Our heartfelt thanks also for the support of RBKC and the staff at Leighton House.
Tickets, priced at £24 per concert (£12 for students and children), are available via the Leighton House website. The best value, as always, is to be found in purchasing a season ticket: this is priced at a very reasonable £110, a saving of £58 over the season (students and children £55 – a saving of £29). All tickets include an interval reception with wine, fruit juice or mineral water.
We hope to see you soon!
William Vann, KCMS Chairman