Didsbury Concert 2026: St Emmanuel's

The number 17 was a significant milestone at this year’s annual concert at St. Emmanuel’s Church in Didsbury.

It was pointed out to us by our host that it had been 17 years since Shrewsbury School’s first ever visit to St. Emmanuel’s, a debut trip that had been organised by a young, dynamic and aspirational Miss Eglinton (now Mrs McKenzie). Unknown at the time, this concert would become a highlight in the calendar year for many Shrewsbury musicians and music scholars to come.

The date of that initial concert: the 17th of January 2009. The date of our visit this year: the 17th of January 2026. By all accounts, music at Shrewsbury at School has gone from strength to strength in the interim years with students showing tremendous ambition and resolve in their musical endeavours. The Didsbury concert acts as a benchmark for our most ambitious soloists and our elite chamber groups where they have a great opportunity to take their music making outside of the school’s grounds and perform to what is always a healthy and appreciative audience. 

The quality of this year’s concert was no exception to the usual rule of high-octane musical performance. We had some terrific solo displays headed by Bob L who has recently been awarded substantial scholarships to the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in order to continue studies in Bassoon beyond school.

The tone of the concert was set by Bob’s performance of the first movement of Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto. Clara McA and Toby H both performed beautiful vocal solos demonstrating a calm and controlled demeanour to deliver songs by Benjamin Britten, Giacomo Puccini and Herbert Howells. It is always a challenge for a pianist to step into a new environment and play on a new piano on a cold Saturday morning.

These are exactly the conditions Apple She faced playing the first movement of Beethoven’s ‘Les Adieux’. It takes a mature performer to convey the sense of ‘Lebewohl’ that Beethoven so acutely depicts in this movement. Apple artfully achieved this in her thoughtful interpretation. Ranen C stepped on to the stage with typical flair and virtuosity delivering his own transcription of Eddie Daniel’s highly skilful Solfeggietto. Ranen never fails to play fast and furious and the audience were stunned by exactly this. 

We had some wonderful chamber music woven through the concert programme too including a movement of Brahms’ Horn Trio through to a composition by our very own Chit S for Piano, Clarinet and Violin. Our Wind Quintet, Saxophone Quartet, String Quartet and Fifth Form Piano Trio all gave resoundingly successful performances as well. A real treat for any audience and one that went down very well indeed with those attending in St. Emmanuel’s. 

Another successful Didsbury concert done, bring on the next 17 years... 

Christopher Potts - Deputy Director of Music