Thames Concerts is a charitable company which exists to promote and present an annual series of high-quality morning and evening concerts in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Through its connections, Thames Concerts brings world-class musicians to the Borough, and also provides opportunities for local youth ensembles, choirs and soloists to perform. The organisation supports musical education via its programme of music and other events.
President: Roderick Williams OBE; Director, SOMM Recordings: Siva Oke; Vice President: Tom Higgins
Thames Concerts remains the only long-established organisation in the Borough ensuring that professional, top-level performances (on a par with Wigmore Hall) may be heard in the Borough at a reasonable price, without the cost of a journey into central London, and the high concert ticket prices often incurred.
The company also offers several attractive ticketing options including a 10% advance booking discount, free admission for full-time students, under-16s, and accompanying carers of the disabled, discounts at local bars and restaurants for ticket holders, and operates a generous Patrons scheme.
Since 2013 Thames Concerts has had its home at St Andrew’s Church, Surbiton, a beautiful Blomfield church with excellent acoustics and facilities, and an outstanding Hunter organ. In 2015 the organisation introduced free-admission morning coffee concerts, promoting young up-and-coming local talent from the Borough’s schools and colleges.
Thames Concerts is run by a committee of volunteer directors/trustees who bring together support from Patrons, sponsorship from local businesses, and support from Kingston Arts and other organisations such as the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
Thames Concerts’ Committee:
President – Roderick Williams OBE
Vice-Presidents – Tom Higgins, Jamie Walton
Chairman – Steve Thompson
Company Secretary – vacancy
Artistic Director – Benjamin Costello
Treasurer – Ray Roberts
Josephine Bobbitt
Nigel Bobbitt
Annie Brine
Tim Hendy
Caroline Tate
Stefano Kelly
Maria Busen-Smith
Thames Concerts’ Artistic Director
Benjamin Costello has been Artistic Director of Thames Concerts since 2012. He is a freelance musical director, singing coach, accompanist and adjudicator, working internationally. He knows well the arts scene in South-West London, having lived in the area for over twenty years, and was Director of the Kingston Festival of the Voice from 2007 to 2011, and Chairman of Kingston Arts Council from 2006 to 2010.
His website is at www.bencostello.com
