Stanford Festival Edinburgh 2026

Draft Programme

The Stanford Society is delighted to share the draft programme for the Stanford Festival Edinburgh 2026.

The weekend will celebrate Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, his music, his pupils and his connections with the cathedral and choral tradition, with events taking place across Edinburgh from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026.

The weekend will be centred around St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral and the Song School, with additional events at Old St Paul’s Church and the Festival Dinner at The Bonham with special guest Sir John McEwen, 5th Baronet of Marchmont and Bardrochat.

Please note that timings and details remain subject to confirmation.

Friday 23 October

Opening Evening

17:30
Evensong

19:15
Informal Festival Supper
(Optional casual dinner for those arriving on Friday evening).

Saturday 24 October

Main Festival Day

09:30
Arrival, registration and coffee

10:10
Welcome and opening remarks

10:20
Talk on Stanford by Professor Benedict Taylor

11:10
Coffee break

11:30
Song recital

12:30
Buffet lunch

13:30
Talk on Hamish MacCunn, Stanford’s Scottish pupil, by Alasdair Jamieson

14:30
Tea / comfort break

15:15
Transfer to Old St Paul’s

16:15
Organ recital given by John Kitchen

17:00
Evensong

19:00
Guests may arrive for the Festival Dinner

19:30
Drinks reception

20:00
Festival Dinner (with after-dinner remarks from Sir John McEwen, 5th Baronet of Marchmont and Bardrochat)

Sunday 25 October

Cathedral Worship, Charles Wood and Society Lunch

10:30
Cathedral Eucharist

After Eucharist
Coffee with the cathedral congregation

11:45
Talk on Charles Wood by Professor Jeremy Dibble

12:30
Book signing with Professor Jeremy Dibble

13:00
Informal Festival lunch (Optional casual lunch).

15:30
Choral Evensong

After Evensong
Brief farewell

Tickets

Tickets are now available for the Stanford Festival Edinburgh 2026.

Saturday Festival Pass
Includes the Saturday daytime programme, arrival coffee, coffee break, song recital, talks, buffet lunch, organ recital and Evensong.

• Members: £65
• Non-members: £80 (includes a year of complimentary membership to the Stanford Society)
• Students / under-30s: £35

Festival Dinner
The Festival Dinner will take place on Saturday evening at The Bonham.

• Saturday Festival Dinner: £75

Optional social events
The Friday casual supper and Sunday Society lunch will be arranged separately and paid for individually / at cost. However, please indicate that you would like to come through the festival ticket link below.

To book, please use the PayPal link below to select your ticket type:

Stanford Festival Tickets PAYPAL Link

If you would like to come to the Gala Dinner on the Saturday night, please book through the following link and include any dietary requirements:

Stanford Festival Gala Dinner PAYPAL Link