Pictures from the Festival of St. Cecilia 2022

On Wednesday 23 November 2022 we welcomed over 800 music lovers to Westminster Abbey for our annual Festival of St. Cecilia. 

The festival has been the flagship event in Help Musicians’ calendar since 1946. It’s an opportunity to come together and celebrate the important role of music in our lives. With the current set of unique challenges musicians face it is as important as ever to remember the value of music and the vital role it plays to our health and wellbeing. 

This year we enjoyed performances from Help Musicians supported clarinettist, Josh Pyman, the choirs of Westminster Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, and the premiere of a special anthem by composer Nico Muhly. 

Help Musicians Ambassador and operatic tenor, Nicky Spence, delivered the keynote speech, speaking about the universality of music, as well as its collaborative power. Nicky went on to describe his own career and Help Musicians journey. 

“I have always been aware that music is a collaborative sport. I am nothing without my 100 strong colleagues in the orchestra pit; the technical crew backstage keeping the show running; wigs; make up; composers; directors; conductors… it’s a well-oiled machine of professionals who have dedicated their lives to their craft without ever really knowing where the next job is coming from. 

Help Musicians have long believed in the power of these collaborative Musicians. They realise, that in challenging times, it’s music that we so often turn to express how we feel… music offers us a means of fellowship to find the solace or salve we so often need as human beings” 

We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone that helped to make the day a success, from the performers to the volunteers, to everyone in attendance and to anyone that donated.

If you are interested in supporting Help Musicians we would love to hear from you. Please contact fundraising@​helpmusicians.​org.​uk to discuss how you can be involved in our mission or download a pledge card here. 

Look back at photos from the event: