North Oxfordshire-based musician Chris Windass founded the Oxford Coffee Concerts series in 1986 when he booked the Holywell Music Room for four Sunday morning appearances by his own chamber music group, the Adderbury Ensemble. While that first season attracted audiences of just 35 or fewer, Chris was encouraged enough by the enthusiasm of the people who did make it to those early concerts to put
on a second series. Happily, audience numbers started to grow as his group’s fame spread. The frequency of concerts soon increased from fortnightly to weekly and the Adderbury Ensemble’s recitals eventually had to be supplemented with appearances from other celebrated chamber music ensembles and soloists. From those relatively inauspicious beginnings, the Oxford Coffee Concerts series has now firmly established a place among the foremost chamber music events in the UK, if not the whole of Europe. These days, some 30 years on, Oxford Coffee Concerts audiences are still as loyal and enthusiastic as ever but are numerous enough to fill the Holywell to capacity nearly every week. As well as performances from the Adderbury Ensemble, internationally acclaimed artistes of the calibre of pianist Tom Poster, viola player Lawrence Power, violinist Andrew Haveron, the Schubert Ensemble and the Carducci String Quartet make regular appearances. The series sees performances too from some of the country’s finest up-and-coming soloists and groups. Oxford Coffee Concerts continue to take place on Sunday mornings throughout the year in the stunning setting of the Holywell Music Room, the oldest purpose-built concert venue in Europe. And every concert ticket still entitles the holder to a complimentary cup of coffee at the King’s Arms public house at the top of Holywell Street or the Vaults & Garden Café in the High Street. Check out the Oxford Coffee Concerts website for details of ticketing arrangements for the current season. The Oxford Coffee Concerts series is supported by the Coffee Concerts Trust, registered charity number 1095243. If you would like to join the trust’s patrons (listed here), please get in touch using the contact details on the website.
