Ivan Sutton MBE

1914-1996

Inspired by the famous series of concerts given during World War II by Dame Myra Hess at the National Gallery and the Royal Exchange, City Music Society was founded in 1943 by the late Ivan Sutton and is one of the country's leading music societies. The Society presents around 26 concerts per year and has over 2000 lunchtime and early evening concerts to its credit. It completed its 60th-anniversary season in April 2004.

In addition to featuring well-established musicians, it has always been the Society's policy to invite outstanding young professional artists who are at the beginning of their careers, many of whom have since attained international status. From January to March 2004 the Society presented a new series of lunchtime concerts running parallel with the series at Bishopsgate on Tuesdays. This Free Winter Series was renewed in January 2005, 2006 and 2007 in collaboration with the Corporation of London, the City of London Festival and the City of London Sinfonia. The series at Bishopsgate interwove concerts in the Free Winter Series with a new series promoting the best young musicians in the UK. The fifth Free Winter Series begins on 15th January again linked with a series of concerts by outstanding young artists.

Members of the Society are more than just passive listeners. Over the years the Society has commissioned many new works - on average one every three years - from a wide and diverse range of British composers, including Roger Smalley, Nicholas Maw, Diana Burrell, Richard Rodney Bennett, Elizabeth Maconchy, Phyllis Tate, Robin Holloway, John McCabe, Geoffrey Burgon, Peter-Paul Nash, Kevin Volans and Michael Berkeley.

SPECIAL OFFER!
Non-members may now attend the Society's Goldsmiths' Hall concerts at a special rate.
See Early Evening Concerts page for details.

Full details of the Autumn Series will be announced on this website in July 2008.

The City Music Society's Sponsors and supporters are:

• The Goldsmiths' Company
• The Bishopsgate Foundation
• Ashursts
• Cavatina Chamber Music Trust
• Clifford Chance
• Coutts & Co.
• The Fishmongers' Company
• Herbert Smith
• The Mercers' Company
• PKF (UK) LLP
• The Tallow Chandlers' Company

  The Free Winter Series is funded and promoted by:

• The Corporation of London
  
  
  Individual concerts are supported by:
  
  
• The Early Music Network
• The Eric Falk Trust*
  
• The Royal Philharmonic Society

The Society depends on sponsorship and donations. To discuss how you and your company can support the Society's work, please contact us on 020 8542 0950.

Individuals can now join our Friends Scheme - see membership form.

You can write to the Society at citymusicsociety@btopenworld.com.

*The Eric Falk Trust was set up in memory of a former Vice-Chairman of the City Music Society. Each year it supports young artists at the start of their careers with a cash award. The award also carries with it the opportunity to perform in a concert as part of the Society's series. The Eric Falk Trust also sponsors the participation of young artists in the Live Music Now scheme. Anyone who wishes to donate to the Trust and its good causes should contact the Secretary of the Trust, Daniel Watson on dcgwatson@hotmail.com or telephone the Society on the number above.

Latest update: 31 December 2007