Inspiring communities with exquisite music & captivating performances
2024 Festival Dates 4th-6th October
Welcome to the Somerset International Festival of the Arts
SIFA is an annual celebration of classical music and the arts which brings together leading international chamber musicians and performers to North Somerset.
Based in the beautiful setting of St Andrew's Church in Backwell, North Somerset, our festival exists to celebrate exceptional music making with leading international musicians, and to support and nurture music education through partnership programmes with schools and the local community.
Our October 2023 launch festival was a huge success, with a sell out first night concert, our local schools' music education workshops impacting more than 600 children. We intend to make an even greater impact in 2024 in reaching more local schools and communities across North Somerset, and creating exciting new partnerships across the arts.
We look forward to seeing you all at our 2024 festival!
Simon & Liv-Marie Kodurand
Artistic Directors
Hilary Davan Wetton
Jonathan James
Festival Patrons
A welcome from the Patron of our Festival
"One of the most impressive things about the Festival is the way in which it appeals to so many different audiences: family, young musicians, music enthusiasts and those dipping their toe into the musical sea for the first time. At a moment when formal music education in Britain is more at risk than at any stage since 1945, the importance of Music Festivals cannot be overestimated. Long may the Festival flourish!"
Hilary Davan Wetton
(Hon. D.Mus., MA, Hon. FRBC, ARCM)
Principal Conductor City of London Choir
Associate Conductor London Mozart Players
Artistic Director Military Wives Choirs
SIFA gratefully acknowledges the kind support of: