Find out more
Hopefully you will find answers to most questions on this page, including details about the concert venue, and also about the charity itself and how it is funded. Further down, there are more details of the Committee, background to the Society, and just some of the volunteers who help keep things going.
Concerts |
Can I buy a Ticket online ?
There are plans to provide this facility, but currently, purchase is by post, email, phone and in Gatefield Sounds, More details on our Tickets page >>
CAN I RESERVE SEATS WHEN BOOKING ?
As the concert hall is quite small none of our seats are far from the performance space so seating is unreserved.
If you have a keen interest in being seated in a particular place just arrive for the concert in good time to be first to your preferred location.
If you have a keen interest in being seated in a particular place just arrive for the concert in good time to be first to your preferred location.
IS THERE AN INTERVAL ?
Yes there is always an interval of approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
This is normally following approximately 90 minutes of music - 45 mins each half of the concert - but timing to the interval is dictated by the specific programme of musical works.
A choice of tea, coffee & juice and a selection of biscuits are available with a modest donation please.
Respecting the ethos of the main use of the building means that we do not serve wine in the Methodist Church.
This is normally following approximately 90 minutes of music - 45 mins each half of the concert - but timing to the interval is dictated by the specific programme of musical works.
A choice of tea, coffee & juice and a selection of biscuits are available with a modest donation please.
Respecting the ethos of the main use of the building means that we do not serve wine in the Methodist Church.
DO LATE ARRIVALS MISS THE CONCERT ?
We respect our musicians need for absolute concentration and no distraction whatsoever so do not admit latecomers during performance pieces.
Expect to wait in the foyer until you hear the applause at the end of one of the programmed works.
You will then be permitted to enter the auditorium quickly and quietly to be seated in the nearest available seat for the remainder of the performance.
Expect to wait in the foyer until you hear the applause at the end of one of the programmed works.
You will then be permitted to enter the auditorium quickly and quietly to be seated in the nearest available seat for the remainder of the performance.
Access |
IS THERE EASY WHEELCHAIR ACCESS ?
Yes there is step free access into the venue.
The concert hall is located on the ground floor and has a level floor.
We will provide you and your wheelchair with a space at the front of the seating area quite close to the entrance of the hall.
DDA compliant WC facilities are available at the same level close by.
The concert hall is located on the ground floor and has a level floor.
We will provide you and your wheelchair with a space at the front of the seating area quite close to the entrance of the hall.
DDA compliant WC facilities are available at the same level close by.
what local parking is there ?
Whilst there may be some free parking nearby, it is best to check the public car parks in Whitstable which are run by Canterbury City Council >>
Is there A HEARING LOOP in the hall ?
Sadly not at the moment but as many of our audience members hearing is not quite what it used to be they choose to sit closer to the front of the hall.
We will be happy to place you close to the musicians if you let us know in advance of the evening concert.
We will be happy to place you close to the musicians if you let us know in advance of the evening concert.
I AM BLIND, CAN I BRING A GUIDE DOG ?
If your guide dog enjoys chamber music and is well behaved then yes of course you can but do please let us know beforehand.
This is so we can reserve a place for you also ensuring your guide dog has sufficient space without blocking any aisles.
This is so we can reserve a place for you also ensuring your guide dog has sufficient space without blocking any aisles.
Support |
CAN I HELP ?
We would love you to get involved!
Currently, we are looking for help with Social Media Promotions, also help with Fundraising and Sponsorship.
On the day of a concert, we appreciate help with setting up the hall and preparing the space for musicians.
On the night, we appreciate help with interval tea and coffee serving.
After the concert help is appreciated to put the church back ready for their Sunday morning service.
Do get in touch to discuss how you may like to Get Involved >
Currently, we are looking for help with Social Media Promotions, also help with Fundraising and Sponsorship.
On the day of a concert, we appreciate help with setting up the hall and preparing the space for musicians.
On the night, we appreciate help with interval tea and coffee serving.
After the concert help is appreciated to put the church back ready for their Sunday morning service.
Do get in touch to discuss how you may like to Get Involved >
CAN I SPONSOR A concert ?
Yes, we would be pleased to discuss this and how, in return we will be able to promote your company or service.
Do please look at our Sponsors Page, this will give you a profile of this seasons sponsors.
We will be happy to go though the details of our Sponsorship package.
Do please look at our Sponsors Page, this will give you a profile of this seasons sponsors.
We will be happy to go though the details of our Sponsorship package.
How do I make a donation ?
Thank you for asking.
As a registered charity, we appreciate all gifts-in-kind, donations and generosity, and without which we couldn't survive.
Details of how to make your Donations Count and methods of donating are on our donate page >
As a registered charity, we appreciate all gifts-in-kind, donations and generosity, and without which we couldn't survive.
Details of how to make your Donations Count and methods of donating are on our donate page >
Your GIFT-AID AND LEGACy policies ?
Thank you for asking.
Details are on our Donations Count page.
Do please consider adding Gift-Aid to your donation.
We are also pleased to discuss your interest in leaving a legacy to this registered charity.
Details are on our Donations Count page.
Do please consider adding Gift-Aid to your donation.
We are also pleased to discuss your interest in leaving a legacy to this registered charity.
The Charity |
IS THERE A board of trustees ?
Yes, please see the details below of the current serving Committee Members who are also the Board of Trustees of the Charity.
When is your AGM ?
The Annual General Meetings are normally held in June, a time when we are not as busy with our concerts.
For Minutes of AGMs and the Chairman's Report, do check our Archive page >
For Minutes of AGMs and the Chairman's Report, do check our Archive page >
details of THE REGISTERED charity ?
Whitstable Music Society is a Registered Charity, number 270276.
Details of our annual accounts and governance are held by the Charity Commission >
Details of our annual accounts and governance are held by the Charity Commission >
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH ?
We currently do not have an Outreach Programme but we are keen to extend this initially to develop some form of partnership with the music department of schools in the area.
So if you are local, educationally connected and enthusiastic about this idea then we can discuss new opportunities.
So if you are local, educationally connected and enthusiastic about this idea then we can discuss new opportunities.
Discover more ... |
About the society
Whitstable Music Society is one of the most vibrant Chamber Music societies in the South East. The society has been presenting music for over 40 years and is proud to promote classical chamber music performance in the area.
Concerts run from September to April, featuring up-and-coming and established British and international soloists and ensembles.
Established performers are the main-stay of our concerts but we also take great pleasure in giving young musicians an opportunity to demonstrate their musicianship in order to promote their early professional careers.
Programmes include the classic masters such as Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn together with the modern – Ravel, Shostakovich - and contemporary composers such as Maxwell Davies and Jonathan Dove.
Music brings together people of all backgrounds and ages to enjoy and be enriched by hearing chamber music of the highest standard. Whitstable Music Society warmly welcomes you to its concerts.
Concerts run from September to April, featuring up-and-coming and established British and international soloists and ensembles.
Established performers are the main-stay of our concerts but we also take great pleasure in giving young musicians an opportunity to demonstrate their musicianship in order to promote their early professional careers.
Programmes include the classic masters such as Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn together with the modern – Ravel, Shostakovich - and contemporary composers such as Maxwell Davies and Jonathan Dove.
Music brings together people of all backgrounds and ages to enjoy and be enriched by hearing chamber music of the highest standard. Whitstable Music Society warmly welcomes you to its concerts.
The Whitstable Music Society Committee
Since 1975 the charitable objects have been "to educate the public in the arts and sciences and in particular the art and science of music by the presentation of concerts and other activities."
With three new trustees, we are now a committee of six who meet periodically and a creative sub-committee who work on promotion of the society. Our success is largely due to the sum of volunteer help, their enthusiasm and commitment.
We are always keen to hear from new people who may be interested in helping in some way regardless of whether specialist skills or general helping out.
With three new trustees, we are now a committee of six who meet periodically and a creative sub-committee who work on promotion of the society. Our success is largely due to the sum of volunteer help, their enthusiasm and commitment.
We are always keen to hear from new people who may be interested in helping in some way regardless of whether specialist skills or general helping out.
A team of handy helpers
There is also an eclectic bunch who help out, some have worked in the music and performance industry, others with a keen interest in chamber and classical music and enjoy live performance. It seems one of the key-skills required has something to do with tea-urns, seat-stacking and/or piano shifting. Of course, local fund-raising plays a vital part in keeping things going and a good knowledge of proprietors of the wonderful shops along Whitstable High Street and Harbour Street comes in very handy. What we all have in common is a love for chamber music and also a love for Whitstable.
The late President & Founder
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In 1974 John Wilkinson was returning to Whitstable from a chamber music concert at the Wigmore Hall in London. As he came away he asked himself, “Why do I need to go all that way to hear first-class musicians play wonderful music from the chamber music repertoire? Let’s bring it here!” And so the Whitstable Music Society was born.
John passed away on 27th June 2020, he is remembered with great affection. It's due to John's input that the Whitstable Music Society is still flourishing nearly 5 decades later. |
Visitor Information
For lots more information on what to do, where to stay, how to get here, other events and activities, other places to eat, these three websites may be helpful in planning your visit. We hope to see you soon!
Good Food Guide
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Visit Whitstable
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Trip Advisor
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