Lichfield Festival Of Music Association

Charity 510392

www.lichfieldfestivalofmusic.co.uk

Overview

Summary

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

Lichfield Festival of Music Association appears to be a long-running, place-based developmental platform for amateur performance rather than simply an events organiser. Its role is to combine public performance, professional feedback and peer connection, serving children alongside adult participants. The available evidence suggests an organisation with a broad musical offer and a deliberately supportive culture, while also revealing a possible change or inconsistency in its festival timetable that merits clarification.

See observations

Operational geography

Sources:ONSCivic AtlasAI-assisted

Coverage: District

Operational areas:

    Evidence and reasoning
    Supporting evidence
    Remaining uncertainties
    • No current evidence identifies service delivery, a physical site, or a material delivery partnership within any supplied Birmingham ward or recognised place.
    • The festival accepts entrants from across the UK, but this indicates a broad catchment of participants rather than operational delivery in Birmingham.
    • The Charity Commission activity description refers to festival classes in November, while the organisation's current website schedules the 2026 festival for September at Wade Street Church, Lichfield. This timing discrepancy does not affect the conclusion that the evidenced delivery location is outside Birmingham.
    Additional evidence needed
    • A current programme, venue agreement, project page or partner statement evidencing that the organisation delivers festival activity, outreach, workshops or performances at a Birmingham location.
    • Evidence of any recurring Birmingham-based partnership that delivers the charity's services locally rather than simply referring or attracting entrants.

    Areas of work

    Source:Charity Commission
    • Arts/culture/heritage/science
    • Education/training

    Who they help

    Source:Charity Commission
    • Children/young People
    • The General Public/mankind

    How they help

    Source:Charity Commission
    • Provides Services

    Discoveries involving this organisation

    The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.

    Observations

    Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

    • A developmental pathway disguised as a festival

      The festival appears to use performance as a means of education and confidence-building, not solely as an end in itself. Competitive and non-competitive routes may allow people with different levels of confidence and ambition to participate.

      Why it matters

      This suggests its distinctive civic value may lie in creating accessible progression into music-making, especially for younger performers, rather than only staging a cultural event.

      Show evidence

      • “The charity's object is to advance education in music, speech, drama and dance.”

        Source:Charity Commission

      • “Performers receive feedback from professional adjudicators and can enter competitive and non-competitive classes.”

        Source:Organisation

    • A local convenor with a wider catchment

      Although rooted in Lichfield, the organisation appears to convene a wider network of amateur musicians, potentially connecting local participants to peers and standards beyond the immediate area.

      Why it matters

      Its influence may extend beyond direct service delivery: it may strengthen Lichfield's role as a meeting point for regional musical participation and informal exchange.

      Show evidence

      • “The festival has operated for nearly 50 years.”

        Source:Organisation

      • “Entrants come from surrounding areas and from Oxfordshire, Lancashire and North Wales.”

        Source:Organisation

    • Possible evolution in the operating model

      The evidence may indicate that the festival's schedule, scope or published information has changed. The charity activity description refers to two Saturdays in November and music categories, while the website describes three Saturdays in September 2026 and includes instrumental classes.

      Why it matters

      This could reflect adaptation and growth, but it could also signal outdated regulatory information. Clarifying it would improve understanding of the organisation's current capacity and direction.

      Show evidence

      • “The festival runs on the second and third Saturday each November in vocal, piano, choral and ensemble music categories.”

        Source:Charity Commission

      • “The 2026 festival is scheduled for Saturdays 12th, 19th and 26th September and includes vocal, piano, instrumental and choral classes.”

        Source:Organisation

      Remaining uncertainties

    • How many participants are from Lichfield, and how many are children or young people.
    • Whether the festival collaborates with local schools, music teachers, venues or other cultural organisations.
    • Whether the timing and class changes represent a strategic shift or outdated charity reporting.

      Additional evidence needed

    • Recent annual reports or trustee reports showing participation, finances, partnerships and changes over time.
    • Information on participant pathways, including repeat entrants, scholarships, referrals and outcomes after the festival.
    Charity Commission profile
    Source:Charity Commission

    Activities

    The music festival runs competitive and non-competitive music classes on the second and third Saturday each November for adults and children in vocal, piano, choral and ensemble music categories.

    Charity objects

    "TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE ARTS OF MUSIC, SPEECH AND DRAMA, AND DANCE IN ALL THEIR BRANCHES."