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Our story
Founded by Knebworth-based professional musicians Gaby Lester (violin) and Jonathan Williams (French horn), Midsummer Music at St Martin’s celebrates world-class music in the wonderful acoustic of St Martin’s Church, Knebworth.
Born as a chamber music festival, Midsummer Music has since evolved to include an increasingly diverse range of genres, including jazz & blues, musical theatre and film, whilst still remaining true to its classical roots.
Our 2026 festival brought together internationally renowned performers, talented local musicians and the wider community for a memorable weekend of music. The Knebworth Chamber Players presented an ambitious programme spanning the elegance of Mozart to the distinctive works of Elisabeth Lutyens and Astor Piazzolla.
The festival also featured Knebworth Winds, a talented group of local musicians who gave a captivating performance of Mozart’s magnificent Gran Partita. A free family concert by Knebworth School welcomed audiences of all ages and celebrated the next generation of local musical talent.
The weekend concluded with the popular Jazz on the Green, where local favourites Carino Jazz entertained audiences with an afternoon of classic jazz in the beautiful surroundings of St Martin’s, creating the perfect finale to a vibrant and successful festival.
We would like to thank our audiences, performers, volunteers and supporters for making Midsummer Music 2026 such a special celebration of music in the heart of Knebworth.
Artistic Directors
Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams was born in Hertfordshire and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with legendary horn player and teacher Sydney Coulston.
During his time as a student he joined the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra.
He has been a member of Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, I Solisti Veneti, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
With film composer Carlo Crivelli he formed Orchestra Città Aperta to record soundtracks for film and TV.
The earthquakes in 2009 in L'Aquila forced the orchestra to cease recording but they were able to record two scores for the Chaplin family with Timothy Brock: The Goldrush and A Woman of Paris.
He was artistic leader at MIN Ensemble in Northern Norway and guest principal horn with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
He lives in Knebworth and works mostly in London as a freelance horn player.
Gaby Lester
Gaby Lester was born in London and attended the Yehudi Menuhin School.
She studied at the Royal College of Music and in Salzburg with Sandor Vegh at the Mozarteum.
Gaby was a member of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and associate leader of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Her performances as soloist range from Pete Townsend to Gidon Kramer.
She is a guest leader with the London Sinfonietta and records music for film, TV and theatre. Gaby is a professor of violin at the Royal College of Music and was made a Fellow of the RCM by King Charles in recognition of her dedication to the college. Many of Gaby's students are now leaders of orchestras, soloists and chamber musicians on the British musical scene.
Gaby frequently gives master classes abroad, recently in Egypt, Holland and Spain. In her spare time she enjoys making bread, gardening and knitting.
Photograph: Ting-Ru La
"Popular Classics" guest musicians
James Mainwaring
James Mainwaring studied both clarinet and saxophone at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, pursuing further studies at the Royal Academy of Music.
After completing his studies, James worked in Germany for five years as a ‘doubler’ (clarinets, flutes, saxophones) on shows such as Cats and Starlight Express, as well as chamber music performances and recording sessions. On his return to the UK he toured the country playing for various musicals including Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast and Miss Saigon.
James has performed with numerous orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, Northern Ballet and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
His instrumental performances on clarinets, flutes, saxes and world instruments have featured on numerous mainstream TV channels.
James has worked with an array of artists including Brian May, Alison Balsom, James Galway, Bryn Terfel, George Michael, Idina Menzel and Rufus Wainwright, to name but a few.
Since 2003 he has worked primarily in the West End, as a member of orchestras for over thirty major productions including Wicked, Billy Elliot, Chicago, Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Shrek, An American in Paris, The Sound of Music and many more.
Nellie Whittam
Nellie is a violinist from London currently studying her Masters as a scholar at the Royal College of Music. She started learning the violin at the age of six, joining Wells Cathedral School four years later where she studied until moving to London aged eighteen. Nellie is a passionate orchestral musician, having led orchestras at the Royal College of Music, and played with London professional orchestras. Recently she has been focused on her chamber and solo playing, partaking in many chamber music festivals and performing in competitions including international finals. Nellie is currently preparing to perform Szymanowski’s first violin concerto with the Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra.
Past guest musicians
Meet some of the guest musicians who featured at our 2026 summer festival
Anna Noakes
Anna Noakes is a leading British flautist who has performed as a soloist at venues including Wigmore Hall and on BBC Radio 3, served as Guest Principal Flute with major orchestras such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, recorded award-winning albums and major film scores including and , and is Professor of Flute at Trinity College of Music and Artistic Director of the Oxford Arts Festival.
Leo Popplewell
Leo Popplewell is a British cellist and founding member of the award-winning Mithras Trio – winners of the Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition and multiple major prizes – and co-principal cellist of the London Mozart Players who also appears as guest principal with leading orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Judith Busbridge
Judith Busbridge was a founding member of the multi-award-winning Dante String Quartet and Ensemble 360 – both recipients of Royal Philharmonic Society Chamber Music Awards – and has held principal roles with leading ensembles including the London Mozart Players and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, alongside guest principal appearances with orchestras such as the Philharmonia and Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Garfield Jackson
Garfield Jackson is a London-born violist educated at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal Academy of Music, long associated with the Endellion Quartet and widely active as a chamber musician alongside artists including Steven Isserlis and Joshua Bell, with soloist with appearances at the Wigmore Hall and on BBC broadcasts.
John Roberts
John Roberts is a Glasgow-born oboist based in London and principal oboe of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who also holds principal roles with the English Chamber Orchestra and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, performing widely as a concerto soloist and chamber musician across Europe, Asia and Africa.
Robin O’Neill
Robin O’Neill is principal bassoon of the Philharmonia Orchestra and former principal with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and English Chamber Orchestra, an internationally active chamber musician and recording artist with more than 40 CDs, and a conductor and professor at leading London conservatoires including the Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music.
Clare Thompson
Clare Thompson is a violinist and leading London teacher who spent over a decade as Sub Leader of the Philharmonia Orchestra and earlier Principal 2nd Violin of the English Chamber Orchestra, and now teaches at Trinity Laban and the Royal Academy of Music while mentoring young musicians through national orchestras and international masterclasses, and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Siret Lust
Siret Lust is an Estonian-born double bassist based in London who studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and now performs widely as a freelance orchestral musician with ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and Royal Opera House Orchestra, alongside solo appearances across Europe.
Andrew Budden
Andrew Budden is a London-based horn player who studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and was formerly Assistant Principal Horn of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, now performing widely as a freelance musician with the UK’s leading orchestras, often as guest principal, and working with conductors including Sir Simon Rattle and Esa-Pekka Salonen, alongside chamber, studio and West End work.
