Cambridge Community Music Festival (CCMF)

Providing a nurturing and supportive performing platform for aspiring amateur musicians of all ages, and all backgrounds, in our community

Cambridge Community Music Festival is a welcoming annual music festival held each spring.

We offer both competitive and non-competitive classes for:

Piano
Voice
Accordion
Guitar
Bagpipes
Strings
Woodwind
Brass
Percussion
Ensembles

Participants range from beginners through to diploma level performers.

All entrants receive constructive feedback from experienced adjudicators in a supportive environment.

Our Mission

We believe that performing music in front of an audience remains one of the most valuable ways for musicians to develop confidence, skills and enjoyment.

CCMF provides a nurturing and affordable opportunity for musicians of all ages and backgrounds to perform, learn and grow.

Our History

The festival traces its roots back to the 1930s when Emilie Lewis founded the Cambridge Competitive Music Festival after establishing the Mackenzie School in Cambridge.

For many decades the festival provided performance opportunities for local musicians and became a significant part of Cambridge's cultural life.

Following a reduction of local authority support, the festival continued under volunteer leadership, including many years under Frances Brownlie and later Rex Freeman MEB.

In 2024 a new committee led by Thanea Hodges secured charitable status and relaunched the organisation as the Cambridge Community Music Festival to reflect its wider community focus.

Looking forward

Why CCMF Matters Today

With increasing reliance on recorded examinations and remote assessment, opportunities for musicians to perform live and receive personal feedback are becoming less common.

CCMF exists to provide those opportunities in a supportive and encouraging environment.

CCMF is run by volunteers and relies on the support of performers, teachers, audience members, sponsors and helpers from across the community.

Get Involved

Whether you would like to perform, support the festival, volunteer at events or help behind the scenes, we would love to hear from you.