About the Festival

The MetroLand Music Festival is a new not-for-profit chamber music festival, raising money for Barnardo’s, a charity that means a great deal to us and the communities we serve. We are based around the historic Metroland region, and feature concerts in Amersham, Chalfont St Giles and Harrow Weald. We showcase up-and-coming young musicians, including students and graduates of the most prestigious conservatoires and universities.

We like our concerts to appeal to a diverse audience, and they are therefore often themed around timeless topics which are at the heart of our world. We are especially dedicated to performing new music by emerging young composers, and we are in the process of setting up an annual Young Composers Award, to nurture the performance of new music.

2027 Season

We are currently in the process of planning our 2027 season. Stay tuned on this page for updates!

2026 Season

Our Team

Artistic Director

Edward Tait is a British composer, studying at the Royal Academy of Music, with Gareth Moorcraft and Louise Drewett. His music has been performed across the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States, at venues including the Royal Festival Hall, St John’s Smith Square and Westminster Abbey. He has also received performances by renowned ensembles like the London Sinfonietta, Carducci Quartet, Orion Orchestra and Lloyd’s Choir, and he won the NCEM/BBC Young Composer Award in 2026.

Edward is the artistic director of the MetroLand Music Festival, and he is currently composing a song cycle, based on original texts by Mollie Mardel.

Associate Director

James Mayhew is a pianist in the first year of his undergraduate degree at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studies with Ian Fountain. He studied under Hilary Coates and Joseph Tong for four years at Wells Cathedral School, reaching the finals of its concerto competition with the 1st movement of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and more recently won 2nd place at the Oxford Piano Competition for Aspiring Professionals. As a composer he has performed his own works numerous times, most notably his Fugue-Fantasy.

James enjoys exploring lesser-known works including those by Alkan and Feinberg, and loves collaborating with other musicians whenever possible.

Become A Sponsor

We are a not-for-profit venture, and a large portion of our sustainability depends on our kind sponsors and patrons. By supporting this project, you’re not only helping bring great chamber music to the region, you’re also contributing to a cause that transforms the lives of vulnerable and young people. As a thank you, all donors will be listed on our website and in our concert programmes. Donate £50 or more, and you’ll receive a free ticket to the entire upcoming concert season! Every pound makes a difference. Please consider donating through our JustGiving page or by contacting us through our social media accounts (links below). Thank you in advance!

We'd like to give many thanks to our current sponsors, Alan Baskeyfield, Tiffany Qiu and Elliot Teo, as well as many others who wish to remain anonymous.