The EMF Friends’ Scheme offers you the chance to support the important work of the Festival. The EMF receives no governmental or major, long-term corporate funding; and running such a high-profile Festival and wide range of activities is extremely expensive: the generosity of our Friends is, therefore, invaluable in enabling the Festival to expand and develop.
The Friends’ Scheme has seven tiers for individuals, each offering an extensive range of benefits; and these are detailed below. We have also recently introduced a tier for Corporate Friends — so, if you own, or help to run, a company or a similar organisation, and would like to enjoy the special benefits that this tier offers, please do consider joining at this level.
CORPORATE FRIEND
£100 annual donation
Organisation name listed in the EMF Programme Book
Invitation to 5 CEOs / Officers / Trustees to attend exclusive EMF Friends’ parties, receptions and events
Free subscription to the EMF Gazette, Spirited
Opportunity to display a pull-up banner for your organisation at the May English Music Festival
Opportunity to display promotional leaflets (A5- or DL-sized) at EMF events
Discounts of up to 75% on advertisements in EMF publications
ALLY
£25 annual donation
Your name in the Festival Programme
Access to EMF Friends-only EMF Odyssey trips
SUPPORTER
£50 annual donation
Invitation to exclusive EMF Friends’ parties, receptions and events
Your name in the Festival Programme
Access to EMF Friends-only EMF Odyssey trips
ADVOCATE
£100 annual donation
Advance booking
Free copy of the EMF Gazette, ‘Spirited’
Invitation to exclusive EMF Friends’ parties, receptions and events
Your name in the Festival Programme
Access to EMF Friends-only EMF Odyssey trips
COMPANION
£250 annual donation
Free EMF Programme Book
Advance booking
Free copy of the EMF Gazette, ‘Spirited’
Invitation to exclusive EMF Friends’ parties, receptions and events
Your name in the Festival Programme
Access to EMF Friends-only EMF Odyssey trips
ASSOCIATE
£500 annual donation
Free ticket to a late-evening concert of your choice
Free EMF Programme Book
Advance booking
Free copy of the EMF Gazette, ‘Spirited’
Invitation to exclusive EMF Friends’ parties, receptions and events
Your name in the Festival Programme
Access to EMF Friends-only EMF Odyssey trips
CHAMPION
£1,000 annual donation
Reserved seating in Dorchester Abbey
Free ticket to a late-evening concert of your choice
Free EMF Programme Book
Advance booking
Free copy of the EMF Gazette, ‘Spirited’
Invitation to exclusive EMF Friends’ parties, receptions and events
Your name in the Festival Programme
Access to EMF Friends-only EMF Odyssey trips
BENEFACTOR
£2,500 annual donation
Free tickets to any EMF concert of your choice up to a value of £105
Reserved seating in Dorchester Abbey
Free ticket to a late-evening concert of your choice
Free EMF Programme Book
Advance booking
Free copy of the EMF Gazette, ‘Spirited’
Invitation to exclusive EMF Friends’ parties, receptions and events
Your name in the Festival Programme
Access to EMF Friends-only EMF Odyssey trips
HOW TO JOIN
If you would like to join the Friends’ Scheme and thereby help to secure the long-term future of the Festival, please follow this link to make a donation online. Alternatively, email the Festival Director, Em Marshall-Luck, at em.marshall-luck@englishmusicfestival.org.uk for a brochure and application form.
We are delighted to announce that the EMF in 2026 will be held in the fabulous venue of DARTINGTON HALL in Devon, with concerts in the mediaeval Great Hall and talks in the delightful Ship Studio. The full programme is now available and can be viewed on this page. Please do come and join us for the most thrilling, convivial and exhilarating EMF yet!
We are currently working on an overhaul to the EMF website, with improved and more elegant fonts and a fresh colour-scheme, as well as a re-designed layout and new content. We hope that the new site will be up and running by March this year—please check then to see!