Lake District Summer Music, known by many as LDSM, believes in the power of music to inspire and to change lives.
We add a distinct and compelling musical focus to Cumbria's rich cultural heritage of painting and literature in the Lake District. Our aim is to develop this musical focus, to fulfil a major role in the provision of music regionally, to be welcomed by local communities and sought by musicians, music-lovers, young and old, around the world.
Our annual festivals will present diverse and varied programmes performed by international musicians and ensembles, many of whom we bring to the area for the first time.
Cumbria's inspiring landscape adds an incomparable dimension to our festival. Venues include the atmospheric historic churches and halls found in the region's villages and towns. LDSM will foster the benefits our events bring to these communities.
Integrated with these festivals, our educational projects will nurture young talented musicians. LDSM will retain its founding vision of providing high quality training and public performance opportunities, vital to young musicians and not normally accessible through educational institutions.
LDSM will engage positively with local communities. This will involve local musicians and volunteers, using their valuable skills, knowledge and experience. Their participation will give them 'ownership' and deeper understanding of LDSM's aims and objectives.
We will strengthen our developing links with leading kindred arts organisations. LDSM's long-term aim is to promote artistic and practical partnerships thus creating a Centre of Artistic Distinction in the Lake District. We are proud to be associated with Lakes Culture, and have developed a strong working relationship with them.
We organise an annual festival that features world-class classical, jazz and folk artists over a period of two weeks. Set in the stunning countryside of the Lake District in intimate venues, our festivals have always been highly regarded as one of the highlights of the UK's classical music calendar.