Welcome to Deal Festival of Music and Arts 2013 - 28th June to 7th July

SIR RICHARD RODNEY BENNETT

As one of Britain’s most respected and versatile musicians, Bennett has produced over two hundred works for the concert hall, and fifty scores for film and television, as well as having been a writer and performer of jazz songs for fifty years. Sir Richard was educated at Norbourne Park and lived in Broadstairs so was a natural choice for President of the Deal Festival. He was knighted for Services to Music in 1998.

DR ROSEMARY DUNN

Rosemary Dunn graduated from Birmingham School of Music (now Birmingham Conservatoire) in 1960, having studied viola, piano and music education. Over the next fifty years she enjoyed a wide-ranging career. While Head of Music at Dover Grammar School for Girls, she pioneered a method of class music teaching through individual pupil composition, publicised worldwide through the International Society for Music Education. She helped to found Dover Music Centre, Sounds New Festival in Canterbury, and joined the committee of Deal Summer Music Festival in 1999, initiating its education programme, and becoming Chairman upon the retirement of Lyn Bailey.  Rosemary gained her PhD in 2002 with a thesis on musical creativity. She retired from the festival in 2010, offering her continued support, and spends time enjoying her family, her garden, writing poetry and preparing other work for publication.

THE LADY FITZWALTER

Lady Margaret Fitzwalter started playing the piano at the age of six. She went to the Royal Academy of Music and gained a LRAM before joining the Womens Land Army for the duration of the war. Lady FitzWalter opens her gardens at Goodnestone Park , with many centuries of history behind them. She has always been a great supporter of the Deal Festival and last year was one of their guests in Deal Pier Discs.

STEVEN ISSERLIS

Steven Isserlis is a cellist whose passion for music transcends conventional divisions. Acclaimed worldwide for his musicality and technique alike, he is equally at home drawing the audience into his circle of friends for chamber music or in recita, or on the concert platform with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras and conductors. Steven Isserlis was for a time Artistic Director of the Deal Festival and appeared in the 25th Anniversary year.

DAVID MATTHEWS

David Matthews was born in London in 1943 and started composing at the age of sixteen. He read Classics at the University of Nottingham – which has also made him an Honorary Doctor of Music. He spent three years as an assistant to Benjamin Britten at Aldeburgh in the late 1960’s. He has also written books on the music of Michael Tippett and Bejamin Britten. Matthews has been Music Advisor to the English Chamber Orchestra and was the Artistic Director of the Deal Festival for 10 years until 2003.

LYN BAILEY

Lyn Bailey retired from teaching and working as Clerk to a High Court Judge and very quickly become involved with the Deal Festival in 1995. In 1999 she joined the Committee and became deputy chairman to Lady Jennifer Balfour and on her retirement became Chairman. Lyn steered the Festival through important changes, registering the Festival as a Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. Upon retirement from her role as Chair in 2005 she became very involved with art and her great love which is portrait painting. Lyn is still a great supporter of the Festival.

JOHN SHIPTON

John Shipton was born in Folkestone and has lived in Kent all his life. Music plays a large part in family life with competence in Cello, Viola, Violin, Piano and Organ. After National Service in Korea he spent his time in the city in major Insurance Brokers. In 1979/80 he was High Sheriff of Kent.. John was chairman of Friends of the Deal Festival for many years and is still very involved..

TREVOR PINNOCK CBE

Trevor Pinnock has recently agreed to become a Vice-President of the Deal Festival. A world famous harpsichordist and conductor he was born in Canterbury and became a chorister at the Cathedral there aged seven. In 1972 he founded the English Concert, an ensemble devoted to the authentic performance of Baroque and early Classical music, and directed the group for thirty years. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1992. Among many orchestras that he now guest conducts he enjoys a regular relationship with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester. Trevor says that being Kent born and bred and President of the Faversham Music Club he is extremely happy to be associated with the Deal Festival, a prestigious event in the annual cultural calendar of Kent