Leith Hill Musical Festival has been held annually in Dorking, Surrey since 1905 and has grown into one of the country's leading choral events.
From the beginning, and for nearly 50 years, the Festival Conductor was the world famous composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The present Festival Conductor, since 1996, is the Sony award winning BBC radio presenter and former King's singer Brian Kay.
The main Festival runs over 3 days in April and still operates according to the basic outline laid down in 1905. In the morning, choirs participate in friendly competition singing the set pieces and passages from the main works. In the afternoon and evening the choirs join forces under the Festival Conductor for a public concert featuring a professional orchestra and soloists.
During March, members from all participating choirs, as well as many independent singers, take part together in performing one of Bach's Passion settings or Handel's Messiah.
A Saturday morning in mid-March is dedicated to Youth Choirs' competitions. These are open to choirs of all ages from 6 to 18.
Leith Hill Musical Festival is affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals