2025 / 2026 Season

26 Sep 2025 (StDenys) Great opera scenes

GRAEME KAY recently retired from 25 years as a BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4 producer. Before that, he was a music journalist (editor of Classical Music magazine, Opera Now, and BBC Music Magazine). Tonight, he opens our new season with a search for drama, passion, calamity and calm in the world of opera.

 3 Oct 2025 (Online)  A taste of Czechoslovakia

This afternoon, PHILIPPA BAMBACH plans to focus on the rich musical history of a region in central Europe known by a variety of names over the years - Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, The Czech Republic, and Czechia. She might include a bit about Mozart’s visits to Prague and also maybe a brief reference to Frank Zappa...

17 Oct 2025 (StDenys) Alfred Brendel - selected recordings

In tribute to the renowned pianist Alfred Brendel, who died this June at the grand old age of 94, SRMS Vice Chairman CHRIS TOPLEY will present a range of his best recordings.

31 Oct 2025 (Online)  The Chairman's choice

This afternoon, SRMS Chairman DAVID ANDERSON will present a range of music that has tickled his earbuds over the past year. His musical tastes are quite broad, so he will do his best to find something to offend everyone J

14 Nov 2025 (StDenys) Havergal Brian

This coming January will be the 150th anniversary of the birth of Havergal Brian. In addition to being a member of our society, Dr MARTIN GROSSEL is also the chairman of the Havergal Brian Society and is thus well placed to give us a survey of what he considers to be Brian's more approachable scores.

29 Nov 2025 (Online)  Richard Strauss

JILL MEAGER plans to dip into some of Strauss’s lesser known works for small ensembles which have maybe suffered because of the immense popularity of his large and impressive orchestral works.

12 Dec 2025 Chilworth Afternoon Xmas party

Darleen and David Anderson welcome all members to a Christmas party at their home in Chilworth.

 9 Jan 2026 (St D - Afternoon) Almost forgotten: Stalwarts of the early 20th century

SRMS Treasurer DAVID PEARCE will attempt to revive our interest in composers such as Samuel Coleridge Taylor, his daughter Avril, and others from the early 20th century who have been rather neglected in recent years.

23 Jan 2026 (Online)  Members' choice

To facilitate presentation over Zoom, members are asked to submit their musical selections in advance to David Anderson. We would prefer each piece to be no longer than 12 minutes and a short introduction would be appreciated. The choice of what to play will be determined by the steam-powered SRMS random selection machine....

 5 Feb 2026 (St D - Afternoon) My American journey

The first talk to the society by CHRIS KETTLE is inspired by the 4 months he spent in 2006 taking part in a teacher exchange, teaching English at a high school in Charlotte, North Carolina. Whenever possible, he made weekend trips to cultural centres - three trips to New York, one each to Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Washington DC. This afternoon will be an armchair odyssey through some of the music he got to hear (not all of it American).

13 Feb 2026 (Online)  Songs without words

JAMES STEELE makes his inaugural SRMS presentation this afternoon.

26 Feb 2026 (St D - Afternoon) TBD

The annual presentation from SRMS President MICHAEL JAMESON is always a highlight of our season. The subject has still to be decided...

Please note that there will be a £1.00 surcharge per person for this meeting 

13 Mar 2026 (Online)  The sea itself

Guest presenter PETER AVIS will be examining the way various composers have, over time, dealt with the infinitely fascinating subject of the sea in all its various states and moods.

27 Mar 2026 (StDenys) High definition - Part 10

In addition to SACD recordings and high-definition audio downloads, SRMS Chairman DAVID ANDERSON is always on the lookout for the best quality Blu-ray video recordings he can find. All videos will be displayed on a large screen using a digital projector.

10 Apr 2026 (Online)  Topley's assortments

Continuing a confectionery theme that began in January 2023, SRMS Vice Chairman CHRIS TOPLEY will once again dip into his bag of tasty musical treats to entertain us this afternoon.

24 Apr 2026 (StDenys) More Czech music

PHILIPPA BAMBACH presented an online talk last October about music from Czechslovakia and continues with that topic in more depth tonight.

 8 May 2026 (Online)  Celebrating the Proms

As a long-standing visitor to the Proms, SRMS Treasurer DAVID PEARCE has a rich trove of musical memories to review.

22 May 2026 (StDenys) Members' choice

During this meeting, attendees will be chosen at random to present their own choice of music. Everyone is therefore invited to bring along a selection of their favourite recordings. The items to be played should last no more than 15 minutes and a short introduction would be appreciated.

 5 Jun 2026 (Online)  The enduring fascination of the Ballets Russes - Part 2

BRIDGETT VANE is our in house expert on the topic of ballet. Last year, she gave us a talk about the Ballets Russes, but time did not allow her to do full justice to this topic, so this afternoon she will continue the fascinating story of one of the most famous dance companies in the world.

12 Jun 2026 (StDenys) Mood Music

When you settle down to listen do you choose music that reflects your frame of mind or pieces that lift you out into a different mood? This evening JILL MEAGER will share with us some of her tried and trusted mood music.

26 Jun 2026 (Online)  Musical comedy

Dr MARTIN GROSSEL plans to entertain us with some choice selections from comedians of the past, such as Gerard Hoffnung and Anna Russell, whose work often featured the world of classical music.

10 Jul 2026 (Online)  Annual General Meeting

All members are asked to make their best efforts to attend the AGM. Important decisions may be made and votes may be taken that can fundamentally affect the future operation of the Society.