Sunday Concerts

The History of the Sunday Concerts at Conway Hall

The Sunday Concerts at Conway Hall traces its history back to 1878 when the Peoples Concert Society was formed for the purpose of “increasing the popularity of good music by means of cheap concerts”. Many of these concerts were held at the South Place Institute, in the City but in 1887 the Peoples Concert Society had to cut short their season through lack of funds. It was then that the South Place Ethical Society took them over (using the name ‘South Place Sunday Concerts’) and continued to run them.

In 1929 the South Place Ethical Society had Conway Hall, in Holborn purpose built  for them and with the exception of the war years, the concerts seasons have continued ever since. 1999 saw the founding of a separate group to organise the concerts at Conway Hall and  this group has now moved on. The promotion and organisation of the concerts has now been taken back in house under the Chair of Music and of SPES Giles Enders. Simon Callaghan, a professional concert pianist has been appointed artistic director, from May 2008.

These concerts are the longest running series in Europe.