Ben Bake, Violinist

I first performed for the West Wight Arts Association in 2010, one of my earliest paid engagements as a young artist newly beyond the “child prodigy” label. Since then, I have returned 4 or 5 times, bringing collaborators from across the UK and Europe. Every one of them has been struck by the passionate atmosphere in the hall, and by the audience’s active curiosity, not only during the performance, but in the thoughtful conversations that follow.

Stepping onto the stage is the culmination of months, often years, of preparation, and rarely have I felt more genuinely seen as an artist than I have with the WWAA. The sense of community among the audience is unmistakable, and the continuity of artistic planning has also created a community of artists who feel connected through the Association’s work. It is rare to feel truly at home in a performance setting, but the opportunity to return and share chamber music with the WWAA has been a constant thread through my journey so far. It is an environment where I can experiment, challenge myself, and celebrate great music and artistry with a remarkable community. 

A4 Brass Quartet,
December 2025

A4 Brass Quartet has been formed since 2013, and after performing all across the world, including for multiple chamber music societies in every corner of the UK, West Wight Arts Association stands out at the very top. We have now appeared for WWAA on five occasions and the hospitality and reception we receive is second-to-none. Our most recent visit in December 2025 saw over 200 people pack out the Freshwater Memorial Hall, and after speaking with several audience members at the interval and post-concert, it is clear that WWAA is of huge benefit and appeal to the local community. We look forward to many more fruitful years performing for WWAA.

Indra Riches, Teacher

West Wight Arts allowed me as a Secondary Head of Music to use the beautiful Steinway piano in the Freshwater Memorial Hall to inspire my A-Level music students and to use the piano to record their A-Level performances. This gave them an invaluable experience to play an amazing piano and to really perform their pieces for their examination. 

 Over the years, many of my students have benefitted from being awarded a bursary fund which has allowed them to focus on a particular aspect of music making and a furtherment of their talent. One is studying jazz in London, one has gone on to get a music scholarship in further education, one has gone to America to continue his music studies and one used their bursary to get specialist tuition on the mainland. Living on an Island it is often difficult to see the wider opportunities in the arts and the West Wight Arts bursary has been instrumental in allowing Island students to branch beyond this small community. 

 Latterly, West Wight Arts has sponsored me to deliver a recorder programme in a local school to bring wider opportunities to the students of the school and to encourage the take-up of woodwind playing. The sponsorship included good and engaging tuition material and the students were able to take part in a festival of early music playing alongside a professional recorder quartet. An experience I hope they never forget.  

 West Wight Arts are very supportive of community and youth development in the area of music making.

Katherine Mantle, Audience Member

I feel one of the most poignant illustrations of the WWA building a community is the unique way in which the trustees greet each member of the audience both on arrival and leaving the Memorial Hall, thus making everyone feel welcomed and a part of the shared performance. 

Laura Wason, Audience Member

The community element of the WWAA is evident at every interval when the volume in the Memorial Hall reaches "forte" as new friendships are struck up in the queue for coffee and biscuits, or the Bar.   Existing friendships are also deep in conversation about the amazing music that we've just heard.    The warm greeting at the start of each concert, and the bid farewell at the end all adds up to the audience genuinely feeling part of the WWAA family.

Simon Beaumont, Audience Member

I have listened to more live, high quality chamber music since moving to the Island, than in 20 years previously, living on the mainland.   The availability, cost, convenience and quality is extraordinary and brings big city music to our small Island community.

The fact that the Memorial Hall is on a Bus Route is also a bonus.

Olga Budden, Audience Member

Dementia First Carers Friendship Group is a small, volunteer led group which meets weekly in Totland, Isle of Wight to support people living with dementia and their carers. We have been self-funding since September 2025. An approach was made to West Wight Arts Committee in November regarding the possibility of receiving a small donation. We were extremely grateful when they offered us a substantial amount raised in a collection following one of their concerts. They are an amazing organisation, bringing musical talent to the Isle of Wight and giving us the opportunity to enjoy incredible concerts.

Lisa and Teri Smith, Audience Member

Alongside the excellent concerts, the WWAA provides a warm and inviting space where one can not only listen to fantastic music but socialise and enjoy the company of others.  The WWAA also provides a bursary for up and coming artists who otherwise may not get the opportunity to follow their musical careers. 

We have been season ticket holders for several years and will continue to support this worthy charity.  
Moving to the Isle of Wight and finding such high quality classical concerts taking place was a joy and a pleasure. 

Susan Osborne

Just a few words about the West Wight Arts Association - I have lived on the Island for five years and enjoy thoroughly being a season ticket holder to the WWAA. I look forward to the season of music and love the fact that we have a Wigmore Hall Annexe on our Island. The Bursaries provided to young folk to take up music is an excellent scheme and brings WWAA concert goers together knowing they are not only listening to excellent concerts but also paving the way for future musicians from the Isle of Wight. Always an enjoyable experience.

Local School Children, Lessons supported by WWAA

  • I really enjoyed brass lessons and I loved it.

  • I did really like it. I think I learned to play better and definitely notes. I would like to continue. Thank you for paying for it!

  • I really enjoyed brass lessons because first of all, it’s. New talent for me and how we played in unison, like we worked together. I also liked the songs our brass teacher chose.

  • I loved the songs and how to play it. I want to play more 100,000%. (This child is now having private lessons after school with Martyn)

  • I enjoyed brass lessons because that was my first time and it was really fun. I learned how to understand music. I’d like to continue but with a different instrument.

  • I really enjoyed my brass lessons because I liked being able to learn a new skill and improve on it every week. I learnt to play the baritone. I would like to continue and see how much more I can improve. Thank you!

  • I did enjoy brass lessons. I learned to play a B note. I would definitely like to continue. (This child has an EHCP. He struggles in many academic subjects but his success in music was noticeable and put him, for the first time, in the position of a role model.)

  • I would not have done brass lessons if they hadn’t paid for it.

  • I love brass.

  • I really enjoyed brass lessons. I have learnt a lot and also I wouldn’t have tried it if it wan’t paid for. I would like to continue.

  • I loved it because I would never know what a brass instrument was.

  • I enjoyed brass because I was only able to play part of one song on guitar before that. I learnt how to play a new instrument and new notes. I would love to continue.

  • I loved brass lessons because I liked knowing how to play an instrument really well.

  • I enjoyed brass lessons. I learnt a new instrument that I would have never wanted to play. I would love to continue because I loved it.

  • I loved my brass lessons because I learned a new skill. From this I’ve learned that practice makes perfect. I would love to continue brass lessons.

  • I liked brass lessons because I really enjoy getting to learn a new skill. I learnt a lot of things like how sometimes you don’t have to be a leader, how to properly play an instrument and that good things take time. I would love to do brass lessons again next year.

  • I enjoyed brass lessons because if you make a mistake Mr S would let you try again. I learnt how to hold a baritone properly. I think I learned how to read music and to sight read. I would like to continue because it was very fun and I am grateful for the opportunity to play brass instruments.