Devon couple bring back beloved song festival after six-year break

A Devon husband and wife are bringing back a popular music festival this April, relaunching the Devon Song Festival after a six-year hiatus. 

Pianist and Artistic Director Natalie Burch and her husband, Gramophone-nominated tenor James Way, will perform together at Ashburton Arts Centre on 17 and 18 April.

The festival features intimate performances of art song, a form of classical music where expressive poetry is set to piano. 

Highlights this year include Schubert’s Winter’s Journey, a semi-staged exploration of the life and music of George Butterworth, and a relaxed recital where audiences are free to move about and enjoy the music in their own way.

For Natalie, 33, the festival is a homecoming. 

She grew up in Totnes and Torquay, attended school in Exeter, and credits her early musical education in Devon for shaping her career.

Her father still lives in Buckfastleigh, where he serves as a Town Councillor, keeping the family firmly connected to the local community.

 “I had such an amazing musical education in Devon, learning the piano with Margaret Merrington and John Railton - no longer with us but both huge inspirations locally - and attending summer schools at Dartington,” she said. 

“In fact the piano at the Ashburton Arts Centre is Margaret's, donated by her family when she died.”

Natalie first ran the festival from 2015 to 2020, but the pandemic and family commitments forced a pause. 

She now balances relaunching the festival with another job, her performing career, and caring for a toddler.

“I want to give something back to the community that made my career possible,” Natalie said. 

“Devon Song is about celebrating the human voice and the stories we tell through music. We aim to bring people together to hear exceptional performers and create moments that stay with our audiences forever.”

The festival is designed to be welcoming to all. 

There are no dress codes or preconceptions, and audiences are encouraged to enjoy the music in their own way, whether they are seasoned classical fans or attending a recital for the first time.

Natalie hopes the relaunch will build on the festival’s early success and create a lasting, community-oriented event in Devon. 

Tickets and full programme details are available at www.devonsong.co.uk