Friday 18th July 2025

Venue: Chawton House

1pm, 18th July

Free with House admission

Chawton House is delighted to announce the launch of its brand-new “Music at One” concert series, an exciting initiative dedicated to showcasing exceptional emerging musical talent from Hampshire and the surrounding areas. Set within the historic elegance of Jane Austen’s brother’s former home, this series offers a unique platform for rising stars and provides local audiences with intimate, high-quality performances.

This inaugural year of “Music at One” promises a diverse programme, featuring artists on the cusp of significant musical journeys. The series is designed to offer invaluable performance opportunities for young musicians, enabling them to share their artistry with an engaged and appreciative audience in a truly inspiring setting.

On the 18th July, Abby Turnbull will be performing the oboe and cello, accompanied by Chris Gardner.

Abby Turnbull began playing the cello at the age of 8.  After initially learning with local teachers Abby has attended Junior Trinity as a first study cellist since 2020, studying with Thomas Shelley, adding conducting studies with Andrew Morley in 2022.  In 2022 her quartet at the time was awarded the Vivian Joseph Prize for Strings and she was principle cellist of the Junior Trinity Symphony Orchestra from 2023-25.  Abby has studied oboe under Lucinda Willits since 2019 and has also worked with Janey Miller and Ruth Beresford.

Abby regularly plays in multiple orchestras including the English Schools Orchestra, where she played 1st Cor Anglais in the Rite of Spring in 2022 and received the John McIntosh Award in 2024. She is also an oboist in the National Youth Orchestra this year.

Abby holds performance diplomas on both instruments and has an offer to read Music at Pembroke College, Cambridge, this autumn.

 

Other performances in the series:

  • 5th September: Rosalie Meers, viola (accompanied by Chris Gardner)
  • 14th November: The Clarion Trio – Oscar (piano), Georgina (French horn), and Alessandro (clarion)

All performances will begin at 1pm and are free with entry to the House & Gardens. To purchase House & Gardens tickets for these dates, please click the link below.

About the artists

Among the talented musicians featured in this year’s series are local artists Abby Turnbull and Rosalie Meers, both of whom are shortly preparing to embark on their tertiary studies at prestigious music conservatoires across England. Their performances at Chawton House offer a wonderful opportunity to hear these promising young talents before they take their next significant steps. Both will be accompanied by the exceptional talent of local pianist, Chris Gardner. We are also thrilled to welcome Alessandro and his colleagues from The Clarion Trio. Known for their exceptional skill and dedication to demonstrating the capabilities of the innovative new instrument, the clarion, The Clarion Trio are constantly touring the UK and bring their unique sound to Chawton House as part of this exciting series.

Further information about The Clarion Trio and their unique instrument can be found at www.clariontrio.co.uk/#clarion-trio.