Founded in 2024 by Artistic Director Seth Collin along with trustees James Smith and Deborah Thorne, Pudding Chare Music Festival brought a week of musical celebrations to the Lit & Phil library and surrounding schools and care homes in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Alongside giving audiences joyful performances of the chamber music repertoire, the festival is rooted in providing opportunities for young musicians, and celebrating the local musical heritage of the region
Festival Team
Seth Collin - Artistic Director
Seth is a cellist from Newcastle, currently studying the cello with Louise Hopkins at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, supported by awards from the Countess of Munster Trust and Help Musicians. Seth particularly enjoys exploring the extensive chamber music repertoire for the cello, having received mentorship through programmes including IMS Prussia Cove Seminars, ChamberStudio, Wye Valley Festival Summer Residency, and MusicWorks. With Trio Havisham he is a Kirckman Concert Society Artist for 2024/25, sponsoring their King’s Place debut in March 2025. Seth is a member of the Telyn Quartet, who are Southwell Music Festival String Apprentices 2025.
He recently participated in a Maiastra chamber music course led by Florence Cooke, and was a ‘Young Artist’ for the 2024 Brundibar Arts Festival. He recorded a disc of works for cello ensemble and voice with Roderick Williams and the Endellion Cellos which will be released on SOMM Recordings in 2025. Seth also has a keen interest in new music, personal highlights of which include performances of Philip Venables’ chamber opera ‘Denis and Katya’ and of Boulez’s Messagesquisse with David Cohen as part of an LSO Chamber Ensemble concert. Seth has enjoyed recent concerto performances of Brahms’ Double Concerto with the City of Cardiff Symphony Orchestra and Northumberland Orchestral Society, and of Haydn D major Concerto with the Orchestra of Clare College, Cambridge.
He frequently works with the City of London Sinfonia and has participated on orchestral schemes including the Chipping Campden Festival Orchestra Academy, and the St. Endellion Festival Orchestra, and he was Co-Principal of the National Youth Orchestra in 2020.
Prior to commencing his studies at GSMD, Seth is grateful to have studied with Karen Stephenson, Jennifer Langridge at the JRNCM, where he won the concerto competition, and Sue Lowe. Seth is a keen educator, and coaches chamber music on Procorda’s Saturday school alongside private teaching. He is frequently invited back by NYOGB to lead musical workshops for young people.
Deborah Thorne - Trustee
Deborah studied at Clare College Cambridge, Royal Academy of Music and Maastricht Conservatorium and joined the Northern Sinfonia in 1986. She has extensive experience playing baroque cello most recently in the Avison ensemble and Haydn festival orchestra and enjoys a wide-ranging musical career as player and teacher and chamber music coach.
She has lectured in baroque cello at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, as well as teaching cello at Durham, York and Newcastle Universities and coaching on National Children´s Orchestra and Pro Corda courses. She teachs at ta the Glasshouses’ Centre for Advanced Training
James Smith - Trustee
James’ practice is cross-disciplinary containing elements of his work as a librarian, working with data structures and cataloguing of current and heritage materials ranging from cassette tapes of interviews though to modern books.
A advocate of reducing barriers and making
As an educator he teach a wide range of topics ranging from music history and research skills such as referencing though to professional practice and aesthetics in music. Deliverying for a wide range of levels ranging from foundation level to Masters.
An advocate of accessible learning he designs and delivers sessions for MMus students at Newcastle University and for Northumbria University at Foundation to 3rd year Undergraduate level.
Our Supporters
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Lit & Phil
Founded in 1793 the Lit and Phil has The Lit & Phil is Newcastle’s exquisite independent library, open to all and free to explore and browse. Founded in 1793, its purpose-built library opened in 1825 on Westgate Road, and is just yards from Central Station. It became a hub of learning and enlightenment long before the city’s universities existed and today continues to inspire minds, stimulate imaginations and confer a wealth of knowledge to young and old alike.
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Individual donors
We are thankful to the donors, both named and anonymous, who have meant the festival can develop and grow.
Thanks to
Mr C CalverMr A England
As well as our donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
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NORVIS
Our harpsichord is kindly loaned to us by the NORVIS school and Joanna Saper in memory of Peter Saper.
NORVIS is the full week-long early music summer school in County Durham which since 1971 has included included a broad range of early music interests, welcoming viol-players, recorder-players, lutenists and early guitar-players, baroque wind-players and harpsichordists – as well as solo and choral singers and renaissance instrument enthusiasts.
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Community Foundation
The Community Foundation grows giving and philanthropy, enabling people and businesses to support vital causes across North East England. We combine our knowledge and reach with donors' generosity to back local charities and community organisations making a lasting difference.
Our vision is to see communities thrive across North East England, with fairness and generosity changing lives and helping everyone feel they belong.
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Curvy Sounds
Curvy Sounds is a small, quirky musical instrument shop in Heaton, Newcastle.It is an Aladdin's Cave of Musical Treasures, with an incredibly wide range of String ,Wind, Percussion Instruments and Accessories .We sell Vintage,Preloved, New and Locally Made & an eclectic and fair trade selection of world music instruments and fun musical toys for kids.We specialise in the rare and unusual!
We also offer an Instrument restoration & repair service and can customise to suit your dreams, with unique scratch plates, pickups , hardware ,inlays and paint jobs to your specifications.
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Hadrian Trust
The Hadrian Trust aims to improve the lives of people living and working in the North East of England.
We are a registered charitable trust allocating grants to charities and groups working for the benefit of the people and the environment of Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham, including Hartlepool.
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Edgar Bainton Society
The Edgar Bainton Society futhers research and perfomance of Baintons work across the UK.
We are greatful for their support and usage of their research into the Cello sonata.