Light Music Society

27/08/2026

It's 140 years since the birth of British Light Music icon Eric Coates, in 1886.

We're celebrating today with his portrait of a busy London street, "I. Oxford Street - March" from Coates' 'London Again' Suite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiClf7jyhko&list=RDWiClf7jyhko&start_radio=1

18/08/2026

It's holiday season, and we've had plenty of sun to go with it! What are some of your favourite holiday-themed Light Music pieces?

Here's "Holiday Parade", composed by Walter Collins, to get you in started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q-POiCkNkM&list=RD2q-POiCkNkM&index=1

14/08/2026

Are you attending the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival this year?

We have plenty of works by this famous duo in our Library. Drop us a line at [email protected] if you're interested in borrowing from us!

11/08/2026

11/08/2026

Join us for our annual Play Day on Sunday 4th October 2026 at the Victoria Hall in Bolton - a fantastic day of music making and opportunity to explore our vast Library and archive.

String players are especially welcome!

Follow the link below to sign up:

https://www.lightmusicsociety.com/news/posts/event--the-light-music-society-annual-play-day-2026

09/08/2026

Today we observe the anniversary of the birth of Albert Ketèlbey, in 1875. An English composer and conductor, Ketèlbey is celebrated for the evocative imagery in his Light Music works - many of which are available to borrow from our Library. Contact us on [email protected] and we will be delighted to help.

Here is his "The Phantom Melody", available from our Library.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki4bbNKgOJc&list=RDKi4bbNKgOJc&start_radio=1

04/08/2026

Congratulations to LMS trustee Professor Catherine Tackley, whose book 'The British Dance Band: Music and musicians in the mainstream' is due out next year.

28/07/2026

Here is "Elizabethan Masque" by Frederic Bayco, a beautiful lilting melody available to borrow from our Library.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdkoha83ylk&list=RDKdkoha83ylk&start_radio=1

Visit lightmusicsociety.com for more Light Music!

24/07/2026

Today marks the birth of Canadian composer Robert Farnon in 1917.

Here is one of Farnon's lesser-known works, "Jockey on the Carousel":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmUlWf97VSU&list=RDPmUlWf97VSU&start_radio=1