THANK YOU | CHARLES WOOD FESTIVAL 2026 And so, after eight extraordinary days of music, friendship and celebration, the 2026 Charles Wood Festival has drawn to a close. This was always going to be a Festival unlike any other. One hundred years after the death of Charles Wood, we gathered in Armagh to celebrate the life and legacy of one of Ireland’s most important composers – in the city where his own musical journey began. We have welcomed exceptional singers, organists, composers, conductors and musicians from across the world. We have heard new works for the very first time, celebrated some of the finest emerging musical talent, broadcast from Armagh to audiences far beyond the city, welcomed Festival alumni home, taken music into the community and unveiled a permanent new tribute to Charles Wood. Our deepest thanks go to the Charles Wood Singers and Charles Wood Girls’ Choir, whose extraordinary music-making has been at the heart of this week; to Artistic Director David Hill, and to all our conductors, organists, soloists, composers, visiting choirs and performers who have shared their remarkable artistry with us. To our competition entrants, finalists and adjudicators; our Festival alumni; our young musicians; and everyone who travelled to Armagh to be part of this Centenary year – thank you. We are enormously grateful to our funders, sponsors, Patrons and Friends of the Festival. Their generosity makes this week possible and allows us to continue investing in young musicians, new music and the future of the Festival. To our board, staff, volunteers, chaperones and the countless people working behind the scenes – often from early morning until very late at night – thank you. A Festival of this scale simply could not happen without the extraordinary amount of work, goodwill and commitment given so freely by so many. Our thanks also go to the churches, cathedrals, venues, organisations and businesses across Armagh which open their doors to us each year, and to the City of Armagh itself, which once again welcomed our musicians and visitors with such warmth. And finally, to our audiences. To everyone who bought a ticket, attended a service, stood on The Mall, listened on the radio, followed us online, applauded a young performer, supported a competition or simply came through a door to see what was happening – thank you. The legacy of Charles Wood is not something which belongs only to the past. Every singer who performs his music, every young musician given an opportunity, every new work premiered and every audience which gathers to listen ensures that legacy continues. For eight days in August 2026, Armagh was once again filled with music. It has been a privilege to celebrate this remarkable Centenary with you. From all of us at the Charles Wood Festival – thank you for being part of it. Until next year!

The centerpiece of the Festival. A sculpted bust, created by Studio Sander and Sander, responsible for the Mary Ann McCracken bronze in the grounds of @belfastcc. Delighted to have led this legacy project: one to be unveiled by @johnmrutter & in place for generations to come.