F ROM techno-graffiti to baroque music with a fantasy twist, Marcus Wibberley has continued to ring the changes with Hexham Abbey Music Festival.

Unveiling this year’s programme, he said: “It’s about keeping people interested and, hopefully, drawing in new audiences who might not otherwise think of coming in through the doors.

“We’ve had a lot of success in the past two years with 3Run (free-running team), but people have come in and said ‘where’s the art work?’

“I’ve had to explain on occasion that this is a performing arts festival, but then it struck me – we could actually fuse the two, music and art.”

And with that, he was off the blocks, shaping September’s offer.

So it is that the nine-day spectacular opens with Livepaint, presented by the team of modern mural painters and graffiti artists Urban Canvas.

They will explore the crossover between the performing arts and static visual art on huge canvases erected in the Abbey.

Marcus said: “They use spray cans and you actually watch them at work. Here, they will be using the Abbey’s ancient architectural features as their inspiration and starting point.

“There will be an opportunity for audience members to participate too, so they’ll be talking people through the techniques.”

Automatronic will equally prove to be a breath of fresh air. Formed in 2013, the four members are artists who translate organ music into visual electronic art forms.

“I went to one of their concerts in London with some slight intrepidation,” said Marcus. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to respond to it, but I was enraptured – it was amazing stuff!

“It was very meditative and atmospheric, using sound, space and colour.”

And then there’s the baroque music quartet Red Priest, who made a splash at the 2012 festival with their high-octane renditions of 17th and 18th century music.

They aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, admitted Marcus. “They’re not for purists, but they are accomplished musicians and the entertainment is top-notch.”

Traditionalists will be appeased, however, by the nature of the concerts at the heart of the festival, beginning with the stalwart Hexham Abbey Festival Chorus. Formed in 1976 from local singers, it has performed a major choral work on the first weekend of each and every festival since.

This time round conductor David Murray has opted for Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. “There’s a slight departure from the norm in that the piece doesn’t require an orchestra, but two pianos and a harmonium instead,” said Marcus.

“Rossini described it as ‘the last of my sins of old age’ and you can tell he was having fun with it – the singing is very festive.”

Meanwhile, celebrated pianist Janina Fialkowska, renowned for her interpretations of the work of Chopin and Mozart, Renaissance, the vocal ensemble founded by one-time Abbey chorister Ben Rowarth, and Horovod, a group specialising in Balkan, Greek and Turkish folk music, will between them cater for a wide range of musical tastes.

Underpinning it all will be the Young Musicians’ platform that is a stepping stone for those coming up through the ranks.

Violinist Magdalena Loth-Hill, harpsichord player Nathaniel Mander, pianist Leah Nicholson and organist Callum Alger will all take their turn in the spotlight.

There is also a fun-filled afternoon of musical games and singing workshops on offer for youngsters who would like to taste-test the role of chorister. Open to boys aged seven to nine and girls aged 10 to 13, this event is free of charge.

l The Hexham Abbey Festival of Music & Arts runs from September 16 till September 24. Tickets are available now from the Queen’s Hall box office and further information can be found on the website at www.queenshall.co.uk.