About OCMF | 26 Years of Chamber Music in Oxford & the Cotswolds

The Festival

A celebration unlike any other

For twenty-six years, the Oxford Chamber Music Foundation has stood at the forefront of artistic ambition, world-class musicianship, and groundbreaking programming. The OCMF festival experience has become the heartbeat of a global community of musicians and music-lovers.

Founded in 2000, OCMF has grown from an ambitious gathering of emerging classical musicians into what Time Out calls a "world class" festival by any standards — capturing the hearts and minds of audiences and artists from around the world.

We invite passionate partners to join us in shaping the future of a festival that combines friendship, heritage, and idealism — and whose impact reaches far beyond its concert halls.

Oxford Chamber Music Foundation — Festival Performance

Why OCMF Matters

Impact beyond the concert hall

World-Class Artistic Excellence

OCMF creates a uniquely collaborative environment where legendary musicians convene at the forefront of artistry. Spontaneous, heart-felt music-making has become our unmistakable signature — performances described as "unforgettable" across generations of festival-goers.

Real and Measurable Social Impact

Thanks to the generous support of the Cavatina Trust, OCMF has been able to offer free tickets to under-25s in previous editions. This commitment continues: we remain dedicated to providing reduced-price and free tickets to students, Ukrainian refugees, and those who need financial assistance.

Oxford's Intellectual & Cultural Capital

The community surrounding Oxford's OCMF is historically significant to the city's cultural identity. With over 3,000 annual attendees, OCMF is a fixture in the fabric of a city renowned as one of the world's leading intellectual and cultural centres.

National & International Recognition

OCMF is regularly featured by BBC Music Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, and International media. A festival with growing national and international visibility — sponsors enjoy amplified exposure across classic and digital ecosystems.

Artistic Leadership

Priya Mitchell

Founder & Artistic Director

Priya Mitchell grew up in Oxford and studied with David Takeno at the Yehudi Menuhin School and with Zachar Bron in Germany. She was chosen as the British representative of the European Concert Halls Organisation's 'Rising Stars' series, which led to tours and performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, and the Philharmonia.

As a recitalist and chamber musician, Priya has performed extensively at international festivals including Schleswig-Holstein, Schubertiade Schwarzenberg, Kuhmo, Lockenhaus, Risør, Heimbach, Ravinia, Lugano, Cheltenham, Bath, Stavanger, and Trondheim.

Under her visionary artistic direction, OCMF has been described as "a musical miracle" — gathering beloved friends and artists from across the globe year after year for a unique week of celebration in Oxford.

Looking Ahead

Our 2026–2028 Vision

A modern, internationally visible, digitally connected festival.

2026

Professionalisation & Modernisation

— Full brand refresh and new visual identity
— New website with CRM integration
— Expanded PR to national and international media
— Larger venues for increased audience capacity
— Professional video recording and documentation

2027

Digital Expansion & OCMF Studio

— Launch of OCMF Digital Pass (streaming + archive)
— Monetised digital content (YouTube, Spotify, etc.)
— OCMF Studio: workshops and masterclasses
— Deepened partnerships across Europe
— International visibility and PR campaigns

2028

Touring Ensemble & Sustainability

— Creation of an OCMF Touring Ensemble
— International concerts in several European cities
— Expansion of digital catalogue and OCMF label
— Preparation and launch of an endowment campaign

This strategy requires a multi-year investment of £300,000–£420,000, positioning OCMF as a leading institution in the UK's cultural landscape.

Become a Partner

Audience & Reach

"An event of national rather than merely local significance."

The Independent

Live Audience

3,000+ annual concert-goers. High concentration of educated, culturally-engaged professionals. Tickets consistently sell out.

Digital & PR

Hundreds of international media contacts covering OCMF. Growing global visibility through streaming and recordings.

Community Reach

Thousands of school-age children participate in workshops and educational events. Young artists given performance opportunities each year.

Venues

Historic Oxford venues: the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian, Holywell Music Room, and other iconic locations.