Coordinates: 51°53′24″N 2°04′41″W / 51.890°N 2.078°W The Cheltenham Music Festival is one of the oldest music festivals in Britain, held annually in Cheltenham in June/July since 1945. The festival is renowned for premieres of contemporary music, hosting over 250 music premieres as of July 2004.
During the tenure of Martyn Brabbins, the Festival Academy ensemble was established.
Past artistic directors of the festival have included John Manduell, Michael Berkeley and Martyn Brabbins. Since 2007, its artistic director is Meurig Bowen.