• The 2012 Festival, held in Carlisle Cathedral 12 - 15 July, was a great success; and so now we look forward to a successful 2013 Festival: successful in terms of the music you will hear; successful in terms of the quality of the performances; and successful in the degree of enjoyment of our audiences. At the end of February we learned that our application for a grant from Arts Council England had been successful, and so we look forward with confidence and enthusiasm to be being able to deliver a great festival.

• Festival brochures - are expected to be available mid-March.
• We have also got a good programme lined up for the Spring season of Music:Live@Lunchtime, and we are well on the way to sorting out the programme for the Autumn series.
• Lastly our Annual General Meeting will be on Friday 12 April at 12:30 pm, at the Bidders' Room, the Shepherd's Inn, the Rosehill Esatate. Join us for lunch after the meeting.

• FRIENDS - Become a Friend for £25 a year. For this you will get a 10% discount on Festival tickets, and the opportunity to book early. The Festival programmes are also free-of-charge on production of your membership card. For the Live@Lunchtime series you get a 20% discount - entry for £4 instead of £5, and a similar reduction for a season ticket.
• PATRONS - Become a Patron for £60, or if there are two of you living at the same address then the cost is £100. The benefits are as those of a Friend, but in addition you will have your name(s) printed in the Festival programme (unless you request that this isn't done), and in the past there has been a reception for Sponsors & Patrons, although in 2013 we are not going to do this as we are working to a very tight budget.
• SPONSORS - are commercial organisations who make larger payments (£500 and above) who either sponsor the whole festival, or one particular concert. Sponsors are acknowledged in the programmes - for instance by displaying their logo, and receive a number of complimentary concert tickets. In 2013 the printing of the brochures, posters and concert programmes are being printed by H&H Reeds Printers for which the directors are very grateful.

We very much hope that you will join us to help keep a vital part of Carlisle's musical life in a healthy state.