Patrons:
- Rt Revd & Rt Hon Lord Richard Chartres, former Lord Bishop of London
- Professor Dr Ian Tracey, Organist Titulaire of Liverpool Cathedral
- Dame Patricia Routledge, Internationally Renowned Singer and Actress
Since its inception, the Guild has sought to promote, through its concerts and recitals, a high standard of musical performance. Its meetings are normally held twice yearly in Central London, and these have featured solo piano recitals; lieder and song recitals; recitals for violin and piano; concerts by brass ensembles; orchestral concerts; military band concerts; recitals of music for clarinet and piano (including rarely-heard Sonatas by Stanford and Howells), four organ recitals including major works by Reubke, Reger and Karg-Elert; and a Theatre Organ Concert on a famous Wurlitzer organ. Choral concerts have featured Handel's four Coronation Anthems of 1727, and major works by William Walton have also been given including the Coronation Te Deum. An important work for narrator and organ was given its first performance in Britain in Holy Trinity Church in London's Sloane Street. Fully illustrated lectures and talks have been presented by professional musicians, and speakers have included three distinguished cathedral organists.
Meetings are normally held at a suitable in London, and full details of these are sent to all members before each event, supplying accurate details and detailed travel information.
The Guild's magazine Fanfare is published in March and September, comprising articles on performance-related subjects, together with CD, DVD and music reviews and other items of interest.
The Guild regards itself as a learned society and is NOT an examining body. It consists of over 500 members, and includes many distinguished musicians among its Honorary Fellows.
Membership is open to anyone over 18 and exists on three levels and entry is by election. Full academic dress is available from the Guild’s robemakers, Shepherd and Woodward of Oxford, and members can also purchase a Guild tie and Scarf from them.