Hambledon Music takes its name from Hambledon Hill, an iron-age hill fort that rises above the green fields of Dorset in southwest England. Each spring, its slopes are coloured by wild orchids, where rare butterflies drift from flower to flower – a protected haven of nature in a troubled world.

For founder Benjamin Moxham, Hambledon Hill is more than a cherished childhood view. It is a place of beauty, memory, and resilience. And now, it stands as a metaphor for a musical initiative grounded in purpose and connection.

Today, music plays an important role in Ben’s life: for repose, offering balance and creative energy for professional work and daily life.

His musical journey began with the encouragement of his parents and inspiring teachers. He sang in choirs, immersed in the rhythm of the church calendar and its music, while also playing violin, piano, and organ. These early experiences fostered a deep connection with the classical music tradition, both sacred and secular.

His calling to music matured over time, particularly as he began advising ensembles seeking to present concerts outside conventional settings.

A formative experience came through work with the No Borders Orchestra, an ensemble of musicians from every country and ethnicity of the former Yugoslavia. As Ben travelled with them through beautiful and scarred landscapes, their joyous performances revealed the extraordinary ability of music to transcend division and build understanding.

Then, during the pandemic, a path of listening to the complete Cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach renewed a profound insight: classical music, at its best, offers deep spiritual and emotional care. Composed for weekly church services in Leipzig and other places, these works embody how music can be woven into the fabric of everyday life and community.

Hambledon Music draws on these and other inspirations to reimagine classical music practice. By advising and collaborating with musical groups, it helps develop high-quality concerts that are rooted in place, accessible in form, and rich in meaning.

At its core, Hambledon Music believes that great classical music can restore and deepen the bonds that bring communities together.

Our Founder’s Story