Who are we?
Our mission: RETUNE creates a space for systemically marginalised musicians through research, storytelling and bold programming. We work with artists, audiences and organisations considering both the past and the present to make the future of classical music more representative.
RETUNE was established in 2024 by students at the University of Oxford who wanted to see more diverse repertoire in concerts. Since then, we have grown into an independent charitable project providing resources and organising events which celebrate underrepresented voices in music. The highlight of our work is the two-week RETUNE Festival, which takes place in venues across Oxford. The Festival reflects the diversity of underrepresented groups in music, both past and present, including performers, composers, arrangers, teachers, patrons, curators, writers, and activists.
Focused platforms give overlooked voices the time, attention, and visibility they deserve. RETUNE seeks to broaden the range of music that audiences encounter and engage with.
Why?
Our Values
We amplify musicians who challenge convention and expand what music can be and who it is for.
Courage
Creativity
We celebrate experimentation, innovation and new ways of listening.
We foster collaboration, inclusion and shared experiences through music making & listening.
Community
What do we do?
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So many people want to diversify their repertoire but don't know where to start. We provide resources to help people find works, funding, and information to create more inclusive programmes. Many of our resources are linked here.
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The RETUNE Festival is a two-week series of workshops, panels, and concerts celebrating the commitment, courage, and creativity of underrepresented voices. Plans are underway for RETUNE 2026 - watch this space!
Meet the RETUNE team
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![Erin is a young woman with glasses, smiling at an outdoor café, wearing a black tank top and a necklace.]()
Erin Townsend she/they
Erin is an activist, researcher and Artistic Director of RETUNE. She co-founded the project for the inaugural festival in 2024, growing it out of Somerville College’s Alternative Canon Project. They hold a BA in Music from the University of Oxford and are currently studying for their MMus in Musicology at the University of Southampton, specialising in social justice and community music.
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![Evie is a young woman with shoulder-length curly hair smiling, wearing a white top, and sitting against a plain light-colored wall.]()
Evie Brenkley she/her
Evie is a recent Music graduate from the University of Oxford, where her research focused on the societal impacts of musical women, past and present. She could frequently be found organising events and revelling in admin, alongside singing in choirs and playing the oboe. Post uni, Evie freelances with Oxford based music organisations, and works at Exeter College as their Development Office Assistant. She is particularly proud to be a founding member of RETUNE, and is so enjoying working with the team to produce this year’s Festival as one of the Artistic Directors.
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Erin Black she/her
Erin is a current MPhil student at the University of Oxford with strong interests in inclusive education practice. With a bachelor's degree in classical piano performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Erin moved to Oxford and joined RETUNE in 2025. Erin works for RETUNE alongside her masters and teaching piano.
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![Holly is a young woman with long brown hair, smiling while sitting against a blue textured background, wearing a black top.]()
Holly Payne she/her
Holly focuses on the marketing and social media for RETUNE. She has been a part of the Festival since 2025, as a performer playing flute. She studied Music at Royal Holloway, University of London, before completing an MSt in Musicology at the University of Oxford in 2025, specialising in organology and material culture studies. She now works in PR and digital media in the classical music sector.
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Natalie Tero
This is Natalie’s first year at RETUNE. She completed her undergraduate degree in Music at the University of Cambridge, and is now studying for an MSt in Musicology at Oxford, specialising in historical musicology with a focus on minimalism. She also plays piano in her spare time.
