The Swindon Music Festival returns after a two-year break for the pandemic. The Festival starts in Christ Church on Friday 18 March at 6.30pm with the brass classes followed by the church organ classes. Each organist will play two contrasting pieces and then the adjudicator will make comments on their performances.

The evening will continue with three classes for solo singers, including novice, sacred song and oratorio, and a duet class. It will conclude with the adult choir class and the church choir class. In the church choir class, starting at around 9.00pm, St. Sampson’s Church Choir, Cricklade will be singing the hymn “O perfect love” to the tune “Highwood”, and the anthem “And I saw a new heaven” by Malcom Archer. Christ Church Choir will be singing the hymn “ How shall I sing that majesty” to the tune “Coe Fen”, and the anthem: “Arise, Shine” by Richard Shephard.

The adjudicator for the Friday evening will be Adrian Goss, a pianist, organist and choral director and chair of the Adjudicators Council.

The Festival continues on Saturday 19 March and from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 March (except Thursday 24th) in the Arts Centre in Devizes Road, Old Town. Morning sessions start at 9.30, afternoons at 1.30 and evenings at 6.30pm.

The Festival deserves a much bigger audience. This year it celebrates over 111 years of supporting music in Swindon. Previous participants have included in the past, Diana Dors, and Jamie Cullum, Sarah Covey, Polly Leech and Harry Apps who are currently forging musical careers.

There is such a wide variety of music that there will be something for everyone during the eight days. We really need to support the young talent – and the older competitors like support too! At a previous year’s final concert the adjudicator said several performances would have graced the West End stage – so come and hear future stars. She also commended our exceptional teachers.

Our world class accompanist is Paul Turner who is renowned for his sensitive and alert accompaniments; “ he has that sixth sense of timing which is the true accompanist’s particular gift” (Eastern Daily Press). He is also so kind to everyone including nervous novice singers.

Please do come along to support your Partnership musicians. There will be a small charge for listening.

Download the event timetable

ADMISSION PRICES

£3.00 PER SESSION (16 and under FREE)

Except

WEDNESDAY EVENING 23 MARCH £5.00* 16 and under £1.00

FRIDAY EVENING 25 MARCH £5.00* 16 and under £1.00

SATURDAY EVENING 26 MARCH £7.50 16 and under £1.00

*(£3.00 after 8pm)

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE VENUE PRIOR TO EACH SESSION

The detailed programme listing all the participants, price £3, will be available from Christ Church on 18 March, or from Holmes Music or the Arts Centre, and also on the website http://www.swindonmusicfestival.co.uk.