Tuning up for Oswestry Youth Music Festival
A music festival which began more than 40 years ago is tuning up for its 2019 event.
Young musicians from across Shropshire and further afield are already rehearsing their pieces for the Oswestry Youth Music Festival which takes place from February 27 to March 3.
The event is organised by a committee together with Oswestry Town Council and has evolved over the years to become a five-day event.
Town mayor Sandy Best said she was looking forward to this year's event.
Four days of competition culminate in a winner of winners competition and concert on the Sunday afternoon.
Classes are wide and varied for both vocal and instrumental competitions. They include sections for individuals through to choirs, orchestras and bands.
Festival organiser, Sue Turner, said the new syllabus for 2019 was bigger than ever, due to ever increasing numbers of performers taking part, and new exhibition classes.
"The two exhibition classes from last year are now embedded into the programme, Organ Solo and Baroque Piano Solo, and there are three new exhibition classes, French Chanson, Counter Tenor and Folk Artist. If these classes prove to be popular, then they will be fully incorporated into the syllabus in 2020. "
She said she hoped more people would take part in the Musical Theatre Ensemble Classes.
The adjudicators for 2019 will be John Powell, Nadia Hinson and Christine Thompson, with Andrew Padmore adjudicating the winners' concert on the Sunday.
The closing date for entries is January 18 and all entries should arrive at the Guildhall in Oswestry no later than 1 pm on that day.
"If you would like to act as a volunteer at the festival, or join the festival committee, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the Guildhall 01691 680222 ."
