The 2023 Festival
Welcome to the 2023 Mrs Sunderland Festival.
We hope you enjoy looking at our new website where everything you need should be just a couple of clicks away!!
We have now added the whole festival timetable so that you can see when and where each class will be held, the names of the adjudicator and accompanist and the number of performers in each class.
Entries for the Adult singing workshop and the Toddler workshop are still open so why not sign up.
We are very excited to be presenting a Festival Dance Showcase concert on Monday 20 February which will showcase varied dance performances from local groups; this new showcase is a further contribution to the Kirklees Year of Music 2023 and we hope that it will lead the way to more dance performances in the festival from 2024 when we will truly be able to call ourselves The Performing Arts Festival.
We have taken the opportunity to update our rules, rubric and policies so please click on the links at the bottom of any of the website pages to review the changes. We have taken note of comments from last year and there are some major changes to some definitions in terms of age groups, amateur status, gender and mixed choirs.
Please read the class rules - in the festival rules section at the bottom left hand side of the web pages.
Entry has been made simpler - please just follow the instructions after you have pressed enter. We have a dedicated page to talk you through the process. I suggest that you use your email address for your user name too. If you have any problems please contact me on [email protected] and I will get back to you.
Looking forward to seeing you in February
Ann Talboys
Festival Administrator
FESTIVAL TIMETABLE FEBRUARY 2023
Sunday 5 February | Performers | |
Concert Hall | Choral Workshop | |
Wednesday 15 February | ||
Concert Hall | Belinda Mikhail | |
9.30 am | Class 5 Piano solo - school year 8 and under | 12 |
10.40 am | Class 6 Piano solo - school year 10 and under | 7 |
11.15 am | Class 7 Piano solo school year 12 and under | 8 |
12.00 noon | Class 8 Piano solo Sonatina - school year 9 and under | 7 |
Reception Room | Cally Foster | |
9.30 am | Class 115 Bible Reading open | 5 |
9.50 am | Class 116 Prepared reading open | 4 |
10.05 am | Class 117 Prepared poetry reading open | 2 |
10.15 am | Class 118 Sight reading open | 4 |
10.35 am | Class 120 Solo acting open | 3 |
10.55 am | Class 121 Dramatic solo Shakespeare open | 2 |
11.05 am | Class 122 Dialect speaking open | 7 |
11.55 am | Class 125 Dialect poetry writing | 1 |
Concert Hall | Cally Foster | |
2.00pm | Class 96 Verse speaking year 4 and under | 1 |
2.00pm | Class 97 Verse speaking year 6 and under | 3 |
2.00pm | Class 98 Verse speaking year 9 and under | 3 |
2.00 pm | Class 99 Humorous verse school year 4 and under | 1 |
2.00 pm | Class 100 Humorous verse school year 6 and under | 3 |
2.00 pm | Class 101 Humorous verse school year 9 and under | 1 |
2.00 pm | Class 102 Prepared reading school year 4 and under | 1 |
2.00 pm | Class 103 Prepared reading school year 6 and under | 3 |
2.00 pm | Class 104 Prepared reading school year 9 and under | 3 |
2.00 pm | Class 105 Sight reading school year 6 and under | 1 |
2.00 pm | Class 106 Bible Reading school year 6 and under | 1 |
2.00 pm | Class 108 Solo acting school year 6 and under | 7 |
2.00 pm | Class 109 Solo acting school year 9 and under | 8 |
2.00 pm | Class 110 Solo acting school year 11 and under | 2 |
2.00pm | Class 111 Solo Acting Shakespeare school year 11 and under | 1 |
Reception Room | Belinda Mikhail | |
2.00 pm | Class 16 Piano Duet school year 6 and under | 3 |
2.10 pm | Class 17 Piano Duet school year 9 and under | 4 |
2.30 pm | Class 18 Family Piano Duet any age | 4 |
3.00 pm | Class 1 Piano solo school year 3 and under | 14 |
3.30 pm | Class 2 Piano solo school year 4 and under | 14 |
4.00 pm | Class 3 Piano solo school year 5 and under | 7 |
4.20 pm | Class 4 Piano solo school year 6 and under | 12 |
Concert Hall | Belinda Mikhail | |
6.30 pm | Class 9 Piano recital year 11 and under | 5 |
8.00pm | Class 10 Piano Solo Open | 7 |
8.50pm | Class 11 Piano Solo music theatre and film open | 2 |
Thursday 16 February | ||
Concert Hall | Belinda Mikhail | |
6.30 pm | Class 12 Piano Solo sonata open | 2 |
6.50 pm | Class 13 Piano Solo Chopin open | 3 |
7.20 pm | Class 14 Piano Solo 20/21st century | 2 |
7.40 pm | Class 15 Piano Recital open | 3 |
Friday 17 February | ||
Concert Hall | Belinda Mikhail with Jane Robertson | |
9.30 am | Class 19 String solo Yr 6 and under | 8 |
10.00 am | Class 20 String solo Yr 9 and under | 7 |
10.40 am | Class 21 String solo yr 13 and under | 3 |
11.00 am | Class 22 String solo open | 4 |
11.40 am | Class 24 Woodwind Yr 6 and under | 3 |
11.50am | Class 25 Woodwind Yr 9 and under | 3 |
12.10pm | Class 26 Woodwind Yr 13 and under | 4 |
12.25pm | Class 27 Woodwind Open | 2 |
2.00 pm | Class 28 Brass solo Yr 6 and under | 4 |
2.20 pm | Class 29 Brass solo year 13 and under | 3 |
2.40 pm | Class 30 Brass Solo open | 1 |
2.50 pm | Class 32 Two Instruments | 2 |
3.10 pm | Class 31 Solo Instrumentalists' Challenge | 4 |
6.30 pm | Class 33 Small Instrumental Ensemble Yr 11 and under | 4 |
7.10 pm | Class 34 Small Instrumental Ensemble | 1 |
7.20 pm | Class 35 Large Insrumental Ensemble | 1 |
Saturday 18 February | ||
Concert Hall | Belinda Mikhail with Jonathan Fisher | |
9.30 am | Class 51 Walt Disney Yr 10 and 11 | 15 |
10.45 am | Class 58 Music Theatre Yr 10 | 11 |
11.45 am | Class 59 Music Theatre Yr 11 | 7 |
Reception Room | Marilynne Davies with Chris Pulleyn | |
9.30 am | Class 47 Walt Disney Yr 6 | 7 |
10.10 am | Class 48 Walt Disney Yr 7 | 8 |
10.55 am | Class 55 Music Theatre Yr 6 and 7 | 9 |
Old Court Room | Philip Dewhurst with Jane Robertson | |
9.30 am | Class 45 Walt Disney Yr 4 and under | 1 |
9.30 am | Class 46 Walt Disney Yr 5 | 3 |
9.50 am | Class 54 Music Theatre Yr5 and under | 7 |
10.30 am | Class 49 Walt Disney Yr 8 | 9 |
11.20 am | Class 50 Walt Disney Yr 9 | 12 |
Concert Hall | Belinda Mikhail with Jonathan Fisher | |
2.00 pm | Class 64 Soprano solo open | 6 |
2.40 pm | Class 65 Alto Solo open | 4 |
3.10 pm | Class 66 Tenor solo open | 1 |
3.20 pm | Class 68 Oratorio or sacred work | 8 |
4.20 pm | Class 69 Operatic Solo | 4 |
Reception Room | Marilynne Davies with Chris Pulleyn | |
2.00 pm | Class 73 Walt Disney 17 and over | 3 |
2.25 pm | Class 75 Vocal duet 17 and over | 1 |
2.40 pm | Class 76 Music theatre 17 and over | 10 |
3.55 pm | Class 77 Light opera 17 and over | 6 |
Old Court Room | Philip Dewhurst with Jane Robertson | |
2.00 pm | Class 56 Music Theatre Yr 8 | 13 |
3.10 pm | Class 57 Music Theatre Yr 9 | 13 |
Concert Hall | Marilynne Davies with Jane Robertson | |
6.30 pm | Class 74 Pop Ballad 17 and over | 6 |
7.15 pm | Class 78 vocal recital 17 and over | 7 |
Reception Room | Belinda Mikhail with Jonathan Fisher | |
6.30 pm | Class 70 British Composer 17 and over | 7 |
7.30 pm | Class 71 French Melodie or German Leider 17 and over | 9 |
8.40 pm | Class 72 The Rose Bowl (64 to 71) | 7 |
Old Court Room | Philip Dewhurst with Chris Pulleyn | |
6.30 pm | Class 52 Walt Disney Yrs 12 and 13 | 9 |
7.20 pm | Class 60 Music Theatre Yrs 12 and 13 | 7 |
Sunday 19 February | ||
Concert Hall | Andrew Padmore with Jonathan Fisher | |
10.00 am | Young Musician of the year | 20 |
Reception Room | Marilynne Davies with Chris Pulleyn | |
10.00 am | Class 41 Solo Yr 10 and 11 | 5 |
10.25 am | Class 42 Solo Yr 12 and 13 | 4 |
10.45 am | Class 43 English Song | 4 |
11.05 am | Class 44 Young Singers Rose Bowl | 3 |
11.15 am | Class 61 Unaccompanied Folk Song | 5 |
Old Court Room | Philip Dewhurst with Jane Robertson | |
10.00 am | Class 37 Girls Solo Yr 5 and under | 4 |
10.20 am | Class 38 Girls Solo Yr 6 and 7 | 8 |
11.05 am | Class 39 Girls Solo Yr 8 and 9 | 14 |
12.15 pm | Class 40 Junior Singers' Challenge | 3 |
Concert Hall | Andrew Padmore with Jonathan Fisher | |
2.30 pm | Young Musician of the Year | 20 |
Reception Room | Marilynne Davies with Chris Pulleyn | |
2.30 pm | Class 62 Pop Ballad 14 to 17 yrs | 15 |
3.40 pm | Class 63 Young Singers' Recital | 6 |
Monday 20 February | ||
Concert Hall | ||
Morning | Toddler Workshop | |
Evening | Festival Dance Showcase | |
Tuesday 21 February | ||
Concert Hall | ||
Morning | Reach for the Stars Workshop | |
Aternoon | Tea-Dance | |
Thursday 23 February | ||
Morning | Key Stage 2 Workshop | |
Evening | Key Stage 2 Concert | |
Friday 24 February | Marilynne Davies | |
9.30 am | Class 81 Junior Choir -hymns or sacred song Yr 6 and under | 1 |
9.40 am | Class 82 Junior choir Yr 6 and under previous non winner | 6 |
10.50 am | Class 83 Junior Choir Y6 and under Festive | 3 |
11.30 am | Class 84 Junior choir Yr 6 and under | 5 |
6.30 pm | Class 85 Young People's Choir Yr 9 and under | 3 |
7.10 pm | Class 86 Young People's Choir Yr 11 and under | 3 |
7.50 pm | Class 87 Young people's choir 21 years and under | 6 |
Saturday 25 February | Marilynne Davies | |
10.30 am | Class 88 Adult Choirs Christmas/Festive | 3 |
11.30 am | Class 90 Small choirs | 1 |
11.45 am | Class 91 Ladies Choirs | 2 |
1.30 pm | Class 92 Male Voice Choirs | 2 |
2.00 pm | Class 93 Mixed Choirs | 2 |
2.40 pm | Class 94 Choir Programme | 6 |
7.00 pm | Class 95 choir challenge | 4, 5 or 6 |
Festival DATES
Sunday 5 February and Tuesday 14 to Saturday 25 February 2023
Sunday 5 February
Adult Choral Workshop and Concert
Wednesday 15 February
Piano and Speech and Drama classes
Thursday 16 February
Piano and Speech and Drama classes
Friday 17 February
Instrumentalists and ensemble classes
Musical Theatre group performances
Saturday 18 February
Vocal classes
Sunday 19 February
Vocal classes
Young Musician of the Year 2023
Monday 20 February
Toddler Workshop
Festival Dance Workshop
Tuesday 21 February
Reach for the Stars - Special Needs Event
Music for the Brain tea dance.
Thursday 23 February
Key Stage 2 workshop
Friday 24 February
Junior and Youth Choirs
Saturday 25 February
Adult Choirs
The Last Night at the Festival Concert
Winning Performers
Workshops
Classes
Piano solo - school year 3 and under
One piece from Roundabout by Alan Haughton ABRSM
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Piano solo - school year 4 and under
One piece from the 2021/22 or 23/24 ABRSM piano syllabus. Grade 1, No 1,2 or 3 from list A, B or C.
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Piano solo - school year 5 and under
One piece from the 2021/22 or 23/24 ABRSM piano syllabus. Grade 2 or grade 3 No 1,2 or 3 from list A, B or C
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Piano solo - school year 6 and under
One piece from the 2021/22 or 23/24 ABRSM piano syllabus. Grade 3 or grade 4, No 1,2 or 3 from list A,B or C
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Piano solo - school year 8 and under
One own choice piece of grade 5 standard and above
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Piano solo -school year 10 and under
One own choice piece of grade 6 standard and above
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Piano solo -school year 12 and under
One own choice piece of grade 7 standard and above
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Piano solo Sonatina - school year 9 and under
One own choice Sonatina (not sonata) movement
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Piano Recital - school year 11 and under
A recital of three own choice pieces of at least grade 5 standard in contrasting styles, with credit being given for a balanced programme. The progamme must not include any other pieces played during this year's festival.
Maximum Performance Duration: 15 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £12
Piano solo - open
One own choice piece of grade 8 standard or above The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in the solo instrumentalist's challenge later in the festival.
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Piano solo Music Theatre and Film - open
One piece from any show or film
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Piano solo Sonata - open
One movement from a classical sonata e.g. Schubert, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi or similar which must be of grade 8 standard or above.
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Piano solo Chopin - open
One piece from any work by Chopin which must be of grade 8 standard or above
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Piano solo 20th Century or 21st Century - open
One piece from any work written no earlier than 1900 which must be of grade 8 standard or above.
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Piano Recital - open
A recital of a minimum of two pieces of at least grade 8 standard in contrasting styles with credit being given for a balanced programme
Maximum Performance Duration: 15 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £12
Piano Duet - school year 6 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Piano Duet - school year 9 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Family Piano Duet - any ages
One or two own choice pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
String solo - school year 6 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
String solo - school year 9 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
String solo - school year 13 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
String solo - open
One own choice piece of grade 8 standard or above The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in the solo instrumentalists' challenge later in the festival.
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Guitar solo - school year 11 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £7
Woodwind/Recorder solo school year 6 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Woodwind/Recorder solo school year 9 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Woodwind/Recorder solo school year 13 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Woodwind/recorder solo open
One own choice piece of grade 8 standard or above. The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in the solo instrumentalists' challenge later in the festival.
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Brass solo - school year 6 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Brass solo school year 13 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Brass solo open
One own choice piece of grade 8 standard or above. The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in the solo instrumentalists' challenge later in the festival.
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Solo Instrumentalist's Challenge
Qualifying winners of classes 10, 22,27 and 30 will play their winning pieces
Entries Closed
Fee: £0
Two Instruments or Instrument and Voice
Two own choice pieces. These may be two pieces for different solo instruments or one instrumental piece and one vocal piece (in all cases with or without accompaniment)
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Small Instrumental Ensemble - school year 11 and under
Own choice piece(s) - any combination of instruments
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £14
Small Instrumental Ensemble - all ages
Own choice piece(s) - any combination of instruments (2-10 players)
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £14
Large Instrumental Ensemble - all ages
Own choice piece(s) - any combination of instruments (11 and over players)
Maximum Performance Duration: 12 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £18
Ukulele Group - all ages
Own choice programme
Maximum Performance Duration: 12 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £18
Solo - school year 5 and under
Either Jennie Jenkins - Traditional American (Sing Together - 100 songs for Unison Singing) Verse 1 and 4 only.
Or Ho-la-hi - Traditional German (Sing Together - 100 songs for Unison Singing (Verse 1 and 2)
The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in the Junior Singers' Challenge. (Class 40)
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Solo - school years 6 and 7
Either Skye Boat Song - Traditional Scottish (ABRSM Songbook Plus Grade 1)
Or The Swing - Christopher Field / Robert L. Stevenson (ABRSM Songbook Plus Grade 2)
The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in the Junior Singers' Challenge. (Class 40)
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Solo - school years 8 and 9
Either Song of the bluebell wood - Betty Roe (ABRSM Songbook Plus 4)
Or She’s Like the Swallow - Traditional Newfoundland (ABRSM Songbook 4)
Or Caro Mio Ben - Giordani (Selection of Italian Arias 1600-1800 Vol. 1 (Low and high voice)
The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in the Junior Singers' Challenge. (Class 40)
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Junior Singers' Challenge
Qualifying winners of classes 37,38 and 39 will sing their winning pieces
Entries Closed
Fee: £0
Solo - school years 10 and 11
Either Linden Lee - V Williams (ABRSM Songbook 5)
Or Sebben Crudele - Caldara ( A Selection of Italian Arias 1600-1800 (Vol. 2 High/Low) )
Or The Birds - B. Britten (Boosey and Hawkes Song Collection Vol 2)
The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Huddersfield Choral Society Rose Bowl for young singers. (Class 44)
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Solo - school years 12 and 13
One own choice song. The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Huddersfield Choral Society Rose Bowl for young singers. (Class 44)
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Young Singers’ English Song - school year 13 and under
One own choice song (not originating from an opera) by Purcell, Dowland, Boyce or Arne.The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Huddersfield Choral Society Rose Bowl for young singers. (Class 44)
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Young Singers' Rosebowl
Qualifying winners of classes 41, 42 and 43 will sing their winning pieces
Entries Closed
Fee: £0
The Magic of Walt Disney - school year 4 and under
Either Lavender Blue - from So Dear to my heart. Larry Morey and Eliot Daniel (Illustrated Treasury of Disney Songs)
Or Winnie the Pooh - Adventures of Winnie the Poo. R Sherman and R Sherman (Illustrated Treasury of Disney Songs)
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
The Magic of Walt Disney - school year 5
Either Heigh Ho - Snow White. L Morey and F Churchill (Illustrated Treasury of Disney Songs)
Or Scales and Arpeggios - The Aristocats. R Sherman and R Sherman ( musicnotes.com Verse 1 and 2)
Or Lets go fly a kite - Mary Poppins. R Sherman and R Sherman (The Best of Singing 1-3 Low/ High)
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
The Magic of Walt Disney - school year 6
Either Someone’s Waiting for you - from the Rescuers C Connors, A Robbins, S Fain (Kids Musical Theatre Collection Vol. 2)
Or Touch the Sky - Brave A Mandel, M Andrews and A Mandel ( Contemporary Disney 50 Favourite Songs) Intro Starting half way down page 228)
Or Do you want to build a snowman? - Frozen K Anderson- Lopez and R Lopez (www.musicnotes.com (Eb Maj, D maj, F maj )
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
The Magic of Walt Disney - school year 7
Either All is Found - Frozen 2 K Anderson- Lopez and R Lopez ( www.musicnotes.com (A min, B min, C Min) )
Or Beauty and the Beast - Beauty and the Beast. H Ashman and A Menken (Junior Songscape Stage and Screen - Lin Marsh)
Or Happy Working Song - Enchanted. A Menken and S Shwartz ( www.musicnotes.com (C Maj, D maj, Eb maj) )
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
The Magic of Walt Disney - school year 8
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
The Magic of Walt Disney - school year 9
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
The Magic of Walt Disney - school years 10 and 11
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
The Magic of Walt Disney - school years 12 and 13
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Group Musical Theatre year 6 and under
A group excerpt/showpiece from any Musical Theatre or operetta. Maximum 20 people. To be held in the main hall using the stage. All libretti/scripts must be suitable content to cause no offence to a mixed audience which may contain children. Each group should provide own accompanist or backing track. Hand props may be used with limited costume if essential to the piece. Please note that there are no suitable changing room facilities available.
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £18
Music Theatre - school year 5 and under
Either Doll on a Music Box - Chitty Bang Bang. R Sherman and R Sherman (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Musical Selections)
Or Do-re-me - The Sound of Music - Rodgers and Hammerstein (The Rodgers and Hammerstein Collection)
Or We’re off to see the Wizard - Wizard of Oz. E Y Harburg and H Arlen (ABRSM Songbook Plus Grade 1)
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Music Theatre - school year 6 and 7
Either Once Upon a December - Anastasia. L Ahrens and S Flaherty (Anastasia Vocal Selections)
Or Flash, Bang, Wollop - Half a Sixpence. D Heneker, G Stiles and A Drewe (Junior Songscape Stage and Screen)
Or Neverland - Finding Neverland. E Kennedy and G Barlow (www.musicnotes.com (F maj, G maj, Eb Maj)
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Music Theatre - school year 8
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Music Theatre - school year 9
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Music Theatre - school year 10
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Music Theatre school year 11
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Music Theatre - school years 12 and 13
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Unaccompanied Folk Song- school year 11 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Pop Ballad - age between 14 and 17 inclusive
One own choice piece which may be self accompanied, may be accompanied by the festival accompanist or may use a backing track. Backing tracks using phones will require an adaptor to connect to the town hall systems.
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Young Singers' Vocal Recital - school years 10 to 13
Recital of One 17th or 18th century song or aria, sung in the original language, one English art Song from the 20th century and one own choice song or aria
Maximum Performance Duration: 12 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £12
Soprano solo - age 17 and over
One own choice song in any language. This should not be a solo from a choral or stage work The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Rose Bowl Challenge. (Class 72)
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Mezzo-soprano or Alto solo - age 17 and over
One own choice song in any language. This should not be a solo from a choral or stage work The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Rose Bowl Challenge. (Class 72)
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Tenor solo - age 17 and over
One own choice song in any language. This should not be a solo from a choral or stage work The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Rose Bowl Challenge. (Class 72)
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Baritone or Bass solo - age 17 and over
One own choice song in any language. This should not be a solo from a choral or stage work The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Rose Bowl Challenge. (Class 72)
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Oratorio or Sacred Work solo - age 17 and over
One own choice piece which must be in the original key. The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Rose Bowl Challenge. (Class 72)
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Operatic solo - age 17 years and over
One own choice piece which must be in the original key. The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Rose Bowl Challenge. (Class 72)
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
British Composer solo - age 17 years and over
One own choice piece from any 20th or 21st century British composer. The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Rose Bowl Challenge (Class 72)
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
French Melodie or German Lieder - age 17 years and over
One own choice piece from the French repertoire sung in the original language OR one own choice piece from the Lieder repertoire sung in the original language. The winner gaining a B grade or above will be invited to compete in The Rose Bowl Challenge (Class 72)
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
The Rose Bowl
Qualifying winners of classes 64 to 71 will sing their winning pieces
Entries Closed
Fee: £0
The Magic of Walt Disney - age 17 years and over
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Pop Ballad - age 17 years and over
One own choice piece which may be self accompanied, may be accompanied by the festival accompanist or may use a backing track. Backing tracks using phones will require an adaptor to connect to the town hall systems. This class excludes performers from class 62.
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Vocal Duet -age 17 years and over
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Music Theatre - age 17 years and over
One own choice song from any musical written between 1950 and the present day which must be sung as a concert item.
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Light Opera - age 17 years and over
One own choice song from any light opera or musical written before 1950 which must be sung as a concert item.
Maximum Performance Duration: 6 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Vocal Recital - age 17 years and over
A recital of three contrasting own choice songs or arias. To enter this class you must have performed in at least one other class in the festival. You cannot sing any piece performed in any other class.
Maximum Performance Duration: 12 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £12
Group music theatre
A group excerpt/showpiece from any Musical Theatre or operetta. Maximum 20 people. To be held in the main hall using the stage. All libretti/scripts must be suitable content to cause no offence to a mixed audience which may contain children. Each group should provide own accompanist or backing track. Hand props may be used with limited costume if essential to the piece. Please note that there are no suitable changing room facilities available.
Maximum Performance Duration: 18 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £22
Junior Choir - KS2 workshop performance
One of the songs performed at the Key Stage Two workshop. Maximum 50 voices
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £20
Junior Choir - Hymns and Sacred Songs school year 6 and under
Two contrasting own choice sacred pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £20
Junior Choir - Previous non-winners - school year 6 and under
Two contrasting own choice pieces for any junior choir which has not entered the festival more than three times and has not won a class at the festival in the past five years
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £20
Junior Choir- Christmas/Festive school year 6 and under
Two contrasting Christmas/Festive pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £20
Junior Choir –Open to all - school year 6 and under
Two contrasting own choice pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £20
Young People’s Choir - school year 9 and under
Two contrasting own choice pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £20
Young People’s Choir - school year 11 and under
Two contrasting own choice pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £20
Young people's Choir 21 years and under
Two contrasting own choice pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £20
Adult/Mixed age Choir - Christmas/Festive
Two contrasting Christmas/Festive pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £22
Adult/Mixed age Choir
Two contrasting own choice pieces. Open to any choir which has not been placed first in a class at the festival over the last five years
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £22
Adult/Mixed age Small Choir - up to 20 voices
Two contrasting own choice pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £22
Adult/Mixed Aged Female Voice Choir 21 voices and over
Two contrasting own choice pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £22
Adult/Mixed Aged Male Voice Choir - 21 voices and over
Two contrasting own choice pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £22
Adult/Mixed Aged Mixed Voice Choir - 21 voices and over
Two contrasting own choice pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 8 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £22
Choir Programme - open to choirs in classes 88 to 93
A balanced programme of up to three pieces
Maximum Performance Duration: 12 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £22
Choir Challenge
Five or six invited choirs from classes 88 to 94 judged by the adjudicator to be the most appropriate groups to sing in the evening concert. It is possible that not all winning choirs will be invited. Performance will be judged on entertainment value. Pieces may be specially prepared for this class or those sung in previous classes. No adjudicator copies are required. This class will take place during the Last Night of the Festival Concert on Saturday February 25 2023
Entries Closed
Fee: £0
Verse speaking - school year 4 and under
Own choice verse from memory
Maximum Performance Duration: 2 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Verse Speaking - school year 6 and under
Own choice verse from memory
Maximum Performance Duration: 2 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Verse Speaking - school year 9 and under
Own choice verse from memory
Maximum Performance Duration: 2 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Humorous verse speaking - school year 4 and under
Own choice verse from memory
Maximum Performance Duration: 2 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Humorous Verse Speaking - school year 6 and under
Own choice verse from memory
Maximum Performance Duration: 2 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Humorous Verse Speaking - school year 9 and under
Own choice verse from memory
Maximum Performance Duration: 2 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Prepared reading - school year 4 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 2 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Prepared reading - school year 6 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 2 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Prepared reading - school year 9 and under
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 2 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Sight reading school year 6 and under
You will be given a few minutes to read through a piece of prose before reading to the adjudicator. Each performer will be given the same conditions.
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Bible reading school year 6 and under
The reading must be from the King James Version of the Bible. Either 1 Samuel 3 vs 1-10 The Lord calls Samuel OR John 21 vs 1-14 The Miraculous catch of Fish
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Story telling school years 7 to 10
Each performer will be provided with an OBJECT around which a story must be built. A spontaneous response is required. Story must have suitable content to cause no offence to a mixed audience which may include children.
Entries Closed
Fee: £0
Solo Acting school year 6 and under
One own choice speech from any play excluding Shakespeare or from a monologue to be performed from memory.
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Solo Acting school year 9 and under
One own choice speech from any play excluding Shakespeare or from a monologue to be performed from memory.
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Solo Acting school year 11 and under
One own choice speech from any play excluding Shakespeare or from a monologue to be performed from memory.
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Solo Acting - Shakespeare school year 11 and under
One own choice speech from a Shakespeare play to be performed from memory.
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Solo Mime - school year 6 and under
Set title; Handle with care
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Solo Mime - school years 7 to 9
Set title; Temptation
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Solo Mime - school years 10 to 13
Set title; The Wrong Door
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £8
Bible reading open (excluding performers in Class 106)
The reading must be from the King James Version of the Bible. Either Micah 4 vs 1-5 The Mountain of the Lord OR Matthew 9 vs 18-27 Peter's Confession to Christ
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Prepared reading - open
One own choice piece
Maximum Performance Duration: 3 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Prepared poetry reading - open
Any poem written by John Betjeman, not from memory
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Sight reading - open
You will be given a few minutes to read through a piece of prose before reading to the adjudicator. Each performer will be given the same conditions.
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Story telling - open
Each performer will be provided with an OBJECT around which a story must be built. A spontaneous response is required. Story must have suitable content to cause no offence to a mixed audience which may include children.
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Solo acting - open
One own choice speech from any play excluding Shakespeare or from a monologue to be performed from memory.
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Dramatic solo - Shakespeare open
One own choice speech from any Shakespeare time includes any introduction, to be performed from memory
Maximum Performance Duration: 4 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Dialect speaking open
One own choice piece. Performers are reminded that the material should exercise dialect speaking rather than just regional accent.
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Poetry Writing open
The piece must be no longer than 5 minutes in speaking
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Prose writing open
The piece must be no longer than 5 minutes in speaking
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Dialect Poetry Writing
The piece must be no longer than 5 minutes in speaking
Maximum Performance Duration: 5 minutes
Entries Closed
Fee: £9
Concerts
YOUNG Musician Of The Year
The Young Musician of the Year contest is intended for young musicians of a high standard (at least grade 8 or equivalent), including those aiming towards or just beginning a professional career in music. Instrumentalists or singers are welcome. The £1000 prize should be used for their musical development.

Find Out More