Dear Performers, Teachers, Parents and Friends,
Welcome to the Portsmouth Music Festival 2024. As many of you already know, Portsmouth Music Festival is an exciting performing arts festival that takes place every February half term in and around Portsmouth. It is a wonderful opportunity for local people of all ages to share their performing skills in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. We are offering a broad range of classes this year across most disciplines and hope that we can provide a platform for anyone who would like to perform. There will also be opportunities to learn from our expert adjudicators who will be on hand to offer encouragement and advice. Yes, there will be cups, certificates and trophies to be awarded, but the main focus will always be on the joy of performance and just having fun.
There is an increasing amount of evidence that participating in the performing arts brings many benefits to young and old alike whether that be through increased mental agility, enhanced emotional intelligence, or more effective communication skills, not to mention the sheer joy of self-expression and connecting with an audience. For young performers it is also a chance to build confidence and resilience. We have many excellent and committed teachers out there who also understand the power of performance – and so we hope that they too will support the Festival by encouraging their pupils to enter.
Of course, the Festival is not just for solo performers. Groups, bands and other ensembles are equally welcome. There will also be special opportunities for exceptional and outstanding performers and more details of these can be found in the syllabus. We also plan to hold a special Gala Concert in March 2024 which will showcase some of the best performances seen during the Festival (details to be announced).
I would like to thank the Festival’s Management Committee for its hard work and dedication in preparing for the 2024 Festival. We still have some vacancies for volunteers so if you think you might like to help and support us then please do get in touch. I would also like to express my thanks to Sandra Lawlor who has brought much strength to the Festival as its previous Chair. Sandra has kindly agreed to remain with us as Vice Chair.
We hope that you will enjoy planning your entries. On our website you can view and download information about the Festival, including the syllabus and entry forms, as well as submitting entries (for Music and Speech and Drama only) and paying for them online. If you need any help, please do let our section heads know and they will be pleased to assist you.
www.portsmouthmusicfestival.co.uk
Let’s make 2024 the year we finally re-discover performing!
Best wishes
Andrew McVittie
Chair of Portsmouth Music Festival Committee
P.S. We are pleased to be able to let you know that entrance charges have not been increased this year!