Woodley Festival looks forward to 42nd year

Record numbers of performers are preparing for this year’s Woodley Festival of music and arts.

The festival kicks off with a performance of 29 choirs at the Emmbrook School on Saturday, March 3 and other highlights include a vocal master-class from Ian Kennedy on Sunday, March 18.

The popular festival will take place across four weekends and will feature nearly 1,000 performances from 2,000 musicians and singers of all ages.

Colin Brown, co-chairman of the festival, said: “Festivals like this are all about having fun and provide an ideal opportunity to perform before a professional adjudicator and an enthusiastic audience. Every performer is awarded a certificate, and many medals and trophies are won.”

The festival, now in its 42nd year, is funded entirely from entry fees and sponsorship. The majority of performances will be held at Woodley Town Council’s Oakwood Centre.

Choral verse speaking classes will also take place at the Dolphin School in Hurst on Saturday, March 17. The festival’s finale concert will be held at Bearwood College Theatre on Sunday, March 25.

Visit www.woodleyfestival.org.uk for details.