Can anyone recommend any music festivals / competitions in the Surrey / London area? They seem an excellent way to get performing experience...

Try Bromley, Beckenham, Croydon, Coulsdon and Purley, Reigate and Redhill - they all have well-established and popular festivals

I can recommend Hounslow, Ealing and Richmond music festivals. Haven't entered my own students as yet but entered many times in my youth and the standard is very good.

Go for it.

Woking is good too. I've only had experience of the woodwind section, though.

oooooh thanks everyone - lots of festivals to investigate! I had a big search on Google last night but almost nothing came up.

I am on the commitee of the Bromley Music Festival and it is a very well-run, friendly festival.
When I was at school, I loved playing at music festivals so much that I did;
Richmond, Croydon, Beckenham, Bromley and Kingston and tons of other competitions-I was a nightmare if I didn't win!!!!!

There is also the Wandsworth Music Festival, which is slightly unusual in that it is non-competitive.. far healthier for the younger children (and their parents!) , I feel. Usually held on one Sunday in November.

Oooh - KHT - I teach in Bromley! My choir won the Junior Choir in 2000!

how do you find out things like this. I live in West Wales and don't know where to start. ny suggestions welcome

How about the Stratford and East London Music Festival which is very well established and the oldest one in England?

HelenVJ, I've been trying to find details of this year's Wandsworth Music Festival on the web and can't find anything. Is it happening, do you know, and where do I get information/entry details etc? Any advice appreciated, thanks. Mark

http://www.festivals.demon.co.uk/


Home of the British Federation of Festivals - has details of 100s of festivals, think you can search by area and by when they are happening.

Sadly, it's not happening this year, Mark. Lack of suitable volunteers to help is cited as being the main reason. What a shame - my pianists and singers really enjoyed this one. There was always an extremely friendly and supportive atmosphere, not always to be found at some of the other rather cut-throat competitive festivals. Hope you find another suitable one.

Helen

Can I just say how useful this link is ...........

I can recommend the Croydon and Redhill/Reigate festivals mentioned in an earlier post, at both of which I have accompanied competitors. They are both spring festivals.


Anyone looking for a festival to enter this autumn, might like to consider the Mid Sussex Competitive Music Festival on 12/13 and 19/20 November at Burgess Hill School for Girls (a 5 minute walk from Burgess Hill station on the London-Brighton line, only about 50 minutes from Victoria). There are classes for piano, voice, wind and strings. The closing date for applications is 9th October (but discretionary late entries may be accepted). Unfortunately the syllabus is not available online, but if you are interested you can call me on 01444 483794 or email me via this forum and I can put you in touch with the relevant section secretary. I am not on the organising committee but am on the list of accompanists in the syllabus.

I can recommend Beckenham Festival as I am on the committee!