About the Farnham Competitive Music Festival

“this is a fantastic venue for a music festival”
“a friendly festival – we always enjoy this one the best”
“super festival and a fabulous confidence booster for our children”

These comments from 2009 sum up the distinctive character of Farnham Competitive Music Festival which, with up to 400 entries each year, maintains high standards within a friendly atmosphere.

We welcome participants of all ages and abilities, giving them the opportunity to perform in superb conditions and to receive guidance in both non-competitive and competitive classes from our four professional adjudicators.

Our 2010 Festival will be held once again at Frensham Heights School, three miles south of Farnham, in beautiful grounds with glorious views across the valley towards National Trust land including Frensham Ponds (www.frensham-heights.org.uk). The elegant Ballroom, with its excellent acoustics, provides a perfect setting for the singing, woodwind, brass and advanced string classes. The award-winning Performing Arts Centre, with a Bösendorfer grand piano, is used for all piano classes as well as some of the string section. The school’s music practice rooms and ample free parking are available for participants during the Festival weekends.

This year we are delighted to welcome Jonathan Willcocks, Helen Browne, Geoffrey Pratley and Sarah Newbold as our distinguished expert adjudicators for the singing, strings, piano, woodwind and brass sections, respectively.

Whilst places are awarded in competitive classes, this Festival gives prizes only in the junior, intermediate and senior recital classes. In the senior recital class of each section, competitors who achieve an “outstanding” grade can be awarded the title Farnham Young Musician 2010. A cash prize of £100 will be presented to the Farnham Young Musicians who perform in the Festival Concert on December 12th. Singers are also able to compete for the prestigious Sheila Armstrong Award for the Most Promising Young Singer which will be awarded for the seventh time in 2010.
 

The Festival is sponsored by the Farnham Town Council, Surrey County Council and the Lions Club of Farnham.