About the Farnham Competitive Music Festival

2009

“this is a fantastic venue for a music festival” [a young instrumentalist]
“a friendly festival – we always enjoy this one the best” [a local family]
“super festival and a fabulous confidence booster for our children” [a family from London]

2010

"I felt welcomed and very well looked after" [ an adult entering her first festival]

"the friendly stewards made us all welcome" [ a family from Essex]

"thank you for providing such a positive and welcoming environment for the children to play in" [ a local violin teacher]

These comments from the 2009 and 2010 Festivals 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 2011 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 Anne Howells, Sophie Langdon, James Lisney and Gillian Johnston 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 (recital class for singing), competitors who achieve an “outstanding” grade can be awarded the title Farnham Young Musician 2011. A cash prize of £100 will be presented to the Farnham Young Musicians who perform in the Festival Concert. Singers are also able to compete for the prestigious Sheila Armstrong Award for the Most Promising Young Singer which will be awarded for the eighth time in 2011.

In 2011 the first June Fielding Bursary of £500 will be awarded. 

The 2011 Festival is sponsored by the Farnham Institute Charity, the Golsoncott Foundation, Surrey County Council and the Lions Club of Farnham.