Young soloists get set for Festival limelight
Playsomething launches Hertford Music Festival’s young talent contest.
Budding young musicians in Hertfordshire who think they have what it takes to be the next Duffy or Nigel Kennedy will have the opportunity to step into the limelight at this year’s Hertford Music Festival in May.
Ware-based music retailer Playsomething has announced it will sponsor the music festival’s Young Soloists’ Competition with cash prizes, a prestigious trophy and the opportunity to play in front of an audience of more than 2000 at this year’s Hertford Castle Fun Day in early June.
Staircase of talentThe Festival is once again inviting young musicians and vocalists aged from under 11 to 18 who live, work or go to school in the East Herts area to take their first steps on the staircase of talent at an all-day contest organised by Hertford Music Centre in the Music Block of the Simon Balle School on Saturday, May 9. As previously, there are two age categories available for pianists, strings, brass, woodwind, vocals and electric or acoustic guitar. A panel of local and professional musicians will be on hand to assess the entrants but the event will be strictly informal to keep any stage fright to a minimum, stress the organisers.
The categories and prizes sponsored by Playsomething are as follows:
| 11 years and under | 12-18 years | ||
| Piano | - £25 | Piano | £25 |
| Woodwind | - £25 | Woodwind | - £25 |
| Strings | - £25 | Strings | - £25 |
| Brass | - £25 | Brass | - £25 |
| Voice | - £25 | Voice | - £25 |
| Guitar (electric or acoustic) | - £25 | Guitar (electric or acoustic) | - £25 |
The Hertford Music Festival, which this year celebrates its 16th birthday, is again sponsored by local telecomms specialists Universal Office Automation and grant aided by Hertford Town Council.
Performers wishing to take part in the Young Soloists Competition can pick up entry forms from Playsomething in Ware or by e-mailing Hertford Music Festival music director Kev Saunders at kev@kevsaunders.co.uk. There is an entry fee of £3 to cover administrative costs, say the organisers.