This year’s Mary Wakefield Festival takes place from March 14-21, and the closing date for all entries is Friday, January 16.

There will be a new pop ballad class this year for students in school years 9-13, when entrants will be expected to show their performing skills with the use of microphone and backing track.

The Festival Showcase Concert will be held on Friday, March 20, and will include the finals of the Jim Noble Award, a prize of £500 given in memory of Jim Noble, who did so much for music in this area.

The prize will go to the individual musician under the age of 21 who the adjudicators feel has given the best performance during the week and shows most potential for the future.

The Choral Celebration this year will be on Saturday, March 21, with morning and afternoon sessions. This is the chance for many of the area’s choirs of all kinds to come together for a non-competitive day of singing to each other and enjoying each other’s performances.

The day will be led by a well-known young choral director, Justin Doyle, who will lead warm-up sessions during the day.

If you hold a trophy from the 2013 Festival, you will be contacted shortly with details of how and when to return it so that it will be available for a winner in one of this year’s classes.

Full details of the festival events are on the festival’s website, www.mwwf.org.uk.

Jean Robinson

ntries Secretary Mary Wakefield Festival