Arts / Entries now open for youth music festival
YOUNGSTERS are being encouraged to “come and join the fun” at the next Shetland Youth Music Festival.
The event is taking place this year Mareel in Lerwick from Monday 17 March to Thursday 20 March.
This year is a secondary festival, open to all young people of secondary school age in full-time education in Shetland.
The organisers said they are delighted to welcome Anne MacDonald to adjudicate the festival.
MacDonald, an examiner for Trinity College London and violinist with Scottish Ballet Orchestra, was last in Shetland in 2017 to judge the entrants.
She said: “I feel very fortunate to have been asked to return to Shetland to adjudicate the next youth music festival.
“On my previous visits I was struck by just how much music is a vital and thriving part of life on the islands. Children are involved in so many different aspects, often able to play more than one instrument and always with passion.
“The role that your instrumental and vocal instructors fulfil is one to be admired. It certainly is something to be cherished.
“I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to travel much of the world as an adjudicator and examiner and to be able to see first-hand how talents are nurtured in different places.
“Shetland really is quite special in its musical heritage, and I can’t wait to get back and enjoy more high-class music making.”
Chair and event coordinator Sioban McGregor has been involved in the festival for the last 12 years.
She said: “We are delighted that the festival, after the setback with Covid, has had such a successful few years, especially now we are self-funded through sponsorship and donations.
“We had over 600 young musicians involved at the junior festival in 2024, and we would like to welcome musicians from all backgrounds to enter the 2025 festival, and to come and join in the fun.”
The festival online syllabus and entry forms are available at www.symf.co.uk. The closing date for entries is Monday 24 February.
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