Tuned up for music festival

Preparations to showcase talent well under way

Following the success of the 40th Mid Argyll Music Festival, organisers are preparing for another musical week showcasing the talent of Argyll.

Performers will be welcomed at a new venue this year as the festival’s traditional venue, Ardrishaig Public Hall, is undergoing refurbishment. Lochgilphead Parish Church will become home for the festival’s daytime competitions, while all evening classes and the final will be held at Lochgilphead Joint Campus.

Running from Monday March 16 to Saturday March 21, the 2020 festival will open with the school poetry competitions in English and Scots at the church. Tuesday will also be based at the church and will feature junior vocal groups in English, Scots and Gaelic plus recorder competitions and some solo boys’ singing events.

Wednesday will see a day of primary school song competitions, before the popular evening of Songs from the Shows starts at 7pm at Lochgilphead Joint Campus.

Secondary school song contests take place on Thursday, followed by the piano competitions.

Starting at 7pm in the joint campus, Rainbows and Brownies will perform, followed by junior and senior vocal duets and the pop song competition.

Friday it is over to the brass and wind instruments at the church, along with junior and senior Gaelic song competitions.

At the campus that night, again starting at 7pm, the audience can enjoy choirs, vocal ensembles and adult solo singing classes.

Saturday is the big day for instrumental competitions, including the solo piping competitons starting at the joint campus at 9.30am.

The brilliant Bands Bonanza, followed by the premier awards prizegiving, will bring the festival to a close on Saturday night from 6.30pm.

More details are available on the Mid Argyll Music Festival Facebook page.