Musicians in tune for festival’s 25th year
CHARLOTTE GREEN
HUNDREDS of aspiring musicians tuned up for the 25th anniversary of an amateur music festival.
The Ramsbottom Musical Festival celebrated its quarter century with performances at Woodhey High School, Greenmount United Reformed Church and Greenmount Primary School.
The finale of the festival – a gala concert – took place on Saturday, March 18 at Greenmount United Reformed Church, featuring the best entrants and award winners.
The festival offers more than 90 classes in musical disciplines ranging from adult choral, piano, electronic keyboard, woodwind, brass and strings. This year also included the introduction of electric guitar classes.
Chairman Mary Crehan, said the anniversary event was a great success.
She said: “This year’s Ramsbottom Music Festival, celebrating its 25th year, proved that the tradition of musicality in the younger – and older – generations is alive and kicking.
“With over 200 performances, from some 400 performers ranging from six to 60 over the two days of the festival, it is clear that the desire to play and perform is as strong as ever within the local community.
“With stunning performances throughout the days, and the schools’ day on the Friday drawing local brass bands and choirs from Bury, Bolton and beyond, the 25th festival yet again delivered a refreshing set of performances.”
Violinist Elizabeth Peni Brooks, from Ramsbot- tom, won the Liz CrehanAnderson Memorial Trophy for Strings Solo grade seven standard and she was also awarded the Stella Jackson Shield for ‘The Most Promising String Player’.
Trumpeter Leo Stemp, from Bacup, won the M Gardner Trophy for Brass Solo grade five standard, and he was also awarded the Drs. Baig, McKinnan and Sarkar Shield for The Most Promising Brass Player at the festival.
Lucy Jackson, from Ramsbottom, won second prize in the Open Class for all performers grade eight and above, and treated the gala concert audience to a stunning performance of Elegy by K. Leighton on cello.
Mary added: “The gala concert was also a great success and was attended by the mayor and consort and several awards were presented.
“The church was full and we had around 150 people there. The standard of the winners was really excellent.”