ARTS DIARY
New Voices Singing Competition:
The Northern Aldborough Festival has begun a nationwide hunt for the best UK classical vocal talent of 2024. Entries are now invited to apply to the annual New Voices Singing Competition, which offers £7,000 cash prizes and performing opportunities for the winners; deadline for entries is April 19. The competition is open to soloists, duos, and ensembles of up to eight participants with a focus on singing. Participants must be aged from 18-32 to enter and be resident in the UK. The competition features a live semi-finals and grand final during this year’s Festival on 17 and 18 June. The New Voices Singing Competition was launched in 2023 by the festival’s director Robert Ogden in response to funding cuts in the classical music sector to provide a platform for emerging talent. Details aldboroughfestival.co.uk
New CEO at Leeds Heritage Theatres:
Leeds Heritage Theatres’ Board of Trustees have announced the appointment of Vicky Cheetham as its new CEO. Cheetham succeeds Chris Blythe who has been in post since 2015 and will retire at the end of March. Currently interim Co-Executive Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Cheetham brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge gained at cultural organisations including the Tate, Southbank Centre, and London’s Barbican. She has worked across music, theatre, dance, comedy, film, literature, visual arts and creative learning. She will take up the post this summer.
Poetry in Song: On February 29, Seven Arts Leeds will be filled with the spirit of love, tradition, and feminine artistry as SAA-uk celebrate Leap Day with Raga@7: Poetry in Song. The evening promises to be a poetic and melodic journey through time, curated to showcase the talent of women in the world of music and literature. Renowned artist Priti Kaur will take the stage to recite and perform songs written or performed by women throughout history. The programme will include folk songs, soulful Bhajans by 16th-century mystic poet Meerabai, and moving ghazals by poets Amrita Pritam and Parveen Shakir. saa-uk.org