Chamber music rings out for the 20th year
A unique festival involving thousands of young musicians of all abilities will be getting underway in Warwickshire during the second week of March.
The county’s annual Chamber Music Festival is a three-day extravaganza of group-music making and individual skill. It is believed to be the only festival of its kind in the country, and this year will involve performances from more than 2,000 pupils of all ages from 150 schools, and the county’s four regional Music Centres.
Anything goes – from pop music and steel bands to string quartets. The only rule is that every person in every group must be playing an individual part – that’s what makes it Chamber Music.
Pupils will be taking part in 12 separate area festivals from Shipston on Stour in the south of the county, to the North Warwickshire Festival, in Atherstone, Polesworth and Coleshill, between 7 and 9 March.
After each day-time festival, adjudicators will select a range of groups to display their skill at a public evening concert at a local venue, in front of parents, friends and paying guests.
The entire mammoth initiative is organised and adjudicated by County Music Service, part of Warwickshire County Council’s Education Department.
Organiser Michael Williamson, Head of Strings and Manager, County Performance Groups, at County Music Service, said: “This is an absolutely mammoth venture, and there is nothing like it anywhere else in the country. There is always plenty of enthusiasm, and the young people taking part appreciate the chance to perform. Not only does everyone taking part see it as a challenge and an extremely exciting part of the County Music Service calendar, but the Festivals are always a resounding success with audiences.”