News

Music Festival Opens for Fourth Decade

A local music festival welcomes a new President as it opens entries for its 41^st year!

Camborne Music Festival has been celebrating local musical talent for over forty years and this year Mrs Agnes Jane, who has been a key part of the festival since it’s beginnings as a talented accompanist, has accepted the honour as President.

Agnes, who lives in Illogan and is 80, has supported many of the competitors over the 41 years that she has been involved, helping them to achieve and win classes as well as further their music careers.

Agnes said, "I am delighted to be President and feel very honoured to be asked. I have had the pleasure of accompanying talented musicians of all ages over the years and am very much looking forward to this year’s event".

With the festival held at Camborne Centenary Church from Monday 8^th to Saturday 13^th November, entries are now open for musicians to register. Over 100 classes are available including vocal classes ranging from Barbershop Quartets to Choirs, Organ, Harp, Piano, Composition, Guitar, Strings, Recorders, Woodwind, Brass, or any instrument and Percussion. Each year the event sees entries from children under eight years old through to some adults that have entered every festival since it began.

Organised and run by dedicated volunteers, money is raised throughout the year as well as receiving practical help from local businesses. The event has also enjoyed the continued support of one sole sponsor - Nalders Solicitors who have sponsored Camborne Music Festival for a number of years now and are delighted to be supporting it again this year.

Ross Pascoe, Camborne-based partner of Nalders Solicitors said, "Nalders are very proud to support the local community. Over 420 musicians and singers of all ages took part last year in Camborne Music Festival and the talent that entrants have from around the area is extraordinary and something to be truly celebrated and enjoyed by all. We hope that this year’s event will see a record number of entrants who can benefit in various ways from being involved, as well as enjoying the festival."

Camborne Music Festival is affiliated to the Federation of Music Festivals, which means that the highest qualified adjudicators are accessed each year to oversee every class.

Agnes explains the importance of this: "Our adjudicators are some of the most highly qualified and use their expertise to support and advise those who take part. Many young competitors have started their musical careers through our festival and gone on to great things."

Agnes continued, "Last year’s winner of ‘most promising young musician’ – Christopher Bond was encouraged through participating for several years in the festival to develop his musical career and has certainly exhibited exceptional talent. As well as winning last year, he has gone on to perform in National Finals with his cornet, composed with top musiciansin the field of composition and played 1st keyboard at the Minack"