Make music at festival (From Swindon Advertiser)

Make music at festival

8:46pm Wednesday 22nd June 2011 in News By Scott D'Arcy

THE streets in Wootton Bassett will be alive with the sound of music as the much-anticipated annual arts festival returns.

Those wanting to try their hand at choir singing, woodwind, piano playing and brass will be coming together for a range of performances culminating in a concert of the most talented.

Miranda Shirnia, chairman of the organising committee, said: “We are getting rather excited about it.

“We have all kinds of classical music from brass, strings and instrumental to pop songs and opera.

“There will be lots of things going on and I think it’s going to be really great fun both for children and adults.

“We will be using St Bartholomew’s Church, which is particularly nice for the choirs and some of the sacred music; it’s lovely in there.

“Everything else will be in the memorial hall and I hope plenty of people will come and watch.”

And with all entries for the musical performers snapped up, there will be plenty to enjoy, Mrs Shirnia said.

“We would like to see people come to watch because one of the great things about doing this kind of thing is the chance for people to perform in front of an audience,” she said.

“We all feel quite strongly that we want everyone to have a go at participating at the arts.

“And it is a really local festival with lots of performers from Wootton Bassett but we do get people coming from further afield to take part.

“We have been trying to keep prices as low as possible so that people can come and watch or they can come and share their art with other people, whatever form that is.”

A concert finale will be held on Sunday evening showcasing the best talent from all the classes over the four days.

Entry costs £2.50 per day and tickets for the concert and each of the performances will be available on the door or through Brian Taylor Music, where programmes will also be available, as well as on the festival website www.wbaf.co.uk.

There will also be another heat of Swindon Talent ’11 on Friday, July 1. Visit www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk to download an entry form.