Success at new home for Lincoln Music and Drama Festival

Lincoln Music and Drama Festival is back with a bang.

After a brief hiatus the festival returned to the city in a new home at Southside to highlight the talents of more than 500 young people.

Choral events took place at St Peter & Paul church to accommodate hundreds of children and their teachers, but all other classes took place at Southside over a four-day period. 

Classes ranged from choral and various solo/duet performances, to instrumental, piano, verse speaking and even a Shakespearean soliloquy.

Anne Chick, this year’s festival chair was delighted with the response to the event.

 “The young people of Lincoln really responded to our call for entries, and we had all ages from year 1-2 right up to year 13. The support from parents and teachers has been fabulous, we could not have asked for better and it’s very much appreciated.”

A winner’s concert was held at Southside in front of more than 100 people and a selection of grand cups and bursaries were presented by Paul Hill, the outgoing chair, and Bonny Ambrose, a local professional actor and drama teacher. 

Anne added: “We’re ambitious for the future and we have had a major commitment from all the schools that took part and many that were not able to. This festival not only promotes real talent, it also shows young people that performing, whether a piece of verse, drama or music, is a valuable life skill and many schools recognise that. 

“Our job is to start planning next year, now!  We are eager to hear from people who would like to volunteer and, of course, always looking for sponsors. 

“Come on Lincoln businesses, support your young people, after all one day you’ll want to employ someone who can present themselves in a clear, confident and concise way, and those are exactly the kind of skills they learn by taking part in the Lincoln Festival of Music and Drama.” 

Pictures: Blake Keal, Southside