Music
Vocal- Piano- Brass- Strings- Woodwind- Choral-
Vocal- Piano- Brass- Strings- Woodwind- Choral-
The music section has had to evolve rapidly in the 21st century. The ways in which music is taught, the instruments the children choose and the styles of music they enjoy, have changed beyond recognition.
There used to be classes of 20 or 30 pianists in ‘friendly’ (or not-so-friendly) competition with each other, and similar numbers for strings and woodwind classes. Every school would bring a choir to sing in various categories, and there was always enormous support for the vocal classes among both adults and children. The Festival instigated much conversation and interest in the whole community, and audiences were full to capacity.
Today, festivals (or ‘Our Festival, at least) provides a platform on which people can perform and enjoy the performances of others, while the element of competition has almost disappeared. The adjudicator will always point out the strongest areas of a performance, and then give valuable guidance for improvement. It has become more relaxed; it’s enjoyable and entertaining, while providing memorable points of education for both performers and audience.
Over the last few years the Highbridge Festival has hosted acts such as an African-style drumming group, various rock/pop bands, brass and silver bands, and school bands with a multitude of classroom instruments. Soloists have ranged from singers, pianists and players of orchestral instruments of all kinds to harps, handbell and harmonicas. In 2022 we welcomed our first bagpipes.
Music adjudicator 2025
Donal McCrisken MBE MA BMus LTCL MTD AdvCertEd
A message from our 2025 adjudicator, Donal McCrisken:
Ocarinas, guitars, pianos, recorders, djembe drums and accordions - they were all to be found at Highbridge Festival of the Arts last week. Not to mention singers singing folk songs, sea shanties, spirituals, songs from the shows, classical songs and operatic arias. Oh, and literally hundreds of singers of all ages singing in choirs and in every style you can imagine.
If you are tempted to think that a music or arts festival is somewhat niche, that it is only for the narrow specialist or even that it is all about competition then you could not be more wrong. I heard young and not so young performers urge each other on, applaud and cheer their 'rivals' and generally enter into a spirit of positivity, inclusivity and cooperation. This was all in the service of music performance, but they will have realised at some level that something very important is happening here: they are celebrating community, friendship and cultural identity in a fun and pleasurable way. They are involved in something which is challenging, exhilarating and downright fun. If I had any doubt about the latter, I only had to look at the delight on the faces of the performers, and the spring in their step as they left the festival venue. Playing and singing music makes you feel good - many of the performers stopped to tell me that. They were kind enough to accept my feedback on their performances (or at least they seemed to!), and also to accept my view that the winning of a trophy or medal is about the least important aspect of this operation. Yes, it is lovely if that happens, but mine is only one opinion and I am clear that I don't have the last word on anything.
So, another Highbridge Festival has finished - the 77th in all - and more lovely memories are made. This was my third visit and I am more than ever in awe of the organisers, Clare Catcheside the General Secretary, Mary Lawrence the Music Secretary, and the army of volunteers who make this work and who will already be making plans for 2026. Long may you all thrive as you give invaluable performance opportunities to musicians of all ages.
Donal McCrisken
March 2025
Music Location 2025
We are very grateful to the PCC of St John’s Church for allowing us to use the church for the Music Section in 2025.
This is a change from the venue published in the Syllabus.
St John’s Church
Church Street, Highbridge, TA9 3HS
Nearest Car Park- Bank Street at the rear of Highbridge Community Hall which is in Market Street, Highbridge
Music Syllabus 2025
Syllabus 2025
Click the link above to view the music syllabus for 2025
The Syllabus for 2026 will be published here towards the end of September
Music Entries 2025