MUSICAL talent was showcased in a one day Weymouth festival.

This year’s Weymouth Music Festival, held at Budmouth College, attracted around 80 entries. It saw a mixture of singers, choirs, piano players and violinists perform their music in front of adjudicators – many for the first time.

Some of the performers will take to the stage once again tomorrow for the Weymouth Music Festival concert at the same venue.

Alban Blunt helped with the organisation along with his wife Amanda, the entry secretary and treasurer.

He said: “The festival was very well attended. There was a very strong piano class, we had pianists in action all day.

“We were also pleased to see members of the public enjoy the music, we had people coming and going all day.”

There was a wide age range, Mr Blunt said, with the youngest being a six-year-old and the eldest in their nineties.

Musicians performed in different rooms in front of adjudicators Martin Emslie, David Price, Katharine Lam and Luke Whitlock.

Mr Blunt said: “It’s a non-competitive festival rather than people being rated, there’s a nice friendly feel to it and the adjudicators gave the musicians professional feedback and encouragement. After the performances the adjudicator will talk to the musician and give them a certificate to show they’ve performed.”

Although most of the classes remained popular at this year’s festival, there were no entrants for the brass class apart from Weymouth Concert Brass.

Mr Blunt said: “It’s sad there was a decline in younger performers but there seemed to be a clash with other musical events going on on the same day. Hopefully we will still be able to run it next year if we can avoid similar clashes.”

n Weymouth Music Festival Concert is tomorrow at Budmouth 7pm. Tickets £5 on the door.

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