A non-competitive music festival is giving those who have never performed before their chance to shine. Pianist Duncan Honeybourne tells Joanna Davis why Weymouth Music Festival is so unique.

MUSIC performers of all ages and abilities will take part in a festival that could see them playing in a concert.

Weymouth Music Festival, to be held on Saturday, March 2 from 9am, is a non-competitive and all-inclusive day of music celebration.

The festival, to be held at St Aldhelm's Church in Weymouth, is a friendly, welcoming 'platform for live performance' for anyone - including those who have never performed before.

Pianist Duncan Honeybourne, of Weymouth, is one of the festival's four adjudicators and will be overseeing the organ class.

The other classes are Wind, Brass, Instrumental groups, Piano and Composition and Vocal Solos, Musical Theatre and Strings.

Duncan has toured extensively at home and abroad as a recitalist and is tutor in piano at the University of Southampton. His performances are frequently broadcast on radio networks worldwide.

He said: "I think the great thing about Weymouth Music Festival is it offers a non-judgemental, supportive and friendly platform to musicians of all ages whether they are experienced or novices.

"The experience can help people who might be afraid of performing because the feedback is all very positive and there are no marks. The adjudicators give helpful, positive advice. There are no winners and a few people are selected for the concert."

The music festival's concert will also be held at St Aldhelm's Church - taking place on Friday, March 8.

Everyone is welcome to attend both the festival to listen to the music and to the ticketed concert.

Last year the festival still went ahead despite taking place in the adverse weather of March 2018.

Duncan said: "We had to get local people to be the adjudicators because the original adjudicators couldn't get over the Ridgeway to Weymouth. But the spirit of the Blitz was alive and well. We pulled together and got on with it and made the festival happen."

The festival's other adjudicators are solo recitalist Simon Ballard, oboe player Kyle Jones and singer Christine Cairns, who has performed all over the world and has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London.

This year vocalists will get the chance to work on a piece of music, of any type, with Christine.

Duncan said the main thing the adjudicators will be looking for is 'a shared love of music making'.

He added: "We're also looking for a complete enjoyment of making music and communication. It's all about experiencing the delights of it together and sharing the music."

Weymouth Music Festival is on March 2 at St Aldhelm's Church and Church Centre, Spa Road, Weymouth from 9am. Everyone is welcome to watch. It costs £5 for adults or £4.50 in advance if you book through the website. A family ticket can be bought in advance through the website. Weymouth Music Festival Concert is on March 8 at St Aldhelm's Church. Admission to the concert is £5 for adults and £7 for a family ticket.

W: weymouthmusicfestival.co.uk