95th Taunton and Somerset Music and Drama Festival

11:50am Saturday 6th September 2008

THE 95th Taunton and Somerset Music and Drama Festival takes place in November.

This year’s festival welcomes Michael Stone to adjudicate the speech and drama classes.

The music adjudicators include Andrew Sherwood, conductor of Somerset County Youth Orchestra and Principal Conductor for European Youth Summer Music, and Keith Allen, Director of the National Concert Band Festival and Artistic Director of the London International Wind Band Festival, who are paying return visits to the festival.

Piano classes will be heard by Ruth Gerald, who was Professor of Piano and Piano Accompaniment at the Royal College of Music and gives Master classes and adjudicates at festivals all over the world.

The vocal adjudicators are Luise Horrocks and Benjamin Costello.

Luise’s adjudicating classes will include a vocal workshop for both experienced singers, and younger performers preparing for college auditions.

Ben is a London-based musician working throughout the UK as a musical director, singing coach, choral director, accompanist and arranger who maintains a busy private practice with countless of current and former students pursuing successful careers in the West End and beyond.

The festival will take place from November 10-15, with drama classes being held at Temple Methodist Church Hall and music classes at Queen’s College.

Included in the syllabus are details of the Taunton Yong Musician of the Year Competition, offering substantial cash prizes and an opportunity to play in concert next year with the Taunton Sinfonietta.

For further details call 01823-337602 – closing date for entries is September 26.