I’ve just returned from the British and International Federation of Festivals Conference which was held in Bristol over the weekend. Music Festivals are mini amateur competitions held all around the UK (there are many abroad, too), and they play an important role in the British music scene. Consisting of numerous instrumental, vocal and chamber music classes, a festival provides an excellent opportunity for budding young musicians to perform and receive constructive criticism from an experienced adjudicator. That’s my job. I was fortunate enough to be selected last October and have attended various ‘test’ days over the past year, where I have routinely had to demonstrate my ability and suitability to be an adjudicator.
The Federation Conference was attended by approximately 150 delegates from the Speech, Drama and Music areas of each festival; these mainly included festival organisers and adjudicators. During the three day event there were copious lectures and discussions relating to important issues ensuring each festival runs smoothly.
I particularly enjoyed the guest speaker, Andrew Curran, who is a Consultant Pediatric Neurologist and TV Presenter. His talk examined the effects of performances on the human condition. It was fascinating. We were treated to a description of how the brain works and how this affects our music making and thought processes. Curran was humorous yet hard hitting in his approach and some of his conclusions were most thought provoking.
The conference provided an opportunity to chat to all those involved in the Federation. This is possibly the only chance festival organisers get to meet those who work at Federation House allowing them to ask pertinent questions regarding the successful coordination of their festival. It’s also an ideal occasion for adjudicators like myself to meet these organisers with a view to future bookings. I have since been booked for several festivals in 2014, in the distant future or so it seems, but festival adjudicators are often booked many years ahead.
A music festival offers an opportunity to play locally. If you are an instrumental or music teacher with students who would benefit from practising their pieces before their music exams, consider entering.
