Welcome to Festival 2013

Once again the Hastings Musical Festival has had an exciting and successful year, culminating with a wonderful celebratory concert on the second of June in honour of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11’s Diamond Jubilee. It was a moving and joyous occasion with past entrants, who are at college furthering their training, joining with local school children and other young ,and not so young, performers in producing a sparkling showcase of their talent. Even our Chairman, Molly Townson, joined in a rousing flag-waving finale with a triumphant rendering of ‘Rule Brittania’.

As usual there are many changes to the Syllabus for 2013 so please take the time to read it carefully. It has been decided that Sunday is the preferred day for the Group Dancing and so that is scheduled for the 17^th March, when the dancers will be able to change in the Sussex Hall. The Prizewinners Concert reverts to Saturday (23^rd) but the Executive Committee has decided to continue with the early start of 5-15pm as this proved popular last year.

We try hard to listen to all of your suggestions so please if you have any comments, good or bad, mention them to the General Secretary and she will be sure to bring them to the attention of the Executive Committee.

Entry Fees will have to rise slightly, just 10p for the under 18 solos, and 30p for the over 18s. Other class entry fees will rise pro rata. The ‘five for the price of four’ offer remains throughout all age-groups. The Executive Committee has done its best to keep entry fees to a minimum but in the present financial climate it has to be realistic and think of the future stability of HMF. I would like to stress that in cases of hardship, please speak in confidence to the General Secretary, who together with the Executive Committee, will do their best to help.

The AGM is on the 19^th October. Please put that date in your diary and come along with your ideas for the Committee to take into consideration for the future. This is your Festival. Please come and take part in decisions that will affect you and your children.

My usual reminders PLEASE.

1. Read the instructions carefully. They do change from year to year

2. Be sure that your entry is received by the closing date, 13^th November 2012. Remember that there is no guarantee that entries after that date will be accepted, although late entries may, in some circumstances, be accepted at the discretion of the Executive Committee on payment of a double fee. PLEASE NOTIFY THE FESTIVAL OFFICE OF ANY WITHDRAWALS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

3. Remember that what you wear, the way you look, and the way you approach the stage and introduce your performance are all taken into consideration by the adjudicator.

As always I wish you the very best of luck

Brenda Bailey, General Secretary.