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The Croydon Music Festival

Participants come from across the region to join in a celebration of numerous musical disciplines and styles, from piano to handbells and from choral to pop. Meanwhile, dance and drama are also featured in what is a truly varied spectacle.

With a stated aim to improve the standard of the performing arts and to educate performers and adjudicators alike, the festival is active though April and May and is predominantly held at the concert hall of the Whitgift School. 

Seating 300, the Whitgift venue is blessed with excellent acoustics, and among the various instruments on site are a grand piano and a harpsichord. The Ashcroft Theatre in the famous Fairfield Halls is also used by the festival, offering 748 seats and excellent sightlines.

Each year the festival shows the fruits of its labours at various public concerts, away from competition rules. This year these include the dance gala (April 10), the Concert Competition Final (May 19), a lunchtime concert (July 2) and the AGM concert on October 2. More information can be found on www.croydonmusicfestival.co.uk

The event has won plaudits from press and performers alike. “The Croydon Music Festival is now established as one of the region’s most respected platforms for amateur talent of all ages” said Christopher Wood from the Croydon Advertiser. Meanwhile, past participant Gemma Webster says that the festival “makes you remember that music making is about enjoying it, and also enjoying listening to others.” 

Inevitably the buzz generated by the festival brings a high demand of people looking for hotels in Croydon. The Hallmark Hotel Croydon, the former Aerodrome hotel, is ideally situated for all of the venues used at The Croydon Music Festival and a good base to relax between concerts.

Published: May 09 2013