The Wansbeck Music Festival
(Founded 1906 - Charity Commission Registered Charity No 1044978)
Affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals of Music, Dance and Speech.
Patron - Her Majesty the Queen
This Morpeth Competitive Festival is based upon the River Wansbeck and its surrounding areas and serves musicians of all ages from around the North East region. The Festival attracts well over 1000 entries from competitors both individual and in ensembles ranging from Duets to Orchestras, Bands and Choirs. Competitors came from as far afield as Alnwick to Teesside.
In 2006 the Festival celebrated it’s Centenary Year - although only the 94th Festival since competitions were not held during World War II.
In 2009 the Festival is expected to run for a total of 8 to 9 days with 3 or 4 evenings during March. The partnership with the Northumberland Brass Band Association, set up in 2006, continued successfully in 2007 and 2008 and we will again hold a two day Brass Festival Weekend in April 2009 with the aim of general encouragement of brass playing in the area and specifically to encourage younger brass players. In addition to an increased entry of individuals players this event has attracted up to 10 brass bands to enter the adult band competitions.
The Wansbeck Music Festival is affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals of Music, Dance and Speech.
Our Principal Sponsors are:
Morpeth Town Council
The Royal Bank of Scotland
Wansbeck District Council
Castle Morpeth Borough Council