New Milton Music Festival to culminate in gala concert at Arnewood School

TALENTED local musicians will showcase their work with a gala concert at New Milton’s Arnewood School on Sunday.

The New Milton Music Festival, which is dedicated to supporting, encouraging and inspiring vocal and instrumental performances, has more than 200 entrants taking part in adjudicated and non- adjudicated classes.

The festival began on 9th March at Durlston School with piano, adult vocal and guitar sections.

These were adjudicated by professional musicians who then nominated the best performances for participation in the gala concert.

This weekend the classes will continue at Arnewood School, when performers will take to four different stages in choral, ensemble, composition, solo vocal, brass, string, woodwind and percussion sections.

Festival spokesperson Simon Earl said: “Each of these will also be represented in the gala concert, providing a rich and diverse programme of classical and contemporary music.

“The programme won’t be known until the last choir has competed, so come and be entertained and ready to celebrate amazing local musical talent.”

The event has been running for the last 24 years and is supported by the Lions Club of New Milton and Rotary clubs of Highcliffe and the New Forest, and, before it folded, Becton and District.

This year Bransgore Rotary Club, along with members of New Forest Orchestra and New Life Church, is lending support to steward the competitions.

Simon continued: “This wonderful annual community venture is dedicated to supporting, encouraging and inspiring vocal and instrumental performance.”

Tickets will be available on the door from 6.30pm on Sunday 17th March. Adults are £5, while children go free. The concert starts at 7pm and is expected to last around 90 minutes.