New classes to freshen up 103rd Tournament of Song

One of the oldest festivals in the country, the tournament was founded in 1898 by Amias Lucien Orde-Powlett, with the aim of encouraging the study of good music and literature.

The contest affords competitors the opportunity of having their performance marked by professional adjudicators. This year the adjudicators are, for speech, Cally Foster and, for music, Marilynne Davies.

All contestants receive a written assessment and the chance to win a trophy. Entries can come from individuals, groups, or organisations such as schools or societies. With 241 classes overall, it includes several new and up-to-date sections.

Mrs Nelson said: “I hope the new ideas introduced will include something for everyone to come along and enjoy. It is importantto show offthe talent we have here in Wensleydale. Although it is a serious competition, it is also about having fun.”

Amias Lucien Orde-Powlett, who founded the event in 1898

New classes in the junior speech include a non-Shakespeare sonnet, a prose-reading duet and a verse-speaking duet.

In the senior competition, a Shakespeare solo, Shakespeare sonnet, prose-reading duet, a verse-speaking duet, and diary reading are all new this year.

New classes in the junior group are six hands at one piano, a woodwind duet, a celebration of music from special schools, an informal singing group, two contrasting songs, a musical show song, and musical theatre.

The senior musical section this year will feature classes for a gospel or spiritual song or hymn, musical theatre, a woodwind duet, vocal ensembles, accordion/melodeon/concertina solos, a novice duet or trio, anthems and community choirs.

The first week is for speech classes. The second week – from Monday, March 18 – is for music and song.

All performances are open to the public and the syllabus is downloadable from www.dalesmusic.co.uk.