Chipping Norton Music Festival starts this week

The festival, running from Friday March 3 to Saturday, March 18, is aiming to promote confidence through performance.

It spans a two-week period, giving time for all the different classes or categories of performance to take place.

All the classes are non competitive so that performers receive feedback in a supportive environment.

Sarah Cobb, chair of the Chipping Norton Music Festival, said: “The Chipping Norton Music Festival helps people to experience what fun it is to perform, and how life affirming music and performance can be. Some TV shows have recently jumped on the band wagon - we’ve been doing this in Chipping Norton since before TV was invented!

“We’re incredibly lucky to have adjudicators who are all leading professional performers in their own fields take part in our festival here in Chipping Norton.

“For musicians, performers and the audience it is a wonderful opportunity to hear the adjudicators discuss music and performance in a more friendly and open setting.

“Taking part is a great way to nurture talent, and hopefully build a love of performing and music which will be a gift for life.”

The festival always ends with a number of concerts. One is a traditional end of festival concert which showcases some of the highlights from the festival.

This year the second concert will be a performance given by Craig Ogden, the world renowned guitar player, who is also the festival’s vice-president.

Sarah added: “We are very grateful to Craig for his work for the festival and hope his concert and support will encourage more people than ever to take part.

“Watching the different classes, from the youngest primary school beginners to the most experienced bands and individual players is a great treat. Please look for more information on our website to find details about when and where it all takes place.”

Further information can be found by visiting www.cnmf.org.uk.