The Liverpool Performing Arts Festival will see thousands of performers from across the North West descend on the city over the next month to showcase their talents in music, speech, drama and dance.
More than 200 classes take place this year with contestants ranging from soloists to 60 strong choirs and orchestras, from 5 to 80 years of age.
The annual festival, which is now in its 83rd year, has a strong pedigree of unearthing talent in the arts. The conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, Sir Simon Rattle won his first music award at 1969 event. Recent winners also include Mark Simpson the 2006 BBC Young Musician of the Year. Anthony Hannah from X-Factor band Eton Road won a gold medal at the festival in 2004. And Portia Graham-Jones, who also performed in last year’s X-factor, will be performing in the girl’s solo vocal category.
The music element of the festival kicks off the festival at St Georges Hall from Monday to Thursday, 5–8 March. The music final will begin at 6pm on Thursday, March 8 with the titles of Voice of The Year, Piano Student of The Year and instrumental Student of the Year up for grabs.
The speech and drama take place from 19–22 March and the dance section of the festival takes place on Thursday 22 March all from 9.30am – 9.00pm daily.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the performances. A daily ticket costs £2.20 and a weekly ticket costs £6.00.