The rafters of Christ Church Totland were ringing with the joyous sounds of the first West Wight Music Festival on Saturday 15th November and indeed the roof might well have been lifted off by the Big Sing at the end.
Inspired and organised by composer Pam Wedgwood, the non-competitive Music Festival invited musicians from all over the Island to come and perform just for the joy of making music.
From aged six to 80+
There were thirty plus entrants aged from less than six to eighty plus, with performances ranging from solo piano, violin, harp, banjo or voice to duets, trios and ensembles.
Groups performing included West Wight Winds and the Elderberries and two groups of young violinists, Fiddlestrum and a Suzuki ensemble.
The climax
day came to a climax with two choirs, the Freshwater Dementia Friendly Choir (fresh from the news that they have been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service) and the Bay Wailers from Freshwater Bay joining with the audience and those who had already performed, to sing together at the end, by which time the church was packed out.
£2,000 raised for charity
The event was to raise money to establish other Dementia Friendly Choirs on the Island and raised an incredible £2,000, helped by the sale of refreshments throughout the day and generous donations from the audience.
Another Festival is planned for next year, listen out!
News shared by Judith Hunt. Ed
