David Hanesworth has joined the Coulsdon & Purley Festival of Music, Speech and Drama committee as Vice Chairman. He has been a first violinist with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, since 1978. He has also been guest leader of the Surrey Opera.

The Coulsdon and Purley Festival is now open to receive entries for the 2023 Festival in March. Click here to see the syllabus and make your online entries.: coulsdonpurleyfestival.co.uk/syllabus-2023.…

The 79th Coulsdon and Purley Festival is now under way! Choral and Vocal classes commence today. (Photo: Vocalists rehearse with our wonderful accompanist Marion Lea)

Strings classes underway today. Congratulations to our first performers! Choral and Vocal classes also continuing.

It's a very busy weekend with all Festival sections in action!

Final weekend of classes for Speech & Drama and Piano sections.

Date for your diary: Hervey Alan Competition 7pm Saturday 25th March. Come along to listen to some of the finest performers from each of the music sections - free entry (donations welcome) Venue: Recital Hall, Trinity School, Shirley Road, Croydon CR9 7AT

Today!!!

Congratulations to all our fantastic Hervey Alan Cup performers! What a wonderful evening of music making!

We are urgently seeking a volunteer to take up the position of Advertising Manager for the Festival. This role is to liaise with our current advertisers and explore the recruitment of new advertisers. Contact us on [email protected] if you think this could be you!

The 2024 Festival Syllabus is now available on our website. Online entries will open on November 1st. coulsdonpurleyfestival.co.uk

Unveiling the fabulous new logo for Coulsdon and Purley Festival's 80th anniversary year, designed by the wonderful Sam Gee (website: samgee.co.uk) Can you spot the clever inclusion of our usual logo?

We are OPEN to entries for the 2024 Festival. Go to the website (coulsdonpurleyfestival.co.uk) for details of classes and rules/regulations. Follow the links to 'Run My Festival' from the website to enter classes.

REMINDER: The Entry Deadline for this year's Coulsdon and Purley Festival is 31st January.

Our wonderful official accompanists Melanie Jones and Marion Lea have been hard at work rehearsing with entrants ahead of classes starting in a few days time.

TODAY! Come along to the Hervey Alan Competition this evening for a fabulous evening of music making from 12 of the best performers from across the 2024 Festival. Saturday 23rd March 2024 at 7.00pm Recital Hall Trinity School Shirley Road Croydon CR9 7AT

Entries to all our sections (Speech & Drama, Vocal, Choral, Piano, Woodwind/Brass/Percussion and Strings) open to students/amateurs via the website: coulsdonpurleyfestival.co.uk

Deadline for entering the 2025 Festival is Friday 31st January. Don't miss out! coulsdonpurleyfestival.co.uk

Upcoming event: Prize winners concert for the Advanced Recital classes of the Strings and Woodwind/Brass sections of the 2025 Festival. Free entry. Do come along to support these exceptional young musicians.