The Piano Shop Bath is proud to be working again with the Mid Somerset Festival, an annual celebration of music and creativity taking place in and around Bath. Over the fortnight we supply all the pianos to the various venues, which sees a wealth of creative talent taking part in workshops and competitions. Below is an extract from the festival’s official website:
‘The Mid Somerset Festival was founded in 1902 and has been running continuously ever since – even two World Wars couldn’t stop it – making it one of the oldest festivals in the country. In the early days it toured the market towns of mid-Somerset, but as it increased in size and scope it eventually settled in the beautiful city of Bath in 1952. It now runs for a full fortnight each March, with Speech & Drama classes being held in the first week and Music classes in the second week. There is a concert at the end of each week to celebrate some of the best performances seen during that period.
The original title was ‘The Mid-Somerset Competitive Festival’, but in recognition of the fact that some simply want to perform for pleasure, the title has been amended and an increasing number of workshops and non-competitive classes have been introduced over recent years. Links with local schools are important and many of the classes have been devised with the National Curriculum in mind. In 2009 the Festival provided an opportunity for dancers to take part, with their own event first held in Frome but following three successful years to be transferred to Writhlington School at Radstock in 2012; in 2010 the Festival introduced a ‘rock guitar’ event for the exponents of more contemporary music. In this way the Festival aims to provide something for everyone.
Classes are held in Bath city centre, using a variety of venues, all of which are within easy walking distance of each other and the Festival Office, which in 2013 will be situated in Bath’s Guildhall. We are privileged to have access to some of the most prestigious venues in the city – the experience of performing under the glittering chandeliers in the Banqueting Room at the Guildhall is one that will long be remembered.
All participants are assured of a very warm welcome and are invited to share, enjoy and learn from the experiences afforded by the Festival.’
For full details please visit the festival’s website www.midsomersetfestival.org.uk