Rochdale Youth/Adult Festival of Performing Arts is returning for its 54th year

The annual festival, administered by the Rochdale Music Service, runs performing arts classes open to all age groups, along with a day of live music and a special awards ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall.

Rochdale Youth Festival of Performing Arts Festival Concert is held on Sunday 6 March and features Rochdale Youth Wind Band, The Lancashire Artillery Band, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment Band, Joint RMS Army Dixie Band.

The Celebration and Awards Concert is on Sunday 8 May also at Rochdale Town Hall.

Peter Reynoldson, from Rochdale Music Service said: “Once again we encourage all schools and local organisation to participate in celebrating the wonderful Performing Arts provision that exists in our schools and the wider community within the North West.

“In keeping with our long tradition of retaining all the traditional strengths of the festival but also expanding the appeal of the festival to other performers we have introduced some adult classes for the first time this year.

“The richness and diversity of our festival in Rochdale is unique and there can be little doubt that the festival, can and does, make a significant contribution to raising standards of performance in our schools and the wider community.

“The ability of the performing arts to embrace all subject disciplines and social activities empowers pupils with the skills needed to communicate more effectively in whatever profession they end up involved with.

“The festival has provided a platform for these aspirations for many years through its education and cultural diversity and is not only seen as valuable and enjoyable in its own right, but will also give young people the chance to develop important life skills such as creativity, confidence, self-discipline, effective communication, increased self-esteem and the ability to work as part of a team when required.

“Finally, good luck to all and we look forward to seeing and hearing the many exciting and creative performances”.