The festival takes place from 8th to 16th June, with free lunchtime events and six reasonably priced evening concerts.
Founded in 2006, the festival is firmly established as the highlight of the Waterlooville calendar when the town becomes the entertainment capital of Hampshire!
Sunday 9th June - themed around the four seasons, this is an opportunity to sing your heart out with rousing hymns and Christian music, accompanied by one of the oldest and well known corps bands within the Salvation Army – The Portsmouth Citadel Band. With the Festival Choir, directed by Roderick Starr.
Tuesday 11th June - a double bill, presenting the MBW Band, performing easy listening popular jazz. The evening will also feature Africappella; this enthusiastic group has been a bit hit with Festival-goers in the past.
Lunchtime Tuesday there will be free entertainment provided by local buskers The 2 T’s.
Wednesday 12th June - the Hampshire Police Male Voice Choir will be visiting the music festival. Noted for its magnificent sound and vast repertoire the Choir, consisting of over fifty members,
Lunchtime Wednesday there will be a free concert performed by Oaklands RC School.
Oaklands School student David Harrington, a wonderful pianist who is now the Musical Director of “All That Malarkey” – a truly different show, in which with David’s unique musical skills and eccentric sense of humour, popular numbers are arranged into classical style and performed by classical singers with a delightful mix of comedy and showmanship. Based in Cardiff, the show has been a huge hit at the Edinburgh Festival and has toured the UK. Review from the Mumble Theatre Edinburgh: “Sublime, mouthwatering vocals, a fruit cocktail for the ears”. A highlight of the festival, which takes place on the evening of Thursday 13th June.
Lunchtime Thursday Linda Kettle will be taking requests on the piano. Linda has an amazing repertoire. And Friday lunchtime features a free concert by Horndean Technical College, followed in the afternoon by Paul Taylor on the piano, whilst cream teas are served.
The festival’s evening programme concludes on Saturday 15th June with the usual Grand Finale: Waterlooville’s version of “Last Night of the Proms” with the Meridian Wind Band directed by Don Lloyd. All the atmosphere, pomp, ceremony and flag waving of the real thing! Always a sell-out and an evening not to be missed.
To find out all about the festival events, and to purchase tickets see:
www.waterloovillemusicfestival.org.uk