Last call for all dancers, singers, actors and instrumentalists in Sussex

If you have not entered before why not give it a try? Hastings Musical Festival provides a unique opportunity to perform in front of a live audience in a real theatre.
Hastings Musical Festival 2017Hastings Musical Festival 2017
Hastings Musical Festival 2017

You will get constructive feedback from our team of experienced judges who are all experts in their field and travel to festivals up and down the country.

You will also get a certificate and if you win your class, sometimes a trophy too.

Many professionals in the entertainment industry got their first experience of performing on stage in Hastings, and many more have entered year after year because they enjoy the competition and the camaraderie.
Enter today

Download the syllabus from our new website www.hastingsmusicalfestival.org.uk and enter online. Closing date for entries is 30th November, so don’t delay. 

Help for young artists in training

Hastings Musical Festival is proud to support young people who decide they want to pursue a career in the performing arts.  

Every year the Festival receives applications for help with course fees, equipment and living costs, and in some cases is able to award bursaries of up to a thousand pounds a year towards their training.

Many actors, dancers, singers and instrumentalists have benefited from this support over the years.

In 2018 grants were awarded to 10 young performers – some to those continuing their three or four year courses and some to others just starting out. 

One beneficiary was Kizzy. Kizzy took part in the Festival for six years from 2009 to 2015 and took up a place in the junior school at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in 2015. She is now studying for a  Diploma in Musical Theatre.

Kizzy wrote recently: “Taking part in Hastings Musical Festival was such a happy chapter in my life and I honestly can’t thank the Festival enough for enabling me to continue into the next chapter.

“I’m so overwhelmed and grateful that the festival is still supporting me to get to college, because without their help I would’ve had no choice but to let this opportunity go.

“Hastings Musical Festival is such a fantastic event that gives hundreds of performers each year the chance to do what they absolutely love doing. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me.”

Another grant recipient was Lois. She is also at Italia Conti. Having won special merits in song and dance classes in the Festival from 2013 to 2016 she is now in the third year of her Performing Arts course. Lois was delighted to have been a featured dancer in the second year summer show. 

She said: “It was a wonderful way to round off my second year, and get me ready for the final push of third year before I go out in to the industry.

“I do not receive funding like some of my peers so I work part-time to assist with costs and rely on my family and the generous grants from the Hastings Musical Festival. Thank you so much for your continued support.”

A brand new look

As we plan the Festival for 2019 we are very aware that others have been involved in similar tasks for more than 100 years.

The Festival was first held in 1908, and more than 100 years later has evolved into the vibrant and exciting event we know and love with well over 2,000 entries last year.

In order to thrive not just survive, the Festival knows it needs to keep up with the times. This year we have got a whole new look – new logo, new syllabus – online as well as printed - and a new website.

You can now enter the Festival and pay for your entries online. Check out the website at www.hastingsmusicalfestival.org.uk

Volunteers wanted

The success of the Hastings Musical Festival depends on a large number of committed volunteers.

The hardworking committee meets throughout the year and many more volunteers join in to help during the two weeks of the Festival.

There are many different roles. Volunteers are needed as announcers, timekeepers, adjudicators helpers, stewards, chaperones, front of house and to help with general administration.

You can commit as little or as much time as you like. There are three sessions per day to fill: morning, afternoon and evening so every hour you can spare would be most welcome.

Not only will you use your talents and learn new skills but you will get to see many of the performances and make new friends.

If you would like to be part of our volunteer team we would love to hear from you. Email Heather Spence at [email protected] or call the Festival Office on 01424 437357.