The primary aim of the Festival is to encourage the study and performance of the arts by providing an opportunity for competitors to perform prepared pieces in public, in a friendly atmosphere.

The Festival has classes for all ages and abilities and entries are welcome from all sources including teachers, schools, societies and individuals.

Each performer receives constructive criticism from an expert adjudicator, and prizes or trophies are awarded to winners of classes.

The five sections represented are:

• Dance
• Instrumental
• Pianoforte
• Vocal
• Speech, Verse and Drama.

The Festival is run by an Executive Committee and other volunteers. It is sustained by the generous donations of sponsors and Friends.

We are always pleased to welcome new supporters and involve them in the Festival, so If you would like to like to help us in any way, click on Contact us.

We are always glad to have more volunteers. As a volunteer, you could be a steward for a while during the Festival session days:

• selling tickets and programmes
• checking in performers, or
• helping to prepare refreshments.

Even if you can offer only a few hours of your time, your assistance would be much appreciated.

To apply, please contact one of the section leaders (see Contacts page).

Ealing Festival operates a comprehensive child protection/safeguarding policy in accordance with recommendations of the British and International Federation of Festivals. The policy is printed in every syllabus and programme and distributed to parents and teachers entering children.

This year's Festival has been very busy and enjoyable, attracting about a thousand entrants from both the London Borough of Ealing and many miles further afield.

It was the 65th Ealing Festival and the seventh under the chairmanship of Alan Gillett OBE.

The Dance classes, adjudicated by Janice Blake, were notable for the very wide range of styles and cultures reflected in the performances. These classes, as well as being a joy to watch, are often a starting point for tomorrow’s professionals. Every type of dance is represented from ballet (modern and classical) to tap, character, national, Greek and stage (with and without song), in solos and in groups from two upwards.

The Pianoforte section was adjudicated by David Oliver and Dennis Lee, each covering a weekend's sessions. Entries were up by a remarkable 25 per cent on last year and performers demonstrated a high level of accomplishment across a wide repertoire.

The Instrumental section featured performances by violinists, cellists, guitarists, harpists, flautists, oboeists and brass players, and once again a very high standard of playing was achieved. The adjudicators were Susie Meszaros (strings) and Colin Bradbury (wind and brass).

The overall winner of the Concerto Final was the violinist Martyn Jackson, who will perform with the Ealing Symphony Orchestra (www.ealingso.org.uk) during its next season of concerts.

High standards were once more reached in the Speech and Drama section, adjudicated this year by Ann Newson. Classes include opportunities to perform an original composition, as well as Shakespeare and Bible reading, humorous verse, duologues, choruses, mime and improvisation.

The Vocal entries covered a wide range of repertoire from songs from the shows to folk, operetta, Lieder, opera, oratorio, operetta, ballads and choral pieces. Our adjudicator was David Patrick.

Our annual Celebration Concert, held at St Mary’s Perivale on 12 June, featured nearly 40 performers (soloists, duos and groups) from the piano, instrumental, vocal and speech and drama sections.

Photos of many of last year’s Ealing Festival performers can be seen in the website’s Gallery.

To advertise in Ealing Festival programmes, please email alan@grampa.demon.co.uk with your advert attached, or send a copy of the advert to Ealing Festival, 51 Park View Road, Ealing W5 2JF.

Rates: full page (A4) £60; half page (A5) £30. Payment must be made in advance (please make cheques payable to Ealing Festival).

All advertisers are also listed in the syllabus.