SINGING
The next festival will be held on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May 2025
Entries will be accepted online via this website from
Saturday 1 February 2025
Click here
The venue is Eltham College, Grove Park Rd, Mottingham, London SE9 4QF
Performers and listeners are all invited to Blackheath Music Festival. There is a modest entry fee on the day to cover essential expenses
Adults £3.00
Non-performing children £1.00
Performers & Patrons FREE
Programmes £2.50
Performers gaining one of the four highest levels of achievement will be awarded a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze Award. In total there will be seven categories of achievement, and all categories will be awarded certificates.
Platinum and Gold Award performers will be announced but not ranked. No 1st, 2nd or 3rd placings are awarded at Blackheath Music Festival. This is to encourage performers to continue to aspire to even higher achievements as they continue to learn.
Performers and listeners are all invited to Blackheath Music Festival. There is a modest entry fee on the day to cover essential expenses
Adults £3.00
Non-performing children £1.00
Performers & Patrons FREE
Programmes £2.50
Performers gaining one of the four highest levels of achievement will be awarded a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze Award. In total there will be seven categories of achievement, and all categories will be awarded certificates.
Platinum and Gold Award performers will be announced but not ranked. No 1st, 2nd or 3rd placings are awarded at Blackheath Music Festival. This is to encourage performers to continue to aspire to even higher achievements as they continue to learn.
Dates: |
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11May 2025 |
Closing date for entry: |
Sunday 23 March 2025 (or earlier if class lists are full) |
Age qualification |
Age as at Thursday 1 May 2025 |
Venue: |
Eltham College, Grove Park Rd, Mottingham, London SE9 4QF |
Adjudicator: |
Belinda Mikhail |
The Singing Secretary is: Fiona Rogers: |
Address: Flat 4, Priory Lodge, 15 Priory Park, London SE3 9UY Tel: 07932 193996 and 020 8852 4502 Email: [email protected] |
Official Accompanist:
Andrew Tait
If you wish to use the services of Andrew Tait, please contact him on 07976 737519 or by email at [email protected]
His services are available on the day (without rehearsal) at a cost of £5.00 per performance. This fee will be payable at the time the entry is made. Additionally, private rehearsals can be arranged by negotiation with Andrew Tait by using the above contact details.
Performance:
Performances can be given either from memory or from the score. It is the performer’s own choice. If the score is used, the music stand should be set a little to one side and used as an aide-memoire.
Junior Singing Classes for 2024
Classes in the Junior Singing section will be held on Sunday 12 May 2024.
Performers must not have passed a grade higher than the class they are entering.
The chosen song will attract an Award level appropriate to the song without regard to the age of the performer.
Class 200: Grade 1, 2 or 3 - up to and including 12 years of age.
The song is to be chosen from the current Trinity or ABRSM syllabuses or can be a free choice at a similar graded level. Own choice of one song. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £10.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 3 mins.
Class 201: Grades 4 or 5 - up to and including 12 years of age.
The song is to be chosen from the current Trinity or ABRSM syllabuses or can be a free choice at a similar graded level. Own choice of one song from any genre. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £10.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 3 mins.
Class 202: Grades 4 or 5 - 13 to 18 years inclusive.
The song is to be chosen from the current Trinity or ABRSM syllabuses or can be a free choice at a similar graded level. Own choice of one song from any genre. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £10.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 4 mins.
Class 203: Grades 6, 7 or 8 - 13 to 18 years inclusive.
The song is to be chosen from the current Trinity or ABRSM syllabuses or can be a free choice at a similar graded level. Own choice of one song from any genre. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £10.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 4 mins.
Class 204: 12 to 15 years inclusive. Recital.
Own choice of two contrasting songs (one of which may be an unaccompanied song), excluding songs from the shows, films or musicals. The programme should not include any song sung elsewhere in other classes in this year’s festival. These songs must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £12.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 6 mins
Class 205: 16 to 18 years inclusive. Recital.
Own choice of two contrasting songs (one of which may be an unaccompanied song), excluding songs from the shows, films or musicals. The programme should not include any song sung elsewhere in this year’s festival. These songs must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £12.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 6 mins
Class 206: Songs from the Shows – 15 years & under.
Own choice of one song from any show, musical or film. No costume allowed. The emphasis will be on the quality of the performance. Please name the show, musical or film on the entry form. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 4 mins.
Class 207: Songs from the Shows – 16 to 18 years inclusive.
Own choice of one song from any show, musical or film. No costume allowed. The emphasis will be on the quality of the performance. Please name the show, musical or film on the entry form. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 4 mins.
Class 208: Junior vocal duet – 12 years and under.
Own choice of one duet from any genre. There must be a substantial element of vocal harmony within the duet i.e. at some point(s) the two singers should be singing together, but singing different lines. Examples of repertoire could include 'The China Mandarin' (Bantock), 'Choosing Shoes' (Easson), any Disney duet etc. or anything similar. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 3 mins.
Class 209: Junior vocal duet – 18 years and under.
Own choice of one duet from any genre. There must be a substantial element of vocal harmony within the duet i.e. at some point(s) the two singers should be singing together, but singing different lines. Examples of repertoire could include 'Greeting' (Mendelssohn), 'You're Just in Love' (Berlin), 'I can show you the world' (Aladdin), or anything similar. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 4 mins.
Class 210: Ivor Novello class - 18 years and under
Any song by Ivor Novello. Suggested sources: The Ivor Novello Song Album' (published by Faber), any Ivor Novello show score or any Ivor Novello song set by the examination boards. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
This class (and class 213) have been generously sponsored by Mr. James Hay, the grandson of Fannie Pearson, a good friend of Ivor Novello between 1909 - 1920. The Fannie Pearson Memorial Prize will be presented to the overall winner of this class and class 213 by Mr. James Hay.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Class 211: Association of English Singers and Speakers - 13 to 18 years inclusive.
Time limit 10 mins
Performers should present two Art Songs in English (not opera or translations) plus a piece of poetry or prose and a spoken introduction. These items must be declared at the time of entry. A cup (returnable) and an award of £25.00 will be given to the overall winner of this and Class 212. This prize is endowed by the Association of English Singers and Speakers.
Entry £13.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
OWN COMPOSITION CLASSES
- Please note the following two classes will be held within the piano section and will be heard by the piano adjudicator.
- All entries for this class should be made online by going to the Piano Syllabus section of the online entry form in order to find the correct class number.
- Entries for these two classes cannot be made via the Singing Syllabus section of the online entry form.
Class 130: 11 years & under - Own composition. The following class will be adjudicated by the piano adjudicator
Entry £12.00. Time limit 3 mins
- The composition can be for any group from 1 - 4 players, singers or a mixture of both, and can be a free or fixed-form composition. The composer must be one of the performers
- The composition must be written down and a copy provided for the adjudicator.
- A paper copy of the composition must be submitted to the Piano Secretary by Thursday 1 May 2025 so that it can be sent to the adjudicator for pre-festival assessment
- All performers must perform ‘live’ on the day - no pre-recorded parts
- Only the composition (not the performance) will be adjudicated
Class 131: 12 years & over - Own composition. The following class will be adjudicated by the piano adjudicator
Entry £12.00. Time limit 3 mins
- The composition can be for any group from 1 - 4 players, singers or a mixture of both, and can be a free or fixed-form composition. The composer must be one of the performers
- The composition must be written down and a copy provided for the adjudicator.
- A paper copy of the composition must be submitted to the Piano Secretary by Thursday 1 May 2025 so that it can be sent to the adjudicator for pre-festival assessment
- All performers must perform ‘live’ on the day - no pre-recorded parts
- Only the composition (not the performance) will be adjudicated
ADULT SINGING CLASSES
Classes in the Adult Singing section will be held on either Saturday 11 May OR Sunday 12 May 2024.
Performances will be accepted in all classes either accompanied or unaccompanied
Class 212: Association of English Singers and Speakers – 19 years and over.
Performers should present two Art Songs in English (not opera or translations) plus a piece of poetry or prose and a spoken introduction. These items must be declared at the time of entry. A cup (returnable) and an award of £25.00 will be given to the overall winner of this and Class 211. This prize is endowed by the Association of English Singers and Speakers.
Entry £13.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit - 10 mins
Class 213: Ivor Novello class - 19 years and over
Any song by Ivor Novello. This class (and class 210) have been generously sponsored by Mr. James Hay, the grandson of Fannie Pearson, a good friend of Ivor Novello between 1909 - 1920. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
The Fannie Pearson Memorial Prize will be presented to the overall winner of this class and class 213 by Mr. James Hay.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Class 214: English language composers – 18 years and over.
Own choice of one song by any composer in the English language not including translation (excluding opera, sacred music and musicals). This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 4 mins
Class 215: A song in any living language (excluding English) – 18 years and over. .
Own choice of one song (excluding songs in the English language and excluding opera, sacred music and musicals). This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 4 mins
Class 216: Sacred Music - 18 years and over.
Own choice of one sacred song (this can include arias from oratorios, masses etc). This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £12.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 6 mins
Class 217: Opera - 18 years and over.
Own choice of one aria, with or without recitative from any opera. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £12.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 6 mins
Class 218: Humorous Song (including cabaret or music hall) - 18 years and over.
Any song with a humorous feel. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 4 mins
Class 219: Songs from the Shows - 18 years and over.
Own choice of one song from any show, musical or film. No costume allowed. The emphasis will be on the quality of the performance. Please name the show, musical or film on the entry form. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry 11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 5 mins
Class 220: Recital - 18 year and over.
Own choice of THREE songs, (not opera, oratorio or musicals). Songs should be contrasted in style and period and may include one unaccompanied song. The programme should not include any song sung elsewhere in this year’s festival. These songs must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £13.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 12 mins
Class 221: Over 70.
Own choice of one song. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £11.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 4 mins
Class 222: Classical Duet, Trio, Quartet, Quintet - 16 years and over.
Operatic items can be included in this class. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £12.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 5 mins
Class 223: Show/film Duet, Trio, Quartet, Quintet - 16 years and over.
Own choice of one ensemble from any show, musical or film. No costume allowed. The emphasis will be on the quality of the performance. Please name the show, musical or film on the entry form. This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £12.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 5 mins
Class 224: Ensembles - Open, any age. 6 to 20 singers.
This song must be declared at the time of entry.
Entry £16.00. Official accompanist (optional) £5.00
Time limit 8 mins
OTHER CLASSES FOR SINGERS
- Please note the following three classes will be held within the piano section and will be heard by the piano adjudicator.
- All entries for this class should be made online by going to the Piano Syllabus section of the online entry form in order to find the correct class number.
- Entries for this class cannot be made by selecting the Singing Syllabus section of the online entry form.
Class 134: Family ensemble – any age. The following class will be adjudicated by the piano adjudicator
Two, three or four players from the same family, including adults. Any combination of instruments or voices. Own choice of one or two pieces.
Entry £11.00. Time limit 6 mins
TWO INSTRUMENT/VOICE CLASSES
- Please note the following two classes will be held within the piano section and will be heard by the piano adjudicator.
- All entries for this class should be made online by going to the Piano Syllabus section of the online entry form in order to find the correct class number.
- Entries for these two classes cannot be made via the Singing Syllabus section of the online entry form.
Performers should present one instrument from any two of the following categories – piano, strings (including guitar), brass, wind or singing – i.e. combinations such as singing & recorder, piano & trumpet, flute & trombone – but not two instruments within a category. Performers need to provide their own accompanist (if being used). Instruments/voices and pieces are to be declared at the time of entry. These classes will be heard by the piano adjudicator.
Class 135: 12 years & under, two instruments/voice
Entry £12.00. Time limit 6 mins
This class will be heard by the piano adjudicator.
Class 136: 13 years & over, two instruments/voice
Entry £12.00. Time limit 8 mins
This class will be heard by the piano adjudicator.
Entries will be accepted online from Saturday 1 February 2025. Please enter using the green 'Click here' button (below) on or after that date.
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