Gala concert celebrates Harrogate competitive festival’s 90th anniversary

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A concert will be held next month to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Harrogate Competitive Festival for Music, Speech and Drama.

The festival began in 1936 as a music competition. Speech and drama categories were added later.

Each year, hundreds of students perform in front of live audiences and receive professional feedback in a wide range of categories.

The breadth and history of the festival, which is run by volunteers as a registered charity, makes it unique.

Past festival stars, including international pianist Yuanfan Yang, Leeds Vocal Movement and flautist Alannah Saphir will perform at the anniversary gala concert at St Mark's Church in Harrogate on October 24.

More information is available here.

The 2027 festival will be held at Harrogate High School over three weekends in February and March.

Previous winners have gone on to perform in West End shows and compete in BBC Young Musician and BBC Radio 2 Chorister of the Year.