50th Haydn Wood Music Festival set to start

Nov 4 2009 By Emma Davison

ORGANISERS of a popular music festival are busy fine-tuning final preparations for the big event.

The Haydn Wood Music Festival kicks off tomorrow evening as competitors in the challenging new recital class take to the stage.

The night will be followed by classes in a range of music disciplines on the Friday and Saturday, with the grand final concert taking place on the Saturday night.

This year sees the festival celebrate its 50th anniversary and it is set to be bigger and better than ever, after entries flooded in from young musicians of all ages and musical talents.

Organiser Barry Fearnley said: “We’ve been absolutely delighted with the response from young musicians, we’ve got some exceptional talent taking part.

“We were hoping to make a big impression this year and make our 50th really special and I think we will definitely achieve that.”

The festival was set up in memory of Slaithwaite composer Haydn Wood, who died just before it was started in 1959.

Originally started for local young people to take part at Colne Valley High School, the event grew in popularity and now attracts young musicians from all over Kirklees and Calderdale.