YOUNG musicians are being invited to join in with a popular music festival.

This year the Haydn Wood Musical Festival is in its 51st year and organisers are hoping to build on the success of last year’s half-century anniversary event.

They are looking for young musicians to compete in a variety of classes, from strings, woodwind and brass to vocal and choral classes.

The festival, which celebrates Slaithwaite composer Haydn Wood, saw 170 performers taking part last year – the biggest increase the event had seen in years.

And organisers are keeping their fingers crossed for another bumper year.

Organiser Barry Fearnley said: “It was a fantastic year for last year’s anniversary event.

“We had a big jump in entries from 120 to 170 and every class was up.

“The standard was excellent, particularly in the tough open age recital class which was introduced last year, and we’re hoping to build on our success by having another great year this year.”

The three-day festival kicks off on November 4 at Linthwaite Methodist Church Centre.

Born in 1882 composer Wood was well known for writing the poignant World War One song The Roses Of Picardy.

The festival was set up in his memory, initially for local young people to participate in at Colne Valley High School.

Today the contest attracts talented musicians aged 21 and under from all over Kirklees and Calderdale.

Last year a challenging open age recital class was introduced to the festival programme, creating a third day for the event, and the syllabus fee was scrapped.

The class proved such a success that it has returned this year and yet again young musicians won’t have to pay to pick up a copy of the syllabus.

This year’s contest will be adjudicated by acclaimed performer Vivien Pike, from Sheffield.

The soprano soloist is a singing teacher and choir conductor and a sought-after adjudicator for music festivals both nationally and internationally.

Mr Fearnley said: “The festival seems to be getting bigger every year and we’re hoping this will continue.

“This year I would like the brass and choir sections to improve but the classes do get stronger every year.

“We get some very good entrants and a few of the young people have gone on to have great success in their field and at other festivals.

“The festival has a relaxed, friendly feel and everyone is made to feel welcome and encouraged.

“It’s the only one I know of that’s for performers aged 21 and under and that’s what makes it nice as the kids are a similar age group.

“They always enjoy coming back and look forward to the following years.”

The closing date for entries is September 20. Copies of the syllabus are available from Dolphin Music on Market Street.