Press release: Swinging Start to Prescot Festival

A trio of musical talent from across the North West will dominate the closing weekend of this year’s Prescot Festival.

The 10-day arts festival opened last weekend, with over 500 music lovers packing into Prescot’s Jacobean parish church for a lineup that featured Swingshift Big Band, Haydock Male Voice Choir and cathedral organist Daniel Bishop.

On Saturday, more than 120 singers became part of the Prescot Festival Chorus for the day to sing Fauré’s Requiem to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War I.

Fest-goers are returning for an array of events—including poetry, acoustic music and film—throughout Prescot this week, before the festival draws to an end with brass band, musical theatre and a wind orchestra celebrating its 40th year.

Wingates Band, the number four-ranking brass band in the North West, makes its Prescot debut on Friday 22 June. Audiences will be treated to an interval pasty, to complete the all-round traditional Lancashire experience.

On Saturday 23 June, hot on the heels of their success with My Fair Lady at St George’s Hall, Liverpool, BOST presents Songs from the Shows at Whiston Town Hall. The celebrated, Wirral-based musical theatre company promise memorable tunes from such Broadway and West End hits as West Side Story and Mamma Mia!

Then on Sunday 24 June, fresh from their 40th birthday concert at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the Maghull Wind Orchestra are special guests for the 2018 Prescot Festival Finale. Swingshift director Phil Shotton returns to conduct a vibrant programme that culminates Proms-style, with patriotic favourites such as Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.

“There’s always a bit of nervous anticipation ahead of another festival, even after thirteen successful years, but once again we’ve hit the mark,” said artistic director Dr Robert Howard.

“Seeing the joy on audiences’ faces as they leave after another stellar evening of musical entertainment makes it all worthwhile. If you’ve never been to the Prescot Festival before, we urge you to come along and give it a go. We aim for accessibility and affordability, and everyone’s welcome.”

The 14th Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts runs until Sunday 24 June in the historic Lancashire town of Prescot, Merseyside. Tickets are available from Poco Coffee (30 Eccleston Street, Prescot, L34 5QJ) or online from www.prescotfestival.co.uk.

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