Press release: Prescot prepares for Olympian 20th arts festival

Volunteers and performers are busily preparing for the opening weekend of this year’s Prescot Festival, a 10-day feast of arts and music in the historic Lancashire town of Prescot, Merseyside.

Proceedings open this year with the excellent South Liverpool Orchestra, under the baton of Festival Director Dr Robert Howard, on Friday 21 June. Their programme, a ‘music world tour’, reflects this Olympian year, with classical orchestral music from around the globe. On Saturday 22 June, the festival hosts what it expects will be its biggest ensemble of singers yet, when the massed voices of Prescot Festival Chorus give a ‘Come & Sing’ performance of Fauré’s Requiem. The internationally renowned choristers of Liverpool Cathedral will go on to give a celebratory-themed programme in the second half of the evening concert, marking 100 years since the consecration of their own cathedral.

Events continue throughout the following week, with schools’ events, a film screening of the Olympic-inspired classic ‘Chariots of Fire’, and a barn dance, before a closing weekend featuring Wingates Brass Band, Broadway and West End tunes from BOST, and a Proms-style finale with Maghull Wind Orchestra directed by Phil Shotton.

‘The joy of community music-making has sustained us through many challenges over the years,’ said Artistic Director Dr Robert Howard, ‘and it’s with both awe and gratitude that we anticipate this year’s anniversary 20th festival. As ever, we’re indebted to the time, skills and talents of an array of artists and volunteers for helping us deliver another festival that is both accessible and affordable to everyone.’

The 20th Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts runs from Friday 21 to Sunday 30 June. Find out more, including dates, times, venues and how to buy tickets, at prescotfestival.co.uk.

ENDS 

Photo: South Liverpool Orchestra in concert in May 2024 (Alan Humphreys Photography)

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