The 2009 festival was very successful in almost every respect, the only disappointment being the financial deficit - at least that was smaller this year than last. Many of the adjudicators were outstandingly good and none was disastrously bad! The overall standard of performance was even higher than ever - anyone who came to the final concert must have been impressed by what they heard and saw!
 
This year's Portsmouth Festivities Recital Prize was awarded to the trumpeter Sam Moffitt and the Solent Symphony Concerto Award was given to clarinettist Jamie McEachran. The Chairman's Cup was awarded to a very young saxophonist, Nicholas Willsher. Violinist Emma Fry and singer Rebecca Ward have been offered sponsorship to attend the European Youth Summer Music Course. Last year's winner of the Concerto Award, Jenni Wright, gave an excellent performance of the first Strauss Horn Concerto in February, and Catherine Lawlor will give her debut recital as part of this year's Portsmouth Festivities on Saturday June 27th at 6.00 pm at Portsmouth Grammar School. Also at the Grammar School as part of the festivities there will be a masterclass for brass ensembles by Nigel Black on Sunday 21st June at 3.00.
 
Finally, I want to thank all our sponsors and advertisers, all our performers and their parents and teachers, all our helpers who give up their time to sell entry tickets and stick stickers on certificates etc, and most of all I must thank all the members of the committee without whom the festival would not happen.
 
Please note the next major update to the website will be the publication of our syllabus in September.
 
We are always keen to improve and develop the festival and welcome any comments, which can be made through the Festival Secretary, 30 Dormington Road, Paulsgrove, PO6 4BU.
 

 
Gwenda Dearsley
Chair of Portsmouth Music Festival