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Welcome to the official home page of the Manx Music Festival (The Manx Competitive Music, Speech and Dance Festival to give it its full name) or "The Guild" as it is still affectionately known on the Island. The derivation of that name can be found in the information section.
The Isle of Man has very strong musical traditions and since 1892, when it was formed, The Guild, through its competitive nature, has provided motivation to improve, initially for choirs, followed by solo singing and later to a wide range of music, spoken word and dance. The climax of the Festival occurs on the final Saturday evening with the competition for the Cleveland, Ohio (USA) Manx Society's Gold Medal, donated annually by this organisation and competed for by the winners of six Special Solo classes held during the week. The Festival is a member of the British and International Federation of Festivals.
The Festival is held annually in April at the recently refurbished Villa Marina on Douglas promenade. To see the range and size of competitions check out our results section.
Thank you for visiting If you have any questions, suggestions or comments please use the Contact facility.
Please view our Child protection policy here
Festival Scholarships 2012
M. L. Wood Scholarship(£10 x 6) – awarded to the most promising boys and girls in the Instrumental Classes
1. Sophie Hamilton (Cornet) – Class B1 Brass Solo (Up to Year 6)
2. James Kneen (Trombone) – Class B2(a & b) Instrumental Solo (Years 7 to 10)
3. Samantha Spicer – Class R1 Recorder Solo Up to Year 6
4. Joshua Brown (Violin) – Class SC1 (a & b) String Class Up to Year 6
5. Amelia Crossley – Classes P6 & P7 Pianoforte Solo Years 7 & 8
6. Rebecca Pearson – Classes SC1 and SC2 Plucked strings Up to Year 6
The Nell Holmes Memorial Prize (£10) – presented by Miss Dorothy Milne awarded to the competitor gaining the highest marks in the Pianoforte Classes P7, P11, P12 and P18
1. Laura Corkhill - Class P7 (Years 7 & 8)The Noah Moore Scholarship (£10) – awarded to the most promising singer in the Girls Solo (Years 11 to 13)
1. Katarina HolmesThe Dorothy Milne Scholarship (£10) – awarded to the winner of the Open Violin Class.
1. Not AwardedThe Kathleen Rydings Memorial Scholarship (£20) – awarded to the competitor between the Years 7 and 11 gaining the highest marks in the Violin Classes
1. Tom ShirtliffThe Heather Nicholl Award (£50) – A silver salver and scholarship to be awarded to the competitor, of Year 13 and under, considered to be the best all round performer of music.
1. Amelia CrossleyThe Douglas Buxton Scholarship (£100) – awarded to the most promising voice in Classes S1 and S14
1. Mel Read
The Willie Craine Scholarship (£25) – awarded to the most promising tenor.
1. David Britton
The Mrs. Bessie Eastwood Memorial Scholarship (£20) – presented by the Laureston Ladies choir awarded to “An Outstanding Female for Tuition”
1. Chloe ShimminThe Mary Purcell Black Cup and LTC Corlett Prize of £25 – awarded to the overall winner of the General Vocal Solo Class
1. Mel ReadThe Emily Christian Prize (£75) – awarded to a promising keyboard player
1. Emily Sayle (Class P3 – Years 1 to 6)
The Brian Gelling Memorial Training Scholarship (£50)
1. David Britton
The Warrilow Trophy and Music Vouchers (£10) – awarded to the winners of the Piano Duet (Up to Year 10)
1. Sara Holt and Rachel Frankwick
The Bob Crennell Memorial Scholarship (£10) – awarded to the most promising competitor in the Brass Solo Class (Year 7 to 10)
1. Tim Payne (Tuba)
Margaret Lane Award (£50)
1. Kelly Collard
The Geoff Nicks Memorial Trophy awarded to the Viola or Double Bass player (Year 9 and Under)
1. Not AwardedThe Gladys Skillicorn Scholarship – awarded to a competitor from the Junior Songs from the Shows.
1. Francesca Gloverposted on: 06/05/2012
Programme 2012
Please note that the Programme is now available at £3.50 from the following retail outlets:-
Farghers Newsagency, Main Road, Onchan
Laxey Post Office
Bridge Bookshop, Port Erin
Masons Mewsagency, Bathurst Street, Douglas
Peter Norris Music Ltd., Finch Road, Douglas
Morleys, Newsagent, Prospect Hill, Douglas
Newbys, Newsagent, Ballaquayle Road, Douglas
The Examiner Shop, Port Erin
Erin News, Port Erin
Darnills Ltd, Port St. Mary
S & S Motors Ltd., Castletown
Ye Olde Bakery, Ballasalla
Saddlestone Stores, Douglas
Quayles, Main Road, Kirk Michael
I J Mitchells Newsagency, Michael Street, Peel
Peel News Centre, Michael Street, Peel
St. Johns Post Office
Ballakermeen Stores, Hawarden Avenue, Douglas
Fairfield Stores, Brunswick Road,
Punch & Judy Stores, Castle Mona Avenue, Douglas
Wessex Garage, Douglas
St. Pauls Bookshop, Ramsey
St. Pauls News, Ramsey
Villa Marina Box Office, Douglas
posted on: 16/04/2012
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