New North Northamptonshire Music Festival based in Kettering to showcase talent

A Kettering singer and musician has set the date for a music festival revival to showcase the talents of choirs, soloists and musical stars of the future - and they have a year to prepare.

Josh Daniel a professional Tenor and Counter Tenor, who first trod the boards at Kettering Eisteddfod, is inviting singers to sign up to the North Northamptonshire Music Festival (NNMF).

Taking place in June 2022, children and adults, in groups or as individuals will be able to compete in classes covering a variety of genres including songs from musicals to community choirs, instrumental music to barbershop.

The syllabus and entry details have already been published in anticipation of the chorus of approval from performers starved of the chance to compete.

Mr Daniel said: "I owe my successful musical career to the Kettering Eisteddfod, where at just nine-years-old I sang for the very first time in front of an audience and received positive acclaim.

"If it wasn't for the platform at the Eisteddfod I might never have gone on to become the musician I am today and for that I will always be grateful, however this platform has now gone and I want to reinstate it for future generations of musicians - local and national."

The NNMF will be staged in Kettering to replace the 109-year-old Eisteddfod that folded in 2018 - a vital platform for musicians and choirs alike - to showcase their talent in front of adjudicators who give positive feedback to help improve performances.

Scheduled to take place from Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, 2022, the inaugural festival will be hosted at London Road United Reformed Church, Kettering.

Mr Daniel, 29, told this newspaper: "Already many choirs from near and far, musicians and local schools have already signed up for the event which will see them compete in their field in front of an audience and a professional independent adjudicator.

"Friday will be all about the school choirs and school musicians and the Saturday will be all about the adult choirs finished off with a closing gala concert at the church.

"Kettering Eisteddfod folded for many different reasons and so it is vital that the NNMF has the support from its community and from participants whether it's a choir or a school, a musician or community group.

"Whether you volunteer to help, fundraise for the festival, support the festival financially or by simply spreading the word, I feel that the NNMF will be a huge success.

"It will bring people from all around to our town and will make our town once again proud of our musical heritage with this first class festival.

"The patrons of the festival are James Burton, Lorraine Burton and Margaret Walker. "

In February this year, Mr Daniel organised an online festival which saw a number of entries from vocalists, barbershop groups and choirs enter with the group 'Isle ave A Shanty' from Ely scooping the winning trophy as voted for by the public.

On Saturday, June 26, Mr Daniel will star in 'A Night With The Tenor and Guests' at London Road United Reformed Church, with proceeds of the raffle going towards the North Northamptonshire Music Festival.

Joining The Tenor for this will be Northampton Male Voice Choir LITE, Jonathan Reynolds, Katie-Rose Parker and Vicki Becks.

Visit www.northnorthantsmf.co.uk for information on how to volunteer, support or enter the festival. Closing date for entries is March 1 2022.

Go to www.facebook.com/NorthNorthantsMusicFestival for further details.