First established in 1900, the Dumfries Music Festival has grown and expanded over the years to include very successful speech and music sections attracting hundereds of entries each year.
Mindful of financial pressures on schools and families, the festival committee have now taken the decision to abolish entry fees to make it easier for schools, community groups and individuals to enter.
Chair Jayne Riddet said: “Dumfries and District Music Festival Association has always been self-financing – the entry fees have paid for adjudicator costs, and the council has supported us by letting us use their premises without charge, which we are very grateful for.
“This is a big step for us, but we have a very active committee and we are confident that we can succeed, not only in running our festival but taking it forward and growing it, without charging entry fees.”
The dates for the 2023 Festival are March 10-11 for speech, and March 17-19 for music.
It will be held at The Bridge in Dumfries and all entries are to be made by Christmas. For more information visit the festival’s website at: www.ddmfa.org.
