42nd Fife Festival of Music
30th January-9th February 2024
The airwaves of Fife were set ringing at the start of 2024 with the 42nd Fife Festival of Music in full swing from 30th January to 9th February in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy.
During the first week, in Dunfermline at the Vine Conference Centre, performances were given by school students of all ages from P1 to S6, showing off their well-rehearsed work and providing a great variety of music making. Audiences and adjudicators alike were thrilled and excited by the singing and playing.
Towards the end of week 1 and throughout week 2, the focus and locus moved to Kirkcaldy with several days of music at St Bryce Kirk and the whole week at the Adam Smith Theatre, using the main auditorium and the Beveridge Suite. Of course, all visitors to the theatre were eager to witness the building’s refurbishment and were not at all disappointed by what they saw and heard.
There were many solo instrumental and vocal performances from all ages. A continuing major feature of the Festival is the community element: this year 13 adult choirs, 9 large ensembles and 7 smaller ones over four evenings proving that music encompasses all and is a vital part of life for so many. As in Dunfermline, primary and secondary schools brought their well-rehearsed music to Kirkcaldy to perform to audiences of parents/carers, friends and interested members of the community.
The Festival hub was to be found at the Theatre from where all operations were controlled and where the Festival shop attracted audiences and passers-by.
The final Friday evening (9th February) included the annual reception for Festival Friends and encompassed the closing event, the Young Musician (21 and under) Final, the competitors comprising the winners of the Open solo instrumental and Young Singer classes. Adjudicators Karol Fitzpatrick and Steven Cowling praised the young musicians and commented on the extremely high standard of performance.
The winner of the 2024 Fife Festival of Music Young Musician class, presented with the Glen More Trophy, was electric guitarist Alex Harrower from Kirkcaldy, an S6 student at Viewforth High School. All finalists gave excellent performances providing a thoroughly entertaining evening for the audience.
FFoM returns in 2025, 27th January – 7th February.
During the first week, in Dunfermline at the Vine Conference Centre, performances were given by school students of all ages from P1 to S6, showing off their well-rehearsed work and providing a great variety of music making. Audiences and adjudicators alike were thrilled and excited by the singing and playing.
Towards the end of week 1 and throughout week 2, the focus and locus moved to Kirkcaldy with several days of music at St Bryce Kirk and the whole week at the Adam Smith Theatre, using the main auditorium and the Beveridge Suite. Of course, all visitors to the theatre were eager to witness the building’s refurbishment and were not at all disappointed by what they saw and heard.
There were many solo instrumental and vocal performances from all ages. A continuing major feature of the Festival is the community element: this year 13 adult choirs, 9 large ensembles and 7 smaller ones over four evenings proving that music encompasses all and is a vital part of life for so many. As in Dunfermline, primary and secondary schools brought their well-rehearsed music to Kirkcaldy to perform to audiences of parents/carers, friends and interested members of the community.
The Festival hub was to be found at the Theatre from where all operations were controlled and where the Festival shop attracted audiences and passers-by.
The final Friday evening (9th February) included the annual reception for Festival Friends and encompassed the closing event, the Young Musician (21 and under) Final, the competitors comprising the winners of the Open solo instrumental and Young Singer classes. Adjudicators Karol Fitzpatrick and Steven Cowling praised the young musicians and commented on the extremely high standard of performance.
The winner of the 2024 Fife Festival of Music Young Musician class, presented with the Glen More Trophy, was electric guitarist Alex Harrower from Kirkcaldy, an S6 student at Viewforth High School. All finalists gave excellent performances providing a thoroughly entertaining evening for the audience.
FFoM returns in 2025, 27th January – 7th February.
Alex Harrower Young Musician 2024 with the Glen More Trophy
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The seven finalists with the Adjudicators
Back row: Steven Cowling, Adjudicator; Jack Kitchen - singer, Kirkcaldy; Tara McGhie - woodwind, Wormit; Daniel Armstrong - strings, Blebo Craigs; Karol Fitzpatrick, Adjudicator Front Row: Bethany Woodburn - piano, Dunfermline: Libby Hamilton - brass, Kirkcaldy; Alex Harrower - Winner; Emma Roberts - percussion, Kinghorn. |
Alex Harrower with Steven Cowling and Karol Fitzpatrick
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Yet again we have had wonderful support from businesses, music groups and individuals - see our Current Sponsors page. Their support is invaluable and allows us to maintain our wide-ranging Festival of Music. To you all - a huge thank you!
