NOW in its second year and set to become an annual event the town?s Tavistock Sings! music festival has been a resounding success.
Running over the Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday to Monday the programme ranged from choral and orchestral to jazz. Concerts took place at St Eustachius Church, Kelly College the town hall and the Bedford Hotel.
John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward ? which promoted the event ? praised all the support both financial and practical that made such a musical feast possible.
Speaking at the launch at Kelly College on Friday he said a huge ?team effort? had gone into preparing such a diverse programme.
?The whole thing was a big advance on last year, so we?re going to have to think of something really special for next year,? he said.
Artistic director Simon Ible said: ?For a festival in its second year it looks like we are building quite rapidly something very exciting for the future.?
He said they were very grateful for the public funding and for how Tavistock Forward had the foresight to see the music festival as important in raising the profile of the town.
?It is all about sustainability. If you can create exciting programmes that will attract audiences and local sponsors, which we are beginning to do, there is no reason why this cannot grow into one of the most important music festivals in the region,? said Simon.
?I think there is room for expansion within the five days.
?We can create more activities of greater variety and use more of the wonderful musical resources which exist within the town, as well as the region, and combine that with national and international quality performers,? he said.