JUDGES seeking six singers for Tavistock and Dartmoor Festival's masterclass selected a total of eight — because the standard was so high.
They range in age from 14 to 67 and come from Tavistock, Okehampton, Bere Alston and Gunnislake.
'They are everything we wanted — and more,' said festival chairman Sue Spackman.
'Not only do they represent the area we are seeking to promote, but they also give us a wonderful mix of emerging and established talent — perfect for the festival's theme of 'New Beginnings.'
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The masterclass, with renowned opera star, actor and director Benjamin Luxon, will give the eight singers 'a chance of a lifetime' to work with an acknowledged leader.
He will coach each singer on two chosen pieces and the whole party will come together to present a concert at the end of the class.
The masterclass begins at 6pm. and the concert at 9pm, on Friday September 29 at the Wharf, Tavistock. One ticket gives entry to the whole event.
'The voices range from bass baritone to tenor, mezzo soprano and soprano. Some really good people well on their way with their singing and others just beginning — which all makes for an excellent evening,' said Sue Spackman.
Simon Ible, artistic director and conductor of the Ten Tors Concert Orchestra, helped assess the masterclass candidastes. He said: 'Anyone, even those in the audience, will learn a lot form Benjamin Luxon. He is a wonderful man, very charming and humourous.'
The Tavistock & Dartmoor Festival opens on Saturday with free concerts by Drum Crazy and Stannary Brass.
The opening night of dance, music, poetry and song performed by young people is at the Wharf on Sunday September 24.
Equation, Angela Rippon, the Dartmoor Entertainers as well as Cyril Tawney, Boulevard Django, Buffseeds together with Hannah and the Madding Crowd also appear in the nine-day line-up.
A unique event is a tour of the new Elizabethan garden at Buckland Abbey, to include music provided by local performers.
Full information and booking: 01822 614222. Also via the web site: http://www.pwcomms.co.uk/tdf">www.pwcomms.co.uk/tdf
Tavistock & Dartmoor Festival is part financed by The European Community's Regional Development Fund and is running in conjunction with the Tavistock & West Dartmoor Writers literary festival.