Over 100 drama students, choirs from schools, instrumentalists and vocal performers have applied to
take part in the town’s Festival of Music and Drama, with Elder Yard Chapel and Rose Hill Church set to serve as the venues.
The finale to the weekend’s activities will be a concert featuring the winners in the various categories, at which those who have given particularly outstanding performances will be presented with awards.
Having been absent from the town’s calendar for four years, the festival was revived in 2010, thanks to the efforts of residents like Julia Tew. She told the Matlock Mercury that her sons had participated in previous years, to their great enjoyment, adding:
“I felt it was important to further musical talent in Chesterfield through competition and I’ve received wonderful support from the official accompanists and volunteers who help in running the festival and making it a success.”
An evening of cabaret is being held in the village hall at Hasland early in the month, to help raise funding for the festival, and leaflet printers are often used to increase awareness of key local events.
The festival takes place across the 22nd and 23rd of April.