Singers, writers, dancers and volunteers wanted for 20th Prescot Festival

With the 20th Prescot Festival fast approaching (21 – 30 June), organisers are eager to get even more local talent involved in the town’s annual celebration of arts and music.

Sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses of all experience levels are invited to join the 100-strong Prescot Festival Chorus for a ‘Come & Sing’ performance of Fauré’s Requiem on Saturday 22 June.

The world-renowned Liverpool Cathedral Choir will go on to sing a programme of choral classics in the second half of the concert. The event commemorates two significant centenaries: in 1924 Requiem composer Gabriel Fauré died, and in the same year Liverpool Cathedral was consecrated.

Dancers of all ages are welcome to join the fun of the Festival Barn Dance on Thursday 27 June at St Paul’s Church, Prescot. Live music will be provided by aptly-named local folk group ‘Two Left Feet!’.

Entry to the 2024 Short Story Competition is still open. Unpublished writers living in any of the Liverpool City Region’s six boroughs are asked to pen up to 1,000 words inspired by the phrase ‘What a score!’, reflecting the festival reaching its 20th year. The competition deadline is Friday 31 May, and a £100 prize is on offer for the best story.

As ever, there are opportunities to help behind the scenes too. ‘Friends of the Festival’ are always needed to prepare venues—including Knowsley borough’s only Grade I listed building, Prescot Parish Church—welcome visitors and ensure that the 10-day programme of arts, music, culture and entertainment flows as smoothly as possible.

Click here for details of all opportunities, as well as the full programme of events, which this year includes Lancastrian brass ensemble Wingates Band (in their 150th year), Birkenhead-based musical theatre company BOST (fresh from their recent triumph in the musical The Sound of Music at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre), South Liverpool Orchestra, Maghull Wind Orchestra, and other special guests.

The 20th Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts runs from Friday 21 to Sunday 30 June 2024 in the historic Lancashire town of Prescot, Merseyside.