With just about a month to go to the fourth Isle of Arts Festival, organisers have announced that two local choirs, the Medina Community Choir and the NHS Nightingales, will be performing as part of the event.
The Medina Community Choir, conducted by musical director Hannah Brear, will be making an appearance at the Tenors UnLimited concert on Saturday 3rd May in the festival marquee, as well as performing in the town centre on Monday 5th May as part of the “Street Arts” free events around the town. The recently formed NHS Nightingales -made up, as the name suggests, of local NHS Trust staff members – will be joining the Bournemouth Male Voice Camerata Choir at a choral concert in Ventnor’s Holy Trinity Church on the bank holiday Monday afternoon, as part of a concert to raise funds for the Church organ.
Festival organiser Philip Oxley explains:
“When we heard about the fundraising for repairs to the Church organ, which dates back to 1865, we wanted to try and help so as part of the festival we have arranged this afternoon concert, which will be free to attend but will have a retiring collection to raise funds. It would be fantastic to see the Church packed with people for this event and we are extremely grateful to both choirs for giving their services to this worthwhile cause.”
The Festival, which also includes BBC presenter and gardener Monty Don, comedian Rich Hall, poet Roger McGough, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and the Kyle Eastwood band, is shaping up to be a packed four days of shows, films, talks, walks, children’s events, concerts and workshops with nearly fifty events across the early May bank holiday weekend.
Festival organiser Janneke Oxley adds:
“We’re delighted with the quality of the line-up for this year’s festival and we have noticed a definite increase in ticket sales both on the Island and on the mainland, with people coming from as far away as North Yorkshire, Devon and Kent to attend the Festival.”
For more information or to buy tickets go to https://artsisle.org . Tickets are also available by phone on 01983 475277 (10 am – 4 pm) or in person at Seasons Newsagents in Ventnor.
