VOLUNTEERS and performers are busily preparing for the opening weekend of this year’s Prescot Festival, a 10-day feast of arts and music in the historic Lancashire town of Prescot, Merseyside.
 

Proceedings open this year with Leyland Band, the North West’s number four ranking brass band, on Friday, 16 June 2023.

On Saturday, 17 June 2023, the festival hosts what it expects will be its biggest ensemble of singers yet, when Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Choir joins the ranks of Prescot Festival Chorus for a ‘Come & Sing’ performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria. The internationally renowned cathedral choristers will go on to give a Coronation-themed programme in the second half of the evening concert.
 

Events continue throughout the following week, with schools’ events, film and a barn dance, before a closing weekend featuring the jazz from the Phil Shotton Big Band, Broadway and West End tunes from BOST, and a Proms-style finale with South Liverpool Orchestra.
 

Artistic Director Dr Robert Howard said:- ‘The joy of community music-making has sustained us through many challenges over the years and it’s with both awe and gratitude that we already anticipate our 20th annual festival, now just a year away. As ever, we’re indebted to the time, skills and talents of an array of artists and volunteers for helping us deliver another festival that is both accessible and affordable to everyone.’
 

The 19^th Annual Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts runs from Friday, 16 to Sunday 25 June 2023. Find out more, including dates, times, venues and how to buy tickets, at:- prescotfestival.co.uk.