ds' music teacher told him to find out about music festivals to enter - what/where/how?

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None of us have a clue what his music teacher is on about can't find anything. Does anyone out there know/can shed some light here please? Can't speak to teacher before next lesson when he is to take information along. I always thought music festivals were performances that we went along to before we had children not what grade 1 child learning piano can do!

DD is learning grade 1 recorder, and she has been told about a music festival in Peterborough, I think its June/July time?

Where do you live?

I have just googled 'youth music festival' and come up with lots, you can narrow your search by county.

Hmm... Seems a bit of an odd thing for the teacher to tell him to do!

Have you tried googling music festival and your town or area?

I would say your best bet would be to ask at your local music shop. Phone them up if it's not convenient to call in.

Most festivals do have some sort of a website these days.

will try suggestions just don't know what they are all about even!

Oh tried googling roisin but nothing.

They're called festivals but they're really music competitions. They have lots of different classes to enter based on age, instrument and ability. Some classes you can choose a piece to play and in others it is set (or just the composer might be set. On the day each person gets up & plays their piece and at the end of each class the adjudicator says a few words about each performance (they do usually try to be positive even when it went badly wrong) and announces winners.

It is good as a performance opportunity, but can be quite stressful too.

My local town has a yearly festival which has classes for all ages/standards, and the set piece for your DS's age would be of an appropriate grade - so Grade 1-ish for 7-8 year olds, etc. If your music teacher has suggested he enter then it's certain he thinks DS can learn a piece of the appropriate standard for the average music festival.

Here's the website for our one to give you an idea. On the left is a link to the Music section which will give you the Piano syllabus so you can get some idea of typical pieces/classes/standards - they will be similar for any festival nationwide, I'm sure.

My DDs did a lot of this when young. It's quite good for them if they don't find it too stressful performing, and there's a chance of medals/certificates etc - learning the piece gives them a goal to work for. Stressful for parents though I can tell you

this list might help you find a local one.

Huge thank you for all your help. Don't know what the teacher is thinking extra stress is the last thing ds needs (never mind the family) but will try the encouragement route on ds and see you never know.

Don't know where you live but if you're anywhere near Wales get involved with local Eisteddfod. It's grass roots cultural festival of the arts leading up to largest Arts Festival in Europe and great for encouraging and competing in all levels and ages.