Inspiring performance since 1911. Over one hundred years of music, speech, drama and dance.

A Platform for Performance

Glasgow Music Festival is an annual festival of music, speech, drama and dance first held in 1911. Each year around 7,000 performers take part in the festival which takes place in March.

There are events for groups of almost any size and description, in addition to an extensive programme for solo performance. Performers have the opportunity to develop their skills through receiving advice and encouragement from a team of experienced professional adjudicators.

News

Festival 2024

Ten wonderful days of performances in Music, Speech & Drama and Scottish Country Dancing, led to the conclusion of the one hundred and twelfth Glasgow Music Festival on Saturday 16 March 2024, with the Last Night Concert featuring some stunning performances.

Entries from choirs and instrumental groups continue to increase and we would be delighted to see even more large groups – both new to the Festival and returning – at next year’s Festival. Audiences were, as always, supportive and enthusiastic and the whole event was greatly enjoyed by everyone involved: performers, adjudicators, accompanists, audiences, stewards and administrators.

The team of adjudicators comprised Jonathan Rea, Andrew Sherwood, Timothy McCarthy and Les Lambert. All offered much constructive advice and encouragement. Performers were well supported by our team of Official Accompanists: Stephen Adam, Chris Baxter, Hebba Benyaghla, Jia Ning Ng, Claire Haslin, Joseph McIlree and Matthew McIlree. Accordionist, Martainn Skene, provided music for Scottish country dancing.
Go to Results – 2024 Festival to view the names of those gaining prizes, trophies and awards and to view results of each class.

Festival 2024 – not long now

The one hundred and twelfth Glasgow Music Festival will run from 6th to 16th March 2024.

We are delighted to be able to offer a full range of events and look forward to welcoming numerous choirs, orchestras and dance teams in addition to the many soloists and smaller ensembles. Many of the events for larger groups will be held in the Main Auditorium at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, with 1,500 performers on Tuesday 12th alone!

New for 2024 are events for Rock and Pop Guitar Solos of all levels.

All events are open to the public so do come along to enjoy the variety of wonderful performances throughout the Festival. With Dance, Speech & Drama and Music on offer there is something for everyone.

Not forgetting, of course, the Last Night of the Festival at 7pm on Saturday 16 March where the most prestigious of the Festival Awards will be presented following a concert of very accomplished performances.

Click here to view the Festival timetable

If you’ve any questions or need further information, please contact us.

BBC Proms first

Mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor made her BBC Proms debut in 2023 as Anna in Berlioz: The Trojans. She joined mezzo-sopranos Alice Coote, Paula Murrihy and Adèle Charvet in a concert performance at the Royal Albert Hall, featuring the Monteverdi Choir and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique conducted by Dinis Sousa. Beth was awarded the Gervase Elwes Memorial Trophy at Glasgow Music Festival in 2014.

Download Glasgow Music Festival Syllabus

Everything you need to know about the festival in one comprehensive, printable document

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Music

The Festival covers a wide range of music including classical, folk, jazz, rock and traditional Scottish music. There are events for solo singers and instrumentalists in addition to a full programme for choirs, orchestras, bands and ensembles.

Dance

Scottish Country Dancing events are presented in association with the Glasgow Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.

Speech & Drama

Speech and Drama events feature mainly, but by no means exclusively, our younger performers. Performers demonstrate their skills in verse, prose, public speaking and drama.