Festival Feed back - again... DMF

More feedback from esteemed Committee members Pam Braakenburg (Chair), Marilyn Bird (Classical Music Director and Hilary Day (Musical Director)

Amy and Adrian

Chairman Pam Braakenburg comments:

 

"What a weekend! The weather was kind and the music was fabulous, from opera in the church to The Wurzels in the gardens, it could only happen at the Dart Music Festival.

I want to thank all the people who made it possible for us to stage our 18th festival - our sponsors, all those who donated and my marvellous committee who work all year to make sure each festival is better than the last. 



In addition many thanks to our volunteers who helped with such things as collecting, sound management, sales of merchandise, not forgetting the BRNC cadets who acted as car park attendants, it really was a community event.

I stand to be corrected but I am very proud to say the Dart Music Festival is unique in that we do not charge for any of our music and judging from all the positive feedback we have had this is much appreciated by both local people and visitors to our beautiful town!" 

 

Charles Hazlewood

"WE HAVE A PROBLEM! All the festival performers think our festival is the best... They love the town, the atmosphere, and the wonderful audiences we get - so they all want to return next year! They are amazed at our ethos of "Music for All" and that we do not charge at our concerts and stunned that we are able to raise the £55,000 to put it together each year...

For me I cannot pick a highlight as each concert had its own special moments... 

The wonderful organ and piano recitals and joyous choirs to the foot stomping rendition of the Budapest cafe Orchestra's Grieg's piano concerto and Nesum Dorma raising the roof in St Saviour's Church with Peter Knapp's Opera company - all magical. However, a thirteen year old little girl playing a giant marimba solo with the Devon Youth Orchestra and that Charles Hazlewood asked his young daughter to sing for us during his very powerful presentation - well, it just blew me away...

What would life be without music...?" Thoughts from Marilyn Bird, Classical Music Director

And last but not least, a few words from Hilary Day, our Musical Director. 

Here are some of Hilary's Highlights...

'The View from the Bandstand...'

The schoolchildren performing on Friday in the sun and great performances by students from the Academy, followed by a stirring performance by our own BRNC Volunteer Band. What a brilliant start! Mighty Leap ended the evening with their great Reggae set getting everyone dancing.

Gimi Hendrix

Saturday saw the Bandstand in Royal Avenue Gardens full to the brim with music ranging from children’s sing along with Poco Drom doing the worm wiggle to the wonderful Connie Lush singing her powerful blues. Moulettes had the audience entranced with their complex and beautiful folk. 


Jo Harman performed for the second year running and again the crowd loved her.  And nothing like a touch of Jimi Hendrix, courtesy of the Gimi Hendrix Experience to finish a great day off!

Sunday was another day of blue skies and the build up towards the headline act continued.  Pirates on stage with Tom Mason from USA, followed by Urban Folk Quartet who literally had the crowd jumping out of their seats!  Gary Quinn gave us a wonderful Country set with his band.  And then of course the Wurzels who filled the whole bandstand area with crowds of fans, all singing along to their well know songs.  Then party time with The Normals playing a mix of ska/folk/pop/rock with their pumping brass duo and tight rhythm section.  Tankus the Henge closed this year’s Dart Music Festival getting the crowd dancing with their energetic set leaving everyone wanting more.

Velvet and Stone

News highlights from other venues:

* Will McNicol and Luke Selby earning a standing ovation in The Masonic Hall.   

* Velvet and Stone filling Bayards Cove Fort to capacity with approx. 250 people watching their set.

* The Market Square run by Committee member Ben Malley - it was buzzing all weekend with great music and great food being served by the cafes including Mark Lobb.  An amazing atmosphere in there!

* Mama Tokus doing impromptu set in Foss Street, Poco Drom entertaining children in the library and Market Square. 

And finally from Hilary, some quotes from performers and visitors:

"Thanks for a involving us in such a brilliant festival. A real pleasure to meet and work with you all! We had a blast"- Gary Quinn

 "Thank you for a great gig at The Guildhall with To The Sun, I danced all night!"

 "Just wanted to say a big thank you for a brilliant weekend. Some of the acts that you booked were truly inspiring."

"Once again, we loved the Windjammer, and the Market Square gig was something special. Thanks again" Roger and gang x

"I don't know if you got any feedback from our gig yesterday but we had a real blast . Thank you very much from all of us, we'd love to come back anytime"  Regards, Mike (Bailjumpers )

We think this rather kind of sums it all up...!

See you next year: 13th, 14th & 15th May 2016

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk