With the snow all but melted and the sun shining; Harrogate was brought to a standstill when the 40th Harrogate International Youth Festival kicked off with its long-awaited Easter Parade.
Long-term festival supporters, passers-by and tourists wowed at the spectacle as hundreds of Youth Music performers from the region and around the world were paraded through the town. The event delivered a strong sense of community as people turned out to support this event’s milestone year and the incredible array of talent on offer from near and far.
The march was headed by the commanding sounds of the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, a group which has a long standing relationship with this Festival. A real taste of the events to come was on offer with local groups including Tewit Youth Band, special guests the UK National Youth Marching band and St Aelreds Irish Dancers walking alongside internationals from Canada, Spain, Kenya and Switzerland.
The Parade was an exciting pre-cursor to the Grand Opening concert which takes place at the Royal Hall this evening, as well as another concert in St Andrew’s Church in Aldborough. The opening night is followed by a fantastic line up which carries on in Harrogate and some excellent community venues (Harewood House, Fountains Abbey, RHS Harlow Carr and Newby Hall) before coming to a spectacular close at Wednesday night’s Grand Finale.
Tickets are still available for some of the events, but take-up has far surpassed last year so interested Festival-goers that are yet to book are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
The Box Office will be open up to and throughout the event. Tickets can be purchased through Harrogate Theatre’s Box Office located on Oxford Street, via 01423 502116, securely online at www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk
The rest of the events are as follows:
Saturday 30th March:
Victoria Shopping Centre performances – 12:15-16:00
Grand Opening Concert – The Royal Hall at 19.00
St Andrew’s Church, Aldborough – 19.30
Sunday 31st March
Jazz & Big Band Evening – Majestic Hotel at 19.00
Community Concerts
Harlow Carr: 12:30-14:00 St Aelreds Irish Dancers & Juja Choir
Newby Hall: 13:00-15:00 Grand Prairie Ensembles
Harewood House: 13:30 – 14:30 Folk Egypt & Crazy Hoppers
Fountain’s Abbey: 13:30-14:00 Cantabile Youth Singers
Monday 1st April
Tewit and Friends Tea Concert – Old Swan Hotel at 14.30
St. James Birstwith Church 14:30 Joven Orquesta de Cuenca
Community Concerts
Harlow Carr:12:00-13:30 Grand Prairie Choirs & Cantabile Youth Singers
Harewood House: 13:30- 14:00 St Aelreds Irish Dancers
Fountain’s Abbey: 12:45-13:45 Juja Choir & Folk Egypt
Tuesday 2nd April
Evening of Choral and Orchestral Music – Ripon Cathedral at 19.30
The massed choir will perform the commissioned piece “Flower of York” by Mark Pallant
Wednesday 3rd April
Grand Finale Concert – The Royal Hall at 19.00
The massed band will perform the commissioned piece “Inspire” by Nic Mills which will be conducted by Dr. Nicholas Childs
