The Torbay Music Festival
MUSIC SECTION 2025
Music Festival Committee
Music Chair:
Christopher Blurton
T. 07595499188
Catherine Serjeant
T. 07875297321
Trophy Secretary:
Christopher Blurton
T. 07595499188
Committee:
Christopher Blurton, Carolyne Clark, Polly Ferguson, Margaret Fieldhouse, Corinne Guntrip, Kate Linden, Dianne Martin, Catherine Serjeant, Ekaterina Shetliffe, Susan Norcott, Pat Serjeant and Joanna Walling
Entries can only be made through our online entries system
THEATRE ADMISSION TICKETS AND PROGRAMMES 2025
The Committee and/or Theatre Staff reserve the right to refuse entry.
| Session Ticket | £6.50 | Concessions (Seniors) | £5.50 |
| Daily Ticket | £13.00 | Concessions (Seniors) | £11.00 |
This Festival does not charge children for entry to the auditorium. Children must be accompanied at all times and parents/guardians/carers are reminded of their responsibility under our Safeguarding Policy in this respect.
SUPPLEMENTARY RULES FOR MUSIC
M1 Entries in own choice classes will not be accepted without a photocopy of the music for the adjudicator to be given at the time of performing. When an own choice work is selected from a publication containing several different works and which is not published separately, one copy may be made for the use of the adjudicator provided that the competitor has already purchased his/her own copy. The copy thus made will be retained by the Festival and destroyed immediately after the event to comply with copyright laws. Single items may not be photocopied without the prior permission of the copyright holder. Please name any single copies given to the adjudicator so that they can be returned. If accompanist is required, one copy needs to be sent directly to the accompanist, and another one brought on the day for the adjudicator.
M2 No competitor may enter more than once in a solo class or enter the same piece in another class. In duet and trio classes, competitors may enter more than once provided they partner a different person with a different piece.
M3 Performers may enter any classes for a higher age group in solo classes provided they have entered an own age group class as well. The entry fee for these classes applies, not the age of the performer. Vocal performers under 18 may not enter adult vocal classes
M4 Once entered no changes or omissions will be accepted.
M5 Pieces in all OPEN instrumental classes must be at Grade 6 ABRSM or Trinity standard or above. Open Vocal Classes are for Adults only (18 years or over) and are expectedto be of a high standard.
M6 In Piano Set Piece Classes any good edition is acceptable but a copy must be provided for the adjudicator if a different edition is used than the one(s) specified.
M7 No amplification is allowed for solo instrumentalists or vocalists – EXCEPT in Rock and Pop classes specifically specified.
M8 Performers, including groups, must not repeat a winning item unless three Festivals have passed since the winning performance.
M9 Items must not exceed the time limit which must include the introduction. Any items over time will be penalized by marks being deducted. Repeat marks are optional provided time limits are not exceeded but all ‘da capo’ and ‘dal segno’ signs should be observed.
M10 Trophies (awarded for marks of 84 or over) and medals (all winners) will be presented by the Adjudicator at the end of each class. All winners of Special Trophies will be expected to perform in the Gala Concert when the awards will be presented. Medals will be given in every class for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
M11 Certificates and Adjudication Sheets will be presented at the end of each class.
M12 Programmes will be for sale at the theatre in advance.
M13 Free entrance is granted to performers only during the sessions in which they are performing. Teachers, parents and other interested parties are NOT entitled to be admitted without a valid ticket. Free passes will be given for accompanists for the sessions when they are accompanying, for teachers who enter pupils for 10 classes or more and school group escorts at the ratio of 1 per 10 pupils under 16 years who must remain with the pupils in the Hall.
MUSIC FESTIVAL NEWS
Adjudicator Profile:
Jena Pang
Jena Chun-Wah Pang is based in the United Kingdom and is celebrated for his exceptional teaching, judging competitions and scholarship awards internationally. His students based in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Beijing, Malaysia, Thailand, Geneva, Milan, Vienna, Spain, New York and Calgary, are first prizewinners and hold top honours at Amigdala International Piano Competition Italy 2019-2023; Feurich International Piano Competition 2018-2023 Vienna; Carles and Sofia International Piano Competition 2023 Spain; Vienna International Music Competition 2024, the VI International Liszt Ferenc Competition Hungary 2023;
Carmel Arts International Piano Competition USA 2022; Monegro 88 Keys International Piano Competition Spain 2021; London Young Musician International Piano Competition 2020-2021; Harmonium Plus International Piano Competition Armenia 2020, Music and Stars International Piano Competition 2020; Costa Festa International Piano Competition 2019 Spain; Tadini International Piano Competition 2019 Italy, Canadian Music Competition 2019 (violin) Canada; Clavis International Piano Competition 2018 St Petersburg Russia; National EPTA-UK piano competition 2023, 2020. Several of his students have also won the Elena Cobb Star Prize Award and have performed at the Royal Albert Hall.
Mr Pang was Chairman of the piano jury of the Amigdala International Music Competition Italy 2019-2024 Italy, and has judged numerous international competitions notably Clavis Bavaria International Piano Competition Germany 2024, Windsor International Piano Competition 2019-2022, BMTG Intercontinental Piano Competition New York USA 2021, the inaugural Carmel Klavier Europe International Piano Competition 2020, the Saint Petersburg International Piano Competition 2020, Osaka International Music Competition 2019 in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan; IMPACT Young Artists International Piano Competition USA 2019, Blackheath Music Festival, Dudley Music Festival, Maidenhead Music Festival, Maidstone Music Festival, Longwell Green and Kingswood Performing Arts Festival, and Horsham Performers Platform, Bedford Music Festival, Milton Keynes Festival of Arts, Edinburgh Music Competition Festival, and the 8th Singapore Performers Festival and Chamber Music Competition. He adjudicated the Freda Parry Scholarship Competition from 2008-2023 and previously the annual Jena Pang Piano Competition held at Milton Keynes Preparatory School.
Recognised for his pedagogical skills, Mr Pang has lectured on competition preparation and given piano and violin masterclasses for the Alberta Piano Teachers Association, the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association in Canada, Clavis International Music Competition Bavaria Germany, Amigdala International Music Competition Italy, Windsor International Piano Competition, Maidenhead Music Festival in the UK and for the Singapore Music Teachers Association.
He has had invitations to teach and judge at Music Fest Perugia Italy, International Piano Festival Ambassador of Tarnow and Krogulski International Piano Competition Poland, Tadini International Piano School in Lovere, Piano Talents International Piano Competition Milan, Tadini International Piano Competition Italy, Talent Music Summer Courses and Festival Brescia Italy, Dulwich Music Festival, Seven Oaks Three Arts Festival. For 2025 the Edinburgh Piano Concerto Competition, Bristol Festival of Music, Speech and Drama, Mid Somerset Festival, Torbay Music Festival, Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival, and Derby Arts Festival.
Mr Pang was awarded an instrumental scholarship to study Music at St Peter’s College, Oxford University and studied the violin with Lydia Mordkovitch and the piano with Lora Dimitrova and had lessons with Christopher Elton, Ruth Waterman, Keith Pascoe, Brenda Farrow, Shalinee Jayatilaka and Elsie Brown. He has been teaching the piano and violin for the last 31 years in addition to being a solicitor and partner in a law firm from 2004-2014. As a child he appeared on British and Hong Kong television playing both piano and violin, at the Purcell Room South Bank, and with English Orchestras for concertos. Recent concert engagements have been collaborations with Dennis Lee, Chee Hung Toh and Graeme Humphrey.
He champions the British Music Festival movement and has seen all sides from child competitor, adjudicator and administration: he is currently the Piano Convenor and a trustee of the Southend Festival of Performing Arts and trustee of the Freda Parry Scholarship Fund Competition. His influence in the musical community continues to grow, making him a highly respected figure in the world of music education and performance.
Jena Pang is an adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech and has adjudicated both live and online competitions.
Adjudicator Profile:
Steven Roberts
Steven has been a music adjudicator since 2001; has sat on the Adjudicators Council and was Chair of the Board of Trustees between 2014 and 2023. He is a busy professional; conducting, teaching and lecturing. He brings with him experience as a manager, knowledge of quality systems, business acumen and many years of leading change.
He has successfully combined a career in education with his work as a conductor, musical director and adjudicator, working both in this country and in Europe and as far afield as Peru and Bahrain.
Steven has conducted numerous concerts throughout this country and throughout Europe with a variety of choirs, ensembles and orchestras, wind bands and brass bands. He has toured extensively with the Gary Clarke (contemporary dance) Company for his productions of COAL and WASTELAND.
He studied piano, brass and voice and has worked in a variety of musical settings. He has worked alongside actors and dancers on many projects and is keen to support the work of the Federation to maximise opportunities for performance within all disciplines. He enjoyed working with his colleagues on the Board and Councils and continues to serve the wider community of volunteers that help to keep our Festivals vibrant.
Having previously held the post of Director of External Relations at Barnsley College he has excellent communication skills and enjoys collaborative working. He runs singing workshops for both adults and young people, particularly focussing on Key Stage 1 and 2. He is a visiting lecturer at the University of Salford in the Department of Occupational Therapy, lecturing on presence and engagement. He is happy to adjudicate virtual/on-line Festivals.