WHITTINGTON Music Festival has been declared success after the seven performances over four days.

The Festival’s artistic director Sophia Rahman curated the 'perfect' music programme, that left the people of north Shropshire and further afield, with 'swollen hands' from so much clapping.

The 15 musicians, with international reputations, have performed special features for children, including a visit to Whittington CE School and a masterclass on Saturday where pupils received one-to-one tuition with the professionals.

A festival spokesman said: “It takes us a year to prepare a festival though the preparations for this year were complicated by the pandemic delaying last year’s event which went ahead only days after lockdown restrictions were lifted."

This year's festival programme was the most varied yet, ranging from the premiere of a new piece by Jeremy Sams, their new composer in residence, to the tale of Ferdinand the Bull, in which young local musicians joined in.

They were also joined by Zoe and Idris Rahman, established jazz musicians, and sister and brother to the artistic director.

Joining them was a new artist, Rebecca Clarke, a British-American composer, with a German background and the spokesman added: "Perhaps the only way to appreciate the variety of the programme and the quality of the performances is to have sat through the seven concerts.

"The festival has already started planning for next year when it will begin on May 18 2023.

“Most importantly we have to arrange funding.

"Our ticket prices do not cover the cost of the festival and we are deeply grateful for the support of the many friends, patrons, benefactors and sponsors who generously make the festival possible."

"Whittington Music Festival is a cultural beacon in north Shropshire, bringing musicians and audience together for music of the highest standard."