A workshop is being held for people who are intending to compete in the Guild.

There is just over a month to go until the deadline for entries to the Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival.

Internationally-recognised performer, teacher and adjudicator Andrea Calladine will run the event, which will be held at the Manx Blind Welfare Society’s Corrin Court headquarters, Heywood Avenue, Onchan, on Sunday, January 20.

Festival secretary Jacqueline Yates said Birmingham Conservatoire-trained Andrea is much in demand for vocal master classes.

’We are naturally excited that Andrea has taken time from her busy singing practice to travel to the Isle of Man.

’She has enjoyed such a varied career and brings a wealth of experience, a love of singing and a sense of humour.

’First and foremost, the singing workshop for adults will be enjoyable, provide general feedback, including advice on how to perform to an audience, and help would-be competitors in the Manx Music Festival learn more about what to expect.

’This workshop has been made possible through the support of our festival sponsors Dandara for which we’re very grateful.’

The 2019 Festival (the 127th), otherwise known as the Guild, will be held from April 27 to May 4 at the Villa Marina and will showcase the best of island talent.

There are more than 200 classes held during Guild week covering all forms of music, both vocal and instrumental, solo and group, plus a growing dance section and drama competitions.

Property company Dandara became the first ever headline sponsor of the Festival in 2015 and has since renewed its partnership until at least 2020.

Its managing director, Seamus Nugent, said: ’The Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival is the largest participation event in the Isle of Man’s cultural scene and has a long and illustrious history.

’We are pleased our support has helped it go from strength to strength in recent years, helping broaden audience appeal and leading to a number of new classes which have reinvigorated the week. We are thoroughly looking forward to 2019.’

To sign up to the adult singing workshop (to which you need to bring along two songs of your choice), you should contact the festival secretary on 672150 or 422477 by Monday, January 14.

The cost is £12 per person and will include two entries to take part in Guild classes later this year.