Despite the enforced restrictions and the closure of the Villa Marina for the foreseeable future, the organisers of a major music competition are adamant.

The Guild must go on!

Major changes are in store for the Manx Competitive Music, Speech and Dance Festival, better known by its nickname, the Guild, which was due to take place at the end of April

Instead, this year’s event will be held in a virtual, non-competitive format online for 2020, under the title ’The Guild Goes On’, and the organisers are encouraging those who were due to take part in this year’s competition to film or record themselves performing and share them on social media instead.

Each entry will by assessed by one of a team of adjudicators, as they would be during the actual festival.

The adjudicators that will cast their expert eyes over the entries are Steven Roberts, who will judge the music entries, David Fonville for the drama categories and Deborah Norris for dance.

However, there will not be any prizes or ranking of first, second or third place, this year.

Instead, each performer who enters their song, dance, speech, poem or other entry will receive a festival certificate.

’We wanted to make it worthwhile for people to film and share their individual performances,’ said festival chairman Anne Clarke.

’There will have been a lot of people who have made a big effort in getting ready for this year. A lot of hours goes into practising and rehearsals.

’We intend to run the exact same programme next year, just so a lot of the work will not have been carried out in vain.

’However, a big consideration for us is the children who have been entered into one age group and by next year will have moved on to another age group with a different song and criteria altogether.

’We wanted to make sure all their time will not have gone to waste.’

It is matter of considerable pride to the organisers that the Manx Music Festival has enjoyed an unbroken run of 128 consecutive festivals.

’The festival continued through both the First and Second World War,’ said Anne.

’The committee felt sure that the Guild community would appreciate the opportunity to keep the flag flying high, particularly through this challenging period.

’We know that, although necessary and absolutely the right decision, the cancellation of this year’s festival was a disappointment to many.

’This is why we’d like to invite our competitors to still showcase their talents after all their hard work and preparations.

’We’re all learning how much music, drama and dance mean to us in these challenging times. So, let’s join together for "The Guild Goes On!" and allow it to lift our spirits.’

All entries can be shared with the festival committee via WeTransfer.

The competition opens for entries on Saturday, April 25, and will close at midnight on Saturday, May 2.

Details on how to record and enter your song into the virtual Guild festival are available from manxmusicfestival.org

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers