The North Devon Music Performing Arts Festival is keen to promote the Arts locally and is held during November each year. The Festival is predominantly competitive, although entrants may offer pieces non-competitively if they wish. There are classes for all ages and abilities across the three disciplines of Dance, Music (Instrumental and Vocal), Speech and Drama as well as vocal workshops.

The committee promotes an atmosphere that is welcoming, friendly and encouraging so that many performers return year after year. There is a final concert at the end of the Festival during which some of the more outstanding acts perform to a hugely appreciative audience.

All our Adjudicators are affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals.

Each year as a result of the feedback we receive from performers, teachers and our audiences, we amend our syllabus to try and offer as many opportunities as possible for performers to demonstrate their particular talent.

The competitive Festival Movement provides opportunities for individual talent to be developed and provides a platform for all those who enjoy performing. It enables competitors to hear the work of others and provides stimulation for improvement.

The most important factor however is the presence and advice of a professional judge, the purpose of whose adjudication is to educate. The adjudicator’s remarks, both in public and on the written sheet for each competitor, with his/her evaluation of each performance, encourage the development of individual taste and judgement in the minds of those who listen.

The knowledge and encouragement given to competitors by skilled adjudicators helps to raise standards in amateur work throughout the country.