Fife music festival scraps 2021 plans

Fife Festival of Music has cancelled its planned 2021 programme because of lockdown restrictions - and is instead looking ahead to 2022.

The annual competition, which brings together thousands of young singers from schools and groups across the region, was due to start with a fun day in November, and then the main festival; in next February.

Events for the 41st competition were due to be held at theatres across Fife including the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy and Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline.

Graeme Wilson, chairman, said the decision to cancel had been taken “with great regret and sadness.”

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He added: “With so much uncertainty over so many aspects of life, with doubts over the long-term impact of social distancing, the behaviour of the virus itself, with question marks over availability of venues and, in particular, the great pressures on schools and their work, the committee considered it inappropriate and impractical to pursue arrangements for February 2021.”

He said safety was of paramount importance, and the decision to pull the plug comes after months of preparation.

Mr Wilson said: “Planning for the main January/February events starts in the Spring of the previous year and by mid-August, all initial arrangements are in place.

“We exist to support and encourage music making in the community, and wish to offer our thanks to all who participate and contribute to events and express hope that there is full understanding of and sympathy with its decision.”

The organisers have begun looking ahead to a full festival in 2022, as well as looking at any opportunities to celebrate local musicians.

The 41st festival will take place between Monday January 31 and Friday February 11,2022.

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