Popular guitar festival kicks off in Bognor

Last year there was a record of more than 170 entries for the festival and it is hoped this year's festival, which runs until Sunday, November 22, will exceed previous achievements.

The festival includes the West Dean Scholarship Competition awarded to the most promising young person playing at Grade V standard or above.

Its winner will receive non-residential attendance at the West Dean International Guitar Festival and Summer School 2010, courtesy of West Dean College. The runner-up will receive a 200 bursary towards attendance.

The festival begins with a concert given by the ever-popular Gary Ryan '“ professor of guitar at the Royal College of Music who has been rated as being among one of the world's leading classical guitarists.

Renowned for breathing new life into the traditional guitar recital, he is also a prolific composer. The concert will be held at 7.30pm at the Regis School of Music, 46 Sudley Road, Bognor Regis PO21 1ER.

The weekend will be for under-18 competitors where Gary Ryan will be the adjudicator. The following weekend, November 21 and 22, will be the turn of the adults and Hayley Savage will be the adjudicator.

She has been a recitalist, tutor at events including the Bath International Guitar Festival and the West Dean International Festival and Summer School.

Hayley has received more than 20 premieres of her own works, which are mostly commissions and range from concerti and symphonic music to choral pieces.

The competitions will run from 9.30am each day at the Regis School of Music, Sudley Road and all are welcome.

For tickets call 01243 866462. or see www.westsussexguitar.com

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