Councillors help to set the stage for local talent competition

12.00.00am GMT Tue 2nd Feb 2010

Rothwell Competitive Music Festival will be given a helping hand by members of the outer south area committee to the tune of £2,100.

The money will help to pay for a new stage for the festival which is held every year and showcases up and coming musical talent. Amateur vocalists, pianists, brass players, choirs and brass bands are given the opportunity to perform in front of a panel of professional judges. This local 'X Factor' style competition attracts people of all ages from all over West Yorkshire.

The festival committee have been previously using a borrowed stage from Woodlesford Primary School, the size and weight of the stage made it hard work to collect, set up and take back each year.

Cllr Stewart Golton (Lib Dem, Rothwell) said:

"We want to get as much support for this hard working group as possible. The new stage will take this year's festival to the next level. I understand they have already got a full line-up of talented musicians for this years show and would welcome more members of the public to come along and hear the performers. The festival seems to be getting bigger and bigger and I am sure that it will become as big a pull for visitors to Rothwell as the Literature Festival is for nearby Morley."

Margaret Wilks, club secretary said:

"We have been going for over 25 years and we are run by volunteers and have a particularly strong team at the moment. I think what people may find fascinating is that we have judges - we call them adjudicators - who are really super professional musicians, used to performing themselves and really excellent at commenting on the performances. They also pick the winners, but are always scrupulous about being positive and encouraging. Audience members enjoy picking their own winners and seeing if they agree with the adjudicators."