Coulsdon & Purley Music Festival 2025 

---

A participant in the festival writes...

This year, the 81st Coulsdon & Purley Music Festival took place from 28 February to 22 March, with another series of highly memorable events.

The festival itself is very lively and friendly and I found comfort in performing in a venue that I was familiar with. I took part in both the woodwind and piano sections and although I didn’t win much, the experience of a solo performance in the relatively casual and forgiving environment was very enjoyable, as you are performing with other people your age, and it is nice to hear other people perform, whether they put their whole heart into it, or their playing is just so virtuosic that you are mesmerised by it.

I would definitely recommend taking part in this next year, like me, as performing a solo piece with a live audience is great practice and character-building for public performances like speeches or even playing music. Also, the people there are very friendly but are also professional and knowledgeable, so the adjudicators will give advice that greatly improves your playing.