MESSAGES FROM OUR PATRONS

It gives me special pleasure to write these few words of encouragement for WACIDOM and all it is achieving. The Young Musician of the Year Competitions have been a big success, concerts are better attended all the time, and the general interest and involvement in this project is proving to be stimulating for the whole community. This is wonderful to hear at a time in history when the lure of home entertainment makes many people pessimistic about the future of ‘live’ artistic events. We all need to communicate face to face: we like sharing our enthusiasms with others and we like to sense the risks of performance without the safety net of re-takes in front of the camera. “It is not good for man to be alone” has more than matrimonial implications. It has to do with the very foundational reasons for artistic expression. We write poetry when prose is not enough; we sing when words are not enough; we dance when walking is not enough; and all of these forms of expression reach deep into our souls with healing and with joy. Stephen Hough

I am delighted to be a Patron of WACIDOM and wish all the participants the very best for the upcoming Young Musicians’ Competition. I am encouraged to see how well this arts initiative is developing in Warrington, especially as I was once a local lad thirsty for local opportunities and benefited greatly from taking part in the festivals and competitions in the North West. All budding young musicians need a platform to give them the chance to perform in public and display their talents and in continuing Warrington’s Young Musicians Competition in 2008, we can hopefully look forward to seeing these new artists develop from our own doorsteps to become successful musicians of the future. Keep up the good work in Warrington! I look forward to acting as an Adjudicator in the Upper Division Final. Leon McCawley

" ...a big congratulations in organising this year's competition.
All of us were made to feel so welcome. I was really impressed with the Finalists..."
Leon McCawley, Adjudicating at the 2006 Finals