Photos
Creative Arts: March 2025. Music, Speech & Drama: 12-16 November 2025. Dance: 31 Jan-1 Feb 2026.
MUSIC, SPEECH & DRAMA

The Music, Speech and Drama classes of the Devizes Eisteddfod took place
in Devizes Town Hall on 8th, 9th and 14th – 17th November 2024.

A huge WELL DONE and thank you to all the performers who took part and to their teachers and parents. Without you all it just couldn’t happen. Congratulations to all those who took part in the two post-Eisteddfod Concerts 2024 – the Junior Showcase evening on 23 November and the Festival Concert on 30 November: many memorable performances which were much enjoyed by the large audiences.

Calendar 2025

Monday 28 April 2025

2025 MSD Syllabus launched.

Tuesday 1 July 2025

Entries open on this website for Music, Speech & Drama (MSD) Classes

Friday 3 October 2025

MSD entries close

Thursday 16 October 2025

Announcement of Class times

Wednesday 5 November 2025

MSD Festival Programme published

Stewards Briefing

Wednesday 12 November 2025

Junior Choral Festival

Friday 14 November 2025

Folk Song, Vocal and Speech Classes

Saturday 15 November 2025

Piano, Musical Theatre and Drama Classes.

Sunday 16 November 2025

String, Woodwind, Brass Classes

Electric Guitar, Percussion Classes

Ensemble Classes

Saturday 22 November 2025

Junior Showcase Concert

Festival Concert

Classes

Class details will be announced on Monday 28 April 2025

The MSD Syllabus will be available, free of charge, from Devizes Books, Sidmouth Street, Devizes SN10 1LD and from Wansbroughs, Northgate House, Northgate St, Devizes, SN10 1JX from Monday 28 April 2025, and on this website.

Rules

Before making your entries please read the relevant Rules and Policies on the Rules and Policies page.

See the answers to frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page.

Results

Results will be available
here during and after the Eisteddfod, uploaded shortly after each class or group of classes has finished.

 

Other Info

Venues

Devizes Town Hall
(SN10 1BN) :
Instrumental classes.

St Andrew’s Church
(SN10 1NJ) :
Speech and Drama classes

Devizes Corn Exchange
(SN10 1HS) :
Junior Choral Festival

St John’s Church
(SN10 1NP) :
Organ classes

Adjudicators

Caroline Diffley:
Piano and Strings.

Anne Hodgson:
Woodwind and Brass.

Rhys Matthews:
Electric Guitar, Percussion and Ensembles.

Bryan Husband:
Vocal, Folk Song and Musical Theatre.

Vivienne Redford:
Speech and Drama.

Michael Johnson:
Junior Choral Festival.

Music, Speech & Drama FAQs

         How do I book for the Eisteddfod ?

All entries are made on-line through this website. Entries will be open between Tuesday 1 July and Friday 3 October 2025. So for Music, Speech & Drama entries go to the Music, Speech & Drama page. Click on the Entry Form button and follow the instructions. The classes will be listed there too.

The Syllabus and Class Lists (available to download from the Entry page) contain details of all the classes. Please also read the relevant Rules.

You can make as many entries as you like, and each entry can contain a number of performances. However a performer is only allowed one performance per class, except in non-competitive classes.

When you have submitted your entry we will automatically send you an Acknowledgement email, containing the details of your entry, as a useful reminder, and our payment details. (Check your junk mail folder if it does not arrive.)

Payment is made by Bank Transfer (BACS), though we will take cheques if necessary. Your entry is not confirmed until payment has been received. When payment has been received we will send you a confirmation email.

For Creative Arts and Dance entries, go to the appropriate discipline page

         How much does it cost to take part ?

Entry to all Music, Speech and Drama classes costs £7.50 per performance, except where shown for the more complex classes. The prices are in the Syllabus and Class Lists and are displayed as you make your entry.

Payment must be made by Bank Transfer (BACS). Details will be provided on the Acknowledgement email which is sent immediately after you have submitted the entry. (Check your junk mail folder if it does not arrive.)

The entry is not confirmed until payment has been received. When payment has been received we will send you a confirmation email.

         When will I hear about my class times ?

We will email everyone who submitted an entry no later than Thursday 16th October 2025 with the dates and times and venues of their performances. Please note that this email will go to the school if it was the school who submitted the entry.

         Can I arrange for an official accompanist ?

Yes the Eisteddfod can arrange an official accompanist, though we would prefer you to bring your own accompanist. The cost is £3 per accompanied performance. If you wish to arrange practice sessions then you need to arrange this, and the cost, with the accompanist; we will give you their contact details.

You need to send a copy of the music to Michael Johnson (20 Dial Close, Seend, Melksham, SN12 6NP ) at the time of entering, stating the entry number, class and performer's name.

The Eisteddfod reserves the right to refuse to accept certain items of repertoire if the complexity of the music is such that preparation time for the accompanist would be too long.

         Do I have to bring a music stand ?

No. Music stands will be provided.

         Why am I not allowed to take away photocopied music after a performance ?

The use of photo or other facsimile copies of printed music without the permission of the publisher is forbidden and against the law. A copy may be made for the adjudicator provided the performer has an original copy of the music available on the day: the photocopied copy will be retained and then destroyed by the Executive Committee.

         How does my school or business become an Eisteddfod partner ?

If your organisation can guarantee a certain number of entries to the Eisteddfod, the festival will give you a benefit package including reduced rate entry fees, free advertising and other marketing initiatives. For further information please see details of the Partnership Scheme on this website, under Information on the menu.