Manx Music Festival set to draw to a close at Villa Marina – BBC

The largest festival of music, dance and speech held on the Isle of Man is set to draw to a close later after a week of competition.
The annual Manx Music Festival attracts hundreds of competitors of all ages, with classes including solo singing, choirs, brass bands, public speaking, and Manx folk dance.
Also known as The Guild, the event was first held in 1892, with the 2025 competitions running predominantly at the Villa Marina in Douglas since Saturday.
The the final day of the festival's programme includes the top honour of all the classes for solo singers, the Cleveland Medal Contest at 19:30 BST in the Royal Hall.
The finalists in this year's contest, who took top honours in the solo singing classes, are Karen Elliot, Ruth Tickle, Christine Edmundson, Matthew Quinn, Graham Crowe and Terence Qualtrough.
The festival also sees hundreds of trophies awarded during the week, including the Sheffield Plate, which marks the winner of the junior vocal solo classes.
Recent additions to the schedule include stand up comedy, drag and news reading.
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Members say memories come "flooding back" during the sessions.
Gethsemane to Calvary was composed in 1906 and has "fallen into obscurity", says musical director.
A choir of people living with MND perform to raise money for those affected by the disease.
An hour-long radio special of BBC Sing! will be broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday at 16:00 GMT.
School choirs and adult singing groups from Wedmore will compete for the loudest audience reaction.
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