Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival

first letter to the church at Corinth:

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith which can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing…..Love is patient, kind, not envious, doesn’t boast, isn’t proud or rude…always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres. Love never fails……

It’s inconceivable that anyone could write so beautifully about love without experiencing deep feelings of love in his own heart. As far as the churches were concerned, this was a fatherly love which at times caused him much heartache when they failed to keep the faith. Worst of all was the sorrow it caused him when his motives were misconstrued. The depth of his anguish in that regard is very much in evidence in the second letter to the church at Corinth.

Paul was also a man of compassion, shown in the letter he writes to Philemon in which he asks him to be gracious towards Onesimus who was once his slave. And he was a great encourager, particularly of young leaders like Titus and Timothy.

In all he does, Paul argues from a position of humility. In him are brought together a brilliant and uncompromising intellect with a heart that is warmly and wonderfully kind. Next month: Religious views

It’s that time of year again where we are looking for creative individuals from across the area to get involved in the Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival.

This prestigious annual event is open to entrants of all ages and experience, with categories covering Creative Writing, Singing, Woodwind & Recorders, Brass, Band, Choir, Ensemble and Orchestra, Pianoforte, Speech & Drama and Strings.

Anybody with a passion for writing (be it poetry, short stories, or articles), performance or music is highly encouraged to enter. Adjudicated by inspiring experts in each field, we are greatly looking forward to hearing from you and seeing the creativity that our area has to offer.

More information on classes and how to enter through Run My Festival can be found on our website – basingstokemusicandarts.org.uk

CLOSING DATES FOR ENTRIES Friday 21st January 2022 with the Awards being presented at Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke as follows:

Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March–Pianoforte,

Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March–Speech and Drama -

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th March–Bands, Choirs, Ensembles, & Orchestras, Woodwind & Recorder, Brass Strings, Creative Writing Awards Ceremony and Singing

Sunday 27th March 2:00 pm Gala Performance and Overall 2022 Awards Ceremony