Reigate and Redhill Festival has once again teamed up with Reigate College to support young musicians, aged 10 to 19, who want to develop their performance skills in Rock, Pop or Urban Music.

The College’s Head of Music John Evans, will be joined by another industry professional, Nikki Franklin and together they will offer feedback and advice to help performers develop their stagecraft and confidence. Musicians will have the opportunity to watch and learn from other performers who are playing in the same session. Shortlisted performers will be invited to play at other prestigious music events, should this be of interest to them.

Two sessions have been arranged. Timings as follows:

  • Session One: Doors open 9.30am
  • Session Two: Doors open 1pm

Tickets for friends and family to watch the session are available here. These are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for Under 18s.

The Performance sessions will take place in the Rispoli Theatre at Reigate College, where a full back line of equipment will be provided, to enable performers to bring their own instruments, (drummers should bring breakables) then plug in and play two songs, or fill a maximum of a 10 minute slot (less if preferred).

We are inviting entries from 10-19 year olds who are soloists or in a band of up to six players. Soloists may use backing tracks if they wish and any genre of modern music is welcome, whether originals or covers.

There is limited capacity in the College’s Rispoli Theatre, so we urge you to apply quickly as entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

All visitors should access the Rispoli Theatre via the Rushworth Road entrance NOT the Castlefield Road entrance (the latter will be closed). Drivers should park in the College’s Rushworth Road car park. Post code for sat nav users RH2 0QF

Register and enter the event

The entry fee per performer is £8. For example bands of 4 people would pay £32. One band member should register and pay for the whole band – so that it’s clear to the organisers which performers will be playing with which band. Please register on the Play and Perform website

Spectators’ tickets

Spectators’ tickets, priced at £10 per adult and £5 for U18s are available here.

Session One: Doors open 9.30am

Session Two: Doors open 1pm

Guidelines

  • There will be 2 sessions, one morning and one afternoon. Doors open 9.30am and 1pm.
  • Entrants will be allotted a 10 minute slot in the session.
  • A full backline will be provided and full technical support will be on hand for set up.
  • Performers should bring their own instruments. Drummers should bring breakables. All other equipment will be provided by College including microphones, amplifiers etc.
  • If PAT testing or any other safety testing of performer’s equipment is required, entrants will be contacted ahead of the sessions.
  • There will be no rehearsal time in the programme so entrants should complete any rehearsals before attending the sessions.
  • Performers are responsible for the care of their own instruments (and related equipment). Reigate College and RRF do not accept any liability for performers’ equipment or belongings.
  • An area will be allocated to performers at the front of the specators’ seating area, where participants should sit with their instruments.
  • All participants are expected to attend the whole 2 hour 15 minute event, NOT just their session, out of courtesy to the other performers.
  • No drinking (other than water) or eating in the Rispoli Theatre. Participants and spectators wishing to eat while on site, can do so in the outside, covered eating areas.

Mentor Bios

John Evans – Head of Music, Reigate College

For over 25 years I have been a successful and active guitarist, songwriter, teacher, composer, and arranger having had the opportunity to play on many of the world’s most prestigious stages including London’s Royal Albert Hall, Barbican and Palladium as well as UK festivals, including Glastonbury, V Festival, T in the Park and Oxygen.

My playing and writing career have also allowed me to tour extensively across Europe and North America, record at world-renowned studios as a member of The Divine Comedy and as a session player for Ray Davies, Tom Chaplin, Liam Bailey, Chris Difford, Marti Pellow, Luke Haines as well as with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. I have played in many of the West End’s theatres on shows including Jersey Boys, Billy Elliott, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Dirty Dancing.

My compositions and arrangements have been performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra, the BBC Ulster Orchestra and heard on BBC, Channel 4 and Netflix. Throughout my career I have always taught, working either as an instrumental tutor in group and individual settings, or in the classroom, teaching music at Key Stages 3, 4, & 5.

I started as Head of Music at Reigate College in September 2023 and I look forward to drawing upon my experience facilitating the development of young bands and contemporary musicians in academic and practical settings to showcase the talent of the young musicians of the local area.


Nikki Franklin

For over 20 years I have worked as a composer, performer and educator across a wide range of musical settings, appearing at major UK venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, Ronnie Scott’s and The 606 Club. I work internationally with Trinity College London as a Rock & Pop Examiner, senior moderator and curriculum developer, contributing to syllabus design and supporting the wider examiner panel.

My large ensemble, The Spike Orchestra, became the first British group to record a volume of John Zorn’s Masada Book Two for Tzadik Records in 2015. My compositions have been performed in the UK, Italy, France and Sweden, and I continue to collaborate with artists across varied disciplines.

I am the founder and Chief Executive of Franklin Music CIC, a community organisation based in Redhill that delivers choirs, workshops, concerts and creative programmes. We work closely with local partners, including the Reigate Summer Festival Fringe Festival, to build inclusive, accessible opportunities for musicians and performers of all ages.

I remain committed to supporting young musicians in the region, helping them develop confidence, creativity and a strong artistic voice.