In this final programme for the 2023 Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival, we ask - why do we call it The Guild? 

Teacher Kristene Sutcliffe takes us along the road from syllabus to actually standing on the stage, and adds a few wise words about the value of the Guild for young people; 
Adjudicator Luise Horrocks shares some thoughts on what she looks for in a successful performer;       'then and now' compares performances from William Shooter - when he won the Sheffield Plate in 2015, and in 2023 with a song from the musicals which required very different vocal and acting skills;  
we delve into the archives to listen to Mrs Anne Minay, when she visited the Island in 2013, talking about her amazingly musical family, and a last word from Shirley -  no Guild would be complete without the friendly face of  Mrs Shirley Savage, on duty at the doors to the Royal Hall  - technically a member of the Villa Marina staff, but actually at the very heart of the Festival 'family' !