THE search is on for a Manx traditional music group to represent the Island at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient (FIL) in Brittany next year.

The last few years have seen an ever-strengthening Manx presence at FIL, thanks to the support of the festival’s director and his team as well as the work of the Manx Heritage Foundation.

Official delegate to the festival from the Isle of Man, Aalish Maddrell, will be selecting performers for FIL 2011 "Year of the Celtic Diaspora" and is looking for a Manx traditional music group to take part.

In order to qualify, groups must consist of confident and accomplished musicians who perform traditional and/or original music in the Manx style.

They must also be available to travel to Brittany for the duration of the festival - August 5 to August 14 2011.

Interested groups should send a CD of at least three tracks to Aalish Maddrell c/o MHF Music Team, Stable Building, University Centre, Old Castletown Road, Douglas IM2 1QB.

She can be contacted on filmanx@yahoo.com and the closing date is November 1. 

This year, a record 800,000 people attended the 40th anniversary of the Festival Interceltique de Lorient (FIL) which sees Manx performers share the stage with internationally renowned musicians and dancers from across the Celtic world.

This year's representatives from the Island were The Mollag Band and their original songs and interesting arrangements ensured a warm reception from the Lorient crowd.

Equally comfortable on stage in front of a packed theatre audience as they were playing to passers by in front of the Manx pavilion, they performed at a range of venues including the prestigious Palais de Congres, Ploemeur, Lorient Town Hall and many others.

The festival delegation also really appreciated the efforts they made with the press, with Greg Joughin and Julie Matthews, in particular, doing several radio interviews - promoting not only their own music but Manx language and culture in general.