COVID 19 NOTICE, January 2022
In the interests of the health and safety of everyone involved, the Trustees of Carrickfergus Musical Festival Association have decided not to hold a 2022 festival.
Best Regards
Audrey Stewart
CMFA Administrator
Carrickfergus Music and Speech & Drama Festival, a member of the British and International Federation of Festivals (BIFF), is held annually to promote the study and cultivation of music and to encourage the art of speech and drama.
Amateur festivals have been active for over a century in our local communities and increasing leisure time and better educational opportunities are producing many talented amateur musicians, speakers and actors. Preparing for and performing at a festival involves young people in group activity and individual achievement. They gain a deeper appreciation of their repertoire and of the work of others. Each performer receives an adjudication from an expert in the genre entered. The inspiration gained from skilled adjudicators raises standards in amateur work throughout the country and all performers should leave with a sense of achievement. The main venue is Carrickfergus Town Hall and the Festival committee is indebted to the support provided by Mid & East Antrim Borough Council.
Carrickfergus Festival has been a starting point for many professionals, who began as amateurs, e.g. Barry Douglas and Katie Melua.
Jack Dalrymple Trophy- Junior Vocal Championship £50 Bursary plus £50 sponsored by Ownies, Carrickfergus
Junior Repertoire Class - £50 sponsored by Dobbins Inn and £50 sponsored by Ownies, Carrickfergus
CMFA Special Bursary for 2020 - £100 to be awarded to the most outstanding choral performance of the 2020 Festival (to include primary, secondary and adult)
CMFA Special Bursary increase of £300 to McConnell Trophy - Senior Vocal Championship of the 2020 Festival making a total of £500
Special shields and bursaries of £60 - sponsored by Cannon Motors, Carrickfergus, to be awarded to most promising performer in Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Piano Sections
Graham Scholarship and Rose Bowl - additional £300 ( anon donation) for 2020 making a total of £500 for the Instrumental Champion of the 2020 Festival
The Dorothy McCullough Silver Salver for the most outstanding performance of the 2020 Festival - £500 (anon donation)
Details of this years adjudicators are as follows:
Patron - Mr D D Graham
President - Mr Thomas Creighton MBE
Vice Presidents - Mrs M Glover, Mr J B Stewart, Mr C Hilditch & Mrs E Davidson
Chairperson - Mr J McIlwaine
Vice Chairman - Mr N Lamont
Hon Treasurer & Membership Contact - Mr J Richardson JP
Hon Music Secretary - Mrs A Stewart LTCL
Assistant Musical Secretaries - Mr Noel Lamont & Mrs Ruth Neale
Hon Auditor - Mr V Young