History

I was a Music Consultant with the Catholic Education Office (CEO) introducing Primary School Teachers to a Vocal Based Music Education Programme. Logically, the next step was to involve these students in Choral performance. Choral Music was and is a passion of mine.

I had long wanted our Catholic schools to combine with the Primary Schools Music Society Festival. They suggested I start my own. This was a daunting task given my main role was to the teachers in the classroom. However, I managed to convince the Deputy Director, Bill Clohesy that I could do both - without sacrificing the standard of work in the schools. He gave me his blessing and support and the rest is history!

The majority of the schools involved in this Vocal based programme were from what was then categorised as disadvantaged schools. I didn’t want our children to miss out on the advantages that being involved in such a Festival would bring. Most of these students had never been inside the Festival Theatre.

So, with a great deal of assistance from the Stage Manager of the Public Schools Music Society and with a small committed band of teachers on the committee, we launched our Festival.  We expected the highest possible standard from all students involved in both the Choral and the Support Acts.