Carrickfergus Music Festival to celebrate 90th anniversary

Singer-songwriter Katie Melua.
Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye — Singer-songwriter Katie Melua. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

An arts event that has helped to encourage some of Northern Ireland’s leading performers celebrates its 90th anniversary next month.

Carrickfergus Musical Festival Association has in the past hosted singers Carolyn Dobbin and Emma Morwood and musicians Barry Douglas and Katie Melua, who started on their musical journey as amateurs.

The anniversary festival will commence with brass classes on Saturday, March 21, followed by strings on Monday, March 30 and vocal, choral and piano from Tuesday, March 31 to Friday, April 3.

A special concert will be hosted in Carrickfergus Town Hall on Saturday, April 4, at 7.30pm, when a number of performers will be showcasing their talents.

The annual volunteer-run festival is affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals of Music, Dance and Speech.

The main venue is Carrickfergus Town Hall and the festival committee says it is indebted to the support provided by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Tickets are available for the special concert on April 4 by emailing [email protected] (no charge but voluntary contributions).