About Us

We all know that music crosses all barriers and frontiers and it’s a concept that everyone appreciates irrespective of their language or culture.

Founded in 1993 by Roberta Dunlop, the Festival was developed to create that environment for our choirs here in Northern Ireland but Roberta also wanted to attract choirs from beyond our Province to visit Bangor and compete in a friendly atmosphere but also establish friendships for the future. 

Over the years the Festival has welcomed choirs from Philippines, Italy, Austria, Iceland as well as closer to home from across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland for a programme of school and adult competitions as well as culminating in the Gala Evening on the Saturday for the prestigious Open Choral Competition.

The Festival provides a stage for hundreds of choristers of all ages to showcase their musical ability and to entertain audiences from near and far.   The Festival is a highlight in the City’s events calendar and brings the Bangor to life for a celebration of choral music.

Committee 

Margaret McDowell

Chairperson
Tel – 028 9146 0514
Email – margaret.mcdowell@talktalk.net
Meet Margaret

Anne Poots

Secretary/PR

Tel – 077 2026 5221
Email – anne.poots@btinternet.com

Meet Anne

Roberta Dunlop

Treasurer

Tel – 028 9146 8400
Email – dunlop_roberta@hotmail.com

Meet Roberta

Joan Houston

Programming

Tel – 028 9145 6851
Email – joanhouston@sky.com

Meet Joan

Linda Milby

Sponsorship Officer

Tel – 028 9076 1520
Email – milbys@btinternet.com

Meet Linda

Mary McCormack

Festival Trustee
Meet Mary

MARGARET MCDOWELL

“I have been involved with the Festivalsince its foundation in 1993 and have held the role of Chairperson for many years. I am responsible for co–ordination and administration of all Festival entries including liaising with choirs regarding music copy required. I am the point of contact for any musical enquiries and also responsible for Child Protection regulations within the Festival environment. I act as Adjudicator’s Steward and along with my Festival colleagues I assist in the planning, organisation and delivery of a successful Festival event.”

ANNE POOTS

“Festival SecretaryI have held the role of Festival Secretary for many years. I am the initial point of contact for the Festival and with my Festival colleagues, I assist with the planning, organisation and delivery of the Festival. This role entails administration and sharing of Festival information with Adjudicators and Choirs pre and post Festival as well as co–ordinating the PR and promotion surrounding the Festival, answeringFestival queries and providing general information to visiting choirs planning their travel to the city of Bangor.“

Roberta Dunlop

“After liaising with our local Council in 1992 for support, the 1st Festival was held in April 1993 with only a handful of choirs and with a duration of 1 day. The Festival has now grown into a 3 day choral event with thousands of competitors, ranging from 5 years old to 95 years old, able bodied and disabled, from all backgrounds and communities, taking to the stage to showcase their talent and skill for choral singing.

This was my vision in 1993 and still my vision today. I am incredibly proud to see this Festival established and supported for over 30 years by local, national and international choirs, and even more so to witness it going from strength to strength with each passing year.”

JOAN HOUSTON

“I am responsible for collating all programme information for our printed programme as well as advising class timings and Festival information to each participating choir. have been a member of the committee since the Festival began.”

LINDA MILBY

“I have held the role of Funding Officer since 2013.  My responsibilities include applying for funding through Government, private and community funding schemes as well as approaching local businesses on an annual basis to either create new financial support or renew existing support for the Festival, through either advertising revenue or specific competition sponsorship.  It is also my responsibility to source in kind sponsorship and this can involve approaching large corporates for hospitality supplies for both school and adult choirs.”

MARY MCCORMACK

“As Festival Trustee I support my Festival colleagues and the Volunteers in whatever way is required to deliver a successful Festival, particularly in the areas of hospitality, stewarding and promotion. I have held this position since 2022.”