The Festival was the brain child of Mr Douglas Smith, who was a keen Rotarian and music lover. His Lancastrian background led him to suggest to his Rotarian colleagues that what this town needs is a music festival'. With the backing of Hatfield Rotary Club, the Herts County Music School and the then Hatfield Polytechnic, the first festival took place in 1980 and was a great success.

We aim to provide a happy and relaxed atmosphere where making music is a shared pleasure. Our adjudicators are all specialists and are most complimentary about our aims and organisation. We also have a good relationship with our excellent local symphony orchestra, which offers a performance opportunity to the overall winner. This is of great interest to any young musician hoping to start on a career.

Mrs Ann Dymoke - founder member.

WThe 2009 Festival was memorable - entries exceeded the previous year and our adjudicators commented on the excellent standard. In October, 2009 Festival Winner, Florian Rago, gave a sparkling performance of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the de Havilland Orchestra. On December 13th 2009, our 2008 winner, Konstantin Lapshin performed Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto. The Festival stresses the importance of encouraging musicians of all ages and stages of their development, to build their confidence and increase their enjoyment in making music.

With non-competitive and competitive entries, and many encouraging parents and friends, little wonder that this is known as 'The Friendly Festival' as well as enjoying a reputation for excellence.