History

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 philharmonic 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.