Music Festival 2017
Second Comber Presbyterian Church hall was packed to capacity on Saturday 11th March 2017 for the Federation’s annual Music Festival 2017. Arts Sub-Committee Chairman Carole Baird welcomed everyone to the event, including Federation President Lady Anthony Hamilton, Lady Moyra Campbell, Federation Chairman Elizabeth Warden, Federation Vice Chairman Beth Irwin and adjudicator Sam Cuddy, B.Mus., P.G.C.E.
Everyone in attendance was treated to a very enjoyable day of music and performance. There was stiff competition in the choir classes, and the comprehensive and constructive comments from the adjudicator were much appreciated by all those taking part. It would be difficult to single out any particular performance, but one memorable one was that of ‘Three Little Girls from School’ performed by three ladies from the Portaferry Institute, dressed immaculately in Japanese kimonos and full regalia, who delighted the audience and adjudicator with their performance. The adjudicator was full of praise for all the participants and said he wished he could join the WI as the ladies seemed to enjoy themselves so much!
The presentation of awards was carried out by Federation Chairman Elizabeth Warden who also thanked the Arts Chairman Carole Baird and the members of the Arts Sub-Committee for their hard work putting the event together. As Elizabeth was a member of the Ballyblack choir which won several awards, Federation Vice-Chairman Beth Irwin took over the presentation of those.
The general Vote of Thanks was delivered by Helen Jamieson who expressed appreciation to the adjudicator for his hard work, to the Session and Committee of Second Comber Presbyterian Church not only for the use of their halls, but for the delicious tea, coffee, scones and lunch provided by the ladies of the Church Catering Committee and to all the participants and audience for such an enjoyable day.
The list of prizewinners is as follows:
Burgess Trophy – Fireside Chorus
1st Armoy WI
2nd Richhill WI
Alice Chestnut Shield – Choral Folk (own choice)
1st Ballyblack WI
2nd Quoile Area
Ballyrogan Salver – Choral Sacred
1st Ballyblack WI
2nd Slemish Area
Carrickfergus Cup – Choral 12+ Voices
1st Quoile Area
2nd Ballyblack WI
Priory Cup – Ensemble 2 – 12 Voices
1st Quoile Area
2nd Ballyblack WI
Doreen Young Cup – Soprano Solo Untrained
1st Nuala Doran, Armoy WI
2nd Stephanie McLean, Clogher Valley Area
Havelock Nelson Medal – Alto Solo Untrained
1st Iris Walker, Quoile Area
2nd Geraldine Williams, Clogher Valley Area
Ann Getgood Salver – Soprano Solo Trained
1st Muriel Smyth, Portaferry WI
2nd Jayne Martin, Ballyblack WI
Arts Sub-Committee Cup – Song from a Show
1st Crumlin WI
2nd Ballyblack WI
Sam Henry Cup – Solo Folk Song
1st Anne Patton, Armoy WI
2nd Nuala Doran, Armoy WI
Deborah Horan Trophy – Overall Winner
Ballyblack WI
Members of Ballyblack WI Choir, the overall winners of the event, pictured with Federation Vice-Chairman Beth Irwin
The talented prizewinners with Federation Chairman Elizabeth Warden, adjudicator Sam Cuddy and Vice-Chairman Beth Irwin.
