A Brief History

In November 2005 the very first Gibraltar Festival for Young Musicians took place, organised by Allegro Music Productions, a registered charity founded in January 2005 by Cathy Batchelor and Wayne Smith to promote and encourage music performance amongst the children in Gibraltar.

The festival is an amateur competitive and non-competitive event for instrumentalists and singers of all ages and abilities. The aim of the festival is to provide a friendly platform for musical performance. The festival is an ideal opportunity for children to realise their potential, enhance their performance skills, sharpen their technique and receive valuable feedback from an experienced music adjudicator.  

There was a wealth of talent over the festival weekend. Held at the John Mackintosh Hall, 308 Main Street, Gibraltar, over 70 individuals took part and also school choirs and ensembles. The culmination of the festival weekend was a Gala Concert, held on Tuesday 22nd November, (the feast day of St Cecilia, the Patron Saint of Music), that brought together the performers selected by the adjudicator from the weekend performances. This was hosted by Allegro’s President, local radio and television personality, Richard Cartwright and was attended by the Governor of Gibraltar, Sir Francis Richards and Lady Richards, and ministers Joe Holliday, Dr Bernard Linares and Fabian Vinet. Various trophies and bursaries were awarded to the most promising musicians and there was a special guest appearance of local pianist Aaron Monterverde who gave a superb and passionate rendering of the ‘Blue Danube’ which won a standing ovation from the audience.

The U.K. music adjudicator, Andrew Hansford, said of the festival weekend and the Gala Concert evening: It has been a real privilege and pleasure to have adjudicated here at the John Mackintosh Hall in Gibraltar for the very first ‘Gibraltar Festival for Young Musicians 2005’ - the standard has been very good, demonstrating a wealth of musical talent and commitment – this evening’s exciting Gala Concert is proof of the excellent and inspired work of all our competitors with the support of their teachers, friends and families.

The 2nd festival took place in November 2006, during the weekend of 10th – 12th , with the Gala Concert taking place on Wednesday 22nd November. Baroque of Gibraltar were the special guest performers for the Gala Concert and the audience enjoyed the quartet’s ‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik’. Once again the festival attracted many entrants and even more children took the opportunity to participate in the festival and attend the adjudicator workshops.

The U.K. adjudicator was Paul Harris, who has over four hundred and fifty music publications to his name and is one of the U.K’s leading educationalists. He left these words with us: As I touched down (somewhat bumpily!) on a very windy morning last Thursday, I had no idea that the musical treats about to unfold would be so memorable. I was both inspired and moved by the sheer numbers of smiling and enthusiastic performers involved in the Second Gibraltar Festival for Young Musicians and by the standards they achieved – from the many highly dedicated individuals to the delightful choirs and larger ensembles. The extended musical community in Gibraltar (teachers. organisers, parents, families, friends) is to be much congratulated on this wonderful event and I proffer my very best wishes for what I know will be a terrific Gala evening.

The third festival took place in February 2008. Once again there was an excellent attendance of participants despite the inclement weather on this occasion. Due to the large numbers, two Gala Concerts followed the festival, on Saturday 23rd February: a Festival Highlights Concert at 4.30pm and a Festival Prize-giving Concert at 7.30pm. Christian Santos was the guest performer and he delighted the audience with ‘Anthem’.

March 2009 saw the 4th Gibraltar Festival for Young Musicians with the chairman of the Federation, Mrs Margaret Venables, adjudicating for us. She left us with these words: Greetings to everyone who performed, supported, organised and helped at the Festival for Young Musicians. You must all be very proud of what was achieved. I returned to England full of wonderful memories, which I intend sharing with my colleagues. The warmth of everyone I met, the fantastic support of family and friends for those who performed, the excellent venues, and of course the support of the Department of Education. Thank you so much for inviting me.

The March 2010 Festival was another successful event with increased numbers participating and with Marilynne Davies adjudicating. She commented: 'This was my first visit to Gibraltar and to the festival. I have been made to feel warmly welcomed by you all and particularly by the Festival Organiser and the Committee. Although this festival is only in its fifth year it has already made a considerable impact on the cultural life of Gibraltar by providing a platform for performance in a supportive and positive environment. I have been privileged to hear many memorable performances in two splendid venues. These have shown the high standard of teaching in Gibraltar. Many congratulations to all who have performed. It has been a joy to hear your performances. I am sure that the Gibraltar Festival will continue to grow and thrive with the support and enthusiasm of performers, teachers, sponsors, the Department of Education, family and supporters. I wish you well for the future and thank you for inviting me. It has been a very happy experience.'

The 6th Gibraltar Festival for Young Musicians took place in March 2011 with Timothy Barratt adjudicating. He enjoyed the enthusiastic and talented music making and was most surprised to be greeted by a Gibraltar ape on his hotel balcony, who when being shooed away, simply sat there and yawned! He left us with these words: 'I have thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Gibraltar. The Festival was well organised, friendly and I heard some fine performances throughout the four days.' This year’s festival saw the introduction of the Gibraltar Young Musician of the Year category which we hope will become a regular feature in our festivals.