COLERAINE, MUSIC FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS :
Registered Charity Name: Coleraine Music Festival Association
Charity Registration Number: NIC 106472
Principal Office:
23 Lisnagat Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, Co Antrim BT53 8UN
Trustees:
Mrs Margaret Sloane Mr Joe Dwyer
Independent Examiner:
Robert J Stevenson, Second Floor, 14 Mill Street, Ballymena, Co Antrim BT43 5AE
Governance and Purpose
Coleraine Music Festival Association is a charitable association governed by a constitution. The articles of the association are to hold and provide competitive music Festivals; to present and promote public performances, concerts and recitals, and to affiliate with and promote the charitable objects of The British Association of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech. The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland statutory guidance regarding public benefit.
Activities and Main Achievements.
The Coleraine Music Festival was held once again in 2025 over a period of thirteen days with over 2,750 children and young people taking part. The number of entrants continues to rise year on year.
The Music Section of the Festival ran from 3[rd] to 7[th] March 2025, inclusive. With an increased number of entrants the classes took place in two venues in St Patrick’s Church and New Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine.
58 choirs entered 20 classes – ten more choirs than last year. There were 300 solo singing entries from primary schools and 29 solos singing entries for secondary aged pupils. 83 instrumentalists entered the wind and string classes, 120 entries for piano classes, 4 orchestras or groups with 19 harp entries. In addition, there were 40 Musical Theatre entries this year. Many children and young people entered multiple classes meaning that approximately 1,600 children and young people participated in the Music Section of the Festival in 2025.
A very busy schedule over the 5 days saw morning, afternoon and evening musical performances. Due to the increased number of entrants additional adjudicators were needed this year as classes ran side by side in the two venues. The entrants were well supported by family, friends and school staff filling the venue to capacity especially during school choir performances. The choirs performed in St Patrick’s Church and volunteers were delighted with the positive reaction from spectators who commented on how much they enjoyed the performances. The atmosphere was warm and supportive of all who took part.
The Speech & Drama Section took place over 8 days between 19[th] March and 28[th] March 2025 in Coleraine Town Hall. 27 schools entered this year comprising 1,030 individual entries and 2 group entries.
Once again, there was particular focus on the participation of children and young adults with special educational needs with specific Classes for Special Schools in the Music Section and Classes for individuals with additional needs in both sections of the Festival.
Each entrant in both the Music and the Speech & Drama sections of the Festival received a certificate with written feedback on the individual or choir/group performances from the qualified and experienced adjudicators. Adjudicators often gave general advice on how to improve when giving oral feedback to the Class entrants. This included group instruction and, in the case of the Music Section, included a demonstration of singing or instrument playing by the adjudicator. This practical feedback was well received by individuals especially the teenage entrants and by music teachers and choir conductors.
Highly Commended Certificates along with badges for first, second and third placed entrants were awarded by the adjudicators in both sections of the Festival. Winners in each class were presented with either a cup or a plaque, many of which have been presented by businesses and individuals over the years since 1909 when the Festival first came into existence. A number of Bursaries were awarded by the adjudicators to entrants who excelled in their performance or who showed particular promise.
In the region of 2,200 spectators attended the Festival.
Voluntary donations were gratefully received by Committee Members or volunteers at the door over the period the Festival was taking place. These donations were lodged in the Coleraine Music Festival Association bank account and were used to pay for the printing of the programmes and certificates, the hire of premises, general running costs including replacement of some plaques and cups with the remainder going towards the cost of engaging adjudicators. The cost of engaging adjudicators including adjudicator fees, accommodation, travel, meals etc and the hire of premises is by and large the biggest expense the Festival faces each year.
Overall, the Festival provided a platform for competition, experience and adjudication for over 2,750 children and young people from a wide area. Entrants came mainly from the local environs of Coleraine, Ballymoney, Portstewart and Bushmills but also extended to include Swatragh, Moneymore, Tobermore, Limavady and Dungiven.
The entire Festival was well supported by the members of the Committee who worked voluntarily and tirelessly to ensure all who entered had a positive experience.
Sponsorship for the event encompassed members of local businesses and regular donors. Such generous donors include The Honourable The Irish Society.
Financial Review.
The results for the year are set out in the accounts. We have sufficient reserves to continue to run the Festival and will seek funding from local businesses as well as The Honourable The Irish Society in the forthcoming years. In particular we will endeavour to seek sponsorship from local businesses etc who have a particular interest in Speech, Drama, Public Speaking and Musical performances. Whilst the number of Music entrants increased along with the entrance fee per individual, group and choir this does not cover the cost of running the Festival. The Committee is mindful of the financial stress that families and schools are under and consequently endeavours to keep the cost of entering at a level that it continues to encourage pupils and schools to enter each year. The Festival Committee is exploring ways to generate additional income and means of reducing running costs, where possible.
Approved by the Trustees on 21[st] May 2026 and signed on their behalf by
Mr Joe Dwyer
President and Trustee
Coleraine Music Festival Association