Welcome to the Ballymena Festival

The Festival takes place during February and March each year in the new Braid Arts Centre in Ballymena which has modern facilities for most major performing arts. The Festival provides a wide opportunity for performers at all stages of music, speech, drama and dance. Gala Nights featuring major classes and performances representing the best in each section take place on Saturday evenings during the Festival. There are a number ofmajor bursaries and awards in each section as well as awards for schools and other smaller bursaries intended to encourage younger performers.

The festival includes two gala Nights: the Young Instrumentalist Gala on the first Saturday evening of the Music weeks and the Final Vocal and Prizewinners Gala on the last Saturday evening. The Instrumental Gala includes the Young Instrumentalist of the Year competition and the Piano Concerto Competition. The Final Gala includes the Young Voice Competition, the final of the Female Voice Repertoire and demonstrations by the Speech, Dance and Instrumental sections as well as the Prizewinners ceremony. Both Gala Evenings are followed by a finger supper for performers and guests.

The 2012 Festival
(Highlights, Programme, When is my class?)

Download the 2012 Syllabus

Full Prize-winners list here