About

History of the Festival

The Northfield Festival of Music and Speech is an annual competitive arts event held in Birmingham, England, focused on educating and fostering the talents of children and young people.

Key Milestones & History

Establishment & Charity Status: The festival's governing constitution was formally adopted on June 14, 1990 (with subsequent amendments in 1991 and 2003), and it was registered as a UK charity (No. 1003470) on July 19, 1991.
Mission: Founded to promote public and youth education in the arts, the festival gives participants the chance to perform live before audiences, receive constructive feedback from professional adjudicators, and gain confidence.
Format & Venue: The event features diverse classes spanning music (strings, vocal, piano) and speech and drama. Over recent years, it has been hosted annually at venues such as Bishop Challoner Catholic College in Birmingham.
Affiliation: It is a member festival connected with the broader performance arts network via the British and International Federation of Festivals (BIFF) Opens in a new tab .

Get Involved

Our Festival can only continue to thrive with the support of volunteers and Friends. Our Festival can only continue to thrive with the support of volunteers and Friends. If you would like to volunteer to help on the Festival day, please email info@northfieldfestival.org.uk for more information.

If you would like to support the Festival by becoming a Friend, please complete the form here. here Opens in a new tab .

Security

The committee cannot be held responsible for loss of personal effects during the Festival.

Additional Needs

Please contact us at info@northfieldfestival.org.uk with any information about support a performer may require.

Admission

There is an entrance fee of £5 for non-performers. (Children Free).
Programmes on the door: £3.00.

Venue

Bishop Challoner Catholic College, Institute Road, Kings Heath, B14 7EG Opens in a new tab

Officers & Officials

President:
Philip Dukes F.G.S.M., A.R.A.M.

Hon. Vice President:
Mrs Doreen Baggett

Friends of Northfield Festival

Sally Allsop, Neil & Doreen Baggett, Miriam Banting, Mr Roger Barber, Crystal Chan, Mr Alan Cull, Mr Martin Cull Amit Deshpande, Mr Philip Dukes, Sheng Fu Yiru Jia & Yong Sheng Ge, Margaret Hanson, Pei-Chieh Hsieh, Shen Jiang & Ying Zhou, Evelyn Khee, Raj Korotania, Mr Clive Lee, Lan Mi, Miss Carol Millward, Jill Nash, Billy Bui & Estelle Nguyen, Mrs Mary Pipe, Mr & Mrs John D. Smith, John & Carole Surtees, Vale Pianos, Mr Peter Williams, Mrs Brenda Wise, Alvyn Wongso & Wen Leong, Mengshai Yuan, Sang-Hoon Yeo & Diane Hwang, Liyun & Shan He Zhang.