HarFest @ Saintfield Parish Church Hall

The voice of John Toal is familiar to many. As the host of BBC Radio Ulster’s Saturday Magazine and Sounds Classical he draws audiences in to a broad range of topics and genres of music, always aiming to be both thought-provoking and entertaining. As a member of the Saintfield community we were grateful to him agreeing to compère the Opening Festival Concert.

Also in attendance was the NI Assembly’s Finance Minister Simon Hamilton MLA who took time off from his busy schedule to declare open the Saintfield HarFest Music Festival …

The Parish Hall was filled to capacity to hear a variety of performers.

Grosvenor Chorale, who celebrated their 20th anniversary one week earlier, with music director and HarFest organiser Edward Craig.

Richard Douglas on flute accompanied by Edward Craig on piano.  Richard currently plays in ‘The Douglas Trio, ‘Quicksilver’ Flute Quintet, Belfast Pops Orchestra and the folk group ‘Caubeen’.

Saintfield Development Association’s Norma Mack serving refreshments during the interval.

There was the chance to mingle and discuss the evening’s programme.

The male members from Grosvenor Chorale sang during the second half of the evening.

Sionán Mullan and Tom Roulston.  Sionán is in her final year at Queen’s University reading Music with a major focus on Voice.  Tom Roulston began learning the classical guitar upon starting secondary school. He soon expanded to other styles of guitar and in recent years to other instruments.

The wonderful evening of music ends as it started, with Grosvenor Chorale.

John Branch gives the thumbs-up to the inaugural concert of HarFest 2013!