Chairman's Welcome 2024

A very big, friendly welcome to you all.

It was terrific to see so many performers taking part in our 2023 Festival. We were thrilled to welcome back our choir section after a three-year hiatus, while youth orchestras, jazz, brass and concert bands also made a welcome return.

The 69th Annual Festival will be the second time our dance section has been nominated an All England Dance Festival, where candidates may qualify for the AED area finals through our classes. Qualifying classes for this popular and prestigious event are limited in size, so do submit your entries early to avoid disappointment.

I'm also delighted to announce that the West Sussex Organists Association will be partnering with the Festival to run an organ section, which will take place at St George’s Church in Chichester

We have, as always, exceptional and professional adjudicators lined up to enthuse and inspire candidates in all our sections. Please encourage as many friends, family, schools, clubs and organisations who are involved in the performing arts to enter one or more of the classes on offer and we hope to see as many of you as possible at our Festival during January, February and March 2024.

All entries can be made online from our website at www.cfmds.org.uk, and must be submitted by no later than midnight on November 30th 2023.

Finally, a very big thank you to all our CFMDS volunteers who give up their time to make this wonderful Festival possible.

With all good wishes,

Alan Rodger Chairman