The Trinidad & Tobago Music Association was founded in 1947 by a group of individuals headed by the Abdool sisters Grace and Jean of San Fernando and May Johnston of Port-of-Spain. The membership shared a love of music of the masters and a desire to perform. Out of these gatherings came the desire "to embrace the community of music.. joining the international arena in the appreciation of works of
the composers of the world"
The first Music Festival entailed many months of logistical reckoning - What kind of registration? Test Pieces? How to accommodate the choirs? What about transportation for the children during school hours? Permission from the Ministry of Education for their participation? What about official accompanists and more importantly where would the adjudicators be found who could give constructive criticism and encouragement to the participants. A formidable task, staging of the Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival which has been been produced biennially since 1948 with two exceptions. Not long into its existence it became very obvious that there was dire need for a concert hall and the Trinidad & Tobago Music Association immediately became one of the more vigorous advocates for the construction of the Queens Hall Theatre. Since its inception the Festival has enjoyed national popularity and is a tradition among performers and audiences drawn from private groups, individuals and the public at large. The Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival over the years has been the showcase for aspiring musicians. It is considered a major launching point for the career of many now prominent individuals in the music world.
