Margaret Smith (standing), LRAM GRSM, was born and brought up in Skipton and was an enthusiastic participant in local festivals from a very early age.  She studied piano, initially with Fanny Waterman and then at the Royal Academy of Music, with the violin as an additional first study.  Now living in Leeds, she has spent many years in musical education with both singers and instrumentalists, having been Director of Music for 20 years at one of the most prestigious independent girls’ schools in Yorkshire.  Since her retirement from full-time work she has revived her private piano practice, teaching to advanced level.

  She enjoys adjudicating, having a firm belief in the spirit engendered by the Festival Movement, and in the pleasure and educational value to be derived by all who participate.  Her enthusiasm has resulted in an ever-increasing number of invitations to adjudicate at festivals.

Margaret Venables (seated), LRAM ARCM ALCM Adv Dip.Sec. Ed., PGCA , has taken part in Festivals from an early age.  In 2005 she was proud to be elected Chairman of the British and International Federation of Music Festivals.  She has adjudicated at many festivals both in this country and abroad and has been at Cottingham on a number of occasions.  She trained at the Royal Academy of Music, with Piano and Organ as her first study, and the 'cello as her second instrument. After training she had  a varied teaching career eventually becoming Head of Music at Danum Grammar School.   Margaret travelled widely in Europe and America with the Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra and broadcast with them in England, part of her duties as Music Consultant for the Girl Guide movement. 

  Academically, she was a member of various national committees of the Schools Council for nine years and also the Northern Universities Music Examinations Committee.