The festival began in 1952 and was organized and run by a Committee formed from the Music Teachers’

Association under the aegis of the British

Federation of Music Festivals with support from business and public entities.    

These Festivals held biennially ended in 1973, and were replaced by the Guyana Festival of Creative Arts (Guyfesta)

1992 Woodside Choirs M.S., as part of their 40th Anniversary celebrations resuscitated the Competitive Music Festival with sponsorship from the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry ( GBTI). For the next two festivals ( 1994 & 1997) the bank also sponsored the Festival.

2005 The Lutheran Church of Tulsa, through their
Partners programme, headed by Dr. Erv Janssen, met  
with the members of the Guyana Music Festival 
Committee  and the Guyana Music Teachers’  

Association. Dr. Janssen informed the two groups that they had been sending musicians to train members of the Lutheran Church across Guyana, especially in Berbice, during the Summer months. They wanted to find out how they can help on a larger scale and also give their groups all year exposure to training. The feeling was that the Music Festival may be the vehicle to perpetuate this project.

2007 This Music Festival was launched in October 2007 with                                a performance by the designated Adjudicator Mr. Donald Ryan  and Mr. Greg Lynch, a violinist from Tulsa. Other  performances came from local artistes.

2008 May – Draft of the Syllabus and the listing of Classes and Test                           Pieces for the Festival scheduled for April 14 – 18, 2009 Were prepared.

2009 January – Preparations were in progress for the holding of the festival from April 14 – 18, 2009

Adjudicators : Mr. Donald Ryan

Ms. Marilynda Lynch

2009 April The Festival was held.