MusicFest Canada

Logo of the festival

MusicFest Canada is a competition festival, established as the Canadian Stage Band Festival (CSBF) in Toronto, in 1972, by Robert Richmond (founding president), Gary Wadsworth, and Paul Miner. A major force in the development of the stage band (an institutionally-based jazz 'big band') in Canadian high schools and universities, the CSBF added vocal and concert band components in 1981 and 1986, respectively. MusicFest Canada, introduced as of 1987, embraced the CSBF and what had come to be identified by 1986 as the Canadian Vocal Festival and Canadian Concert Band Festival.

Bands and choirs are adjudicated by noted Canadian and US professionals in the jazz, band, and choral fields. Classifications are either by age (Jazz and Choral) or by an established level set by test piece (Concert Bands and Orchestras). Winning ensembles are ranked according to gold, silver, and bronze; awards and scholarships are also presented.to individual musicians.

National finals

National finals have been held in the spring (usually May) in several Canadian cities. Regional competitions are held during the preceding three months. In 1991, nearly 400,000 musicians participated in the preliminary events; some 8000 (in more than 350 stage and concert bands, jazz combos, and choral groups) proceeded to the finals.

Activities at the national finals have also included clinics and concerts, the latter offered over the years by the Boss Brass, Gary Burton, Canadian Brass, the Denny Christianson, Maynard Ferguson, and Woody Herman big bands, the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir, Oscar Peterson, Quazz, UZEB, and others. The festival's closing concert of winning ensembles has been documented by TV specials produced for TVOntario, CBC Television and in 1976, 1977 and annually beginning in 1980, CTV.

Volunteering

Each year, dedicated individuals put their time, skill and enthusiasm into MusicFest Canada and help to make MusicFest Canada the largest festival of its kind in North America. Some make their volunteerism a yearly ritual!

There are a wide variety of ways in which volunteers can participate - information services, sound and recording technicians, on-site production and hospitality services assistance, communications centre operators, front of house services for our ticketed events and workshops, to name a few.

As a volunteer you have an opportunity to meet new people, expand your skills and have a lot of fun. In addition, this kind of volunteer service can really make your resume shine regardless of the position you work and your next career move. MusicFest Canada volunteers work hard and their behind the scenes efforts ensure that all questions and concerns are answered, performances are on schedule and everyone involved has a great experience. Although it's hard work, it's also a great chance to meet others who share a mutual love for music.

http://www.musicfest.ca/volunteer_join_e.shtml

Host cities

• Toronto (1973-7, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003)
• Winnipeg (1978, 1990)
• Vancouver (1979, at Expo 86, 1991, 1998, 2005, 2007, and 2011)
• Ottawa (1980, 1987, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012)
• Edmonton (1981, 1993)
• Hamilton (1982)
• Calgary (1983, 1988, 1995, 2002)
• Quebec City (1985)
• Montreal (2004)
• Markham (2009)

Board and Officers

President

• Robert Richmond (1972-1984)
• John Nikel (1984-1986)
• Allen S. Michalek (1986-1996)
• Tom Glenn (1996-2005)
• Mark Wicken (2005-now)

Vice-President

• Harvey Botting
• Bryan Stovell
• Vicki Cummings

Executive Director

Jim Howard was appointed national co-ordinator in 1984 and executive director in 1985.

Executive

Chairmen

• Neil Yorke-Slader, Instrumental Jazz Division
• Kerry Querns, Choral/Vocal Jazz Division
• Bryan Stovell, Concert Band Division
• Wayne Toews, Orchestra/String Festival

External links

• MusicFest Canada