The Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival concluded on May 18, 2023, and nearly three weeks later we can look back on how the festival went and explore a few lessons for future events.
“This year, the highlight I think, was what we call ‘Party in the Park’,” said Janie Fries, chair of the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival. The portion of the festival hosted in Crescent Park drew 750 students between the ages of 11 and 18.
“We had the Bromantics playing. From the moment the first note was played, the front of that stage packed with kids up dancing, and they danced until the end of the evening. It was just so much fun for everybody.
“And at that presentation, the Saskatchewan Band Association presented an award to the City of Moose Jaw, which was presented to the mayor for supporting the festival for over 70 years.”
Initially, festival organizers feared that the lasting effects of the COVID pandemic would mean a reduced turnout and added problems, but this was not the case.
“Initially we weren't sure what was going to happen after COVID... we weren't sure if all the groups were able to come because they couldn't afford it, or if they felt the students weren’t ready [because] they didn’t have the same rehearsal time as they have had prior [to COVID].
“A number of groups came in saying: ‘we aren’t at the level we’re usually at, but we know that going to this festival will help the students with their musical performances’.”
The pandemic introduced one positive lesson-- that digital media can help include groups who are otherwise unable to attend in the future.
“We had two bands from Peace River, Alberta, which is a 12-hour drive one way. They were unable to come because of the wildfires up there, but they were able to run their band sessions and clinic sessions via Zoom... we’ve never done that before,” explained Fries.
A second major lesson regarded volunteers.
“One thing we realized this year is that we really need volunteers to help with moving equipment. We have a lot of equipment to move, and we have a very involved committee. A lot of members of the committee are still working full-time throughout this week. It was tough to get all the equipment moved, and we could probably use a crew of about 8 [additional members].
“They just have to be willing to work the week of the festival.”
A third lesson reflected on various requests to include the traditional parade.
“In the days of the parade, band programs at that time were more community-based than school-based,” explained Fries when asked about the parade. “So, now they are school-based, and marching is not part of the curriculum. So, that’s one issue.
“And another issue is that years ago, every band that registered for the festival had to participate in the parade. You could not enter the festival and not march down Main Street, which meant that all those groups had to be in town at exactly the same date. Logistically, the city just can’t handle that.
“I remember way back when my dad was [in the festival] and they spent days moving bands into gymnasiums and the armories and things like that, so that every student would have a place to sleep during the festival. There's no way we could do that now.
“Everyone loves the parade, but it's a tough one to pull off!”
Even without the traditional parade, Moose Jaw proved to be an excellent host and lived up to their reputation as the Band City.
“One group arrived and saw the banner across Main Street and said, ‘That’s for us!’ They were so excited that the City of Moose Jaw was welcoming them,” said Fries. “Sometimes I think the City [of Moose Jaw] downplays the importance that they play, but they play a really big part in the festival.”
“This year we had 100 groups,” she said, “and it will be 100 groups, possibly more, during the four days [in 2024]. We anticipate being equally as full or more full next year.” said Fries. “It’s a very popular festival.”
As a final word looking back at the 2023 festival, Fries said: “It was very much a success.”
The 2024 Band and Choral Festival is scheduled for the week of May 13-16. Anyone willing to help is reminded that additional volunteers are needed.
To volunteer for the 2024 festival, you can reach the festival organizers at 1-306-681-3850.
