The St. Thomas Rotary Music Festival will reach its 61st year when it takes place February 23 to 27, 2015. The St. Thomas Rotary Club has released the Syllabus which is now available on the Club’s website www.rotarystthomas.org. Printed copies may be picked up at Maestro Music Academy, 323 Talbot St, Central Music Academy, 135 Wellington St, Public Libraries in St. Thomas and Aylmer, or from Ron Somerville ronsom@bell.net. Copies are also available at schools in East and West Elgin and at Belle Aire, London. Registration deadline is December 15th, 2014. New this year is the offer of free registration to groups and bands if they are required to take buses to the festival. Contact for festival information: Ron Somerville, 226-377-2958.
About the Festival
The first Rotary Music Festival took place in St. Thomas in 1952 – it has continued almost every year since, giving thousands of local musicians opportunity to share and develop their talents by competing with others and receiving tips from qualified adjudicators.
The tradition continues each year when, in late February, the Rotary Music Festival hosts hundreds of musicians in a wide range of classes, at several venues in St. Thomas.
Before heading into the new year, though, the work of festival volunteers is to distribute the syllabus and get the word out in order that musicians can get themselves registered before the December deadline. That’s when event organizers can begin to line up the competition venues and let competitors know their performance times and locations.
The tradition continues each year when, in late February, the Rotary Music Festival hosts hundreds of musicians in a wide range of classes, at several venues in St. Thomas.
Before heading into the new year, though, the work of festival volunteers is to distribute the syllabus and get the word out in order that musicians can get themselves registered before the December deadline. That’s when event organizers can begin to line up the competition venues and let competitors know their performance times and locations.
Potential participants have a huge range of musical classes from which to choose. The syllabus has evolved with changing music interests. Alternative music classes provide a venue for performers young and old in guitar and drum classes and in new and innovative areas of jazz, creative composition and sight reading. Classes for voice ensembles, choirs and oral readings remain as part of the program. Also the festival provides scope for dramatic and colourful solos by young people who have trained in school productions. The guidelines have been refined with each successive festival and help ensure a smooth-running and fair event.
Festival Chair, Ron Somerville notes, “Registrations come from all over, often from schools or music schools. Many music teachers encourage their students to compete, but sometimes music students pick up a syllabus and approach their music teachers about participating. Often, families coordinate registration for their child musicians.”
All competitors can benefit from the experience of performing and from working with highly qualified adjudicators who provide helpful suggestions for personal growth in the music field.
Rotary also supports young musicians with scholarships and awards. Special competitions on the final day of the Festival are held for the Rose Bowl (voice), Silver Tray (piano), Cunniffe Scholarship (instrumental) and Stephanie Leung Scholarship (piano). Other scholarships and awards are presented to the high achievers in various classes at a Keynote Concert in April.
Festival Chair, Ron Somerville notes, “Registrations come from all over, often from schools or music schools. Many music teachers encourage their students to compete, but sometimes music students pick up a syllabus and approach their music teachers about participating. Often, families coordinate registration for their child musicians.”
All competitors can benefit from the experience of performing and from working with highly qualified adjudicators who provide helpful suggestions for personal growth in the music field.
Rotary also supports young musicians with scholarships and awards. Special competitions on the final day of the Festival are held for the Rose Bowl (voice), Silver Tray (piano), Cunniffe Scholarship (instrumental) and Stephanie Leung Scholarship (piano). Other scholarships and awards are presented to the high achievers in various classes at a Keynote Concert in April.
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