MBA Concert Band Festival of 2025

An Overview of the Events

~ by Charlotte

A Quick Background:

The Manitoba Band Association (MBA) Concert Band Festival, is an annual event to bring different middle school/ secondary schools together to prepare music, play for others to observe, and to be adjudicated by an individual with a Doctorate/PhD in a subject relating to conducting, teaching, and/or adjudicating. The festival ran throughout the week of February 18-21, where the ESOMS Grade 8 Band performed on the morning of Tuesday, February 18.

Who Was Our Adjudicator For Our Performance?

We had the opportunity to be taught by the great Dr. Gillian McKay, education finished from the University of Toronto.

During our time with her afterwards, she encouraged the band with different methods of listening to others, making references to metaphors in life to contribute to our music, and she helped the band improve in spots that were trickier than others. Her advice was substantial, shaping our ESOMS band into an even better one with simple words and thoughts. For more information on the adjudicator, below is a link to her brief biography provided by the Manitoba Band Association.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JhAVAl4SAMn4GhGPnnWyP74p1RGzoe0y/view?usp=sharing

What Was The Grade 8’s Experience Like Other Than Their Performance?

The MBA Concert Band Festival isn’t just about performance, it’s about learning from others as well. Below are some key points regarding the elements of what makes the festival an amazing learning opportunity for middle years to high schoolers with a passion for music.

Participation: The festival typically features a wide range of bands, from elementary school bands to high school and community bands. It provides a platform for students, teachers, and community musicians to perform and demonstrate their skills.

Music Education: In addition to performances, the festival often includes clinics, workshops, and masterclasses for students and educators. These educational elements aim to enhance the musicianship of participants, improve their technical abilities, and foster a deeper appreciation for band music.

Variety of Music: Bands that participate in the festival perform a diverse range of music, from classical pieces and traditional concert band works to contemporary compositions and popular tunes. The festival emphasizes the importance of variety in musical styles and genres.

Community and Collaboration: The festival fosters a strong sense of community and collaboration among musicians. Bands from different schools and communities come together to share their love of music and learn from each other. It's an opportunity for young musicians to interact with others who share similar interests and passions.

Festival Format: Over the course of the festival, participating bands perform in front of an audience and a panel of adjudicators. The adjudicators provide constructive feedback, which helps participants improve their skills and grow as musicians.

Inspiring Performances: The MBA Band Festival provides an inspiring atmosphere for musicians of all ages. It is a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and talent of individuals involved in the Manitoba band community.

A huge thank you goes out to our talented students, the amazing music department, and all the band members who put in countless hours of practice to make this performance such a success. We look forward to seeing more musical achievements in the future!