Capital Region MusicFest

Capital Region Musicfest 

The Earl of March Bands have the opportunity to participate in the Capital Region Music Festival at the end of February/beginning of March.

Please visit the following website for more information:

www.crmf.on.ca

Here's how it works: 

Bands do not directly compete against each other but rather all strive for a regional rating of gold, silver or bronze. There will be numerous bands in our level that win gold. If you do win a gold, you have an automatic invitation to Musicfest Nationals, which is nice to attend if it is being held in Ottawa. It is quite an honour to even be invited!

Band performances will be assessed by three adjudicators while on stage and then musicians will be led to a clinic room for an educational component where they will work with the adjudicator for about 30 minutes. Parents are welcome to observe the adjudication if there is enough space available. 

Following the adjudication, the band is led to a photo area where a professional photographer takes a number of pictures of the band. The photos are available on site for approximately $20.00 each. You can also get a individual photo for the same price.

The duration of the whole experience (with performance, adjudication, and photo session) is one hour and 15 minutes. If your child has to leave early, please give your director advanced notice and be advised that they would not be in the official band photo which is mounted permanently in our band room and is used in the EoM yearbook.

The Concert Bands will perform at Woodroffe H.S. and the Jazz Bands will perform at Longfields-Davidson Heights S.S..  You can find the directions to the schools at www.crmf.on.ca and click on the “venue” button. The maps are also on the main page of the web site

If you would like to have a festival program, you need to print off the schedule from the crmf website since hard copies of the program are not available. The list is also posted on our Music web site under the senior, Junior, and Jazz Band headings .

After dropping your child off at the appropriate place, parents may listen to other bands perform while they wait for our performance in the auditorium.  In both festival venues there are numerous volunteers who will help you find your way!

We advise that your child take the time to listen to a few other bands at the festival. There is a variety of repertoire and levels (intermediate, secondary and community) for all to enjoy.

There will be a $3.00 entrance fee to get into the venues for adults. Students (age 18 & under) have free admission. There is a concession stand on the premises during non-school hours and on week-ends.

The festival is a major event. The bands will be diligently working towards getting pieces ready for the next number of weeks and one of the things we work on is balance in the band between the sections. 

Commitment to the event is required several weeks before the date of performance. If it is known that the student cannot attend, prior notice is mandatory so the parts can be rehearsed and covered by other band members. Last minute 'no shows' are stressful for the group, and it hinders the overall performance of the group. 

Students that do not show up for performances without prior notice may possibly be dropped from the band roster for the rest of the year (emergencies exempt of course!). Please email Mr. Steiner if an emergency arises (illness etc.) that affects your child’s attendance at the performance.