Support confirms go-ahead for Strathmore Music Festival
By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor
Photo Courtesy of Carolyn Steeves
Currently, gifted musicians from Strathmore and surrounding area have two options for competing at provincial music competitions: the Calgary Performing Arts Festival and the Drumheller and District Music Festival.
However, plans for Strathmore to launch its first annual festival – the Strathmore Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) – are moving ahead without a hitch, offering local musicians a third option to qualify for provincials.
While next year’s festival will follow the Alberta Music Festival Association (AMFA) syllabus, those participating won’t have a chance to qualify to compete at the provincial level in 2019. In order for Strathmore to become a member of AMFA and send one of their own to compete in provincials, the town is required to host one successful non-competitive festival.
École Brentwood Elementary School Music Specialist Carolyn Steeves, and director of the Strathmore Children’s Choir Loralee Laycock, who spearheaded the initiative, knew they needed more members to pull off the idea. They were surprised when over 20 members of Strathmore’s music scene attended their June 14 meeting and 18 people recently stepped up to form a board.
“Everyone is working so hard and throwing ideas out and everyone’s end purpose is to have a successful first festival; you can tell, everybody’s mind is on that purpose and it’s just beautiful,” said Steeves, president of SPAF.
“We have a lot of people working on our board so there are a lot of people who think this is the time. The town is big enough now, it’s time for us to have our own festival. I’m excited about it and I hope the community will embrace it, will enter and support it.”
There are currently 35 festivals under the Alberta Music Festival Association umbrella. Yet having a locally adjudicated festival allows musicians to cut down on travel and provide community pride. The festival focuses on a target area that stretches from Calgary city limits east to Highway 56 and then north to Highway 9 following the river. While the area includes Langdon, Chestermere and all the communities within the Golden Hills School Division, those outside the boundaries may also choose to compete in Strathmore.
Discussions and planning for the creation of the festival have thus far been effortless. Yet organizers are working on spreading the word and encouraging musicians from kindergarten to university level to enter next year.
“I attribute this process moving quickly to the many people in our community who could see a need for this and were willing to do the work to make it happen. This truly is a collective effort and everyone has done their part quickly and with enthusiasm. I am happy that so many people are excited about this project,” said Laycock, vice-president of SPAF.
“This festival will be a success if we can spread the word and encourage participation from those in the community who are involved in the arts. As the festival will be non-competitive, we are hoping to attract those who may not choose to compete in more intense environments. The goal here is to enhance our art community by encouraging everyone to participate.”
The festival is scheduled to take place from March 30 to April 9 in 2019. While some dates and locations have not been finalized, the organizers plan to have categories for musical theatre, band, voice, piano and instruments. Competition will take place in facilities in Strathmore, such as at the Strathmore United Church, École Brentwood Elementary School and Strathmore High School. The final concert has been booked at the Strathmore Alliance Church on April 9.
The board is also seeking sponsors and donors for a scholarship program. According to Steeves, registration packages are expected to be available mid-November, and the deadline to enter is Feb. 1, 2019.