About Us
- Established in 1908
- Incorporated under the Non-Profit Corporations Act
- Affiliated with the Department of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, SaskCulture and the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals
Vision
A world that appreciates music; providing excellence in music performance and educational opportunities for students and teachers; producing well rounded individuals with positive life and performance skills.
Mission
The purpose and objective of the Provincial Association is to promote excellence in music and speech arts by providing performance and educational opportunities through competitive music festivals in the province of Saskatchewan.
History
We have an enviable system that exists in this country because of Earl Grey, Canada's Governor General from 1904-1911. In addition to football, he had the arts on his mind. Following a concert which was part of the inauguration ceremonies of Alberta, he proposed that a Dominion- wide festival should be established for drama and music. Some time later he sent letters to the Lieutenant- Governors of each province and asked for their support. Alberta and Saskatchewan were the only two provinces to respond. Because competitive music festivals have enjoyed such a long history in Saskatchewan, we tend to think everyone is aware of the benefits this system provides. Certainly the great-grandchildren of the first festival volunteers, who are now music festival supporters themselves, are aware of why they spend thousands of hours preparing for their annual local festival.
The mandate of SMFA has continued throughout these 100 years, and for many children has been, and is an introduction to the performing arts. Musical training gives not only enjoyment, but it provides the best chance a student will have of meeting grace and beauty in school. It helps him/her explore and cultivate emotions and suggests a form of self-expression. It is an interesting way to learn the value of practice, discipline, and in the case of a band or chorus, the elements of collaboration. In the festival scenario, the competitive aspect allows students to attain goals, to learn stage deportment, to listen, to win or lose graciously and to become good audience members.
The Saskatchewan Music Festival has contributed greatly over the years to the cultural life of our province by providing performance platforms in every community. There are now 49 Member Saskatchewan Music Festivals, whose performers have access to Provincial and National levels of competition. The breadth of our programs has extended to include a Publication of our 80 year History in 1988; Concert Appearance by tenor Jon Vickers in collaboration with OSAC; Canadian Composer Series; Commissioned Works by Saskatchewan composers; Concerto Competition in co-operation with the two provincial Symphony Orchestras; Gordon C. Wallis Opera Competition; Festival Workshop Program; Artist-in-Residence program with Sask. Choral Federation; and most recently a joint newsletter with the Sask. Registered Music Teachers Association.
The Saskatchewan Music Festival Association continues to thrive because of the continuing financial support provided by the Sask. Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture & Recreation and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. This generous financial support enhances the work of our marvellous volunteers at the local, provincial and nationals levels.
