Even though it’s only early February, volunteers are already busy preparing for the 71st annual Chatham Kiwanis Music Festival April 4-15.
In fact, some members of the committee have been working on the iconic event since May of last year.
Chairman Chuck Scott, who jokingly says he’s been a volunteer “since I can’t remember when”,
said organization is a big part of the two-week long event’s success.
The festival has more than 20 committee volunteers who perform different tasks throughout the year.
“The main committee meets three times per year but the sub committees have different functions at different times,” he said. “For example, the people who plan and update the syllabus are busy in July and August and those who handle registration are busier later in the year, up to the December deadline.”
This year’s Festival has 750 registrations, a slight increase from last year. Since musicians can enter in more than one category, there are actually 600 individuals participating.
Scott said the number of volunteers swells by more than 60 during the event that is held at three locations, Holy Trinity Anglican church, St. Andrews United Church and Studio One at the Chatham Cultural Centre.
The Grand Concert is held April 26 at 7p.m. at the Kiwanis Theatre where a hand picked representation of festival talent performs, and some 75 trophies and $8,000 in awards are presented.
Scott said although the event has a “good core of long-term” committee members, new individuals are always welcome.
“We have a few openings here and there but we’re structured so that we can ease new people in without throwing a lot of responsibility on their shoulders right away,” he said.
He said one of the highlights of being involved with the festival is to watch the growth of youngsters who begin competing in elementary school age and continue until they’ve completed secondary school.
“When you see them pursue their musical talent and watch them grow in confidence, it really gives you a warm feeling,” he said. “Many of our entrants are not only strong musically but they’re fine young people as well.”
Although the majority of entries come from Chatham-Kent, others come from communities including Amherstburg, Belle River, Windsor, Woodslee and elsewhere.
Adjudicators for the hundreds of categories come from across Ontario and are provincially accredited.
“We have adjudicators from as far away as Kingston,” he said. “This is a prestigious event and we attract some of the finest in the field.”
Scott said the goal of adjudicators is not just to mark performances but also to suggest ways for the performer to hone their craft.
“A good adjudicator can be of tremendous help to a student,” he said.
Admission to the Festival is through buying a syllabus listing all events for $10, purchasing a pass for the full event for $5 or paying $2 to attend one performance.
“We have people who like to come in daily and we have people who come in once to see a child or grandchild perform,” he said. “Children are always free.”
Scott said scores of festival participants have gone on to successful careers in music. “Our goal is to help these young people develop their gift. The fact that they can make a career from it is a bonus.”
To get information on volunteering for the festival contact Scott at 519-352-0464, or visit the festival website at http://www.chathamkiwanis.com/musicfestival/
