This is a 3 day Non-competitive festival designed for North American music programs (concert bands and wind ensembles, orchestras, jazz ensembles and choirs) to enhance their skills and meet other musicians. The festival is held in stunning Whistler, BC, a 125 km drive north of Vancouver and home site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The pedestrian-friendly Village lends itself perfectly to a safe festival atmosphere for all participants. All restaurants, hotels and festival venues are within an easy 10 minute walk.

The festival opens for Concert Bands on Thursday, April 24 th at 8 am with performances throughout the day. Jazz groups and Choirs start their performances on Friday. On Thursday evening we feature a performance by an invited high school jazz ensemble playing music from the swing era. A dance class will help introduce dances of the era to all participants and a couple of special prizes for the best dancers will be awarded. We will open the dance just after 8 pm for younger students and open it later at 9 pm for older students.

Updates regarding all aspects of the festival will be added on an ongoing basis. Once registration opens, check the “Schedule” tab to determine a time that works best for you. Venues for the various events will also be updated however all band, orchestra and jazz ensemble performances and evening concerts will occur in the Whistler Conference Centre.  Concert Choir performances occur in the Maury Arts Centre however the mass choir will perform Saturday evening in the CC.

To register for the festival, click the “Register” tab and scroll through the various options – be sure to check the “Fees” tab as well so you are aware of all costs. The “Package” tab will be updated in January and gives very specific information about all aspects of the festival. It is very important to read this carefully so you can plan all aspects of your trip to Whistler. The “Adjudicators” tab will be updated throughout the winter and includes bios of adjudicators selected for the festival. The “Program” tab includes information on the evening concerts including guest ensembles and soloists and in some cases, the specific program they will be performing.

Concert Band & Orchestra performances are scheduled in the Conference Centre from Thursday through Saturday. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NEW AS WE ARE NOW OPENING A DAY EARLIER THAN PREVIOUSLY INDICATED, AND FINISHING UP SATURDAY EVENING. Each day starts at 8 am and continues to the late afternoon. At this time, all performance times are slotted for 30 minutes (30 minute warm-up precedes this) with 50 minute adjudication workshops that follow.  We do continue to adjust the schedule depending upon enrollment and some younger bands may be allocated shorter performance times but maintain the 50 minute workshop.  Jazz ensembles performances start Friday morning with 30 minute performances followed by 50 minute workshops. Concert Choir performances start on Friday morning and run through Saturday afternoon with 30 minute performances followed by 50 minute workshops. 30 minute warmups are also available prior to performances. Vocal jazz performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday evening and dependent upon enrollment, may also be scheduled for Sunday morning.  Vocal jazz participants schedule 20 minute performances followed by 40 minute workshops.  A mass choir meets on Friday and Saturday  at noon with a Saturday evening performance. Vocal workshops for both students and directors are also being scheduled for various times throughout the festival as well as sectionals and specific work on the mass choir selection. The final schedule for all groups will be complete by March 1 and we will be contacting all Directors with expected minor changes in their schedules. IF THE SCHEDULE APPEARS TO BE FULL, CONTACT Dr. Dennis Prime for specific times that interest you and we’ll de everything we can to get you scheduled.

Guest performances in the Conference Centre ballroom and the Maury Arts Centre auditorium occur on Friday and Saturday and feature a number of professional, university, military and community ensembles with stellar guest artists. Similar programs are also available at noon throughout the festival in the Rainbow Theatre. MORE INFORMATION ON THESE OUTSTANDING GUESTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN MID DECEMBER.