Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the Rotary Music Festival?
Rotary is open to both school and community groups of all ages, all sizes and from all locations (not just from within Newfoundland and Labrador). Our festival is broken into three categories – Choral, Jazz and Band/Symphonic. Chamber ensembles in those categories are also welcome.
Where and when does the festival take place?
All clinics take place at the MUN School of Music in St. John’s, Newfoundland, from April 24 – May 2, 2024.
Choral Festival: April 24 – 26
Jazz Festival: April 27 – 28
Band/Symphonic Festival: April 29 – May 2
Rotary Jazz Band Evening Concert: TBD
Clinics occur during the daytime at the D.F. Cook Recital Hall, usually between the hours of 8:30am and 5:30pm. Where possible, we may schedule later clinic times to accommodate traveling groups.
What is the registration cost and when is payment due?
The total registration fee per ensemble is $275.
Schools who register additional, affiliated ensembles within the same festival category can register those affiliated groups for $175.
For example, the fees for a single school registering the below groups would be as follows:
Mass Choir – $275
Chamber Choir – $175
Jazz Band – $275
Jazz Combo – $175
Total fees: $900
Transportation to and from the Festival is the responsibility of each school/ensemble. Some schools may be eligible for travel support funding through the NL Department of Education School Touring Program.
Fees are due along with online registration forms by January 31, 2024. Often there is a waitlist for participation, therefore registration and scheduling priority can only be considered once payment has been received. All fees are non refundable.
What is included in the registration fee?
- 45-minute clinic with 2-3 acclaimed music educators on stage at the D.F. Cook Recital Hall
- Written commentary on the group’s performance
- Three audio files, completed by MUN’s recording staff, including “on the fly” commentary from two clinicians as well as a “clean” recording of the performance
- Clinic sessions that focus on notable performance characteristics of the ensemble with the intent of offering positive feedback to assist in its continued development
- Rotary Honours Awards which are presented at the clinic to a deserving member of the ensemble for their contribution. This award is discretionary and the recipient is nominated by the ensemble director
- Pictures of the ensemble (formal and informal) distributed exclusively to the ensemble director via Dropbox
- A Participation Certificate for each performance ensemble
- Constructive coaching for conductors
- An invitation to audition for the Rotary Jazz Band, made up of students from various schools. The band plays a concert and also performs an hour-long webcast via the Centre for Innovation and Learning (CITL) Department at MUN, livestreamed to all schools across Newfoundland and Labrador
What repertoire should I perform?
In 2023, the first Rotary Music Festival after the COVID-19 pandemic, we encouraged directors to “come as they are” with whatever repertoire best suited their ensembles at the time. All groups are currently still encouraged to participate in Rotary this way – without the barrier of having to prepare specific repertoire – if that is what is right for your ensemble.
Should you wish your group to be judged to a standard (Gold, Silver, Bronze), participate in MusicFest Canada or simply aim for established guidelines, please consult the Rotary Music Festival Rules and Regulations and/or Concert Band Syllabus for repertoire rules and listings.