Shuswap Music Festival Society

The Shuswap Music Festival Society is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting musical arts in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Established in 2000 through a joint effort by the Registered Music Teachers Association of BC (Shuswap Branch) and the Rotary Club of Salmon Arm, the society operates as a charitable organization.

Purpose and Activities

The primary purpose of the Shuswap Music Festival Society is to encourage, support, challenge, and celebrate music students and amateur musicians. This is achieved by providing opportunities for learning and performing, which helps participants strive for musical excellence. The festival offers a platform for constructive and professional evaluations of performances, allowing participants to gain valuable feedback.

Disciplines and Affiliations

The festival features a variety of musical disciplines, including:

• Piano
• Strings
• Vocal
• Choral
• Band

The Shuswap Music Festival Society is affiliated with the Performing Arts BC Provincial Music Festival. Historically, it was also affiliated with the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals from 2001 to 2020. Top performers are often recommended by adjudicators to compete at the provincial level, with potential progression to Western Canadian and national competitions.

History

The roots of the Shuswap's musical heritage stretch back to the formation of the Shuswap Coffee House Society in 1976, which sponsored various music events featuring local and international artists. However, the modern Shuswap Music Festival began with its first event in 2001. The festival was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 but has continued to evolve, adapting to new challenges through virtual performances and distance adjudication.

Anniversary Celebrations

In April 2025, the society celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special festival, highlighting a quarter-century of dedication to nurturing young musicians. The event runs from April 7 to May 2, concluding with a gala concert.

Governance

The Shuswap Music Festival Society is managed by a volunteer board of directors, relying on support from local organizations, businesses, and individual donors to maintain its annual festivals. The society is registered under the business registration number 881233712RR0001 and operates as a not-for-profit organization.