HISTORY
On November 5th, 1932, T. Stewart Cooper (Agricultural Representative
of Grey County and also a Kiwanian) sent out a letter to all the music
teachers in the area suggesting the establishment of a “Music
Festival”. The idea caught on quickly and five days later, after
meetings in Meaford and Owen Sound, it was unanimously agreed to hold a
Music Festival in Grey County.
An organizational meeting of some 50 people, chaired by Mr. H.
Sparling, resulted in the formation of the Grey County Musical
Association, with a local branch known as:
“The Meaford, Thornbury, Clarksburg, Heathcote
Music Festival Committee.”
On December 14th, 1932, a syllabus was drawn up and committees were appointed to select test pieces.
The following mission statement was developed:
“To advance and develop musical talent and education in Grey County and to hold, at stated intervals, Music Festivals.”
This remains essentially the same today. Although all the larger centres in Grey County were invited to host the festival on a rotating basis, over the years all but two have been held in either Meaford or Owen Sound.
In the early days, anywhere from two to five adjudicators would be selected from the Canadian Adjudicators’ Association or by recommendation of local teachers. At that time they were paid a fee of from $15 to $25 per day. Nowadays as many as nine are needed at the rate of $250 per day plus accommodation, meals and travel expense.
The makeup of the classes has been dictated by the needs of the times. The piano section has always made up more than 50 percent of the total entries. Strings, winds, bands, adult and children’s vocal have been the major classes held. As needed, there have also been classes for dance, speech arts, baton, accordion, recorder, guitar, organ, composition, sight reading and quick study. School entries have always been a vital part of the festival.
Over the years, the festival has been sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Markdale, Meaford and Wiarton, as well as by the Owen Sound Chamber of Commerce. Since 1969, the Kiwanis Clubs of Meaford and Owen Sound have been continuous sponsors - hence the name “Grey County Kiwanis Festival of Music”. Built into the bylaws is the requirement that the chair of the board of directors be a Kiwanian.
Traditionally, marks have been given to each competitor with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place certificates being awarded in each class. The International System (gold, silver, bronze - no marks) was tried in 1985, but, at the request of teachers, was abandoned. Currently only bands, orchestras, and choirs use this International System. Soloists and small groups use the Marking and Placement system.
Scholarships (now called “Awards of Excellence”) have always been
a part of the festival, the amounts being determined by available
funds. These decisions are made by an Awards Committee of the Board,
based solely on the recommendations of the adjudicator. There have
also been awards of plaques and trophies.
Final concerts have featured the best performances in each
discipline along with the presentation of awards. For a number of
years, all the award winners performed resulting at times in a very
long evening program. Also the top bands and choirs competed at the
concert for a special trophy with adjudicators brought in specifically
for this competition. In recent years this practice has been
discontinued. Currently two “Concerts of Festival Stars” are held -
one for soloists and small groups, the other for bands, orchestras and
choirs.