CANADA MUSIC WEEK^®


  AIMS OF CANADA MUSIC WEEK^®

Canada Music Week^® celebrations take place in the third week of November, which includes November 22, the day honoring St. Cecilia, patron Saint of Music. The 5 principle aims of this event are:

- to bring to the attention of the public, through various means, the importance of Canadian music;
- to emphasize not only Canadian work, but also the significance of music generally;
- to introduce contemporary music to Canadian students and stimulate a keener appreciation and understanding of this music;
- to encourage music teachers to widen their knowledge and experience of Canadian works;
- to support composers and performers of Canadian music;


  CANADA MUSIC WEEK^® ACTIVITIES IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Each year, numerous events take place across the country to celebrate Canada Music Week^®. This year, all branches are encouraged to hold birthday celebrations in honour of the 50^th anniversary of Canada Music Week^®. For information on activities in your area, or to find out how you can host a Canada Music Week^® celebration, contact our Provincial CMW Coordinator:

Carol Irma Mulherin, Canada Music Week^® Co-ordinator
46 Rue St. Onge, Grand Sault, NB E3Z 1G2
Phone: (506) 473-6119
Email: broadwayproductions@rogers.com


  HISTORY OF CANADA MUSIC WEEK^®

In 1957 Violet Isfeld, who was then president of the Canadian Federation of Music Teacher's Association, proposed that a National Week for Music be initiated in 1960 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Federation. The response was enthusiastic and the celebration so successful that the next year (1961) it was decided by CFMTA council to make "Canada Music Week" an annual event.

In 1963 Reginald Bedford, president, suggested the setting-up of a committee with the convener for Canada Music Week^®, Sister M. Rodriguez Steel of Nova Scotia and Eleanor Patch of British Columbia were appointed as co-conveners. (Arthur Putland succeeded Miss Patch in 1969). It was also decided that Canada Music Week^® be observed the last full week of November to coincide with Saint Cecilia's Day thereby giving church musicians the opportunity to contribute to the special week.

In 1969 Flora Goulden, president, wrote to each Provincial Premier to ask for their initial interest and co-operation through their Minister of Education and thence to their schools. To achieve greater National unity in the oberservance of the 10th Anniversary of Music Week, a Poster Competition was under taken and continued on an annual basis with popular support.

For nine years the directors of Canada Music Week^® were chosen by CFMTA council. Now each Province is autonomous in its programming. From 1970 to 1992, Helen Dahlastom chaired the project and was Editor of the Canada Music Week^® Magazine. From 1993 to 1998, the National Co-ordinator was Penny Joynt from Meacham Saskatchewan. From 1999 to 2001 Lore Ruschiensky from Regina Saskatchewan was the co-ordinator and from the 2001 to the present the National Co-ordinator is Ron Spadafore from Timmins Ontario. Publicity material is available in the form of seals, poster and pencils.

Canada Music Week^® is dedicated to music in its fullest sense but since 1967 particular stress has been focussed on the Canadian cultural content.

The Music Writing Contest was introduced in 1971 in an effort to stimulate young people in the art of musical composition. Now called the CFMTA Student Composer Competition, it is open to all students of members of CFMTA. A highlight of the competition's history was the performance of four winning original compositions heard in concert at the CFMTA Convention in Halifax, July 1973. This special event was the result of a general invitation for all composers to compete whether they be professional or amateur. Manuscripts were submitted from Canada, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, France, Norway, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Judges have included Dr. Violet Archer, the late Robert Fleming, Godfrey Ridout, Jean Papineau-Couture, Talivaldis Kenins and Keith Bissell.

In 1998 the process to have the Canada Music Week^® name registered as a trademark was undertaken by CFMTA. As of September 2002 this process has now been completed and the Canada Music Week name is a trademark.

Canada Music Week^® activity has now become a positive experience for thousand of Canadians. Radio and TV coverage, press, magazines, libraries, schools universities, composers, symphony orchestras, concert societies, church choirs, organists, all uniting in the ever-expanding promotion of Canada Music Week^®. This is the direct result of the tremendous effort put forth by members of the CFMTA who have responded to the challenge with enthusiasm and created an air of music awareness and festivity throughout the country.

This history was written by Thelma Wilson, Past President CFMTA, and updated by Ron Spadafore, National Co-ordinator.