SRMTA Conference 2025

After years (actual years), 2025 saw the first, and hopefully not last, joint conference between the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association and the Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers Association.

Meeting at the University of Saskatchewan, teachers, volunteers, and adjudicators from across Saskatchewan converged for an evening and a day of networking, clinician presentations, awards, entertainment, great food and connections. Called “Ensemble” by the organizing committee, it indeed had that flavour. Everyone who gathered mixed and mingled, renewed friendships, and enjoyed the camaraderie that comes with collaborative work.

The attendees were treated to six sessions—some specific to the organization and others geared toward all in attendance.

Session One had Laureen Kells and Karen Frandsen working with everyone on how to better evaluate festival performances. Following that, Cherith Alexander discussed “How to Dazzle an Adjudicator.” As usual Cherith’s warm personality and gentle good humour held everyone’s attention. After that, the crowd was entertained by The Saskatoon Fiddle Orchestra. Their ensemble served to remind all of us of the importance of keeping the fun in music.

On Saturday morning concurrent sessions were held with Lynette Sawatsky presenting her “Keys to Studio Retention” to the SRMTA and Penny Miles leading a roundtable discussion to the SMFA. Following that were presentations by Carol Donhauser, Nancy Toppings and Mariel Unger on the importance of festival administration, concurrently with Bonnie Nicholson presenting to the SRMTA members on “Building Community Spirit.”

The volunteer awards presentation saw several festival volunteers, adjudicators and other deserving individuals receiving awards.

The luncheon entertainment were the popular Garry and Kathy Gable who shared personal stories of their musical experiences, followed by a short vocal recital, which held everyone’s attention.

The afternoon had the SRMTA hearing about “Empowering Ensembles” with Lorn and Janet Gieck and Heather McNabb sharing information on speech arts. The afternoon wrapped up with updates to the SMFA syllabus.

All in all, it was a wonderful event and all in attendance were glad the event had come together. The executives of both organizations are looking forward to working toward continuing this tradition.