Young musicians from across Canada set to perform on campus

SACKVILLE, NB – Mount Allison University’s Department of Music will welcome musicians from across Canada this summer for the 2018 National Music Festival, Conference, and Annual General Meeting, taking place August 12-18 on campus.

Organized by the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals, the national festival and conference will see approximately 70 competitors plus accompanists, their families and delegates to the FCMF conference for approximately 150 participants travelling to Sackville for the event.

“We are thrilled to host the National Music Festival this year,” says Stephen Runge, Mount Allison Music professor and department head. “It is an honour to welcome some of the country’s top performers and their families, as well as festival organizers to campus. Our entire department is looking forward to the week ahead.”

“The New Brunswick Federation of Music Festivals is delighted to be hosting the 2018 National Music Festival again! The first National Music Festival was held in Saint John as part of Canada’s Centennial celebrations. Since then, the NBFMF has hosted this prestigious national event in 1985 [Moncton], 1996 [Sackville], 2007 [Moncton],” says Barbara Long, Executive Director of the Federation of Music Festivals. “We are familiar with the superb facilities and helpful staff at Mount Allison as it is the home to our annual New Brunswick Provincial Music Festival. As the Executive Director for both the NBFMF and FCMF, I extend sincere thanks to the University and the many volunteers from Sackville and around the province for making this event possible.”

In addition to being the 2018 host, Mount Allison also has many connections to the event. Fourth-year Music student David (Sung-ho) Kwon is competing in the Woodwinds category representing New Brunswick. Recent Mount Allison Music graduate Skylar Cameron will be representing New Brunswick in the Voice category.

“At Nationals, I’m looking forward to getting to meet and hear some amazing musicians from across the country,” says Cameron. “It’s such a unique opportunity to not only perform, but to connect and learn from other young artists. I’m also happy that it will be taking place in the beautiful town of Sackville at Mount Allison, a place I have grown to love.”

“I’m looking forward to performing and showing what music is like to me. I am very excited to meet other musicians and share our ideas on the stage,” says Kwon. “It is an honour to represent the New Brunswick Woodwind section again this year and I wish the best to all!”

Several Mount Allison Music faculty members also have direct connections to the Festival including Vicki St. Pierre, who served as an adjudicator at last year’s event in Ottawa, and Runge who was a competitor during his undergraduate studies, earning first place in the Piano class.

Competitions are open to the public with day passes available. For a complete schedule please visit: http://www.fcmf.org/sackville-2018/