The Grande Prairie & District Music Festival Association celebrate students of music and speech arts from age 5–28 in their 3 week festival each year. They have well over 1000 entries with participants from northern British Columbia and Alberta. These young people compete in a number of categories, including piano, orchestra, vocal, choral, musical theatre, woodwinds, brass and band. The festival will take place this year starting April 4th until May 2nd and will be hosted by a number of local schools and churches, along with the Grande Prairie Regional College. 

The adjudicators for this year's festival have already been announced. This is a group of experienced and well-respected performers and teachers who will be judging the festival competitors. More than that, the adjudicators provide advice, teaching and inspiration for young, growing artists. Pictured below is adjudicator Tyson Oatway, from last years festival, jamming with a local guitar student. 

Bios for the 2019 adjudicators can be veiwed on the Grande Prairie and District Musical Festival Association website. 

"This festival would not be possible without the cooperation of the Grande Prairie Regional College and the churches and schools which offer their facilities free of charge. Some financial assistance comes from individual donors, local organizations and businesses. Administration and organization require hundreds of volunteer hours." Source

"The end of 1998 brought us a major sponsor and we continue to be excited about this partnership. EnCana (formerly AEC) has not only donated funds to pay some of the operating costs of the festival; they have also donated a sculpture by Merv Bielish and a cash scholarship. This sculpture will remain at the Grande Prairie Regional College with a plaque resting in the trophy case honoring each winner of the trophy and scholarship. Winners will receive a photo plaque showing the presentation of the trophy to them. We are grateful for this sponsorship. From its early beginnings as a small two-day festival, the Grande Prairie and District Music Festival has grown to become a very full three-week event which ends with a final concert early in May. The calibre of entries has continued to improve over the years and many young artists from this area have gone on to achieve provincial and national recognition." Source

For updates on this years festival, follow the Grande Prairie & District Music Festival Association Facebook page.