Take note

It's a leap year in 2008, so what better time for the Corner Brook Rotary Music Festival Association to bound into relatively unchartered territory.

The syllabus for the 45th annual showcase of musical talents is available to music educators and the festival association is hoping to see an expansion of the talent expected to hit the stages of local venues between Feb. 29 and March 11.

To accomplish that, the association is appealing to schools, community groups and individual performers from beyond Corner Brook to consider getting involved.

"I think it's time we had outside entries from Corner Brook in the music festival," said Bernd Staeben, the association's president. "Last March, we had a band group from Roncalli High School (in Port Saunders) come down. That was good. It added a lot to the festival. I'd like to see more participation from the Northern Peninsula on down to Corner Brook and to start putting a more regional aspect to the festival."

Karen Michael, a local music teacher and a director with the festival association's board, said entrants west of the city would also be most welcome.

"People participating from Stephenville would be good too," she commented. "Some kids from our festival go out to their festival, so we should open up to them as well."
Offering audiences more variety would spice up the event, she added.

"We don't see a whole lot of guitar and drums and those instruments and the syllabus has classes in all of those areas," she said. "All you have to do is pick one up and take a look."

Wendy Woodland, who is also a director on the board and teaches music privately, agreed with the open invitation.

"To have more groups from either the schools or community groups, or even solo performers, singers, pianists or groups from Pasadena and Deer Lake would be great," she said. "It's an opportunity for people from smaller places that don't have a music festival to be able to come to Corner Brook and participate."

Staeben said there's no reason for individuals or groups not used to performing before large audiences to be daunted by the thought.

"You have to start somewhere and participation is always the first step to improving yourself," he said. "Everybody knows what the music festival does for your self image, confidence, discipline, concentration and all that."

The syllabus is available at Gary Bennett Music and at Sharpe Music, or from Staeben or association member Louise Bishop. Entrants have until Nov. 30 to indicate their participation.

"We have our four adjudicators picked and we're ready to go," said Staeben. "All we're looking for now is a bigger and better festival, with more participation."